Pinoys in Korea

by Fr. Raymundo T. Sabio, MSC

This picture of the choir members of the Filipino Community in Incheon, South Korea was taken at the sanctuary of the Incheon Cathedral.


The Pinoys in Korea (Incheon) community was founded by Fr. Raymundo T. Sabio, MSC, a Filipino priest and a member of the religious congregation called: Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC). The first Sunday Mass took place on March 3,1991 and His Excellency, Bishop William J. McNaughton, MM, DD gave his blessing to the formation of this group in association with the Apostolatus Maris-Incheon. Since then regular Sunday Mass was celebrated at 4:00 PM and the venue is: Tapdong Catholic Cathedral of the Incheon Diocese. We average between 200 - 250 Holy Mass participants.

Although the great majority of those present at Mass are Filipinos (93%) there are several Koreans (those who plan to migrate to North America, Australia and New Zealand), a few Americans and Africans who participate at this Mass. So this group has been given the name, Incheon Catholic International Community (I.C.I.C.) In order not to exclude them, but rather to help them feel at home in this liturgical celebration, we decided to use the English language.

Most of the members are factory workers and industrial trainees, the rest are musicians and entertainers, professionals and those married to Korean spouses. The community aims to extend all kinds of assistance to the migrants and expatriates: spiritual, moral, social and even financial when the need arises.

The community leaders help foster some kind of family spirit among the members. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available to the members in need; home remittances are facilitated; and after the end of the Mass, Filipino goods and food stuffs are for sale by the Filipino vendors.

Through the years various forms of financial assistance were extend to worthy causes. The raising of funds took several weeks even months in a slow and gradual process. (The actual amounts were in Korean Won but for easier identification we give the approx. equivalent in US Dollars):

2005 Mar. 2,700 US Dollars For the typhoon & flood victims in Quezon Province

2004 Feb. 4,250 US Dollars For a School Building (2 school rooms) for the Laconon Elem. Laconon in the T'boli, South Cotabato (Mindanao area).

2003 Mar. 550 US Dollalrs To the Comelec for Absentee Voting

2003 Jan 1,800 US Dollars Assistance to the Victims of Bombing & Terrorism

2001 Oct. 1,400 US Dollars Assistance to Mayon Volcano Eruption

1999 Nov. 1,600 US Dollars Assistance to East Timor Catholic Church

1996 Dec. 1,500 US Dollars For Phil. Centennial Expo

1994-1996 4,500 US Dollars For Incheon Diocese Seminary Construction

1993 Dec. 4,000 US Dollars For Fil. Workers' Welfare Fund


PICTURES

A. Ambassador Aladin Villacorte receiving the donation of 4,250 US Dollars for the school building construction in T'boli, South Cotabato from our Incheon Catholic Int'l Community represented by Chairman Mr. Willy Eugenio.

B. Community Leaders' excursion at the MSC Log Cabin in Kanghwa, Incheon.

C. Best Uniform Award given by Ambassador Juanito Jarasa during our Incheon Basketball Sportfest.