(Left photo: Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega delivers her remarks. Right photo: IWIK Founder Sol Kim and Ambassador Dizon – De Vega acknowledge the efforts of Ms. Bemjelloum Nouha (in black) and Ms. Nympha Balawan (in white terno) in coordinating the Philippine Cultural Day.)
04 October 2023, Seoul - The International World in Korea (IWIK) with the support of the Philippine Embassy in Korea, the Pinoy Iskolars in Korea (PIKO), and members of the Filipino overseas community, presented a “Philippine Cultural Day” at the Taepyeong Hall of the Seoul City Hall on 03 October 2023. The event was held to commemorate the 74th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Korea in 2023 ahead of the 75th anniversary in 2024.
IWIK Founder Sol Kim along with other friends of the Philippines including ROK National Assembly Member Hong Ik-Pyo, Chairperson of the Committee on Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Seoul City Councilman Lim Kyu-Ho, Prof. Kim Won-ki former Vice Chair of the Gyeonggi Province Council, Chairman Lee Ja-yung of the Hanboek Foundation, and Director Hwang Jung-Hee of the Geongbuk Cultural Center, all delivered special messages. Popular Korean idol, actress, host, influencer, and friend of the Philippines, Ms. Sandara Park sent a congratulatory video message.
(Photo: Special Guests and participants pose for a commemorative photo.)
Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega thanked the IWIK for continuing to champion multiculturalism and understanding in Korea and stated the one of the strengths of Philippine-Korea relations is rooted in “our historic and vibrant people-to-people relations which further promotes cultural understanding and an appreciation of what makes us unique and what binds our two nations together.”
PIKO President Kenneth Lagamayo gave a presentation on “Do You Know the Philippines?” and Ms. Erlinda Mae Young, another Filipino graduate student and descendant of Filipino Korean War Veteran Major Maximo Purisima Young, likewise spoke on “The Reasons Why You need to Travel to the Philippines”.
The engaging presentations were followed by guests taking part in interactive booths featuring dress-up activities in Filipiniana, learning to dance the Tinikling, writing their names in the ancient Philippine script called Baybayin, tasting Philippine snacks, and reading about Philippine tourism spots. Volunteers from PIKO and the Filipino Community led by Nympha Balawan assisted in the booths.
Over 100 guests from different embassies, student groups, and cultural organizations took part in the event.
IWIK Founder Sol Kim shared that the organization was honored to feature the Philippines and its culture in recognition of “the contributions of Filipinos to the realization of Korea today and the shared values between the Philippines and Korea.”
The Philippine Embassy’s Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel and Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista were likewise on hand to talk about the Philippines at the event. END
(Left photo: Korean students showing off their name names written in Baybayin. Right photo: PIKO volunteers and Embassy Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista at the Baybayin booth.) 
(Left photo: Seoul Metropolitan City Council Member Lim Kyu-ho greets the guests and participants in Filipino. Center photo: Ms. Erlinda Mae Young tries her skills dancing the “tinikling”. Right photo: PIKO President Kenneth Lagamayo giving his presentation “Do you know the Philippines?”.)
