Professional Pinoys in Korea
It irks me sometimes whenever I read something about stereotyping the Filipinos in Korea. As if all of us here are either factory worker (nothing wrong with this), prostitute or mail-order bride! While majority of the Filipino workers here are unskilled (?) and work in 3D jobs (dangerous, dirty, difficult), there are those who’ve managed to be employed in highly-technical and professional jobs.
The first Pinoy in Korea that I knew is an engineer. He came here a few years before I did. Still here Roger? Then there’s Kuya Reggie, who worked for a multinational company here and is currently working in Qatar. Last I heard, his former boss is courting him to come back here. I hope so… Most of the Pinoys I know here are working as engineers.
I also met a Pinay who worked for a major newspaper and later Korea Tourism Organization. She migrated to Australia with her family two years ago. Ate Weng?
I think the Pinay with the most enviable job is not Jasmine, but Cathy. She writes for The Korea Times. She goes to concerts for free. She gets to interview Hollywood and Korean stars. She even get calls from Andre Kim 
- the designer to the stars!
About two weeks ago, I met a Filipina whose (Pinoy) husband works for one of the top three companies in Korea. And then there’s Technomad.
Not to forget Mang Marlon 
a college professor. I also knew another college professor here (in Seoul), but I haven’t kept in touch with her for a very long time. There are also exchange students, scholars and graduate students, Mang Peter, who now works for an NGO.
There are more than 50,000 Pinoys here, both documented and TNTs. I know one TNT here who went home to the Philippines for a month because of his ailing father. His employer pulled all strings to bring him back to Korea.
Like I said above, there’s nothing wrong with being a factory worker. In fact, one of the most heart-tugging essays I’ve read is about the 3D workers. I read it about four years ago and it was written by a Westerner. He said something like some of the products admired worldwide are Made in Korea - by Filipino hands.
Tags: Filipinos in Korea
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April 10th, 2008 at 2:23 am
I am proud of Filipinos working abroad with more or less selfless intentions. Mabuhay kayong lahat!
I myself am considering working in Korea after completing my masters (hopefully in Korea as well).
April 10th, 2008 at 8:29 am
some of the products admired worldwide are Made in Korea - by Filipino hands.
~~~ awww… very well said
April 10th, 2008 at 10:55 am
It’s great that filipinos are willing to leave their family to better their lives and those of their family. It’s nothing to look down on it’s something to praise. It upsets me too when filipinos are sterotyped…
April 14th, 2008 at 1:28 am
hey, nice, I got mentioned again here in your blog… yeah that’s true Pinoys are stereotypical, typecasted - well siguro branding na talaga natin iyan. Well I am proud to be OFW, a son of OFW, a brother of OFW, a friend of OFW, a countrymen of a nation that depends so much to OFW.
I first came to Korea as an intern for 10 months in 2005-2006 at The May 18 Memorial Foundation. So I got to know about your famous blog searching on Filipinos here in Korea. Well professional I am indeed they asked me to stay on but I have to go back to the Philippines to work at the NGO (CO Multiversity) that sent me here. Again, I came back again last April 2007, a year this month as a staff this time of the same foundation. Gusto nila ako lalo na a ng boss ko, kaya ayon masaya ako at naka-graduate na ang aming bunso sa kaniyang course na nursing. Ayon syempre may review at board exam pa.
Anyway, I feel good naman when our compatriots asked me which factory I work to and they get puzzled when I tell them I work in a foundation or an NGO. The thing is those who I’ve met at the Catholic church here in Gwangju are not as lucky as me (easier job). I have met licensed teacher who is working in factory because he wants to earn better, a professional singer who had a misunderstanding with her manager whom she left and now works in a factory, a personnel manager who just want to try to experience another culture and life, etc. Well, OFWs or OFs (Overseas Filipinos) would always want to live a dignified life and they would risk limbs and life; they will always be proud on the dignity of their labor, but so sad that they are always taken advantage of by an uncaring and corrupt government.
April 14th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Hi betchay, thanks for writing about (professional) pinoys here in Korea. this is an affirmation that pinoys can do well anywhere (even in this hermit kingdom). i was inspired by your article that i wrote my own sentiments on this subject in my own blog:->.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
hello!
yep! still here
5 years and counting…
still haven’t learned enough Korean though
how’s your family?
April 16th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
One day I had a conversation with an old korean guy. He told me that pinoy in korea really works hard and he was wondering why they don’t spend money at all.
I told him “they save their money for their family and for their future”
He also told me most korean guys goes to pinas for vacation because its cheaper.
Many korean guys also sold their properties in korean and started a new business in pinas.
