Guidebook for living in Korea

Last Monday, Korean language classes at the women's center where I study resumed after a short winter break. When I dropped by the office to submit my updated contact form, I saw stacks of new books on the floor, including the new textbooks. I heard that they had revised the curriculum for the program. I noticed this guidebook among the stacks of books, I immediately asked one of the staff if I can have a copy. I remember reading about it somewhere in the web. This guidebook has versions in English, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and of course Korean. Heck, I think I even saw one in Tagalog.

"Guidebook for Living in Korea for Foreigners"or 한국생활 가이드북 is really helpful for foreigners living in Korea, especially migrant women. It contains some general info and introduction about South Korea, about places to go, visa, transportation, employment info and even labor issues. Most of the contents are intended for migrant women. There are guides on pregnancy, childcare, education of children and all of those stuff. It could have been better if they included a list of hospitals and educational centers that we can easily go to. Although there are lists of phone numbers and websites should you need some assistance while living in Korea.

You can grab a copy from any Multicultural Family Support Center. You can also download a PDF copy from http://www.liveinkorea.go.kr/. They said it would be up and running by February but last time I checked, the website is still unaccessible.

Appeal for the retention of the Filipino Market in Seoul

In line with the recent reports of the closure of the Filipino market in Hyehwa, a few representatives of the Flipino community met earlier in the week to discuss the matter. They will be launching an appeal for the retention of the market. Those who will be in Hyehwa on Sunday may sign the petition that will be presented to the Mayor of Seoul.

Here are some excerpts from the petition letter (re: appeal for the retention of the Filipino Market in Hyehwadong Rotary) sent by Prof. Abagat:

The Filipino Market, also called as “Little Manila,” in Hyehwadong Rotary existed since 1997. It is a place where Filipinos in Korea can buy food and meet their friends on Sundays, immediately after celebrating the Holy Mass. It has become symbolic of a home, a community, a family, and of Filipino culture. It is a “home away from home” for a lot of Filipinos in Korea. However, due to the Jongno District Office Development Plan, this popular place which has become a center of the Filipinos’ religious, social, economic and cultural activities on Sundays is in danger of disintegration.

The district officers are pushing through this plan effective in March 2010 on the following grounds:
1. They received complaints regarding the Filipino market;
2. They wanted to maintain order and cleanliness in the sidewalk where the Filipino market is located;
3. They wanted to ease out the traffic flow in Hyehwadong Rotary;
4. They wanted to enhance the artificial small stream they built along the sidewalk and make additional physical development; and
5. They want to transfer the Filipino market to Nagwon-dong in Jongno, where they are now constructing a multicultural street market.

The members of the Hyehwadong Filipino Catholic community are willing to cooperate and are hoping to solve the problem in a win-win solution. They would also propose alternative ways of solving the issue. All the Filipinos in Korea are urged to unite for this cause.

Update: Another report on Korea Times.

More UPDATE: The removal of Filipino market at Hyehwa-dong is on hold pending talks by authorities, Phil. Embassy & vendors' group: ~ Phil. Embassy

Here's a related article written by Dr. Emely Dicolen-Abagat for the Joongang Daily.

*Hyehwa Station exit 1

Filipino market in Hyehwa-dong faces closure

While we were still shaken about that minor earthquake, another report broke out. Filipino market in Hyehwa-dong is facing CLOSURE! From the Korea Times report:

“Jongno District Office in Seoul has told the Filipino community to stop holding a market in Hyehwa-dong, citing complaints from passers-by and residents.”

This is indeed sad and disappointing. The weekly market has been there since 1997. It has become a representation of the Filipino culture in Korea, a mark of the Filipino community in Korea. Lots of Filipinos, some from other parts of the country travel to Hyehwa to have a taste of home, purchase their Filipino food supply, meet their friends and families and also attend the mass in Hyehwa Catholic Church.

According to Father Alvin:
"The reasons they gave up us was one, they received complaints from neighbors and pedestrians in the area; two, there were concerns about cleanliness and order; three, they want to redevelop the sidewalk and include a waterfall wall in the area; and four, they want to transfer the market to a new multicultural market," the priest told The Korea Times over the phone. "It's a Philippine way of life. We go to church, then go to the market to buy provisions and meet friends. It's an expression of Philippine culture. The national government has a policy about supporting multiculturalism in Korea, but there seems to be a contradiction with the district office's plans. The church and the market should go together and not be separated," he said.

Huwat?! Complaints from neighbors and pedestrians- it’s been there for more than a decade. Did they only get the complaints just now? Cleanliness and order- yeah right. Relocation to a new multicultural street, the market is there because it is beside the church. These can be just lousy excuses. There may be more to it than what it seems. Or it could just be because of the redevelopment project. They are just throwing in some other excuses reasons to give the market a negative appeal. Whatever it is, I hope that they arrive at a resolution which can be beneficial to both the district government and the Filipino community.

Check out the whole report on Korea Times.

Also Buhaykorea, Jehan, Zenkimchi and Roboseyo wrote about it.

* Hyehwa station exit 1