By all accounts, the 2025 Hanbi Cultural Festival and Year-End General Assembly was not just another feel-good cultural gathering—it was a loud, proud declaration that Philippine–Korean relations are stronger than ever, and right at the center of it all stood Port of Clark District Collector Jairus S. Reyes, swinging full support behind culture, commerce, and cooperation.

Collector Jairus Reyes, never one to mince words, made it clear: this festival is proof that diplomacy doesn’t just happen in boardrooms—it thrives in people-to-people exchanges, shared traditions, and open borders that work. His message rang clear and firm: the Bureau of Customs is not just a gatekeeper—it is a nation builder, fueling tourism, facilitating trade, and strengthening international partnerships.

Towering over the occasion was His Excellency Lee Sang Hwa, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, whose presence sent a powerful signal that Korea sees the Philippines not just as a partner, but as family. The Ambassador’s engagement underscored a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for prosperity—one that continues to flourish under strong institutional cooperation.

And let’s not forget the bigger picture. This momentum aligns squarely with the reform-driven leadership of Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno, whose push for modernization, efficiency, and global cooperation has transformed the Bureau into a proactive force in regional growth. Under his watch, Customs is no longer playing defense—it’s driving economic diplomacy forward.

With Pampanga Governor Nanay Lilia G. Pineda, Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin II, CDC officials, and partner agencies all in attendance, Clark once again proved it is more than an economic zone—it is a crossroads of cultures and commerce.

Bottom line?
This wasn’t just a festival.
This was soft power with muscle.
This was Customs stepping up, Clark standing tall, and Philippine–Korean friendship on full display.

When leaders like Reyes, Nepomuceno, and Ambassador Lee Sang Hwa converge on one stage, you don’t just witness an event—you witness history in motion.

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