Korean Drama Overload

Celebrating ties that bind Korea, the Philippines

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:30:00 +0000

Nearly 300 dancers braved the heat on July 5 for One Philippines Day, whirling their way from a plaza to a nearby amphitheater at Banpo Park in southern Seoul.

Six troupes, each representing a different Philippine festival, joined the stage in succession to a cacophony of drums that rose to the heights of the newly renovated Banpo Bridge, which intermittently sprayed jets of water into the Han River.

The parade was the culmination of an event that marked the 60th anniversary of Korea-Philippines relations, the 14th Filipino Migrant Workers Day and the 111th Philippine Independence Day. An estimated 2,000 people gathered to watch performances that ranged from rock music to dances by children of Philippine-Korean marriages wearing hanbok and traditional costumes from the Philippines.

Dancers make their way to the amphitheater at Banpo Park,
southern Seoul, on July 5 to celebrate the 60th anniversary
of Korea-Philippines bilateral relations as well as the
Filipino Migrant Workers Day and
the Philippine Independence Day. By Chris Carpenter

The timing of the event couldn t have been better: Korea and the Philippines recently strengthened their ties by signing a memorandum of understanding that extends the Employment Permit System, or EPS, between the countries for another two years.

One of six dance groups representing major festivals in the Philippines performs.

During the festival, members of the Filipino EPS Workers Association handed out copies of their organization s newsletter, which featured a story about the renewed agreement. The deal will allow up to 5,000 Filipinos a year to come to Korea for employment, an arrangement that provides labor for Korean companies and needed cash for Filipino families who stay behind.

Philippine Ambassador Luis T. Cruz said the EPS is one of the recent milestones in bilateral relations between the countries

Cruz said he is satisfied with the terms of the extension, which gives the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration permission to approve only contracts where Korean employers provide room and board to Filipino workers.

Relations between Korea and the Philippines began in 1949 and immediately burgeoned. In 1950, the Philippines became the third member country of the United Nations to send troops to Korea during the Korean War. Some 7,000 Filipino soldiers served in Korea, 116 of whom were killed. After the war, the Philippines helped rebuild the country. A Filipino construction company built the U.S. Embassy, Cruz said, as well as the Jangchung Gymnasium near the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.

While the Philippines was the stronger country economically immediately after the war, that has changed, Cruz said. Today, Korea provides investment and overseas development assistance to the Philippines. Korea, in fact was the biggest foreign investor in the Philippines in 2006, when Hanjin Heavy Industries built a shipyard there. According to the Philippines government Web site, Hanjin employs 16,000 Filipinos at its shipyards in the country, with plans to hire another 24,000.

Additionally, more than 600,000 Korean tourists visited the Philippines in 2008, and the Philippines drew more students and retirees from Korea in that year than from any other nation. An estimated 80,000 Koreans now live in the Philippines.

While Filipinos are not allowed to teach English in Korea only native English speakers are eligible to do so Cruz said 100,000 Korean students studied English in the Philippines last year. Filipinos also teach Koreans English via telephone and computers, he said.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made a state visit to Korea on May 30 ahead of the Asean-Korea Summit on Jeju Island. While here, Arroyo and President Lee Myung-bak witnessed the signing of the EPS agreement, and the Philippine leader met with Korean investors.

Cruz said investments worth $6.3 billion would be made in the Philippines by Korean companies over the next 10 years, and that a total of $2.2 billion would be invested this year and in 2010. Most of the short-term investment will be in green energy, such as wind power and biofuels, including $175 million over the next three years from Ansan, Gyeonggi-based Eco Solutions Company and its affiliate, Eco Global Bio-Oils.

Despite the strong ties, there are some issues for Filipinos working in Korea.

Cho Young-gu, a labor attorney for Tae-Im HRM Consulting, said most of the cases he hears when working at the Seoul Global Center involve unpaid wages, unjustified firings, industrial injuries and visa issues. Cho said he sees around 25 cases a month at the center, which serves as a resource for expats.

The EPS agreement also does not allow migrant workers to bring their families with them to Korea. Rebenson Reca a, a migrant worker who also served on the festival s planning committee, came to Korea four years ago through the EPS. He said separation from family is one of the hardest adjustments he s had to make as a migrant worker.

Reca a said the roughly 59,000 Filipinos living in Korea make valuable contributions to the country in ways that extend beyond providing labor.

The goal of the festival earlier this month was to establish and promote our Filipino culture, our different talents and skills, Reca a said at the event. We are just ordinary workers, but we can prove to foreign governments that we have extraordinary skills.

credit: By Chris Carpenter Contributing writer [estyle@joongang.co.kr]
source: http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2907357

Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger wants to sing the Philippine National Anthem

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:48:00 +0000

MANILA, Philippines - The half-Filipino lead vocalist for the American pop group Pussycat Dolls says she wants to sing the Philippine national anthem when boxing champion Manny Pacquiao fights again.

U.S.-born Nicole Scherzinger, who is performing with three other members of the band in Manila on Thursday, told ABS-CBN television she has always been a fan of the Filipino boxer.

Junior welterweight champion Pacquiao hand-picks the singer of the national anthem at his bouts. After his latest match with Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas in May, Filipino singer Martin Nievera was criticized in the media for altering the 1898 revolutionary anthem, which by law must be played at a marching tempo.

Pacquiao has not announced whom he will fight next, or who will sing the anthem.

Source: Yahoo! News

Boys Over Flowers Dubbers

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:08:00 +0000

Lakas ng trip ng mga dubbers! hahaha.. angkulet...

Petition to ABS CBN

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:52:00 +0000

F4 is Coming to the Philippines!

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:49:00 +0000

This is definitely a GOOD news to all the Filipino avid fans of F4. Can't wait ^_^

Boys Over Flowers Official Trailer on ABS-CBN

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:27:00 +0000

Are you a Movie Addict?

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:55:00 +0000

Got this from Michelle's Blog

If you've seen over 85 films, you have no life. Mark the ones you've seen. There are 239 films on this list. Then, put an 'x' next to the films you've seen, add them up, change the header adding your number.

Teen/ Romance:
(x) The Cinderella Story
( ) Another Cinderella Story
(x) Step Up
(x) Step Up 2
(x) High School Musical
( ) High School Musical 2
( ) High School Musical 3
( ) Hannah Montana Movie
(x) Enchanted
( ) Sydney White
Total: 5

( ) She's the Man
(x) Licensed to Wed
(x) The Break-up
(x) 13 going on 30
(x) 27 Dresses
(x) P.S I Love You
(x) Made of Honour
( ) What Happens in Vegas
( ) Get Smart
( ) The Princess Brides
Total: 6

( ) Camp Rock
( ) Wild Child
(x) Ella Enchanted
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Hotel For Dogs
(x) Just Married
(x) Freaky Friday
Total: 7

(x) The Hot Chick
( ) Sleepover
( ) Confessions Of a Shopaholic
(x) Twilight
(x) Nancy Drew
(x) The Devil Wears Prada
( ) No Reservations
( ) Perfect Man
( ) Australia
( ) Never Been Kissed
Total: 4

Comedy/Humour:
( ) Yes Man
( ) Bedtime Stories
( ) The Pink Panther
( ) The Pink Panther 2
( ) Marley & Me
( ) Cheetah Girls
( ) Cheetah Girls 2
( ) Bratz
( ) Haunted Mansion
( ) Paul Blart Mall Cop
Total: 0

( ) The 40-year-old virgin
(x) Night in the Museum
( ) Night in the Museum 2
(x) Evan Almighty
( ) Bruce Almighty
(x) White Chicks
(x) Never ending Story
( ) Meet the Spartans
(x) Meet the Parents
( ) Meet the Fockers
Total: 5

( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
(x) Scary Movie
(x) Scary Movie 2
(x) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
(x) American Pie
(x) American Pie 2
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total: 5

Adventures:
(x) Harry Potter 1: The Sorcerer’s Stone
(x) Harry Potter 2: The Chamber's Secret
(x) Harry Potter 3: Prisoner of Azkaban
(x) Harry Potter 4: Goblet of Fire
(x) Harry Potter 5: Order of Phoenix
(x) Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings: Return Of the King
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Total: 10

(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
( ) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
(x) Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull
(x) The Mummy
(x) The Mummy 2
(x) The Mummy 3
(x) Journey to the Center of Earth
( ) City of Ember
( ) Finding Never land
Total: 7

(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End
(x) X-Men
(x) X-Men 2
(x) X-Men 3 Origins Wolverine
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
(x) Spider Man 3
( ) King Kong
Total: 9

(x) Hellboy
(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
( ) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
( ) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
( ) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Underdog
( ) A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Batman: The Dark Knight
Total: 5

Action/ Thriller:
(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
(x) Terminator
(x) Terminator 2
(x) Terminator 3
( ) Ocean's Eleven
( ) Ocean's Twelve
( ) Ocean’s Thirteen
(x) Casino Royale 007
Total: 7

