February 13, 2008 was the time of departure from Iligan city to Cagayan de Oro City Airport and my flight schedule going to Manila City was exactly 12:30 in the afternoon. I arrived in Cagayan de Oro Airport so full of excitement and eagerness but when I get to the check in counter… I realize that our flight was cancelled due to bad weather condition!! Feeling sorry about what happened and was really very nervous of the incident, I tried to look for ways just to fly to manila because if I can’t, I can no longer go to the Korea-Asean future oriented program. Fortunately, there was a remaining flight for Manila in Cebu Pacific and I was able to catch up for the last flight!! Whew!! That was close. When I arrived in the Domestic Airport, I immediately went to the National Youth Commission Office and there I met my co-delegates who will also join me in the said event.
In the office, there were lots of things that we did… We made calling cards, packed all the important items, and all other things as well. At exactly 7 pm, we then went to KFC near the airport to have some dinner together and then immediately we proceeded to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Around 8:30, we were able to checked in our things and waited for like 5 hours for our flight to South Korea. It was really funny because when we were in the lobby and waited for the boarding time, the stewardess called my attention (I hoped it wasn't another flight difficulties) and so I immediately went to the reception counter!! And good thing, all that they told me was that my seat has no lights and they asked me if I wanted to be seated to another seat.
(Hahaha! They called my name in front of lots of people and that was it?! Oh my gosh!! never mind the embarrassment.. as long as I'm going! All is well!!)
Anyway, it was boarding time and so we need to enter to the plane (Korea Airlines). Around 12:45 in the morning, that was the time that our plane takes off and hurray!! I’m now going to Korea (my first international trip)!!
At around 4:30 in the morning (Korean time) we arrived at Incheon International Airport!! That was 3 hours of travel but it was a worthwhile experience though. Anyway, when I got to their airport, I was really very amazed of the place! It was really very nice and very different from NAIA (sorry about that…just telling the truth). I then learned that we are really far from the developments of South Korea and we are now left behind to the technologies that they have. Somewhat, I am still very proud to be a Filipino and there are also lots of things to be considered to be called as proud Filipino.
When went out, we found out that there are Korean delegates to welcomed us up! They even wrote our names in a plaque cards and add some art on it! That was really fabulous! I really appreciated the effort guys…
Thank you to Min Young Kim, Jun Shup Bang and Ji Yeon Eo for your warm hospitality…that even if it’s cold, you still gave us the warmth and the kindness.
Afterward, we were looking for some place to seat and waited for the Vietnam delegates to come… we were like waiting there for 30 minutes and we chatted a lot. We found out that one of our Korean counter part Jun Shup Bang have already been to the Philippines and he even spoke Filipino word like “talaga!” that was so surprising!
After 30 minutes of chatting, we were then informed to go to the bus because we are now to proceed to Hamilton hotel (about 1 hour away from Incheon Airport).
When we went out of the building, there were really bunch of laughter because it was extremely cold and I did not expect that I could not even adjust to the climate. My chin was shaking, my knees were quivering and all I did was to laugh because it was really very cold!! And so, I hurriedly went up the bus..!! Whew!! Good thing, it’s hot! (Ha-ha!)
When we were in the bus, I was able to interact with some Korean delegates. I was able o talk to Yoo Jin and Alex! They are very hospitable and I did appreciate their thoughtfulness and friendliness. Yoo Jin approach to me and we talked a lot of things about the hotel, the activity, about what am I doing in my country (Philippines) and all other things. Likewise too with Alex who was really very friendly and did gave his time to talk to me and introducing me to Korea!
After 1 hour of travel, finally…we are now in Hamilton Hotel!! Unfortunately, we still can’t stay in our rooms for a long time because we are supposed to check in at around 12 in the afternoon so we still have to share rooms together and we are to rest for only 3 hours!! (Huhuhu…). At around 1 pm, we were instructed to go to the Rose Hall to eat our lunch then we will change our outfits to have some Photo shoot. During lunch, I was really amazed on the Korean foods and I really did not expect that Koreans love spicy foods and they also love to eat raw foods…
(That’s completely the opposite of Filipinos although we love spicy food) And now, I love Korean foods though it was difficult to adjust at first, I learned to appreciate it after eating bunch of “Kimchi” and the raw fish… (I don’t know the name of the cuisine) well, It’s really very delicious and tasty! Now I love raw foods!! (Sigh!) Hmm…
After lunch, we were advice to change our clothes and wear our traditional costume for the picture taking. And so I went directly to my room assignment and I met my new friend Yu Na (Room mate). At first, I was really having difficulties of understanding her because it was really very difficult to understand her English but as time rush on… I get to comprehend with it. (Thank God!)
