With a great history that stretches back to its very foundation, it's no wonder that Korea has grown into a more beautiful and inviting country, with a society, traditions and heritage that is rich, unique and beyond compare.




In line with the promotion of modern Korean arts and traditions to the Philippine community, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC Philippines) hosted yet another exhibition, entitled "Soul of Korea: Taekwondo," its second this year, showcasing the great history and development of the famous traditional martial art that originated in Korea: taekwondo (태권도, 跆拳道 ).




Opened on June 9 and led by Director Oh Choong-suk of the KCC Philippines and Philippine taekwondo champion Monsour del Rosario, the event, curated by PR manager Chris Choi, was attended by Korean diplomats and VIPs, including Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae-shin, celebrities in the field of sports and martial arts, guests and other enthusiasts.







The taekwondo exhibition, jointly organized by the Taekwondowon Park in Korea and the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA), features a great history showing the development of the well-known martial art from Korea, starting with its introduction and moving on to its development and presence on the international sports scene, and noting how it has since become an interest enjoyed by many people across the globe.




With the prominent history of the Korean martial art, which started many eons ago in ancient Korea, it has since been used and developed as an art and sport for both national and self-defense. Aside from the values and principles of the Korean martial art, the exhibition also showcased various types of taekwondo uniforms and related material that has evolved throughout the years.







As one of the highlights, the event also serves as a showcase for the guests and attendees, as the PTA and National Demonstration Team, led by the association's grand masters, performs an amazing and entertaining set of high-speed taekwondo drills. With their unique, delicate and precise jumps and kicks, it is a great spectacle, showing the basics and complexity of this world renowned martial art.




Not only a beautiful art and sport, taekwondo is also considered to be good for one's health, as it has beneficial contributions to one's health while bringing harmony to both the mind and the body.




The "Soul of Korea: Taekwondo" exhibit is the first of its kind in the Philippines. Aside from the exhibition with facts and specifics about the development of the sport in Korea and in the Philippines, there was a short symposium before the official opening of the exhibit in which attendees were briefly introduced to the ways in which taekwondo has progressed in the Philippines over the past 40 years.










Philippine taekwondo advocate Ricardo Santiago Jr. thoroughly discussed how the sport started in the country, from its humble beginnings and the Father of Taekwondo in the Philippines Sun Chong-hong, through to the PTA’s ongoing and future events, as well as the success of the institution in promoting and expanding the taekwondo scene across the country. The taekwondo symposium also touched on the various events and international activities that the PTA currently has in the works.




Moreover, the KCC Philippines also prepared an exciting Photo & Experience Zone where visitors have the chance to try out the sport itself. Wearing the official PTA uniform, complete with head gear, visitors were able to try out some of the basic kicks and jumps. It was a great experience that everyone definitely enjoyed and appreciated.




The "Soul of Korea: Taekwondo" exhibit ran from June 9 to Aug. 19 at the Exhibition Hall of the KCC Philippines, and admission was free. The main purpose of the exhibit was to enrich Philippine knowledge about Korean martial arts and to share some of the great contributions made by taekwondo in the Philippines, while endorsing the promotion of Korean arts and traditions.

By John Paul Vergonia
Korea.net Honorary Reporter
Photos: John Paul Vergonia