The 26th Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival was held last September 9, 2017 at the Aliw Theater, Pasay where Korean culture enthusiasts and supporters enjoyed a day filled of appreciation, festivities and entertainment.
The attendees were welcome with a Hallyu or Korean Wave experience through Kpop related activities, wearing Hanbok, varied Korean street food, and traditional cultural performances. They
were also able to enjoy other freebies from the participating sponsors and organizations.
The two-part program was hosted by Ms. Sam Oh who
definitely liven up the
show. The first part of the program was the “Annual Talent Competition” where a total of twenty talented Filipino and
Korean participants battled it out, showcasing their vocal prowess and dance moves as they
performed in each other’s language. The panel of judges were comprised of President Kang Chang Ik (UKCA), Director Lee Jin Cheol (KCC); Jeong Dong Su (OFFROAD); Famous Filipino Musician,
Composer and Conductor Mr. Ryan Cayabyab and Award Winning-Filipino Soprano Ms. Rachelle Gerodias-Park. Prima ballerina, Ms. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde was represented by Mr. Jonathan Janolo
(Ballet Manila).
This year’s winners under the singing category were Merry Mia Sinaguinan (First), Aaliyan Pizzara (Second), and Andrea Fe Padilla (Third) while the Dancing Category winners were Array (First), Fraction (Second), and Cainta Sejong School (Third). The over-all Grand Prize winner was Venisse Nicole Sy who performed Ailee’s I Will Go to You Like the First Snow.
The second part of the program was the anticipated “Phil-Kor Concert,” honoring the friendship between Philippines and Korea for nearly seventy years that has gone beyond the military ties and now strengthened by political, economic, and socio-cultural bond aided by the Korean wave.
Starting with the Media Performance Team, they took the audience to a journey from the first encounter up to its vision of moving forward together. The Serotonin Performing Arts Company enticed the audience with the rhythm of their drums while the Busan National Gugak Team graced the stage with their Korean traditional dances, and even collaborated with the local Korea Cultural Center Performing Team, Nara for a fan dance. Ballet Manila awed everyone with their stunning moves, as the Kpop group OFFROAD brought the house down with their charms. The Serotonin and Ballet Manila also had a powerful collaboration which surprised the audience.
Special videos also highlighted the important points from the past and the promise of nourishing
the
friendship between both countries in the future. Filipino and Korean personalities like Mr. Freddie
Aguilar, VJ Sunny Kim, and Ms. Hanna Lee shared their thoughts and experiences with each other’s culture, representing three
generations in
an exclusive interview video.
The show ended with a collaborative performance of Awitin Mo, sang in Tagalog and in Korean,
symbolizing the camaraderie between the Filipinos and the Koreans.
Learning from the past, nourishing the present, and ensuring the future to go together is the goal of this event. To continue a
long
lasting friendship, the two countries will continue to interact with
one another through
collaborative events.
Here, the best of each country's diverse cultures will be put
on the best stage as
a way to educate each other.
The United Korean Community Association
would like to thank all those who participated and supported the event especially to their partners : Embassy
of
the Republic of Korea, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines.
Also extending appreciation
to their major sponsors: Banco De Oro (BDO), Tourism Promotions
Board Philippines (TPB), Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Champion Detergent, Hanna Shampoo, Calla Detergent. Acknowledging the support of
the
City Government of Pasay, Pasay Youth Development Council, Department of Tourism, Arirang Town Philippines, Philippine Kpop Convention, Inc. #PHILKOR2017
