Kwentong Nemie

After attending MAMF 2024, I found myself reflecting on the incredible performances by Esay Kirstin, the Bayanihan Dance Troupe, and Korea’s Little Angels. The event beautifully celebrated the ties between the Philippines and Korea, and the talent on stage was captivating. But what stayed with me even more was the people behind those performances. Esay, at just 19, performed with such grace and poise. After the show, a group of us—married migrants—saw her in the lobby and decided to approach her. Standing next to her was a friendly woman, and we struck up a conversation, not realizing right away that she was Esay’s mom. When we learned she was from Bacolod, it sparked a fun connection since one of us was from there, too. Our chat was so warm and natural that time flew by until someone reminded her that she had to join the VIPs for photos. Even in that brief encounter, the kindness and openness they showed left a strong impression. It made me think about fame and the way some people car...

In Korea, when a colleague gets married, gift-giving is practically second nature. You start with 30,000 won if you’re not particularly close, and the closer you are, the more you give—like leveling up in a game, but instead of points, you’re handing out cash. As a Filipino who’s lived in Busan for decades, I find this culture fascinating. Koreans seem to be extra sensitive about it, but honestly, I’ve never expected anything in return ...or maybe just the warm rice cakes 😉ㅎ Some people attend the wedding, give cash, and enjoy the buffet. Others send cash but skip the event altogether. Then, there are the pros who drop off the money, skip the meal, but still manage to walk away with a little thank-you gift—like a roll cake, wine or an envelope with 10,000 won —for skipping the buffet.  And here’s something to think about: 30,000 won might seem like a standard, safe amount to give, but when you factor in the buffet—which often costs around 25,000 won or more—it starts to feel a bit...