Korea meets the Philippines

by Mae Cabalida

I used to teach Korean kids, visit their houses and help them cross the bridge towards learning English through the academics we Filipinos got used to. Until I decided to move into a more corporate workplace which is a call center?not too hard-sell; but still to teach English to each Korean student, through a 10-minute VOIP call. Little did I know that the demand for more language educators to Koreans would boom.

Last March 3, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea commemorated six decades of friendship in Coconut Palace, Manila. The event is part of the 60th anniversary celebration of the establishment of diplomatic bilateral relations between the two countries. Tourism Undersecretary Enrique Manalo and H.E. Choi Joong-Kyung, Republic of Korea ambassador to the Philippines, were renowned to impart their welcome notes during the celebration as they give honor to the unwavering amity between Korea and the Philippines. Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque Jr. devoted his keynote address on behalf of Secretary Ace Durano who at that moment was in the island of Boracay. Later in the event, the ?unveiling of the friendship theme? and the ?presentation of the commemorative stamp? were uncovered to represent the enduring friendship between the two countries.

Korean invasion

Truly Koreans?their entertainment, way of life, their fashion sense?have made a big impact on Filipinos.

Koreanovelas bring entertainment to Filipino viewers. Korean fashion has also brought inspiration to Filipino designers and changed the way Filipinos dress up?goodbye-maongs-bring-in-the-colorful-skinnies-and-dresses. Shiny pumps and peep-toes also rise above flip-flops and ordinary footwear.

Business

Today, the Philippines is among South Korea?s top trading partners. The Korea International Trade Association reports that bilateral trade for January to November 2008 reached $7.67 billion with Philippine exports at $2.95 billion and Korean exports at $4.72 billion. Top Philippine exports include semiconductor components and fresh produce. South Korea is also top investor in the Philippines with companies such as Hyundai Engineering, Hanjin Shipbuilding and several resort-builders maintaining a strong presence in the Philippines.

The connection between the two countries has also brought the Philippines a major surge to tourism welfare. As Secretary Durano said, ?Koreans go here [Philippines] to spend their honeymoon, play golf, go to our beaches, experience our spas and even learn English.?

People-to-people exchange is very vibrant. In 2008, South Korea became the top sender of visitors to the Philippines for three years running, beating the US and Japan. More than 600,000 South Koreans visited the Philippines last year, contributing top source of foreign students and retirees. An estimated of 100,000 Koreans live in the Philippines. Meanwhile, 59,000 Filipinos reside in South Korea as students, workers, professionals, spouses of Korean nationalists or missionaries.

For 60 years, the friendship that had blossomed between the two countries grew not just from the purposive military collaboration to a more comprehensive partnership that covers the political-security, socio-cultural, lifestyle, economic and development fields.