April 19th, 2008 at 8:23 am
hi icy! yup, vacationing in pinas is so much cheaper and the beaches are so much better than here… not as crowded too in the summer season…
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:40 am
well my husband is working in korea assigned in a factory,but lucky enough not to be assigned on diffiuclt and dangerous task.he has good set of filipino companions too.my mom and dad is an ofw too in italy,all i can say is without these ofws,philippines will have a negative gnp.Gloria boasts on a higher gnp all the time,duh,not all filipinos are stupid,higher gnp right,its because yearly ther is an increase in the number of ofws,that why dollar,euro n other currencies are entering…..believe me my relatives are also ofws,i am proud my brothers and i graduated because of the hard earned euros.and i believe my daughter,chichi,who is the reason of my husbands perseverance will have the sam fate,graduating because of hard-earned korean won.she is now 3 years old,imagine how long he would spend there,away from us,i know for i grew up without a mom,i dont want to sound sentimental but that is the trend now.so for the families left here,please value the HARD EARNED MONEY.
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:42 am
ive got friends who are engineers here and landed in korea as factory workers,there salary is triple,so what wrong with dirty hands…..go guys
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
@ Alice >> there’s nothing wrong with working in the factory… i’m proud of the OFW’s however i wish time will come when filipinos won’t need to travel far and be away from their families so they could work… life in korea is not a paradise, having dark skin and coming from SEA we’re subjected to prejudice… so it’s really nice to know that there are professionals working here…
May 20th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
hi,got so much information from pinoys working in korea. I myself is looking for a greener pasture in that country. I am expecting to go to korea this month of june 2008. I hope everything will be alright. Hope to add more blogs the time i’ll be there. I am very happy to read this site. thanks to all.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
By the way, I will be working in Seoul. Main offce of the company I am presently emplyed. I am an Engineer here in our country, and also and Engineer there in Korea. Hope to see you soon guys.
May 20th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I’m still going to enter college but I really would like to work in Korea someday.
My dream is to be just like those professional workers you mentioned especially Jasmine. I would really want to work for Korea Times. I’ve been studying the language for more than 2 years just to make that dream easier to achieve.
I’m a loyal reader by the way. I like blogs of Filipinos in Korea. ^^
Beenas last blog post..What Have Social Networking Sites Become?
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:06 am
@Robert >> don’t forget to tell us when you’re here na… pinoys here are planning to have an EB… you should join us!
@Beena >> Wow! You probably know more Korean than I do. Just hold on to your dream!
June 11th, 2008 at 1:31 am
“I read it about four years ago and it was written by a Westerner. He said something like some of the products admired worldwide are Made in Korea - by Filipino hands.”
–i wanna know where you read this from. it sounds like a great essay.
June 29th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
thanks for replying my email.I have some question for you again!!!!Why the embassy needs the bank of statement of my sister in law to visit my family? I’m the one to provides of all her expenses here including the plane ticket.Now, my sister in law in the Philippines got trouble coz she dont have enough money in her bank account.How much is required money in her bank account or is it ok if she dont have enough money in her account?Is she can process her visa going to Korea as a tourist family visa?
more power to your job!!!!
michael
June 30th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Hi Michael! I sent you an email reply. Please check your inbox.
July 1st, 2008 at 4:38 am
hi betchay! just want to ask if Filipino commerce grads could also land a good job in multinational companies there in korea?
How about the english teachers there? are they really well compensated? hope to get your feedback. thank’s.
July 20th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Hi,
I,m Roberto Espinosa. I Filipino Engineer working here in Seoul, Korea. I work in an engineering consultancy firm. I’m the first and only foreigner working in my company . My colleagues traited me so well that I feel vendicated being aa filipino.
Thank you very much for this site. I hope I’ll have the chance to meet filipino friends here in seoul. I met many of our kababayans only durign sundays.At Hyewa church. But they often go ingroups heading to the same direction while] I go by myself.
My house is near the Seoul National University Station. My office is only 6 stations away. Please inform me of any activities reagarding pinoys here in Korea. Thanks
July 20th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Hi again
I had a message inthis portal last May 20, and i am here in seoul finally. I’m Roberto. My friends call me robert, my korean colleagues call me espinosa. I’ve been here for almost 2 months and i had a great time working in SEoul. All my colleagues in my company are very nice to me. Please keep in touch with me (www.brod_ruvert2@yahoo.com). I will be very happy to meet new filipino friends here in korea. I am living alone in my apartelle near seoul university station. The internet is my only link to my family back home, and to some of my friends here in korea.
Please send me nes anything concerning filipinos here in korea. i willbe very happy to be a aprt of it.
Thank you.
Robert
July 20th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
It’s me again, robert. Korean Embassy in philippines issued men E-7 visa. It has 1 year validity period, with my company’s option to renew it after a year. It was my company who processed everthing. I just waited and see. REgards to you guys. Hope to see you soon. I am really looking forward t a aprt of a filipino community here in seoul. thnaks
July 21st, 2008 at 11:38 am
Robert,
Marami na tayong engineers dito sa Korea,
20+ sa GS
5 sa SK
10 sa Daewoo
12 sa Hyundai
Im sure nadagdagan pa ang mga ito
Anong company mo?
