Filipinos hold fundraiser in Seoul

Philippines Ambassador to Korea Raul Hernandez, left, and MICA, a girl group from the Southeast Asian nation, attend a fundraiser at Gaia Restaurant in Itaewon, Seoul, Sunday. / Korea Times photo by John Redmond

By John Redmond

The Philippines Ambassador to Korea Raul Hernandez attended a special event organized by the Korea Pinoy Artists and Performers at Gaia Restaurant in Itaewon Sunday night.

The event, a celebration of the Filipino community in Seoul, was hosted by Filipino DJ Hi-C (Christian H. Martir). It featured local and foreign performances with a special set by Seoul-based Filipino girl group and Korea K Star finalists MICA.

The mini-concert was also to raise awareness for a future fundraiser to aid Filipino children orphaned by devastating typhoons and a program aimed at combating school bullying.

The charity event in coordination with the Filipino American Korean Association is being put together to aid the Batang Ala-Eh Scholarship, a project assisting the less fortunate people of San Juan Batangas, one of the main affected regions of the typhoons.

This year, the project will help 42 elementary schools in the municipality of San Juan.

The Seoul American High School foundation for bullying victims is also a strong focus. The “Bully” program is to educate and assist victims of bullying.

Proceeds will also go to local orphanages in Seoul.

The fundraiser will be held at the Bull and Barrel Bar and Grill in Itaewon on Feb. 7, beginning at 7 p.m., and will include special performances of songs and dances by artists from Panama, Malaysia, Korea, America, and the Philippines.