INCHEON, 30 September 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez led the Filipino community in participating in an outdoor multicultural festival on Sunday, 28 September 2014 with six other countries in Asia, to mark Incheon’s hosting of the 17th Asian Games, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul reported to the Department.

The Parade of Colors, led by Mayor Park Woosub of Nam-gu district, gave an opportunity for the 1,500 citizens of the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam and Korea to hold a street procession showcasing colorful traditional costumes and dances under the theme “Asia is one” as part of the annual Juan Multimedia Festival.

For its theme, the 400-strong Philippine contingent recreated the processions of the popular festivals in the three main archipelagic regions of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively: Santacruzan and Bulaklakan to mark Christian flowers festivals for Luzon, the Maskara (Mask) Festival for the Visayas, and the Singkil and the Buhawi for Mindanao.

The Filipino community’s much-lauded participation in the event was made possible through the leadership of Fr. Felixberto Perez, Jr., SVD, chaplain of the Ansan Filipino Community (AFC), in collaboration with various Filipino community organizations, Western Union Korea and Landbank of the Philippines.

Fr. Jun, which is how he is popularly known in the Filipino community, has steered his parish in Ansan, which is famous in Korea for its high percentage of foreign residents, to top prizes for performances in three consecutive Independence Day events in 2011-2013 and was accorded by former President Fidel V. Ramos the Ambassador’s Award of Excellence in July 2013.

Members of the Filipino community performed traditional dances accompanied by the popular tune of “Piliin Mo Ang Pilipinas” (Choose the Philippines), directed by Mr. Roger Amboy of the Hyehwadong Filipino Community Association based in St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in the Hyehwa-dong neighborhood of Seoul.

“I commend the organizers of the 2014 Juan Multimedia Festival for initiating programs such as this, which are aimed at raising the awareness of the Korean public on the capabilities of migrant families in Korea and the recognition of our kababayan (compatriots) through their talents and creative energy,” Ambassador Hernandez said in a speech.

The Juan (pronounced “Joo-ahn”) Multimedia Festival, is held every year for three days in Nam-gu, Incheon, with the aim of enhancing intercultural communication in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere through concerts, 3D art exhibitions, games, cartoon character Exhibition, handicraft display, tourism promotion booth and a taste of various Asian cuisines.