UPON reading this you will find out that I have gone on a trip to South Korea. I haven't been there in quite some time. Time was when I would be there for some partnership, understanding and cooperation between two peoples. Maybe ten times in one year was what it took, some thrice in a month.
To be fair I was very fortunate to have met some well hearted Koreans who would help me in the affairs of government. For water and energy it was K-Water, for garbage it was Incheon Landfill. But mostly it was more of cultural exchanges between Baguio City and K Cities.
I was still the top Pop then of the City. I would meet with various Pops of other K Cities. It seems every K Pop would like to have a sister pact with Baguio. Surely they have seen the beauty of Baguio that is why. I was invited by various K Pops to their own cities. New understanding, cooperation and partnerships always forged between us as Pops to our cities and our people.
Today I will be forging on once more with Korea. Not for the city but for Scouting. I am Pop for the whole Northeastern Region, including Baguio City for scouting. A new Partnership, Understanding and Cooperation will be signed, this between the scouts of Jeonju and the University of Baguio Science High.
A first in Jeonju, the bibimbop capital of Korea, a K foodie haven I was told. I have been asked many times to come, only now I will be making the trip here. The delegation from Baguio will include the Chairman of the Baguio Scout Council and the Treasurer. Students from the Science High and their principal, their Pop will also be part of the delegation. I will be joined by my two daughters, I as Pop to the delegation for this.
I am quite excited for this trip. More than ever, I feel I am honored to be still a part of something with South Korea. Maybe not for government but for something else, scouting. I am honored to be included in this particular endeavor. Even more honored is being Pop to my girls who will be joining me. Yes girls. This is the Boy Scouts.
I was witness to when the Korean Boy Scouts through their National President presented Boy Scouts of the Philippines with an assistance of $10,000 for Yolanda rehabilitation. It was allocated to scouts who lost their families and some for school rebuilding. It is not much but it was still very significant for me to witness. The King of Sweden, a scout, another K Pop also helped.
The past years saw our scouts and theirs in an exchange program that would immerse the scouts to the homes and schools of their counterparts and join in both scouting experiences be it there or here. It has been five years now. The reason why we have taken it upon ourselves to be the ones to renew the cooperation, understanding and partnership with them in their place this time. Last was when they came over for it. We will be reciprocating for it this time.
The invite and visas have all been prepared by them for this. A host scout family I will be with this time. Unlike previously from all my travels I stayed in luxurious apartments or villas, this is going to be special as I will be with my fellow counterpart K Pop with their kids in their own homes or even camping in the woods, I'm excited.
With different pop roles to play, I'm now a K POP.