Korean cultural caravan eyed in gov’t offices

FILE: PH-KOREA FRIENDSHIP. Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) Director Lee Jincheol calls for more cultural exchanges between the Philippines and Korea during his speech at the Korean Culture Caravan held at the Pasay City National Science Highschool on Friday (Nov. 16, 2018). The caravan was conducted to showcase both Philippine and Korean cultures. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) Director Lee Jincheol is considering bringing the Korean Culture Caravan to government offices.

Since 2012, KCC has been staging the caravan in schools and institutions that hold Korean classes and those that offer Korean language classes.

“It’s a very good idea to offer this to the PNP (Philippine National Police), Immigration, and other government offices,” Lee told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in an exclusive interview on Friday afternoon.

But KCC would need more manpower to extend the caravan to government offices, he added.

Lee said the goal of the caravan is to inspire Filipinos while also encouraging them to love their own culture.

“It’s very important to showcase both (the Filipino and Korean) cultures. We are very proud of our culture,” he said, adding that each time KCC stages the caravan, it is the Filipinos who prepare for the performances.

At present, the caravan targets high school students, for them to understand Korea and its culture.

Last year, KCC signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) to select 20 schools that offer Special Program in Foreign Language – Korea (SPFL-Korea).

Among the 20 schools, Lee said seven schools were selected for this year for the caravan.

On Friday, the caravan was held at the Pasay City Nati

FILE: PH-KOREA FRIENDSHIP. Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) Director Lee Jincheol calls for more cultural exchanges between the Philippines and Korea during his speech at the Korean Culture Caravan held at the Pasay City National Science Highschool on Friday (Nov. 16, 2018). The caravan was conducted to showcase both Philippine and Korean cultures. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

onal Science High School.

There was a booth, where teachers and students got to experience wearing Hanbok, a book exhibit, and a photo booth.

Three classrooms were dedicated to film screenings. Lectures were also given, and students could win some prizes by answering questions.

Traditional Korean art class was also held.

Song and dance numbers entertained the attendees.

Performances were from Filipino group SB19, and the winners of the 2018 Philippines-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival.