By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Ma. Lilia Pedellume from the Philippines
Photos = August Melody Andong
Gangwon-do l Feb. 8, 2018

A group of Saemaul Undong youth volunteers from the province of Iloilo in the Philippines arrived in Wonju, Gangwon Province, on Feb. 8.

Invited by Wonju City and the Gangwon-do Saemaul Undong (SMU) Center, the Philippine delegation left Iloilo on Feb. 7 and is representing the Philippines at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics Youth Experience & International Project Talks that are taking place in Gangwon-do Province. The Philippine delegation is composed of Ilonggo youth volunteers Kennie Aposaga, Jeanne Michaella Antonette Nanquil, Antonio Apelacio Jr., Christopher Geaga and their team leader August Melody Andong.

They were welcomed by Wonju City officials and officers from the Gangwon-do and Wonju Saemaul Undong Centers. Present during the welcoming ceremony were Gangwon-do SMU Center President Kim Geun Yeol, Wonju SMU Branch President Jang Eung Yeol, Council President Baek Sang Won and Female President Kim Byung Sook.

The welcoming ceremony was followed by the International Project Talks with Wonju City Mayor Seo Kyung Won, at Wonju City Hall. During the talks, Andong, the Philippine Saemaul International Development Project Coordinator and the SMU youth volunteers’ team leader, outlined the status of the on-going Saemaul pilot project in Lemery, Iloilo, called the New Villageship for Sustainable Development in Lemery. The Wonju City mayor was pleased to learn about the progress of the on-going project in the Philippines.

The project focuses on solid waste management and local livelihoods. It's supported by the Gangwon-do SMU Center. The special youth invitation to experience the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games for the volunteers is part of the assistance given by the organization.





To enjoy the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, the youth SMU volunteers headed to Pyeongchang to go sledding at PyeongChang 2018 Snow Land and to watch the first competition in the men’s individual high jump qualification rounds at the Alpensia Ski Jumping Center. They also went skiing at the Oak Valley Ski Resort in Wonju.

The Philippine delegation also visited Gangneung, Samcheok, the Wonju Hanji Theme Park and Nami Island. They returned to the Philippines on Feb. 13.

As an Ilonggo myself, it’s a pleasure to know that a group of young volunteers from my home province are here in Korea, not only to enjoy the PyeongChang Games, but also to learn more about the Saemaul Undong New Village Movement that can benefit towns in Iloilo and across the Philippines as a whole.

wisdom117@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.