Foundation cares for abandoned "Kopinos"

CEBU, Philippines - Every smile is a gift to a person who receives it. It is a medicine for the soul that does not need any prescription from a physician, as a famous icon would say. Likewise, Kopino Children Foundation prescribes an overdose of euphoria to every abandoned Korean-Filipino child since the foundation started in February 2009.

Kopino is a coined term for Korean and Filipino. This term, which is used mostly in the Philippines, refers to children born to Filipino mothers and Korean fathers.

“It is certain that Korean blood is running in them, and they will part of our precious future,” said KCF President Yun Ji-Hyun.

Yun also said that although the births of these children were not celebrated, he wants them to feel loved and proud to be Koreans.

As of December 2008, it is estimated that there were around 10,000 Kopinos nationwide with 1,500 living in Quezon City and Manila. In Cebu, KCF currently has 23 beneficiaries.

The case of Kopinos is expected to increase due to the rising number of Koreans continually flocking to the country to learn English.

Aside from taking up the language course, Yun also said Koreans travel here for business or pleasure trips.

Yun pointed out that the Philippines is favored by many Koreans for its low cost of living and education expenses compared to the United States and other countries.

KCF operations manager Yeo Eun Goo said that the foundation was established to deal with a comparable situation in Korea where child abandonment is also a current social problem.

Most mothers of Kopinos live in poverty, working in nightclubs or bars, or peddling in the street and their economic situations prevents them from seeking medical care for their illnesses.

Support groups have been established in Manila and other parts of Luzon to provide help for Kopino families, but there were no groups or organizations that can offer systematic support in Cebu.

“That is why we come up with the Kopino Children Foundation here in Cebu to support these children,” said Yeo. The support network plans to provide financial support and daily necessities for Kopino families, including educational needs and basic commodities.

The Filipino board members who supported the foundation wholeheartedly include Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Neri Lim, NBI personnel Jose Ermie Monsanto and Rey Poni, 138 Shopping Mall general manager David Po and businessman Marlon Suson. (THE FREEMAN)