Sandara Park says Philippines ‘raised me and changed my life’
MANILA, Philippines — Korean star Sandara Park credited the Philippines for shaping her life, recalling how Filipinos welcomed her before she entered the entertainment industry.
The 2NE1 member shared the sentiment after visiting a Jollibee branch on Orchard Road in Singapore on October 13, where she was recognized by Filipino fans despite wearing a mask.
In a post on X, Sandara said she immediately decided to have dinner at the fast food restaurant after spotting it.
“Nagulat ako!!! Sabi ko ito na ung dinner ko!” she wrote.
Naglalakad ako kanina sa may Orchard and nakita ko ang Jollibee! Nagulat ako!!! Sabi ko ito na ung dinner ko! So pumasok ako para mag order, at nakilala ako ng mga kababayan ko kahit nakamask ako! at nag group pic kami hehehe ???? https://t.co/IYIQEFbLYC
— Sandara Park (@krungy21) October 13, 2026
She added that Filipino fans recognized her when she entered to order food, prompting them to take a group photo together.
“So pumasok ako para mag-order, at nakilala ako ng mga kababayan ko kahit naka-mask ako! at nag group pic kami hehehe,” she said.
A fan praised the singer for the love she has consistently shown the Philippines, saying Filipinos have returned that affection wherever she goes.
“Kasi minahal mo ng todo ang Pilipinas... Kaya sobra-sobra ang pagmamahal ng mga Pilipino sa'yo Sandara,” the fan wrote.
Sandara responded by recalling how the country embraced her when she was still young and unfamiliar with the entertainment industry.
“Kasi minahal ako nang todo ng Pilipinas nung bata pa ako. Nung wala pa akong alam sa showbiz, wala pa akong friends at wala pa akong alam sa mundo. The Philippines raised me and changed my life,” she said.
Born in Busan, South Korea, Sandara rose to fame in the Philippines after joining ABS-CBN's “Star Circle Quest” in 2004. She later pursued a career in South Korea as a member of 2NE1.
Affectionately known as the “Pambansang Krung Krung,” Sandara has maintained a close relationship with Filipino fans through the years.
She even playfully wondered whether she had been Filipino in a past life.
“Hindi kaya Pilipina talaga ako sa past life ko?!” she wrote.
In an earlier X post on October 10, Sandara also expressed happiness over seeing Filipino fans at her overseas performances, including the Kaohsiung Park Music Festival in Taiwan and events in South Korea.
“Kasi lately, 'di ko na-expect pero laging may Pinoy sa shows ko. Pati sa Korean festival sa Incheon, meron din sa Chungju [Park Music Festival] and many other places,” she said.
“So nagulat ako and happy!!! So isipin ko na lang, kahit san ako pupunta, at least may isang Pinoy who will be there to cheer for me," she said.
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