After changing our clothes, we directly went to the interview room and they record our impressions about Korea. It was really cool and I didn’t really expect such encounter. I feel like I was a superstar who was interviewed and was video taped! Hahaha! After the video taping, we went directly to the next door and have some photo shoot. Then we changed our clothes afterward then eat dinner and we were having some recreation. First, we dance then we did lots of game and we get the chance to meet with my co delegates. The first person I met was from Indonesia and his name was Rangga. That was really a very cool interaction because we were able to mingle with each other and with the other delegates. After the recreation, I just went to my room and slept because I was really very tired of our trip.
In the morning of February 15, 2008 was the opening ceremony. I was really touched when the speaker said during the opening program that “We try to live each day for more than what it brings. We routinely make sacrifices for the betterment of the lives of our future generations…” I realize that being the next line is really a very challenging responsibility. In fact, there are lots of people who would really sacrifice just for the benefits of others. I was also very amaze when He said about living each day as if it has lots of blessings and lots of positive happenings… I learned that in this life, we must not only think of ourselves, but we must also think of our future generation. We must not only think of the present but of the future that lies ahead of us and I realize that we must be positive in all our undertakings no matter how many times we fall and we must learn how to get up from that fall.
During the opening program, we wear our traditional costume and I appreciate all each other’s tradition through their clothes. I valued each smile when we were having our picture taking and understand that each of us might have lots of differences…Different culture, different tradition, different beliefs, different religion but we have the same perspective towards life…Looking to those happy smiles during the picture taking, I realize that being happy is not really enough in this world. We need friends and we need other people’s smile to complete our smiles. I did have fun after all and I was able to converse with the other delegates. I was really enjoying our time together and I learned that being able to interact with this different personality is like knowing the other side of you.
In the afternoon, we already changed our outfit to formal wear and we were having our workshop which was delivered to us by Professor Byung-il Choi, Dean of Graduate School of International Studies Ewha Women’s University. He informed us on the tasks and responsibilities with regards to Economic cooperation of Korea and other ASEAN countries. I was able to deeply understand topics about foreign trade agreement and what are the advantages of having economic cooperation between countries. After his presentation, each country presented their expected collaboration/cooperation between Korea and ASEAN member countries. There were lots of information with regards to economic stability of each country and through this, Korea and other ASEAN member countries was able to know on what kind of agreement might be possible in the light of foreign trade agreement and other economic cooperation.
On February 15, 2008, we were having our next workshop which was delivered to us by a very dynamic personality… He is Professor Ke-young Chu from the School of Economics Pan-Pacific International Studies Kyung Hee University. He informed lots of information about globalization and what are its advantages and disadvantages in the economy of each country. I also learned about individualism and collectivism and how this two interrelate with each other. I learned that the basis of individualism lies in one’s right to go after one’s own happiness. This pursuit necessitates a large amount of autonomy, idea, and self-responsibility. But individualism involves cooperating with others through trade, which assists the pursuits of each party’s contentment, and which is carried out not just on the goods but of knowledge and friendship. And collectivism gives much more emphasis on the group and of a large number of individual not of one entity only. It clearly states that each individual is a tool to serve other individual and that man must not only think about himself but to other people. So I believe, that whether individualism or collectivism, it still has importance in the one countries development and growth.
After lunch, we were given topics with regard to economic cooperation of ASEAN countries and Korea. I belong in Group 4 and we were given the topic “If Economic Cooperation is only appropriate for developed countries and not to developing countries”
And I give the group the first shot and I told everybody that Economic Cooperation is not only appropriate to developed countries but also to developing countries. I believe that from our global phenomena of Economic Systems and Activities teaches us that Union of Countries mutually helping together for further runs in the pursuit of economic survival and prosperity and I believe that this economic cooperation will not only benefit the developed the developed countries but also to the developing countries. It will benefit both countries in terms of exchange in technology and sharing market resources whether natural or human resources. Hence, it’s always an obligation of one country or the national leadership to protect its internal Business and Industry. However, because of economic limitations of each country it is necessary to engage with other friendly countries to compliment each other. But each country must create a win-win strategy and each country must understand the situation of other countries. After giving my point of view, then all of my group mates give their views about the given topic and we were able to deliberate on it well. And my other group member was the one who presented it in the crowd.
On February 17, 2008 it was the time for us to have fun and enjoy…We checked out in the hotel and we go directly to COEX aquarium. I was able to witness the beauty of nature and the exquisiteness of underwater world. After having our tour in COEX, we ate our lunch in the food court located also in the COEX building or whatsoever… (Hehe…).
I ate my lunch together with our Korean counterpart Min young Kim, Jun Shup Bang, Ji Yeon Eo and my Filipino delegates Rhobert Maestre, Ray Adrian Dante, Jayson Vinta and our National Leader Apolonio Maleniza.
I (Hannah) and Min young share the same food together and we ate “Bibimbap” which is very tasty and delicious. It’s not only that, I find it tasty and delicious because I was eating my food together with Min young. I never expected that Korean like Min young would share her food to me and then eat together in one plate. (Hehehe..).. We used to call it in our country “SALO” and I learned that Koreans is also doing the same thing like Filipinos!! So amazing!
After visiting the COEX aquarium we then moved to Korean Folk Village. It was a 45 minutes trip away from COEX. In going there, we were able to rest for a couple of minutes in the bus. (Relaxing…). 
After like 45 minutes of travel, we arrived at the Korean Folk Village with full of excitement and enthusiasm and the first thing that we did was to take a pictures!! Lots and Lots of pictures!! When we cross the threshold, I tasted their tea or a soup… I didn’t bother to ask what is it but I liked it!! Hmph… to continue, we were having fun inside the folk village… I realize that the Folk village was like a living museum which operates the lifestyle of the Koreans several centuries back. There were blacksmiths, weavers and other artisans who practiced their trades in traditional way. There were lots of small houses with different styles (traditional styles).
When I was there, I felt the ancestral ambiance and the uniqueness of various traditions. I tasted their “old fashioned alcoholic beverage” and I realize, It taste like “TUBA”, a traditional alcoholic beverages here in the Philippines but the difference is that we are using coconut milk and not rice milk. As we were walking, we heard like someone is performing in the performance hall. And there was!! I saw the traditional dances of the Koreans and it was amazing because it is so different from other traditional dances. The guys were dancing and they have like “LACE” in their head and they use it as props for dancing. 
It was so remarkable! I also was able to witness the different way of riding in the “SEESAW” (Hehehe…)… In an ordinary way of using the seesaw, we sit on the either side of the seesaw… but in the Korean traditional way of riding the seesaw, its way too different. But in Nol-Ttwigi, they stand on their side and then jump up forcing their partner to fly into the air on the opposite side and do lots of tricks. According to the Koreans, this game is popular among females usually during traditional festivals and traditional wedding.
After witnessing the unique way of riding the seesaw, we then proceeded to the different spot of the village and the last part that we visited was the sledding area!! It was so cool and It was dissimilar from the sledding nowadays. Here, we used like a wood and we sit there and we also have a pole (made also of wood and pointed metal) which is used to push our body when riding. It was fun and I did enjoy a lot. After the sledding, it was time to go because it’s already 4:30 and we still need to travel in going to Hyundai Sungwoo Resort for our Ski time!! (I’m so excited!!).
We need to travel for like 1 hour and 30 minutes. We were having our dinner in a somewhat fast food chain but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to ask for the name. 
Well, I only ate “Udong” a mami like food or a noodle which is composed of sea vegetables and eggs. It’s yummy!! After having dinner, we are now heading to Hyundai Resort and after a long hour of travel, we were there and I met my room mates. We are compose of 8 persons in one room and with different nationality. After knowing each other, we were then informed to join to our group performance team and meet together for the incoming group performance. 
And I get to know my group performance team when we were having our practices. I enjoyed a lot and I was really having a good time with them.
February 18, 2008 was the time for Ski lessons and skiing!!! Yeah!! This will be my first time to ski and I was really scared of falling. Anyway, thanks for my Korean friends who were there to guide me. The first time I went up and propel down, I did stumble for like 4 times and I was really scared of the height. But I kept on trying and I did face my fears. The second time I tried my best not to fall down and I succeed!! I was good at ski after all!! (I love it..). I did go up for like 5 times and we are even the last person to come down!! (So mischievous!). But after the skiing, I have lots of learning in the end. I realize that Fear is not what I believe it is. Fear is not something to be scared of but a challenge to surpass and a bravery to prove. No matter how many times I stumble and fall I did learn how to stand up each time I fall and there were this people who did not leave me left behind when I fall and this are the people I can call “FRIENDS”… and now, I know that for us to succeed in life’s challenges we have to face our fears!! Conquer our beliefs and we must learn how to stand up each time we fall… after all, there is always second chance!
After the ski challenge, let’s proceed to the trade game. One thing I realize during the trade game since I belong to the poorest country during our game. That other country will really cheat just to survive and just to help their people to survive…And we did that in our group. And I was never ashamed of it…why? Because our downfall was not because of our own limitations but because of other countries selfishness. We don’t have any other prerogative since other groups are very selfish of their resources. I realize that this is the sad reality of our world. Sad reality that some countries will really forget the essence of sharing and caring and would only think on their personal interest and personal gain…
But though the world is somewhat unfair, I still remain positive to the changes we can make in the future and I believe that what we think is what perceives and I am sure that I can make a big difference in the world. Others may not begin….
But let me begin….
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