Article by Eder Guzman
Photo credit Bryan de la Rosa
New York Mets held its 10th annual Taiwan Heritage Day, the day the Mets played against the Phillies. The anticipation for the game and the festivities was evident, with drivers remarking that parking was hell.
At 5:30 before entering the stadium, there were performances by Taiwanese dancers and musicians promoted by the Taiwanese tourism board. There were Chines yo-yos, violins, acrobats, singers and dancers. Before the game began, the crowd at Citifield was treated to Taiwanese dancers, in religious regalia and donning large child-like masks. The Third Prince dance is done in Taiwan and only seen ceremony, in order to ward off evil spirits. The next dance was a Taiwanese aboriginal dance, with the men and woman wearing red and with feathered headdresses. The Taiwanese singer, flight attendant of China Airline, Mei-Jin Ho also made a return appearance, after singing at last year’s heritage day.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese mascot, a Formosan black bear which is native to Taiwan, was entertaining the crowd. Even Mr. Met got in on the fun, and danced and took pictures with him.
The Mets also introduced a special guest for the event, a certain Mr. Rendy Lu. He is the best ranked tennis player in Asia, and currently ranked 34th in the world. In recognition of the event, both Rendy Lu and director Thomas Chang of the Taiwanese Tourism Bureau received the honorary spirit award, awarded by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, ambassador Paul Liang.
Afterwards, Mr. Lu threw the ceremonial first pitch of the match and, considering his profession as an athlete, he threw very well. After Mr. Lu’s press conference, he received the Mets spirit award as well.
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