Christmas and compassionate soul

Christmas Day comes and goes, but its spirit lingers, bringing reflection, joy and hope. Christmas season always awakens an affective ambivalence in me as I recall my days in New York. On one hand, I fondly recall taking my daughters to Radio City Music Hall to watch the world-famous Rockettes perform their Christmas Spectacular, an extravaganza of music, circus, dance and magic. It created a lasting impression of our family bonding and happy times together.

But, as depicted in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, the spirit of Christmas is not about wealth or extravaganza, but about love and the transformative power of compassion. When I was stationed at the United Nations headquarters, every day was a lesson in crisis management and problem solving on a global scale. Amid this stressful milieu, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th UN Secretary-General, often reminded us to turn our thoughts to the value of human dignity. Citing the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 – a poignant moment in the midst of World War I, when warring soldiers set aside their weapons to sing carols, exchange gifts and even play football in the no-man’s land between their trenches – he said, “Even in the depths of war, there is room for humanity and hope.”

I treasure these memories and today, as the Korean ambassador to the Philippines, I see them reflected in the vibrant and joyous ways Filipinos celebrate Christmas, which I find really amusing. It is the longest observance of Christmas, beginning on the first “-ber” month of September and ending on the Epiphany. And the warmth of colorful lanterns lighting up the streets and homes, the melodies of carolers filling the air – even in jeepneys stuck in traffic! – and the cherished family gatherings are uniquely Filipino. The festive air evokes in me the same joyous memories of my time in New York.

Just like Christmas in New York, beneath all the merriment lies something more profound in the Philippines: the spirit of bayanihan – community, generosity and love for one another. I find this communal spirit deeply inspiring every time I come across it in my dealings with Filipinos from all walks of life.

Early this month, I joined the distribution of Korean goods in Tondo, Manila, in an area that had been gutted by a conflagration. The Love Tondo Community Ministry, which has been operated by a Korean missionary, Ms. Kim Sook-hyang, for the past 20 years, provides after-school tutorials, meals and care for disadvantaged children. As I marveled at the residents’ resilience and perseverance, I learned that many of them, particularly the children, are fans of K-pop and K-drama, and they often draw strength from stories of overcoming adversity.

I also had the privilege of meeting farmers in Lucban, Quezon Province during the turnover ceremony of KOPIA (Korea Partnership for Innovation of Agriculture) greenhouses and post-harvest facilities. As the guest of honor, President Marcos said, “This initiative stands out because it emphasizes community empowerment.” As the President applauded, the project meant not just increasing productivity but also transforming lives and strengthening the agricultural sector. This is one of the hallmarks of Korea’s development cooperation – it encourages inclusivity by affording the beneficiaries a sense of fulfillment that comes with “owning” the project, thus reflecting the Filipino bayanihan ethos.

More recently, at a gathering of friends at the Department of Migrant Workers, empowering overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) took center stage. The event was timely as the Philippines was the first country to send workers to Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS), which is celebrating its 20th year. Moreover, the deployment of Filipino caregivers in August was the first time that Korean households opened their doors to foreign workers in a show of utmost trust, an acknowledgment of the unmatched caregiving Filipinos are known for. As a show of appreciation for this arrangement of mutual faith, the Sunfull Foundation, a Korean NGO committed to cross-ethnic inclusivity, launched the K-Respect campaign last year “to foster a culture of respect, acceptance and understanding in our society.” K-Respect especially benefits OFWs in Korea, as well as Koreans in the Philippines.

Evidently, at the heart of these experiences are the people, like the children, OFWs and farmers I met, whose empathy and resilience inspire progress and hope. Every visit to a community and every conversation with its residents has strengthened my conviction to the fundamental question: how do we build inclusive societies? How do we create communities rooted in convivencia – living together in peace and mutual respect? The answers lie in our daily choices, in planting seeds of goodwill and nurturing them with unwavering care.

As former Deputy Foreign Minister for Public Diplomacy, I firmly believe that all these are not merely government-to-government endeavors. People – regular, common folks – are the backbone of Korea-Philippines relations. Without their direct engagement, involvement and participation, our governments will not be able to achieve our missions. As such, I have always lived by the mantra: “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”

I saw this in the story of Ms. Kim, lovingly called “Sharon Mom,” whose tireless dedication has brought joy to the children of Tondo. It was evident in KOPIA’s efforts – epitomized by its watchword “We work for the Filipino farmers” – to empower Filipino farmers with innovative solutions, fostering sustainable agriculture. And with the success of programs like the EPS, which has opened doors for OFWs and caregivers in Korea, we are able to embrace and celebrate their invaluable contributions that strengthen the bonds between our nations and peoples.

This year holds special significance for Korea and the Philippines as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of our diplomatic relations. From Filipinos answering the call during the Korean War to today’s collaborative efforts like the Korea-Philippines Free Trade Agreement, which comes into force on Dec. 31, our partnership has only grown stronger. The timing of this agreement is truly auspicious, coinciding with the New Year and promising to be a powerful impetus for trade, investment and deeper people-to-people and cultural connections.

As we close 2024 and step into 2025, let us pause and recognize the power of giving, the strength in unity and the hope that emerges when we join forces.

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