(x) Bourne Identity
( ) Bourne Supremecy
(x) Underworld
( ) Butterfly Effect
(x) Death Note
( ) Death Note 2
( ) Death Note 3: L Change the world
(x) Resident Evil 1
(x) Resident Evil 2
( ) I, Robot
Total: 5

(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
( ) Rush Hour 3
(x) Mission Impossible 1
(x) Mission Impossible 2
(x) Mission Impossible 3
(x) I Am Legend
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) Signs
Total: 6

Horror:
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) Saw III
( ) Saw IV
( ) Saw V
( ) The Grinch
(x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
(x) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
(x) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
Total: 3

( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
(x) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
( ) Gothika
( ) Nightmare on Elm Street
Total: 1

( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
( ) The Haunted Apartment
( ) Siren
(x) Silent Hill
(x) The Mask
(x) Son Of The Mask
( ) Alone
( ) Omen
( ) House Of Wax
Total: 3

( ) The Eye
( ) The Eye 2
(x) Shutter
( ) When the Stranger calls
( ) The Fog
( ) The Orphanage
( ) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
Total: 2

Cartoons:
( ) Lilo & Stitch
( ) Ice Age
( ) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
(x) Madagascar
(x) Madagascar 2
(x) Kung Fu Panda
( ) Bolt
(x) Wall-E
( ) Monsters Inc
( ) Shark Tale
Total: 3

(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
(x) Shrek 3
( ) Finding Nemo
( ) ET
( ) Cars
(x) Ratatouille
(x) Toy Story
( ) Toy Story 2
(x) The Incredibles
Total: 6

Inspirational:
( ) Little Miss Sunshine
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Coach Carter
(x) The Last Dance
( ) To Kill A Mockingbird
( ) Conrack
(x) Midnight Sun
( ) Little Black Book
( ) Rwanda Genocide
Total: 4

Classics:
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
(x) Titanic
(x) Romeo & Juliet
( ) Frankenstein
( ) A Midsummer Night's Dream
Total: 3

TOTAL ALTOGETHER : 106/239

Calling All Filipino BOF fans

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:40:00 +0000

This is your time to shine! Let your voices be heard.. You can sign the Petition to ABS-CBN stating that the F4 + Hye Sun + So-Eun be invited to the Philippines...

here is the link: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bofcast2phils/

credit: sanggrechurva@PEx

F4 Invites the Filipino Fans to Watch Kkot Boda Namja

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:28:00 +0000

on "ABS-ShiBN" hehehe...

Always Be My Baby Pinoy Version

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 13:43:00 +0000

Boys Over Flowers Teasers on ABS-CBN

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:31:00 +0000

"Tagalized" Version of the Boys Over Flowers Soundtrack

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:46:00 +0000

Just a WARNING before you watch these videos, the people behind the voices are NOT singers so PLEASE bear with them. LoL (wag ka na magreklamo ^_^). But the lyrics are pretty nice. I'd really give them 10/10 for the lyrics. A great effort. All Thanks to "repacol" of YouTube. *Fighting!*

Stand by Me: Tagalog Version [FuNNy/Crazy]

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:41:00 +0000

credit: repacol (^_^)

Boys Over Flowers soon in ABS CBN

noreply@blogger.com (Hannah) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:56:00 +0000

Boys Over Flowers is an upcoming tagalized koreanovela on ABS-CBN based from the popular Japanese manga “Hana Yori Dango.”

The 24-episode Korean drama is the rendition to the Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden and the Japanese series Hana Yori Dango.

Aside from Korea, the drama was also shot in Macau, Las Vegas and New Caledonia.

The cast of Boys Over Flowers includes Koo Hye sun as Geum Jan Di, Lee Min Ho as Gu Joon Pyo, Kim Hyun Joong as Yoon Ji Hoo, Kim Bum as So Yi Jeong and Kim Joon as Song Woo Bin. Also part of the cast are Han Chae-young, Kim Hyun Joo and Kim So Eun.

PLOT:

Kkot Boda Namja is a story about Jan-di who is an average high school girl whose family owns a dry cleaning store near the prestigious and well known school, Shin Hwa High. She gets a scholarship to enter the luxurious school when she saved one of the students from committing suicide while delivering his dry cleaned uniform. She was then tagged as "Wonder Woman" by the media.

In school, she meets the four richest, most popular, and most spoiled boys known as F4 (Flower 4) who are also known to cause trouble to those who speak out against them.

As the story progressed, she begins to like one of them -- Ji-hoo, but also discovers that the leader of the group, Joon-pyo, is falling for her.

The series also revolves on this love triangle and how it gets resolved.