25 July 2012 - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) organized the celebration of the 114th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 17th Migrant Workers Day, held at the Floating Stage of the Yeouido, Hanggang Park, last June 03.
The whole day event attended by more than one thousand Filipinos, Koreans and other expatriates commenced with a concelebrated mass presided by the Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, who was assisted by Fathers Alvin Parantar and Arvin Mosqueda of St. Benedict's Church (Hyehwadong Church/Filipino Community), Fr. Felixberto "Jun" Perez of the Ansan Filipino Community, Fr. Willy Decena of the Columban Missionaries in Korea and Fr. Cedric Alimbuyong of the Maseok Filipino Community.
Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Luis T. Cruz read President Benigno S. Aquino III's Independence Day message where the President stressed that Filipinos should remain proud of their heritage and diversity - the foundations that distinguish the Philippines and should be inspired by the past so we as Filipinos can move forward to establish the future that accords with our rightful place in the community of nations.
Representative Jasmine Lee (the first naturalized Korean to become a member of the National Assembly) and Director Kim Dong Ho of the Employment Sojourn and Support Team of HRD Korea delivered their congratulatory messages.
Representative Lee stressed in her speech that the event was special for her as it was the first time she marked the independence of her motherland as a member of the National Assembly of her adopted land. She said that she is determined to do her best to help the increasing number of immigrants and multicultural families harmonize, grow and prosper in the Korean society.
Director Kim, on the other hand, conveyed the important role of foreign workers in Korea's employment permit system. He cited that there are fifteen EPS sending countries and the Philippines is a pioneer signatory to the agreement on the sending and receiving of foreign workers under the EPS. He mentioned the Filipino workers' dedication to their work and urged them to continue doing so.
He likewise thanked the Filipino workers for their active participation in HRD Korea's vocational adaptation and skills upgrading courses.
The following organizations were presented with a plaque of appreciation for the assistance and support they have extended to the Filipino migrants in Korea:
1. The Korea Port Training Institute, Incheon Branch - in recognition of its contribution in promoting the welfare of Filipino EPS workers through the provision of vocational training and skills upgrading classes;
2. The National Folk Museum of Korea Children's Museum - in recognition of its contributions in the promotion of Philippine culture and for its efforts in fostering cultural understanding among Filipinos and Koreans through the Philippine Discovery Box Project; and
3. The Center for Women Rights (NGO based in Busan) - in recognition of its invaluable assistance and support to migrant Filipinos who are victims of trafficking.
Various services were available to migrant Filipinos who attended the event like free medical services provided by the Korea Workers Compensation and Welfare (COMWEL).
The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Human Resources Development Service of Korea provided labor counselling and information on its Happy Return Program for EPS workers. Information were likewise given by Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance Co. Ltd. on basic information on the severance pay while Landbank of the Philippines, Metrobank Seoul and Western Union gave information on their savings and remittance services. The Pag-IBIG Fund, SM Development Corporation and WorldCom also gave information/counselling on property investment and acquisition.
One of the highlights of the celebration is the Parade of the Filipino Community which was participated in by 18 Filipino Communities.
The Ansan Filipino Community, in their traditional Filipino - Muslim garb and adornment won the Best Filipino Community award followed by the Hyehwadong Filipino Community in their Filipiniana and the Legstrong Pinoy Bikers Club in Korea in their official cycling uniform and bicycle. The Daegu Filipino Community Council won the farthest Filipino Community category. A modest cash prize was awarded to the winning Filipino Community.
Song numbers were rendered by ABS-CBN talents Laarni Lozada and Bugoy Drilon followed by traditional Filipino dances performed by the Filipino Community - Singkil by the Ansan Filipino Community (AFC), Sinulog by the Bucheon Filipino Migrants Community (BFMC) and Cariñosa by the Filipino Korean Spouses Association (FKSA).
A Taekwondo (Korea's national sport) exhibition was likewise presented by the Ansan Filipino Taekwondo Association.
Local Filipino bands Sierra (performers at the Lobby Lounge of the Grand Hyatt Seoul) and Love and Music (performers at the Imperial Palace Hotel in Gangnam) kept the festive tone of the event alive with their performances.
A widely anticipated part of the program is the raffle draw where migrant Filipinos in Korea got the chance to win raffle items which included, among others, gift vouchers, household appliances, MP3 players, digital SLR camera, round-trip plane tickets and high-end laptop computers. END