SEOUL, 11 May 2015 – Healing Life Magazine, a Korean monthly lifestyle publication, featured the Philippines' healing practices in an interview with Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez in its March 2015 issue.

In the interview, Ambassador Hernandez underscored the Philippines' diverse healing practices, from traditional and folk traditions to modern medicine. He said the Philippines has been steadily gaining a reputation as a tourist destination of choice for health and vacation due to skilled doctors and health professionals and availability of modern technology.

Couple that with our unique Filipino warmth and compassion, relatively inexpensive rates, and an environment conducive to healing, medical tourism in the Philippines is poised to grow bigger in the coming years," he said.

Ambassador Hernandez emphasized that the Philippines is home to some of the world's best hospitals and stand-alone specialty clinics that provide a variety of treatment ranging from high risk surgeries to cosmetic treatments.

Manila and Cebu, popular tourist destinations for inbound travelers, are considered to be the hubs of medical tourism in the Philippines as these cities boast of health care facilities of international standards," he added.

He also touched on the Filipino spirit, emphasizing the relevance of a positive disposition in maintaining a healthy being. I hope our culture can inspire you to learn about happiness amid trying times and positivity in every aspect of life, and to be encouraged by the beauty of the Filipino spirit and our culture of sharing and passion for life."

Ambassador Hernandez said he placed cultural diplomacy high on the hierarchy of the Embassy's priorities mainly because of its prospective contribution to the country's sustainable development, as well as its importance in addressing global development challenges, particularly in contributing to education and economic growth.

Healing Life magazine is founded in 2012 as a lifestyle publication that promotes holistic approaches to healing. It currently has a circulation of over 6,000 readers and is available in major bookstores in Korea.

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