By Honorary Reporter Wendy Palomo from Philippines

Photos= Wendy Palomo

White magnolias that signal the coming of spring remind me of Daejeon, whose official flower is the white magnolia, which symbolizes friendship.

The white magnolias there gave me a trip down memory lane all the way to the Philippine city of Iloilo seven years ago. That year, a Korean woman, Clara, enrolled her daughter Emily in a Montessori school where the children of five Ilonggo women were also attending. Friendship blossomed among the moms and their children. Even today, they remain in touch and see each other if time allows.

A Daejeon native, Clara found it easy to choose Iloilo to live in. She had family there and visited the city several times, so she was confident that Iloilo was safe and peaceful. She added that residents there are kind and friendly. In 2018, her parents needed her back in Korea while Emily wanted to continue school in Iloilo. Clara arranged for Emily to live with their Ilonggo friend Ai and her family. Clara said Ai has the same values and lifestyle as she does, and Emily and Ai's son Aiken also became friends in kindergarten.

The two kids were supposed to have their graduation ceremony on March 21. After the COVID-19 outbreak rocked Korea, Clara made the painful decision not to attend the ceremony. In a quick turn of events, the Philippines started reporting more confirmed cases that led to stricter quarantine measures, spurring a wave of cancellations that included the ceremony.

Amid the outbreak, Korea is seeing a flattened curve of its COVID-19 cases while the Philippines is starting to see its curve rising. Asked if she is worried about Emily, Clara said, "It's the same all over the world now but the medical systems (of Korea and the Philippines) are different. That's my main concern." 

On the inevitable question of if she would pull Emily out of Iloilo if Korea offered to repatriate its nationals, Clara said, "If the situation turns bad in Iloilo, I will bring her back to Korea. Self-quarantine is the best way for now. Besides, she is staying at home with family." 

Clara considers Ai family and vice versa. COVID-19 poses a big scare but has strengthened the friendship between these two families.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.