SEOUL, 6 July 2014 – Some 500 OFWs and multicultural families participated in the 1st Inter-Filipino Community Sportsfest dubbed "All 4 Juan" held on Sunday, 6 July 2014 at the Gwangjin Gymnasium on the eastern end of Seoul.

The daylong event organized by four active Filipino groups representing professionals, factory workers, photo hobbyists and students was opened by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, National Assembly Rep. Jasmine B. Lee, Seoul Global Center Head Mr. Steven McKinney, and Labor Attaché Atty. Felicitas Q. Bay.

"I commend the organizers of ‘All 4 Juan’ as this is a manifestation of the friendship and camaraderie of the Filipino community,” Ambassador Hernandez told the members of Filipino EPS Workers Association (FEWA), Philippine Engineers Association in Korea (PEAK), Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea (PIKO) and the Filipino Photographers in Korea (FILIPOS).

“Today's event encompasses all that which is good in human nature. It is a concrete measure of your understanding and commitment to sportsmanship, but more importantly, to your community and your fellow Filipinos", Ambassador Hernandez stressed in his opening message.

Ambassador Hernandez likewise encouraged Filcom groups to exercise their right to vote by registering for the Overseas Voting at the Philippine Embassy. Further he called on all the participants to visit and watch the 17th Asian Games to be held from 19 September 19 to 4 October 2014 in Incheon City.

A regular amateur basketball player, Ambassador Hernandez donned his basketball uniform and joined the FEWA blue team for three basketball games. OFWs gathered and cheered the Ambassador who gave no quarter in both offense and defense.

"The Ambassador told me he plays basketball every weekend not just for exercise but he loves to play the game he likes best. This is the first time an Ambassador played with OFWs", said FEWA Adviser Herwin Padillo.

PEAK President Jusiedave Bautista was impressed how Ambassador Hernandez stayed the whole day until the awarding of winners. “The Filcom truly appreciates the Philippine Embassy leadership," Mr Bautista said.

While basketball was the highlight of the Sportsfest, other members gave their all in participating in other events, such as the sack race, five-legged race, table tennis, chess, tug-of-war, pick the balls, piko (a kind of Filipino hopscotch), trivia quiz and patintero (Filipino variation of "tag").

First place overall went to PEAK, followed by FEWA, PIKO and FILIPOS for second, third and fourth place, respectively.

FILIPOS was chosen as Best in Uniform. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award was given to PIKO’s Mr. Renz Garcia, HRM Exchange Student at Chungbuk National University, while the Best Muse was won by PIKO’s Stephanie Ongkiko, an MA student in Korean Studies at the Academy of Korean Studies.