Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez met with Filipinos in Incheon, Bucheon, Bupyeong and Kwangjeok on the following occasions:

03 May 2026 – courtesy visit to Filipinos during the first Sunday mass of the Incheon Catholic International Community at the Dapdong Cathedral in Incheon, presided by Reverend Father Evaristo Bernaldez, MSP.

31 May 2026 – 20th anniversary of the Bucheon Filipino Migrants Community and Santacruzan Celebration at the Bucheon Migrants House.  A Eucharistic celebration was also presided by Rev. Father Evaristo Bernaldez, MSP.

06 June 2026 - luncheon hosted by Filipino Women’s Diet and Health Study (FilWHEL) Principal Investigators Dr. Lee Chang Beom and Professor Lee Jung Eun for the Filipino women spouses of Koreans who are residents of Bupyeong, Incheon and Bucheon.

28 June 2026 – courtesy visit to Filipinos during the Sunday mass of the Kwangjeok Filipino Catholic Community.

On all four occasions, Ambassador Fernandez noted the unique network of family and friends that exists among Filipinos residing in Incheon, Bucheon, Bupyeong and Kwangjeok. She added that this network is a model that should be replicated in other Filipino communities mainly for assistance to nationals and strengthening of awareness regarding Filipino culture to benefit the second and third generation Filipinos.  She noted that the Filipino leaders of the three different major cities and district support each other on many activities and challenges to help strengthen the bond of Filipino community in the Republic of Korea.

The Embassy of the Philippines conveyed appreciation to past and present Filipino community chaplains, Fathers Pacifico “Jun” Nohara, OSA and Evaristo “Ever” Bernaldez, MSP, for the spiritual and moral guidance to the old and new community members.

The Embassy also acknowledged the hard work, dedication and ingenuity of the past and present leaders of the community.  The current leaders are LR Tabinas, Josephine Buban Kim, Raquel Bustarde and Lina Rivas. END