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This episode revealed that the South Korean community in the Philippines has grown so large that it actually inspired some bad elements in the government to threaten and attempt to extort money from innocent South Koreans. It also brought out in the open the slight tension between many Filipinos and South Korean visitors.
There is no doubt that the South Koreans are the most famous (some would say notorious) tourists in the country today. Every week, 42 flights carrying South Koreans arrive in the Philippines. At least 8,400 South Koreans enter the country on a weekly basis. Their favourite destinations are Metro Manila, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete and Boracay. Last year, 700,000 South Koreans visited the Philippines. The Bureau of Immigration estimates that over 900,000 South Koreans are staying in the country today.
South Koreans seem to be almost everywhere. They can be seen in schools, malls, movie houses, golf courses, trains, beaches, restaurants, markets and even in jeepneys -- popular conveyances made from U.S. military jeeps. Filipinos are used to tourists staying in the country for a few weeks, but many South Koreans have been in the country for more than a year already. It is not surprising that a lot of Filipinos tend to suspect that there is a looming South Korean invasion.
Perhaps sensing the suspicions, the Korean Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines released a statement assuring the Filipinos that South Koreans are coming to the Philippines not as invaders but as visitors, guests, investors and partners. The statement also mentioned the numerous benefits resulting from the South Korean presence in the Philippines. Last year, US$1.2 billion dollars of foreign direct investments came from South Korea. About 2,000 South Korean companies are operating in the Philippines, employing 150,000 Filipinos. South Korean's official development assistance to the Philippines has also increased. Last year, it reached US$167 million.
Why do so many South Koreans prefer to live in the Philippines?
According to scholars, South Korean companies began to outsource their operations in the Philippines during the mid-1980s. They took advantage of the relatively low cost of living in the country and the large supply of skilled workers. This led to the migration of some Korean factory owners, staff and their families. During the early 1990s, South Koreans dislodged the Japanese as the top visitors in terms of number to the Philippines.
The next batch of visitors was students who wanted to learn the English language and acquire college degrees in Philippine universities, which charge lower fees. In 1998, there were only 1,543 South Korean college students in the country. Last year, the number of students rose to an estimated 100,000, according to the Commission on Higher Education. The government has accredited 215 schools to teach South Koreans.
The growing number of South Koreans in the country has also made an impact on local culture. South Korean TV programs and movies dubbed in Filipino are popular in the country. A few years ago, a South Korean student won a nationwide TV search for new teen stars. It's hip for young Filipinos to sport South Korean fashions. Korean restaurants, convenience stores and health resorts are sprouting everywhere. Airport personnel are learning to speak the Korean language.
But the high number of South Korean visitors also has a downside. A number of conflicts have arisen between these visitors and local residents. A country club once posted the sign "No Koreans allowed," which has since been removed. In Baguio City, Filipino golfers refer to Camp John Hay as 'Kim Jong Hay' because there are more South Koreans than locals in the recreation center. The Korean Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines admits that there are some South Koreans "who are rude, not behaving well and disturbing Filipino culture and the living environment."
But there may be other reasons why some Filipinos continue to view the presence of South Koreans with distrust. We can cite the Filipinos' bitter and painful experience as colonized subjects of Spanish, Americans and Japanese invaders. We have a long history of foreigners pillaging our precious natural resources, insulting our culture and exploiting our people. Can we blame some Filipinos for doubting the good intentions of the South Koreans?
Most Filipinos have dreams of going abroad to seek better opportunities. Some cannot understand why foreigners, South Koreans in particular, would prefer to stay in a poor country. Rich families even send their children abroad because they look down on the country's substandard educational system. But South Korean parents are eager to enrol their children in Philippine schools.
The language barrier is also a major reason why Filipinos and South Koreans do not understand each other. Filipinos could have wrongfully interpreted the South Koreans' failure to mingle with the locals as a sign of arrogance. But this could only be a simple case of miscommunication on the part of South Koreans who barely know the English and Filipino languages.
Behind the contemptuous attitude displayed by some Filipinos over the "irritating" presence of South Koreans in the Philippine islands is a sincere feeling of gratitude, flattery and surprise that many South Koreans have chosen the Philippines as their second home. Sometimes, we show our affection by feigning hatred. South Koreans are definitely welcome to stay in the Philippines.
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(Mong Palatino, 27, is a Filipino youth activist, correspondent for Global Voices and news editor of Yehey!, a Philippine-based web portal He can be reached at mongpalatino@gmail.com. His website is www.mongpalatino.motime.com. ©Copyright Mong Palatino.)
