People binding us stronger

Recently, I had the privilege of attending the send-off ceremony for 100 Filipino caregivers, an event that reaffirmed the strong connection between the Philippines and Korea. This is the pilot group of caregivers to be deployed to Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS). Drawing a parallel to the Paris 2024 Olympics, Hans J. Cacdac, Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, remarked that if there were an Olympic gold medal for “caring people,” Filipinas would be “world Olympic champions every day.”

Fittingly, the ceremony was held at the Blas F. Ople Building, named after a former labor secretary who once referred to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as “the unsung heroes of our time.” One of the caregivers, a mother of three sons, shared her mixed emotions about embarking on a new journey filled with hope, excitement and anxiety. As a big fan of Korean telenovelas, she expressed that her long-held dream of working in Korea had finally come true, though she felt sad leaving her loved ones behind; it’s a deep sense of trepidation common among migrant workers. Whether these caregivers are driven by financial reasons or professionalism in caregiving, or both, they are, first and foremost, mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and friends to someone in their home country. Their ambivalence reminds me of a stanza in the Korean poem, A Visitor: “A man’s coming is, in fact, a tremendous thing. It’s because he comes along with his past, with his present and with his future. It’s because a man’s entire life is coming.”

As we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the EPS this year, the Philippines holds the distinction of being the first country to send workers to Korea in 2004 among the current 17 dispatching nations. Over the past 20 years, approximately 100,000 Filipinos have contributed to Korea’s manufacturing industries. This year, the quota for Filipino workers reached a record high of nearly 9,000, with new job opportunities now open in the service sector. The caregiver pilot project marks a paradigm shift, as Korean families welcome with warmth and compassion these Filipinas into their households for the very first time – a testament to the high level of trust and confidence in the Filipino brand of caring. Given the importance of people-to-people connections, the pioneer caregivers are expected to sow the seeds of deeper kinship between our peoples.

The story of these Filipino caregivers echoes the experiences of Korean miners and nurses who migrated to West Germany over 60 years ago under government-to-government labor recruitment agreements. Approximately 8,000 Korean miners and 10,000 Korean nurses, many well-educated, became key contributors to both the German economy and the Republic of Korea’s post-war recovery. They played a critical role in Korea’s economic rise through their substantial remittances.

In October last year, marking 60 years since the first batch of Koreans were sent to work in Germany, President Yoon Suk Yeol hosted lunch for around 240 former nurses, nursing assistants and miners to acknowledge their invaluable contributions to the country. He said, “Your sweat and dedication were the foundation for the Republic of Korea’s industrialization, and your lives were our nation’s modern history.” Indeed, their hard work was not in vain. The foreign currency they remitted in the 1960s and ‘70s served as the seed money for what is now known as the Miracle of the Han River, South Korea’s rapid post-war economic development. Acknowledging this monumental feat, the World Bank, in its Aug. 1 report “The Middle-Income Trap,” even referred to the Republic of Korea as a “growth superstar” and added that Korea’s economic history is “required reading for policymakers in any middle-income country.”

As much as Filipinos revere the OFWs, there are unforgettable Filipino heroes for Korea as well: the Korean War veterans. Like migrant workers, these soldiers exhibited bravery and selflessness in service of others. During my recent visit to the Philippine-Korea Friendship Center in Taguig City, I stood before the Memorial Wall honoring the 112 Filipino soldiers killed in action during the Korean War. I paused at the wall, reflecting on the sobering words, “Freedom is not free. It is paid for with the blood of fighting men and stained with the tears of loved ones left behind.”

Last week, the Korean embassy hosted a delegation from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, along with the Korean War Bereaved Families Association. On Sept. 7, we commemorated the day the Philippines officially deployed the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) in 1950 to Korea. Apart from a wreath-laying ceremony, Filipino veterans and their families were feted at the Memorial Hall in an event aimed at conveying Korea’s heartfelt gratitude. In a most emotive moment, 94-year-old retired Master Sergeant Florendo Benedicto sang Arirang, a folksong beloved by most Koreans. Like his comrades, he learned this song during the war and, after more than seven decades, he still knows its lyrics by heart. MSgt Benedicto’s rendition – which he said was the only thing he could contribute to the event – sent goosebumps among the audience, for Arirang captures the themes of heartache, parting, reunion and, above all, an enduring love for one’s family and country.

The Korean War should never be forgotten. During Korea’s darkest moment, 7,420 Filipino heroes fearlessly battled on foreign soil under harsh conditions. Their efforts helped preserve the freedom and sovereignty of a grateful nation, and their valor and sacrifice remain etched in Korean memory. To honor these Korean War veterans, our government has implemented a Revisit Korea Program. This year, 97-year-old retired Staff Sergeant Benjamin Quiros was among the participants. During his visit, the first since he left the devastated country after the war, he amusingly exclaimed, “They say I’m a hero!” His lightheartedness belied the profound truth of his words, reflecting the pride within – a common Filipino trait that is truly inspiring.

In both the past and the present, the contributions of Filipinos – whether on the battlefields of Korea or in the caregiving homes of Korea today – bind our countries together. These connections, forged through courage and compassion, continue to strengthen the ties between our nations, underscoring the enduring spirit of cooperation and mutual respect. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations this year, we honor the unbreakable bonds that unite us, transcending time and borders and embodying the essence of what it means to be truly connected. Even with a small heart, one can carry a vast amount of gratitude. We uplift each other, helping to bring out the best in us. That’s the essence of friendship.

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Lee Sang-hwa is the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines.