13 June 2024, Busan, South Korea. Pistang Pinoy sa Korea 2024 was successfully held at the Eurasia Platform in Busan on 09 June 2024, marking a significant celebration of the 126th Philippine Independence Day, the 29th Migrant Workers Day, and the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations. The event, organized by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Migrant Workers Office-Seoul, and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Seoul, with the support of the vibrant Overseas Filipino community in South Korea and WISH 107.5, brought together nearly 3,000 participants - the largest gathering for Independence Day celebrations in South Korea thus far. Many more viewed the event live-streamed through the Wish 107.5 platforms.

The festival began with a vibrant parade of Filipino community organizations, with participants donning traditional costumes and performing various Philippine folk dances to the tune of "Piliin Mo Ang Pilipinas." The colorful display highlighted the unity, dynamism and cultural richness of the Filipino community in South Korea.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega noted that this was the first Independence Day activity conducted by the Embassy outside of Seoul. She expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the event possible, including the Busan Metropolitan City and WISH 107.5 of the Filipino media company, Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International, Inc. (BMPI). Ambassador Dizon-De Vega highlighted that South Korea is undergoing significant demographic changes and, with the rise of multiculturalism, stressed that the Embassy will continue to support the Overseas Filipino community in making a positive impact and playing a vital role in South Korean society.

Director Won Se-Yeong, representing Busan Mayor Park Hyung-Joon, congratulated the entire Filipino community in achieving the various milestones and expressed the city's honor in hosting the event. He highlighted Busan City's aim of being a "global hub city" that respects diversity and celebrates multiculturalism.

Guest of honor Representative Marissa "Del Mar" Magsino of the OFW Partylist also congratulated the Overseas Filipino community in South Korea and honored the OFW's various contributions to the country. As the principal author of a bill on internet or online voting, Rep. Magsino announced the implementation of the same for OFWs who are registered Overseas Voters for the May 12, 2025 elections. She likewise shared the upcoming release of the OFW app, which is slated to offer a variety of services for OFWs.

The special guests were presented with plaques of appreciation for their continued support of the Overseas Filipino community in South Korea. They included the Philippine Women's National Volleyball Team, the Alas Pilipinas, who recently held a friendly exhibition match against Powerful Daegu, promoting PH-Korea bilateral relations through sports.

Commemorative video messages from various government officials were also shown, including from Secretary of Migrant Workers Hans Leo J. Cacdac, OWWA Administrator Arnaldo "Arnell" A. Ignacio, KABAYAN Partylist Representative Ron P. Salo, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo.

The program's third segment featured the unveiling of WISHBUS South Korea, the fourth WISHBUS globally and the first in Asia outside the Philippines. BMPI President Kuya Daniel Razon welcomed everyone to the unveiling, highlighting the WISHBUS' goal of being an innovative platform for showcasing Filipino talent to the world and the Filipinos' "gateway to the world."

The event showcased performances by P-Pop Kings SB19, Hori7on, Esay Belanio, Zephanie, and Zack Tabudlo both on stage and on the WISHBUS. Also spotlighted on the Wishbus were OF Got Talent winners Regina Martha Lumungsod, Mishka Reyes-Camulte, Arfel Caromayan, JPS Band, and Louis Tinawi, who were selected from a total of 47 audition submission from Korea as part of the Embassy and WISH 107.5's initiative to promote Filipino talent across the globe.

The nearly eight-hour program concluded with various raffle prizes and the much-awaited awarding of the best in parade prize. Gwangju Jeonnam Philippine Community secured second runner-up, Gwangju Filipino Catholic Community won first runner-up, and the Seoul Filipino Catholic Community took home the grand prize.

The event may again be viewed via WISH 107.5's Facebook live stream at https://www.facebook.com/WishFM1075/videos/981443063382617, where it has garnered nearly 300,000 views, reflecting the event's widespread impact and popularity. END