By Honorary Reporter Myrtle Iris Villaraza from Philippines
Photos = Maria Elizabeth Valdez

Mathilda's Hanbok and Photography owners Maria Elizabeth Valdez and her husband Jordan Apolonio Valdez (both sitting in the center) on Dec. 16, 2023, pose for a photo with their two photographers at their studio in Santa Rosa, the Philippines. 

Maria Elizabeth Valdez and her husband Jordan Apolonio Valdez are two entrepreneurs promoting Korean culture in the Philippines. In February last year, they opened Mathilda's Hanbok and Photography, a Hanbok (traditional clothing) rental shop and photo studio using Korean themes in Santa Rosa, a city in the Philippine province of Laguna located about an hour away from Metro Manila. 

The business also offers services for traditional Korean milestones like baekil (baby's 100th day) and doljanchi (child's first birthday).

In an email interview with her between November last year and January this year, Maria Elizabeth Valdez said love for Korean culture and people inspired her and her husband to open the store. 

"We loved to dress up our daughter in Korean costumes every month from when she was three months or 100 days old to her first birthday," she said. "We took pictures of our daughter wearing different Hanbok for her monthly milestones."

Because they owned several Hanbok outfits, they thought of adding to their collection to rent them out to mothers looking for Hanbok or other traditional Korean attire for their children. Eventually, their service was expanded to adults like parents and couples.

From the rental business came the idea of opening a photo studio, which they designed with an interior based on Hanok (traditional home).

Mathilda's Hanbok and Photography was opened on Feb. 23, 2023, in Santa Rosa, a city in the Philippine province of Laguna. 

"A good family friend from Seoul helps us source our supply of Hanbok and the right props from Korea to make the perfect traditional Korean set-ups," Valdez said. "She and I came up with the idea to offer photo shoots for traditional Korean occasions such as baekil and doljanchi."

The couple follows Korean customs when organizing Korean-themed photo shoots. For example, the ceremonial table for baekil needs specific items like rice, salt, rice cake and fruit, with the guest of honor clad in Hanbok. "Koreans believe that if a child reaches the 100-day milestone, he or she will be blessed with a fulfilling and prosperous life," she added.

This photo taken on Aug. 25, 2023, is of a baby at her 100th-day celebration at Mathilda's Hanbok and Photography in Santa Rosa, the Philippines. 

On the extensive popularity of Hallyu (Korean Wave) in the Philippines, Valdez said, "I think that Koreans and their culture play a big part in the lives of many Filipinos, from Korean dramas, food and K-pop to wearing traditional Korean clothes."

Hanbok is also rising in popularity among Filipinos, she added, saying many Pinoys rent and ship outfits and traditional table setups across the Philippines. Many children and parents find it a great experience to take photos while wearing authentic Hanbok, sharing their pictures on social media.

"Many Filipinos have begun to enjoy the experience of photo shoots while wearing Hanbok under a traditional Korean-inspired theme, especially at a baekil," Valdez said. "Some even travel for hours for a traditional Korean photo shoot."

msjeon22@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.