Between the morning calm and the Orient Seas: exploring the Kopino phenomenon through narratives, and gauging the role of the Kopino Children Association Inc. as an assisting non-government actor.

Abstract

The research seeks to lay out an approximate description of the actual current living conditions of Kopinos in the Philippines, and identify the common problems that they are experiencing, particularly in the light of their living conditions. Given the situation of the children, the research seeks to explain the ways on how non-governmental actors, such as in the case of the Kopino Children Association Inc., stand as duty-bearers in helping address the problems of Kopinos and in the process of achieving their basic needs, and in the midst of limited state action. Due to the biracial nature of the Kopinos, the perspectives of both Korean and Philippine societies on multiculturalism were also included in order to be able to analyze the problem from a larger perspective, and assess the degree of exclusion that they experience. In the study, it was seen that the perspectives offered by Kopino mothers highly differed from the stereotypes established by the media due to the nuances in their experiences, as well as the nature of their respective relationships with the Korean men. The study was also able to establish that NGOs are indeed instrumental with regard to solving the issue, but with corresponding disadvantages. The study asserts that Kopinos are not fully integrated into both Korean and Philippine societies, andis reflected in the lack of multicultural policies in both countries, which are tailored for them. Thus, there is a need to explore the possible interdependence between NGOs, who know more in terms of handling the issue, and the state, which has the access into policy-making.