The Philippines Embassy marked the 117th anniversary of national independence with a reception on Friday, while celebrating deepening ties with Korea that have stretched over 66 years.

The relations between the Philippines and Korea are breaking new grounds every year, as both countries are progressively intertwined through diplomacy, trade and investment, tourism, marriage and culture.

The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1949. The relationship strengthened during the Korean War (1950-53), as the Philippines dispatched over 7,400 soldiers over five years.

As many as 116 Philippine soldiers died in the service of Korea’s freedom and democracy against the onslaught of communism.

“Our nations continue to stand side by side not only as staunch defenders of freedom and democracy, but as steadfast partners in development and prosperity,” Philippine Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez said in a speech.

“From brothers-in-arms, we have become like families, as 100,000 Koreans live in the Philippines and 52,000 Filipinos live in Korea.”

Held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, participants included diplomatic corps members, businesspersons and Korean public officials ― including Rep. Jasmine Lee of the National Assembly, Assembly Speaker Rep. Chung Ui-hwa and chairman of the Korea-Philippines Inter-parliamentary Friendship Association Choi Kyu-sung.

Chung visited Manila in March to enhance dialogue with Philippine legislators, and met Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and ministers. Following his visit, the Philippines eased regulations on the permanent residence of Koreans in the country, and vowed to improve the safety of Korean residents and travelers.

Over 1 million Koreans have visited the Southeast Asian country yearly since 2012, the largest source of inbound visitors from all countries. Nearly 500,000 Filipinos, many inspired by Korean drams and K-pop, traveled to Korea last year.

Some 600 Filipino students are currently studying at universities and schools in Korea, while more than 200,000 Koreans are studying English in the Philippines.

“Our sun-drenched, sea-splashed archipelago nation has one of the fasted growing economies in Asia, registering a very good growth this year,” Hernandez highlighted, adding that his country is well poised to achieve the GDP growth target of 7 percent this year.

As the Aquino administration enters its sixth and last year in government, the ambassador added, it has initiated a series of reforms for good governance and foreign investment.

Korea has stood by the Philippines “through thick and thin,” Hernandez pointed out, while referring to the 500 medical and engineering troops that were dispatched to the typhoon-devastated Leyte Island in central Philippines in December 2013.

The Philippine Embassy awarded Vice Admiral Koo Ok-hyoe, superintendent of the Republic of Korea Naval Academy, for his contribution to the disaster relief efforts in a ceremony at the embassy in January. Koo received the Chief of Staff Commendation Medal and Ribbon ― the highest distinction awarded by the Philippines military.

The militaries of the two countries are engaged in a comprehensive logistics cooperation as well as joint officer training.

This year marks the “Visit the Philippines Year 2015,” which aims to attract more international tourists to the country’s 7,100 islands, which are full of natural wonders and hospitable customs.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)