5May 2023, Busan, South Korea - The Philippines participated in the new Digital Experience Zone, Special Alternative Identities Exhibition, and the ASEAN-Korea Partnership Workshop in Busan from 26-27 April 2023.

Jointly held by the Korea Foundation-ASEAN Culture House (KF-ACH) and the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO ICHCAP), the new Digital Experience Zone exhibition featured an Avatar Playground "Experience ASEAN Festivals in a Virtual Space through an Avatar." The 3D character digital experience zone allowed participants to experience various events by virtually exploring the famous festivals of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and the Philippines. The Philippines giant lantern festival of San Fernando, Pampanga was promoted in the digital zone, showcasing the colorful and intricately-designed lanterns (paroles).

Another feature of the exhibition Alternative Identities: Masks of ASEAN and Korea introduced "other faces" created by the people of Korea and ASEAN under the theme of "Mask", the cultural heritage of humanity. The MassKara Festival of Bacolod City was featured in the exhibition. All ASEAN countries together with the Republic of Korea were represented in the exhibition.

On 27 April 2023, the KF-ACH also hosted the 2023 ASEAN-Korea Partnership Workshop where participating Embassies and overseas and Korean institutions reported on their public diplomacy thrusts. Presentations from ASEAN Member States and representatives from the academe, Korean institutions and overseas cultural institutions provided various insights and strategies where each country may learn from.

Professor Kim Dong-Yeob, Director of the Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies, Busan University of Foreign Studies gave the keynote speech where he emphasized the advantages of digitization as the way forward in information gathering and sharing on different cultures.

The Philippine Embassy's Cultural Attache Anthony Z. Cornista and Ms. Mariel Jasmine A. Nini, Planning Officer II of the Sentro Rizal, International Cultural Affairs Office (SRICAO) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) participated in the events. END