By Noemi G. Bernardino-Edaga
Korea has a mountainous
terrain with only about 20 percent of the flat land in the south suitable to
farming.
The South Korean climate during winters is long, cold and dry. January is the coldest month of the year. It has short, hot and humid summer. This weather may account for the industriousness of the Korean people – both in the urban and rural dwellings.
The National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul displays a replica of a traditional village, representing a street to the past. Social and cultural scenes and lifestyles in olden times were well-preserved. It showcased the Korean way of life and life passsages through an array of artifacts depicting a traditional Korean village.
While a visit to the museum brings one a step to Korea’s nostalgic past, Seoul’s present shopping and dining centers is replete with its rich heritage, etched onto its present lifestyle.
A look at Insa-dong’s alley and stores has something traditional to show off. Name it, modern art galleries such as paintings, sculptures, ceramics and installation artworks, all reflect a semblance of Korea’s past.
The Gwangjang Market, which is considered the nation’s first market, specializes in silk and satin Hanbok or the traditional Korean clothing. It also sells a variety of Korean snacks like the tasty bindaettok (pancakes), gimbak (rice roll), and mandu (dumpling).
Nurturing one’s rich heritage and promoting it through persistent display of socio-cultural values and virtues using old and modern media give tourists and visitors a full taste of Korean culture and warm hospitality worthy of bringing home as a treasure.
This is exactly what the Philippine delegates to the ASEAN-Korean Exchange Visit, namely, Danilo Jamora, News and Information Bureau Director, Cleo Dongga-as, PTV General Manager and this writer, took home. (ALT/NBE-PIA9)