By Honorary Reporter John Axel Orencia from Philippines
Photos = Unica Bacamante, Katrina Noble and Kristine Cacho 

With the waning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are traveling to Korea again after a two-year hiatus. The country is a favored travel destination for many Filipinos, so just imagine going there for free.

The following three Filipinas got lucky and won free trips to Korea, and their stories are below.

Unica Mae Bacamante (2022)
This "Korea Fits You" (KFY) supporter in 2019 won her trip to Korea through the KFY program run by the Manila branch of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). Such supporters promote tourism in Korea to Filipinos by sharing and creating content about Korea. Bacamante's entry was named one of the top two and earned her a roundtrip ticket to Korea from Asiana Airlines. 

She visited Korea last month. Though winning the ticket in 2019, she was prevented from visiting due to the COVID-19 pandemic until June this year. She said the foods she enjoyed most in Korea were odeng (fish cake) and sundae (blood sausage) and her favorite place was Hangang Park, with its views of the river and Seoul. 

Unica Mae Bacamante last month went on a free trip to Korea. (Unica Mae Bacamante)

Katrina Noble (2019)

This Honorary Reporter and K-influencer won her trip in October 2019 after winning the grand prize in the annual Talk Talk Korea contest sponsored by the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) and Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Her entry "Like a Dream" won the Korea Experience category, in which contestants made videos on their previous experiences in Korea. 

Noble said her favorite food during her trip was kimchi jjigae (stew) and that her most memorable place in Seoul was Hongdae thanks to the enthusiastic singing and other performances taking place on the streets. 

Katrina Noble in October 2019 visited Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul and the awards ceremony for grand prize winners of the contest Talk Talk Korea. (Katrina Noble)

Kristine Aubrey Cacho (2018)
This pharmacist and Honorary Reporter got lucky in July 2018 in an event on the Korean reality TV show "Two Days and One Night" on KBS. The broadcast network received applications from foreign viewers worldwide for the event "Trip with Global Viewers of Two Days and One Night." Applicants filled out forms and sent self-introductory videos of around three minutes and the winners were featured in an episode of the show. 

Cacho toured Seoul and Boryeong-gun County,  Chungcheongnam-do Province, where she visited Daecheon Beach. She said her favorite place in the country was Oeam Folk Village in Asan, also in Chungcheongnam-do, which she said made her feel as if she was in a historical K-drama. Her favorite dishes were Korean eel and beef.  

Kristine Cacho in 2018 visited Korea and met the cast of "Two Days and One Night," appearing in an episode for international viewers. (Kristine Cacho)

enny0611@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.