July 21st, 2008 at 1:37 pm
YOOSHIN ENGINEERING CORP. CONSULTANCY ON CIVIL ENGINEERING DESIGNS AND SUPERVISION. Lahat ng scope ng civil Engineers. Ikaw saan ka? Please send me. thanks.
July 21st, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Welcome to Korea Robert.
Dito ako sa Hyundai at kaibigan rin namin yung mga nasa ibang company.
Enjoy your stay here…
July 21st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
K. Thanks. Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks
July 21st, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Hi! I remember you. Welcome to Korea. I know what it’s like to be by yourself not knowing anyone. You should join us later in one of our meetings… with the other boys in Korea of course.
July 21st, 2008 at 7:49 pm
hey that’s great! dapat ata mag-form kayo ng organization para sa mga pinoy engineers dito
July 21st, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Its a good idea. I hope one of us engineers will take the first step to lead. I think KT1314 is a good choice.I am willing to participate.
I didn’t know there are many engineers here in korea. It is overwhelming to learn that engineers from philippines are working well in korea amidst the many korean engineers.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Yes, I will be very happy to know all of you guys. Thanks
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Miss betchay, just arrived recently. I am a Filipina who was lucky eneough to win a scholarship from the Korean government. I hope to be part of the Filipino community here in Korea, if you have meetings of EB(s) please notify me, I’d be more than happy to attend and be a part of it. I know that you know what I am undergoing at the moment… extreme sadness…being away from my family. I’ll appreciate mails from you as well as from fellow Filipinos here in Korea. God bless.
August 23rd, 2008 at 10:38 pm
^^ sure… i’ll send you an email tomorrow
October 14th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Hello..I’m Myer and I’m still here in the Philippines. i’m applying for a scholarship in University of Ulsan. How’s life in Korea? I hope that I’ll pass the application and be there by December..hope to hear from u soon..thanks and have a blessed day!^^
October 16th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
HI Myer! I hope you get in. Don’t worry, life in Korea is not as bad as some people think but it’s all a matter of perception. Just remember that when you’re here, you’re not in the Philippines. Simple but people tend to forget that.
October 17th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
hello! filipinos are really hardworking.. am happy to hear about my countrymen having a good job here in korea. i’m also a filipna married to korean, i graduated (BEED) Bachelor of elementary education in baguio city. Now teaching English in kinder, hagwon and some private tutorials. I like this job a lot. i live in gangwondo near the boundary of north and south korea.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
hi everyone! i live in suwon near samsung.Where is the catholic church located? I work as a web developer here. Hope I can meet may kababayans here.
October 29th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
hi… joan.
do u live near maetan-dong
October 31st, 2008 at 7:57 pm
hello moi! yung address naka lagay sin-dong yeongtong-gu, hindi ko pa masyado alam kasi mga lugar. alam ko yung name ng building acropark yung tinitirhan ko then yung office namin sa digital empire II.
October 31st, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Hello again everyone, I am joan, 25 and i am from davao city. i am the only filipina in our company. I live with my korean officemates and they are very nice to me. This is my first week here and it wasn’t bad, though I am still adjusting on their food. Hope I can meet many Filipinos here.
this is my chat ids:
yahoo id: spurlark_18
skype: router12388
msn: spurly24@hotmail.com
November 11th, 2008 at 8:13 am
hi joan. i am from davao too. ako lang pud one and only foreigner sa amung office. Highway engineer ko diri. naa ko seoul run. hehehe. last june lang pud ko. naka adjust na ko sa ilang pag kaun diri. puro sagbot. hehehe
November 11th, 2008 at 8:18 am
hi joan. tagadavao pud ko. ako lang pud one and only foreigner sa amung office. Highway engineer ko diri. naa ko seoul run. hehehe. last june lang pud ko. naka adjust na ko sa ilang pag kaun diri. puro sagbot. hehehe
November 11th, 2008 at 9:21 am
asa ka graduate sa college? asa dapit inyo sa davao? taga malalag ko. naa ra ko sa office. designer pud me. mga building lang. dili web. hehehe. 31 lang ko.
November 15th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
@bert sa davao city mismo amoa, sa USP ko nag graduate, hapit nako mag 1 month dri, medjo naka adjust napud sa food na puros sagbot heehehhe. gusto ko moad2 sa hyehwa pero dli ko kamao mag commute hahahah.. gimingaw nako sa davao…
@moi, malapit lng pala talaga ako sa maetan-dong, naglakad2x ako minsan near the places where i live at yun nakita ko maetan-dong a few blocks away.
November 15th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
hi everyone! uuwi ba kayo lahat this christmas? ako hindi huhuhuhu
kakarating ko lang kc d2.. hope to celebrate christmas with u kung sino man ang hindi uuwi.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:50 am
mau ba.hehehe. joan,pag dili ka busy, chat ta. open akung yahoo ID whole day pag weekdays, ug sa gabii pag weekends. envite teka ha. bantay lagi. heheeh. Muoli ko puhon as Christmas. Sige, goodluck. M