The wonders of storytelling once again transcended borders as the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines and the Quezon City Public Library came together to present “Once Upon Our Lands: Phil-Kor Puppet Show.”

The cultural event held on May 15 at the Quezon City Public Library featured the beloved folktales of Korea and the Philippines, “Myth of Dangun” and “Malakas at Maganda,” and brought young learners on a shared journey of the imagination that deepened their appreciation of the two nations’ cultures.

The children, along with their families, listened intently as the stories unfolded, learning and discovering the values embedded in Philippine and Korean literary traditions.

After the storytelling, the children engaged in creative activities inspired by the folktales: coloring pages drawn from the story motifs and designing their own hanbok keyrings—a nod to Korea’s traditional attire. The interactive session was intended to help bring the stories to life and to guide the children in connecting with the cultural elements they had just discovered.

Also on May 15, the KCC officially opened its “Mini KCC Library” (Korean Corner) at the Quezon City Public Library. It offers Korean children’s books as well as nonfiction works and fiction novels, making Korean stories more accessible to the Filipino public and encouraging a deeper literary and cultural exchange.

“Once Upon Our Lands: Phil-Kor Puppet Show” is part of the KCC’s continuing effort to foster understanding and friendship through education, creativity, and cultural sharing. It was aimed at providing Filipino children a glimpse into Korea’s rich heritage and underscoring the importance of libraries as welcoming spaces for cross-cultural connection.