SEOUL, 14 June 2014 – Around 200 members of the Filipino community in Korea, led by the Embassy of the Philippines, gathered on Saturday, 14 June 2014 at the Embassy Chancery in Seoul in celebration of the 116th 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 new Ambassador of the Philippines 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.” Representatives from 50 various 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, many 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 sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago”. 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. The Embassy normally holds two commemorative National Day receptions: for the Korean public and diplomatic corps; and for the Filipino community. 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 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.