32nd Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival: A Celebration of Friendship, Culture, and Tradition The 2023 Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival, hosted by the United Korean Community Association (UKCA) and Manila Koreatown Association (MKA), is set to enthrall on September 30, 2023, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., at Robinsons Place Manila. This annual festival, now in its 32nd year, is in partnership with the Korean Embassy, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), and the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA). On September 30th, Manila will pulsate with vibrant colors and rhythms, celebrating the cultural tapestry of the Philippines and Korea. This event offers captivating experiences that underscore the enduring friendship between the two nations through immersive cultural exchange. Joined by this year’s festival ambassador, Kim Seung-su, renowned actor famous for his role in the 2006 K-drama “Jumong”, the festival just gets better from here. The festivities commence with a spectacular parade journeying from Robinsons Place Manila to Manila Koreatown and back. Open to all, participants don the elegant traditional attire of both nations – the Barong Tagalog and Baro’t Saya of the Philippines and the Hanbok of Korea. The grand parade, accompanied by spirited street performers, heralds a day of joy and camaraderie. Throughout the day, attendees can engage with cultural booths honoring artistic achievements from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) hosts a Hangeul calligraphy booth, inviting participants to explore Korean writing. The National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) presents an exhibit showcasing traditional Philippine crafts, celebrating the nation's artistic heritage. Along with other booths where you can experience Korean culture, ‘Kimchi Making Experience’ is also up for the first 100 pre-registered participants in the festival. The highlight of the event is the dynamic stage performances blending traditional and modern art from Korea and the Philippines. Some of the invited performers includes SWEEP Art Company for a Korea traditional dance and Salmunori, Soprano Sung Moon Won, NCCA’s Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino, K-pop dance cover groups Illea PH, Idyllic PH, Alpha and Principium, together with P-pop groups YGIG and PLUUS. From graceful traditional dances to electrifying modern music, the stage pulsates with cultural exchange and celebration. As the sun sets on September 30th, the 2023 Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival stands as a testament to the robust friendship between the two nations. Attendees will be immersed in a cultural extravaganza of tradition, creativity, and artistic expression, reaffirming the deep connections between Korea and the Philippines. For more information, visit the festival's official Facebook channel: https://www.facebook.com/PhilKorCulturalExchangeFestival

2021 Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival brings together stellar  traditional and modern performances  (Clockwise: All-Star Performers, 4th Impact, Alamat, Tago, Jin Ho Bae, Mona, Dasuri Choi, Byeong-in Park and Rachelle Gerodias, PWU Indayog Gong Ensemble, and SB19) Remarkable Filipino and Korean talent once again took front and center at the 2021 Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival last September 25, 2021.  Although set online anew to ensure the safety of all participants, the  Embassy of the Republic of Korea, United Korean Community Association (UKCA), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) organized event has still raked in a combined total of 103,000 views at the Korean Cultural Center of the Philippines YouTube Channel and Facebook Page. This year, the PhilKor Festival commemorates the 30th year of celebrating friendship and promoting cultural exchange between the Philippines and Korea. Aptly titled “We Stand Together,” its aim to remind the Filipinos that the two countries stand hand-in-hand  against the pandemic has been a success through the vivid cultural and artistic presentations from both countries. Hosted by Sam Oh, SB19’s Justin de Dios, and Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, the viewers got to witness not only traditional culture but also pop performances from YouTuber-Singer Jin Ho Bae, TikTok Sensation Mona, Baritone and Soprano tandem Byeong-in Park and Rachelle Gerodias, K-Pop Dance Diva Dasuri Choi and traditional performers Tago and PWU Indayog Gong Ensemble. Meanwhile, P-pop groups: 4th Impact, Alamat, and the globally recognized – SB19 showed what true Filipino talent is about through their own segments.. To cap off the show, the artists performed a virtual collaboration of the Korean song Evergreen Tree to show some hope and inspiration during these trying times. Apart from the performances, another much-awaited aspect of the show is the announcement of the Talent Contest winners. Homies were named as the Dance Category Winner while Julles was hailed as the Voice Category Winner. Finally, AESIR PH wowed the judges and took home the Grand Winner award. The Grand Winner in the Online Talent Competition took home P50,000 in cash while the Vocal Category and Dance Category winners received P30,000 each.  Although the successful event has already ended, the celebration of the friendship and the cultural exchange between the Philippines and Korea will continue today and would most certainly become stronger in the years to come.

PRESS RELEASE   Phil-Kor festival 2019 deepens bilateral ties The 28th Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival was held from 10 a.m to 7:30 p.m, on Saturday, September 28, at the Aliw Theater with the theme “70 YEARS & BEYOND.” The event served its purpose of celebrating the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations and further strengthening the bond between both countries.   The Phil-Kor Festival, organized by the United Korea Community Association in the Philippines, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines and National Commission for Culture and the Arts, had the largest number of attendees in its history recording around more than two thousand participants.   The event had two parts. The first half was the annual talent competition, followed by the showcase of artists and a runway fashion show from both countries. Before the main event started, visitors were led to various booths in the theater’s lobby where they could take photos wearing a “Hanbok”, Korea’s traditional clothing, try Korean street food, and participate in other fun activities prepared by the event sponsors.   At the annual talent competition, 10 Filipino and Korean teams showcased their talents in Korean and Filipino to focus on cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two countries.   The judges for the talent competition were Korean Cultural Center(KCC) Director Lee Jin-Cheol, Korean Women’s Association President Lee Hyun Joo, CEO of ShowBT Group of Companies and producer Jung Sung-han, Ilgan Sports Hankook Newspaper Chairman Kim Tae-won and Philippine Madrigal Singers Choirmaster Mark Anthony A. Carpio. For the vocal category, Ms. April Rose Tolentino bagged third prize, Mr. Yoon Dong Hyun took the second prize, and Hazelyn Dequit won first prize. For the dance category, MIX'IN, FIFTH SHADOW and VJBROS respectively won the third, second, and first prize. Finally, Ms. Venisse Nicole Siy won the grand prize with her rendition of Sohyang’s “Wind Song.”   Ambassador HAN Dong-man, in his congratulatory message said, “As you know, this year Korea and the Philippines are celebrating the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. I hope that this festival can be the place where Koreans and Filipinos celebrate their closeness and appreciation for each other’s culture, particularly in the performing arts.”   Before the Phil-Kor Concert opening, UKCA chairman Byun Jae-heung delivered the welcoming remark saying, “Over the past 70 years, we have seen an outstanding development in the fields of the politics, economy, culture and tourism that have proven the deeper bond of friendship and partnership for both countries. The United Korean Community Association is looking forward to hold more collaborative events that will showcase both countries’ diverse culture and that will give an opportunity to its own nationals to interact with one another.”   In his congratulatory remarks, Mr. Joseph Bernan Corpuz, NCCA Chief of Plan/Policy Formulation and Programming Division said, “Each year the Philippines and Korea coordinate more and more cultural events and activities. And today, witnessing the festival which celebrates the 28th anniversary, I believe it’s a milestone for personal and cultural exchange between the two countries.”   The main showcase started with a media performance highlighting the long-running diplomatic bond between Korea and the Philippines. ‘Taegeuk’, the Korean traditional percussion ensemble, showcased their work ‘Story of Janggu’ which featured synchronized percussive pummeling of the ‘Janggu’ from the group's four drummers. The ‘Philippine Madrigal Singers’ also showcased an a capella rendition of a number of popular songs including ‘Circle of Life’ from “The Lion King.”   Aside from these performances, there was also a Philippine Fashion Show prepared by Designer Ditta Sandico and a Korean traditional clothes “Hanbok” Fashion Show by Director Kim Yong-ae. It was followed by stage performances from local K-pop Dancing Diva Dasuri Choi, Korean OPM artist Jin Ho Bae, Filipino solo singer Jean Kiley, and Philippine idol group SB19 which heightened the excitement of the audience.   For the Finale, all the performers sang “Isang Mundo, Isang Awit” together in Filipino, commemorating the long-term friendship between Koreans and Filipinos.