30 October 2025, Busan, Republic of Korea- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, met with members of the Filipino community in South Korea on 30 October at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Busan. The gathering, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting in Gyeongju, provided an opportunity for the President to personally convey his administration’s programs and commitments to Filipinos overseas.

A total of 273 members of the Filipino community attended the event, many traveling from distant areas such as from South Korea’s northernmost cities of Goyang-si and Paju-si, and the southern province of Jeollanam-do. The community welcomed the President and the First Lady with enthusiastic chants and applause, creating an atmosphere of excitement and pride, a demonstration of the strong bond between the administration and Filipinos abroad.

The event opened with a message from Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez, Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, who formally introduced the President. Accompanying President Marcos were key officials from the Philippine government, including Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Trade and Industry Secretary Maria Cristina Roque, Special Assistant to the President on Trade, Investment, and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, and Press Secretary Dave Gomez.

During his visit, President Marcos took time to express his heartfelt gratitude to the Filipino community for their unwavering love, sacrifice, and dedication to the Philippines. Surrounded by the Filipino community, including some with family members: mothers, fathers, and children, the President emphasized that meeting them was the most meaningful part of his trip, and that despite the physical distance, the OFW’s steadfast support and care for the homeland continue to be deeply felt by Filipinos back home. 

In his address, President Marcos conveyed his deep appreciation for the resilience, hard work, and dedication of Filipinos in South Korea, recognizing their significant contributions to nation-building. He emphasized that overseas Filipinos remain an integral part of his administration’s development agenda, assuring them that they are never forgotten and continue to be a priority in the government’s plans and programs.

The President also highlighted the importance of the APEC Summit as a platform for strengthening economies, accelerating trade, and ensuring that the benefits of growth will reach all sectors of society, including ordinary Filipinos and small business owners. He underscored the administration’s focus on creating an environment conducive to investment and business growth, explaining that increased investments translate to more jobs and better opportunities for Filipinos. 

The President also emphasized the importance of education and skills development, particularly in digital skills, science, and technology, and that training the Filipino workforce is important, because the Filipino workers are the Philippines’ greatest asset. “The Filipino worker is as good as you can find any worker in the world,” said the President, who shared his hope that someday working abroad becomes a choice, not a requirement. Thus his objective of improving and enhancing opportunities in the Philippines. 

President Marcos also reaffirmed his commitment to protecting and empowering Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). He announced two key initiatives that will directly benefit Filipinos in South Korea:

1. The establishment of a Social Security System (SSS) office within the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, providing easier access to social protection services, including social insurance, pensions, and other benefits.
2. The forthcoming opening of the Philippine Consulate in Busan, which will bring essential consular services, such as passport renewals, legal documentation, and civil registration, closer to Filipinos residing in southern South Korea. 

In closing, President Marcos conveyed the gratitude of the entire Filipino nation to the community in South Korea for their sacrifices, discipline, and excellence in their work and daily lives. He stressed that their contributions uplift not only their families but also the nation’s image abroad, serving as a source of pride and inspiration for all Filipinos.

The President’s message was both a heartfelt expression of appreciation and a call for unity, reminding Filipinos overseas that their skills, strength, and love for the Philippines are vital to the country’s journey toward progress and prosperity. He encouraged them to continue embodying the values of hard work, unity, and compassion that define the Filipino spirit.

The event concluded with warm interactions and a photo opportunity between the President, the First Lady, and members of the Filipino community, ending an evening filled with gratitude, pride, and renewed hope for Filipinos both at home and abroad. END.