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PHL AMBASSADOR CELEBRATES FATHER’S DAY IN ANSAN

18 June 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez joined the Ansan Filipino Community (AFC) in its celebration of Father's Day at Wongok-dong Church in Ansan City.

In his remarks after mass, Ambassador Hernandez echoed the sermon of AFC chaplain Fr. Felixberto Perez, Jr. and encouraged overseas fathers to stay strong and resolute amid the loneliness of working abroad.

"I have an open door policy, the Philippine Embassy is open to all Filipinos in Korea, it is your home away from home." Ambassador Hernandez told 500 OFW parishioners hearing mass, adding that they consider him the father of all Filipinos living in Korea.

The AFC honored Ambassador Hernandez and all the fathers attending the church service.

Ansan City, an industrial area 30km south of Seoul, is also known as the Multicultural City as it is home to a large number of migrant workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS) working in nearby factories.

As of March 2014, Korea Immigration statistics indicate that there are 50,507 registered foreigners in Korea, mostly Chinese, ethnic Koreans, Vietnamese, Nepalese and Uzbeks. The number of registered Filipinos composed of EPS workers and Filipino-Korean spouses is 1,222.

Founded in 1991, the Ansan Filipino Community (AFC) is guided by the Galilea Migrant Workers Pastoral Center in its activities. The Center helps foreign workers and spouses of any religious denomination and regardless of visa status. Father Jun, as Fr. Perez is fondly called, runs the Center and serves as the adviser of the AFC.

The AFC, headed by President is Ms. Jennet Cacayuran, is an alliance of six community organizations in Ansan: Vismin Association, Batangas Association, Kapampangan Brotherhood Association, Filipino Migrant Workers Association in Siheung, Baguio Association and Ansan Filipino Taekwondo Association. 

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FILIPINO COMMUNITY MARKS 116^TH INDEPENDENCE DAY IN SEOUL

18 June 2014 - Around 200 members of the Filipino community in Korea, led by the Philippine Embassy in South Korea, gathered on June 14 at the Embassy Chancery in Seoul in celebration of the 116^th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence.

The simple festivities, which were toned down this year in sympathy with the Korean people, who remain in a state of national mourning over the MV Sewol disaster in April 2014, marked the first event hosted by the new Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez for the Filipino community.

“It is with great honor and humility that I stand before you to serve as your new Ambassador to the Republic of Korea,” he told community leaders at the Multipurpose Hall. “I have been tasked to lead the Philippine Embassy in Seoul in order to foster friendly relations with South Korea with the objective of ensuring national security and sustaining our country’s inclusive growth for the social, economic and cultural development for our people.”

Members from 50 community organizations representing factory workers, missionaries, marriage migrants, professionals, educators and students, came from as far as Daegu in southern Korea, but mainly from Seoul, Incheon, Ansan and other cities in the surrounding Gyeonggi Province, with many of them garbed in traditional Filipino attire.

“The Philippine Embassy has been very fortunate to have very dedicated and generous Filipinos among you and it is my fervent desire that we remain partners in fulfilling these common goals for the good of the Filipino community in Korea,” Ambassador Hernandez said.

“I pray that through our concerted effort, we will fulfill the aspirations of our ancestors who declared us an independent people 116 years ago,” he said in closing, reminding everyone of this year’s theme, ”Kalayaan: Pagsunod saYapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago”.

The Embassy normally holds two commemorative National Day receptions: for the Korean public and diplomatic corps; and for the Filipino community. The event’s guest of honor was Philippine-born Representative Jasmine Lee, who became the first naturalized Korean to become a member of the Korean National Assembly in April 2012.

In her remarks, Rep. Lee thanked the Embassy and the community for its understanding and show of solidarity for the Korean nation over the loss of some 300 lives in the tragic ferry sinking.

A strong advocate of multiculturalism in South Korea, Rep. Lee lauded the efforts of the Embassy and members of the Filipino community in fostering the friendship between Korea and the Philippines. “I am and will always be proud of where I came from,” she said.

The day’s commemorative activities kicked off with a commemorative photo session at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul for all Embassy officers and personnel, including members of the attached agencies representing the Departments of National Defense, Tourism, Trade and Industry, Labor, Social Welfare and Development and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
A formal program then followed at the Embassy’s Multipurpose Hall, starting with the national anthem and prayers from various religious denominations, then the official speeches, the introduction of all the Embassy’s officers and staff, songs sung by Filipino band East of the Moon, photos with community organizations and finally an open-air buffet. 

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FILIPINO EDUCATORS’ GROUP IN SEOUL CALLS ON PHL AMBASSADOR

18 June 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez welcomed the officers and members of the Association of Filipino Educators in Korea (AFEK) at the Embassy Chancery on June 15.