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| The KRW 100 coin is comparable to the PHP 1 coin. |
By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Abigail D. Albino
Photos = Yay Images
I’ve realized during the past few years that Korea and the Philippines are closer than you think. Besides only a four-hour flight between countries, the world between the two countries is merging.
It’s not just about the popularity of Korean pop music and TV shows in East Asia and elsewhere, music and TV shows with which my fellow Filipinos have fallen in love. There are Korean communities living in the Philippines and there are also Philippine communities living in Korea. Most of the Koreans that come to the Philippines are here for travel, to get an English-language education or for business. Most Filipinos I know in Korea go there to get jobs with better pay, or they've married a Korean. Some Filipinos have found greener pastures in Korea, and the same can be said for some Koreans who have found a home in the Philippines.
The relationship between the two countries goes all the way back to when the United Nations sent Philippine soldiers to Korea during the Korean War (1950-1953). Waves of Philippine soldiers were sent there when the war started in 1950, and they protected Korea until 1955. The greatest among these series of battles was the Battle of Yuldong, when Philippine soldiers fought Chinese communist soldiers during a night attack. The Filipinos prevented the communist soldiers from destroying the United Nations forces and stopped the growing communist hold on Korea.
Five veteran Philippine soldiers from the Korean War, together with their families, were invited by Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs on a Revisit Korea Program in 2012. From the interviews of these Philippine veterans, you can sense their awe as they see Korea has become one of the most progressive and richest countries in the world. It was a far cry from the 1950s and 1960s when Korea was besieged by war, and the Philippine soldiers experienced winter for the first time, too, when they fought these battles.
The Korean government and the private sector have also helped the Philippines in the past and through to the present. I'm grateful that a Korean engineering company designed the train system in my hometown of Davao. I am happy for the many Philippine workers who work in Korea to sustain their families and relatives back home. I’m glad that a Korean missionary family decided to rent our old house, near downtown Davao, as they're starting a life of service to the poor communities in there. I’m also grateful for my Korean language exchange partners -- Kim Eunjung, Jeong Hong-gyun and Ahn Weejeon -- for helping me learn Korean, as they practice their English with me.
In a nutshell, I’m happy South Korea and the Philippines have maintained a good relationship throughout all these years. I pray that this good relationship will continue for as long as our planet exists, and that both countries become a great example of how two countries can flourish through a good friendship.
wisdom117@korea.kr
