By Camille Anne M. Arcilla

Exhibit
Soul of Korea: Taekwondo
Ongoing until Aug. 19
KCC Exhibition Hall, 2/F Mancor
Corporate Center, 32nd St.,
BGC, Taguig City

THE TRADITIONAL Korean bare-hand martial art taekwondo was created during the Joseon dynasty (1392-1897) as part of the country’s national defense, and is today a globally recognized sport.

Many people in the Philippines have taken up taekwondo as both a form of self-defense and as a sport. To further promote this part of Korean culture in the country, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) opened the exhibition Soul of Korea: Taekwondo on June 9 at its KCC Exhibition Hall in Bonifacio Global City. The exhibit is co-organized with the Taekwondo Park in South Korea and the Philippine Taekwondo Association.

“The exhibit features the history and development of Taekwondo, as well as different techniques, equipment, and principles… it also highlights events and international activities which led to the globalization of the sport,” KCC director Oh Choong Suk said.

Taekwondo-related materials and technologies such as electronic protectors, sandbag kicks, and different types of uniforms are on display at the exhibit. There are also an “experience zone” and “photo zone” for visitors who want to try out the sport.

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“Korea and the Philippines have a long history of friendship that goes back to the Korean War… since then the bonds that bind our nations and peoples have gone beyond diplomatic, political, economic, and defense cooperation to include cultural and people-to-people exchange,” Korean ambassador to the Philippines Kim Jae-Shin said during the opening. “I am particularly proud that the KCC is bringing [to] the Philippines a principal component of our culture.”

The Philippines hosted the 22nd Asian Taekwondo Championships in April, with thousands of athletes from 35 countries participating. This was the third time the country hosted the event. Filipino taekwondo jin Kristina Elaine Alora bagged a silver medal during the championships, which qualified her to represent the Philippines at the Rio Olympics this August.

“I am optimistic that for its duration, the exhibit will attract many Filipinos and encourage them to learn or master this Korean martial art,” the ambassador said.

KCC is also offering basic and advance Taekwondo classes every Saturday.

The exhibit runs until Aug. 19. Admission is free.

For more information, contact the Korean Cultural Center at 555-1711, e-mail curator@koreanculture.ph, or visit http://koreanculture.ph.

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