By Honorary Reporter Diana Kassandra Almarez  from the Philippines
Photos =Diana Kassandra Almarez  

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Manila, to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines, on June 25 hosted the Korean War Memorial Peace Concert. 

The event not only celebrated the longstanding friendship between both countries but also honored those who fought in the war and sacrificed their lives for peace, freedom and independence on the Korean Peninsula. The Philippines was the third United Nations member nation and first Asian country to send forces to help South Korea in the war.


Organized by the Korean Embassy in Taguig, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines, the Korean Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and other agencies, the concert featured the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the country's finest and resident artist of the CCP, and the Seocho Philharmonic Orchestra of Korea under the baton of conductor Bae Jong-hoon.

The Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in Taguig invited the Krew, or volunteers at the KCC, to the concert. I was really excited because aside from going there as a Krew member, the concert was being held at the CCP, another cultural institution where I also volunteer. The CCP has been my home since last year and like the KCC, I also volunteer for a lot of events there. I proudly wore my traditional Philippine outfit with a kimona top and a scarf made in Davao City to the concert.


The concert began with a moment of silence for fallen Korean War heroes, followed by speeches by distinguished guests including Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man and a recorded video greeting by former Philippine President Fidel Ramos, a Korean War veteran and second lieutenant of the 20th Battalion Combat Team of the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK). I was glad to see Korean War veterans in the audience because it reminded me of when I saw them at the Ateneo Korean Studies Conference three years ago.


The main part began with musical pieces grouped into two parts: "Memorial" and "Peace." In "Memorial," the orchestra performed "Arirang Rhapsody," followed by "Bee Mok" (Tombstones of Unknown Heroes) with baritone Park Byeong-in, and "Trumpet Concerto" with trumpet soloist Jens Lindemann. What piqued my interest was the concerto because it reminded me of history, specifically of the time that PEFTOK heroes marched in a foreign land they were unfamiliar with but ready to bring hope to the Korean Peninsula. Moreover, the Moon Yang Sook Gayageum Ensemble gave an amazing performance of "Harmony for Peace," a great and relaxing piece, then suddenly played a familiar song, "Anak" by Freddie Aguilar. "Anak" was extremely popular in Korea in the past and sung by many Koreans. 


The concert's second half focused on "Peace." The orchestra performed "Summer" (third movement) from "The Four Seasons" with violinist Kim Kyung-ah, followed by the aria "E Strano…Sempre Libera" from "La Traviata" with soprano Rachelle Gerodias, "Bat No Rae" (traditional Korean folk song) with baritone Park Byeong-in, the Brindisi duet from "La Traviata" with Gerodias and Park, "Oblivion & Malagueña" with Lindemann and finally the crowd favorite "Arirang Fantasy." What piqued my interest here was the tango dance Gerodias and Park performed to the tune of the Brindisi duet. 

In a speech, Lindemann also said he was honored to represent Canada, another country who helped South Korea in the war. He added that the concert was important for conductor Bae because it was his birthday. Thus everyone sang "Happy Birthday" led by Lindemann on his trumpet. He walked around the stage while performing "Oblivion & Malagueña," showing his funny stage presence.

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.