“Kung gusto mong bilisan, maglakbay mag-isa, pero kung malayo ang nais marating maglakbay ng may kasama.” Director IM Young-A of the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) mused in her Welcoming Remarks, highlighting the journey of the Philippines and Korea for the past 73 years and the new challenges that will continue to take on together, during the launch of the first Phil-Kor friendship media art show.
Last October 6, 2022, the Korean Embassy in the Philippines, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) unveiled and launched Donghaeng (동행) : Gunita At Pag-asa, which was made with collaborative effort of Korean cutting-edge technology and Filipino art. The media art show will be presented at the exterior wall of CCP Complex until October 21, 2022, from every 6PM to 9PM.
From the music to the dances and then to the art, Donghaeng (동행) : Gunita At Pag-asa treats the audience into the journey and progress of the 73-year long friendship between the Philippines and Korea in just 8 minutes. It starts with the encounter of two people representing Philippines and Korea, followed by the traditional dances, interaction of national symbols, and a travel through historical and modern landmarks. The music produced with Korean and Filipino traditional instruments adds meaning to this artwork.
At the opening ceremony, director IM Young-A of KCC, NCCA-Head of Sentro Rizal-International Cultural Affairs Office Mary Anne Luis, and CCP President Margie Moran-Floirendo shared messages to commemorate the launch of the media art show. Also, as one of the keys in bridging the Philippines and Korea, SB19 also imparted their message as NCCA Youth and Sentro Rizal Ambassadors.
Director IM Young-A of KCC shared in her Opening Remarks how the project came to be, it was when she first saw the CCP. “Since we cannot invite people to come to our building, we thought of a way to approach them, ways to satisfy the cultural needs of people without restrictions.”
Ms. Mary Anne Luis, NCCA-Head of Sentro Rizal-International Cultural Affairs Office shared in her Opening Remarks, that connecting with others and cultural exchange enriches our well-being, and recounted the bilateral relations between both countries “Tonight, we launch this state of the art[…]– one that, while utilizing a digital platform, reminds us of elements of our time-honored traditions, as well as contemporary practices, in order to recount our history and progress, while highlighting the close affinity of the Philippines and Korea.”
Margie Moran-Floirendo, President of the CCP, also gave her Congratulatory Speech for the groundbreaking event. “Through the years, Filipino and Korean people have been good companions to each other as they progress towards national and international development. The two countries share strong bilateral relations in politics, economics, and other social sectors.”
In the opening ceremony, guests were also treated with special performance from the featured Filipino and Korean dancers in the media art show, witnessing the harmonious movements presented in the video live on stage. The guests were also dazzled with the performances of Madrigal Singers and the CEU Folk Dance Group as they perform Ikaw Ang Mahal Ko and especially Arirang, one of the most famous folk songs in Korea.
The highlight of the ceremony came when the guests were led to the front lawn as the media art show was unveiled for the first time at the grand exterior wall of the CCP Complex. Likewise, Filipinos around the vicinity and even those stuck in traffic were able to witness the unveiling of the media art show. It is as if time stood still as Donghaeng (동행) : Gunita At Pag-asa illuminated the Manila sky.
Under the theme “Kita Kita Korea”, Donghaeng (동행) : Gunita At Pag-asa brings Korea to the Filipinos to experience right here in the Philippines. The media art show is currently showing at the Front lawn façade, CCP Complex until October 21, 2022 from 6PM to 9PM for free. The audience can also have the chance to win different prizes when visiting by joining contests in KCC’s official social media accounts.
