Pinoy student bags gold in Asean music-dance tilt in Korea

A Filipino scholar made the country proud after bagging the gold prize at the recently concluded "Bravo ASEAN" music and dance contest in Korea. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday cited a report from the Philippine Embassy that Filipino scholar Jemuel Forto received the award on November 20. "Singing a Korean ballad entitled 'Miss You, Miss You, Miss You,' Mr. Forto won the hearts of the judges and audience members alike with his soulful rendition of the Korean pop song," the DFA said on its website. Forto received one million Korean won (US$850 or P37,510), a round-trip airfare ticket to the Philippines, and a trophy. "Bravo ASEAN" in Korea is a music and dance contest for ASEAN residents living in Korea. It was organized by ASEAN-Korea Centre in cooperation with Arirang TV. The contest is an annual event which promotes fellowship and cultural exchange between the people of ASEAN and Korea. At least 12 teams and individuals from 10 ASEAN countries presented various traditional dances and Korean pop songs during the talent fest. Forto, an engineering graduate of the Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City, is currently pursuing his graduate studies at the Korea Aerospace University under a Korean government scholarship program. – VVP, GMANews.TV