South Koreans, find home in Baguio City Philippines.

Now Baguio sees more foreign nationals than ever before and most of them they come from only one country — South Korea. We first saw them in telenovelas, now we see them in person in our streets. They walk in droves, with their trademark chinky eyes and off-white complexion, speak with their distinct accent, and wear colorful garments. The influx of Korean nationals has caught some attention. Baguio now is host to almost 10,000 Koreans. At first, only teenagers came here to study the English language. Most of them stayed for two months during their vacation from school in Korea. Then they started to study full-time in Baguio universities. Before long the Koreans started coming to Baguio with their whole families. 

Some factors that attracted them are 1)Due to the cool climate that equals the Spring and Autumn seasons in Korea, as well as the terrain being a mountainous region with lots of pine trees.  2) Low cost of living is a particular attraction to Korean retirees. 3)  Aside from students, Korean Christians from Busan and Incheon have come to spread Christianity. 

South Korean fashion and entertainment have also become trendy in Baguio. Korean fashion accessories can now be bought from many establishments including the famous SM Baguio. Some Filipinos are following suite in using Korean products ranging from earrings, beauty products, clothes, shoes, including electronic gadgets. 

Entrepreneurial Koreans have a good chance to do good business as importers of their own products. Those who were granted alien certificates of residence in the Philippines already acquired vast amount of real properties. They have already made their presence felt, establishing exclusive schools for, resorts, restaurants, and hotels for Koreans.

Baguio is like a warm-up exercise for Koreans. They come here before they advance their communication skills in other countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2009, the leading private agencies in Korea recommended the Philippines, particularly Baguio City, as the ideal destination for a short-term English course. Koreans are here to stay and language schools will continue to grow. Parents put much premium on education. This is why Korean men are known for working long hours to support their family.

Koreans usually get into the following business:

1. Financing. With more cash at their disposal, they can fund projects that will earn them some cash profit. Retirees use their money to set up businesses and to buy property in the Philippines.  

2. Education. They like setting up English Academies. Filipino teachers can be equally fluent and the students are more interested in the actual “two-way verbal communication skills.” It can help students to pass the highly competitive entrance exams for the University of Seoul, that almost guarantees a good job in big companies like Samsung after graduation. Canada is one of the few places where they plan to migrate after their parents retire.

3. Restaurants, Retail Stores and Spas. Though they like to try other foods, they like to eat their own food. Many local groceries import ingredients and food items that are usually spicy. There are at least six Korean restaurants that are doing very well in Baguio. They love their own products and put up their specialty stores for groceries, cosmetics, and health care. They have imported specialized equipment from their own country as though they never left home.

4. KTV Lounges. Norebang is one of the most popular entertainment activity of Koreans. They like to sing and belt it out to their favorite songs. Listening to the booming sound inside these music rooms is really enjoyable.

5. “Homestay.” Some entrepreneurial businessmen rent private homes, and convert them to dormitories for their countrymen.

6. Golf. Koreans have a passion for golf. They like to rent whole golf courses or market golfing vacation packages.

7. Computer-based English learning. They hire language coaches to teach those who cannot come to the Philippines via the Internet and charge the students by the hour.

8. Consultancies for Immigration, TESDA and DTI. These are government agencies that facilitate papers of individuals who wish to stay, study or do business in the country.

So next time, when you visit Baguio City. It is not unusual to meet South Koreans around you. They are friendly people. Who knows one of them could become your friend.