Koreans: The Most Misunderstood Visitors in the Philippines
Filipino journalists, traders, villagers describe them as too noisy, undisciplined and more
Korean visitors, students and "tourists" in the Philippines have been seen and observed as "too noisy, undisciplined and rowdy."
Because of their behavior many Filipino businessmen do not welcome the presence of Koreans in their establishments.
In Baguio City, for instance, Filipino golfers refer the former American rest and recreation enclave as "Kim Jong Hay" because there are more Koreans than locals in Camp John Hay.
A golf club in the northern part of the Philippines reportedly put a sign "Koreans are not allowed," a racist move.
I once visited Korea and saw them otherwise. They are disciplined, friendly and helpful contrary to their actuations in Manila or in Puerto Galera.
When I was in Seoul, I even befriended the assistant manager of a posh music lounge although we had language barrier. We even exchanged souvenir items.
But in the Philippines columnists say Korean visitors are not contributing to the economy. This is because Koreans own Internet and gaming cafes, computer shops, restaurants, travel and tour companies, groceries, spas and salons, freight companies, language schools and even churches.
Immigration officials say of the more than 240,000 Koreans in the country about one-sixth are documented. This means more than 200,000 Koreans have no travel and immigration papers -- half of the number have been waiting for their papers and the rest are unregistered.
But who are the gatekeepers? If immigration officials are wondering their presence, the government operatives themselves are to be blamed.
The strength of the peso, which has the same value more than seven years ago, and the growth of the Korean economy could be the factors that emboldened the salaried Koreans and the middle class to enjoy their money in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete, Manila or even Boracay Island.
It is cheaper to spend their vacation money in the Philippines than in other Asian countries, like Japan or Singapore.
Another factor could be that Korean parents want the best for their children-- and an English education is a passport for a better paying job or moving to the United States.
Koreans could be right. For example, our interpreter in Korea earned $100 an hour, comparable to top executive heading an export division who has no export marketing training but with only an English major diploma as credential.
Filipinos should understand the culture of the Koreans before they conclude about them. Filipinos tolerate the presence of the Chinese or the Spaniards because they live among Filipinos for centuries.
In fact most Filipinos have Chinese blood in their veins. Even the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, had Chinese ancestors.
The foundation of the Korean Catholics in the Philippines started way back in the 18th century when Father Kim Dae Gun established a mission in Bulacan province.
The second wave was from 1945 to 1970; the third wave in the 1980s, the fourth in 1990s and the fifth since 2000 onwards.
But compared to the more than 15,000 undocumented Filipinos in cities outside Seoul who could not be seen during daytime or nighttime but only during Christmas and special holidays, undocumented Koreans in the Philippines are even selling used computers in cites in Metro Manila, like in San Juan City or in Laguna and Cavite provinces.
In Seoul I met a Cebuano undocumented entertainment worker in a bar in the Red Light district. I saw a Filipino woman in our hotel past midnight. She said she had to move secretly since immigration agents in Korea are strict compared with those in the Philippines.
My investigation, however, showed that these retail stores are owned and run by Filipino women married to Korean businessmen, who could be overstaying.
I even interviewed one of the shop owners in Calamba City where I bought a computer package for my daughter.
She said they get their slightly used units from Korea in bulk. However, I failed to interview her Korean husband. The couple also owned a branch store in Santa Rosa City, also in Laguna province.
Whether Filipino traders welcome the Koreans or not, it is a fact that as long as Koreans invest in the country, there are jobs for Filipinos.
Even Consul General Hong Sung Mog would suspend the issuance of working visa to Korea,as he did earlier this month, there are jobs offered by Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction and its ship building facility for welders, and for others in Subic in Zambales.
In short, understanding the culture of the Koreans is the only way to better appreciate their contribution to the Philippine economy.
Paterno Jr Rebosura - ohmynews.com
Korean visitors, students and "tourists" in the Philippines have been seen and observed as "too noisy, undisciplined and rowdy."
Because of their behavior many Filipino businessmen do not welcome the presence of Koreans in their establishments.
In Baguio City, for instance, Filipino golfers refer the former American rest and recreation enclave as "Kim Jong Hay" because there are more Koreans than locals in Camp John Hay.
A golf club in the northern part of the Philippines reportedly put a sign "Koreans are not allowed," a racist move.
I once visited Korea and saw them otherwise. They are disciplined, friendly and helpful contrary to their actuations in Manila or in Puerto Galera.
When I was in Seoul, I even befriended the assistant manager of a posh music lounge although we had language barrier. We even exchanged souvenir items.
But in the Philippines columnists say Korean visitors are not contributing to the economy. This is because Koreans own Internet and gaming cafes, computer shops, restaurants, travel and tour companies, groceries, spas and salons, freight companies, language schools and even churches.
Immigration officials say of the more than 240,000 Koreans in the country about one-sixth are documented. This means more than 200,000 Koreans have no travel and immigration papers -- half of the number have been waiting for their papers and the rest are unregistered.
But who are the gatekeepers? If immigration officials are wondering their presence, the government operatives themselves are to be blamed.
The strength of the peso, which has the same value more than seven years ago, and the growth of the Korean economy could be the factors that emboldened the salaried Koreans and the middle class to enjoy their money in Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete, Manila or even Boracay Island.
It is cheaper to spend their vacation money in the Philippines than in other Asian countries, like Japan or Singapore.
Another factor could be that Korean parents want the best for their children-- and an English education is a passport for a better paying job or moving to the United States.
Koreans could be right. For example, our interpreter in Korea earned $100 an hour, comparable to top executive heading an export division who has no export marketing training but with only an English major diploma as credential.
Filipinos should understand the culture of the Koreans before they conclude about them. Filipinos tolerate the presence of the Chinese or the Spaniards because they live among Filipinos for centuries.
In fact most Filipinos have Chinese blood in their veins. Even the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, had Chinese ancestors.
The foundation of the Korean Catholics in the Philippines started way back in the 18th century when Father Kim Dae Gun established a mission in Bulacan province.
The second wave was from 1945 to 1970; the third wave in the 1980s, the fourth in 1990s and the fifth since 2000 onwards.
But compared to the more than 15,000 undocumented Filipinos in cities outside Seoul who could not be seen during daytime or nighttime but only during Christmas and special holidays, undocumented Koreans in the Philippines are even selling used computers in cites in Metro Manila, like in San Juan City or in Laguna and Cavite provinces.
In Seoul I met a Cebuano undocumented entertainment worker in a bar in the Red Light district. I saw a Filipino woman in our hotel past midnight. She said she had to move secretly since immigration agents in Korea are strict compared with those in the Philippines.
My investigation, however, showed that these retail stores are owned and run by Filipino women married to Korean businessmen, who could be overstaying.
I even interviewed one of the shop owners in Calamba City where I bought a computer package for my daughter.
She said they get their slightly used units from Korea in bulk. However, I failed to interview her Korean husband. The couple also owned a branch store in Santa Rosa City, also in Laguna province.
Whether Filipino traders welcome the Koreans or not, it is a fact that as long as Koreans invest in the country, there are jobs for Filipinos.
Even Consul General Hong Sung Mog would suspend the issuance of working visa to Korea,as he did earlier this month, there are jobs offered by Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction and its ship building facility for welders, and for others in Subic in Zambales.
In short, understanding the culture of the Koreans is the only way to better appreciate their contribution to the Philippine economy.
Paterno Jr Rebosura - ohmynews.com
Labels: korean, Korean tourists
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