Xavier University’s Korean students were among the guests at the Korean Cultural Festival of the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in Iligan City on October 2.
(L-R) Kim Dong Ju (ABIS 3), Kim YE Ji (ABIS 3), Kim Seo Yeon (AB Eng 1), Kim, Kihyun (BS Accountancy 1), Lee Junseop (ABIS 1), Kim Eun Su (ABIS 3) and Kim Jun Woo (ABIS 1)
The festival, co-sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, coincided with the 2,333rd anniversary of the founding of Gojoseon (old Korea), and the signing of a truce between North Korea and South Korea in 1953.
XU’s delegates rendered a Korean song, performed traditional Korean music, dressed up in their national costumes and recited poetry. They also shared about Korea’s history and answered questions from the audience about living in the Philippines.
Korean Traditional Percussion Instruments. (L-R) Kkwaenggwari (a small gong), Janggu (an hourglass-shaped drum), Buk (a barrel drum similar to the bass drum) and Jing (a larger gong)
Kim Seo Yeon and Kim Kihyun in traditional Korean clothing for women and men. The female hanbok consists of jeogori (blouse) and a chima (skirt). The blouse is fastened with a ribbon. The embroidery enhances the design of the blouse. The ensemble is called chima jeogori. The hanbok for men consists of jeogori and baji (baggy pants). Both clothing ensembles are worn with overcoats with specific designs either for men or women.
“When I first came to the Philippines, I had no idea about it. But after living here for ten years, I've gotten used to the culture of the Philippines, and I really like the Philippines,” shared first year International Studies student Kim Jun Woo.
Like most Koreans who come here to study, these students also found it difficult to engage because their English was limited.
“When I first came here, it was difficult for me to be close with Filipinos because I couldn't speak English well,” related Kim Kihyun, who is in his first year of studying Accountancy. “But I realized that Filipino people are so friendly. They don't push away the foreigners,” he said.
“They're really hospitable and friendly,” echoed Kim Dong Ju. “I really had a hard time studying here (because I did not speak English), but they really helped me.” Dong Ju is now in his third year in the AB International Studies program.
There are 26 Koreans currently studying at XU. Their participation in the Korean Cultural Festival was facilitated by XU’s Office of International Cooperation and Networking, and the Xavier Center for Culture and the Arts.
XU’s presentation emphasized Korean culture and arts. Other topics in the festival included the popularity of Korean historical dramas, the creative process involved in the translation of Korean dramas to English and Tagalog, and the Korean War, among others. The event hoped to strengthen ties between the Philippines and Korea.