Moving the world together. During a two-week immersion in the Philippines, 87 Korean youth volunteers participating in Happy Move Camp were guided by this adage of moving the world together to become a better and happier place for people in need. Culminating last February 13, 2014, powerful and moving acts of sharing happiness, cultures, and goodwill ensued.

Launched in 2008, Happy Move Camp is a global CSR effort by Kia Motors Corporation (KMC), under the auspices of the Hyundai Motor Group, where Korean university students are being dispatched all over the world to participate in volunteer work. For this year, Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC), exclusive distributor of Kia Motors in the Philippines, played host to 87 Happy Move Global Youth Volunteers who moved materials and built houses in Bistekville 1, Brgy. Payatas, Quezon City.

To cap off the grueling house-building activities and to formally end the program, CAC and Habitat for Humanity- Philippines, along with the student builders, organized a Donation Ceremony for the community to enjoy.

The Korean contingent went all-out with both traditional and modern Korean-inspired dance numbers, a magic show, and a tae kwon do exhibition. Kids and their parents took a break from their daily routines to cheer on the students and to witness a celebration of cultures. A group of Bistekville kids also contributed to the revelry with a traditional Filipino dance.

An outpouring of support and gratitude for what the Korean youth volunteers did for the community also came about. Mina Tamera, President of Bistekville 1 Homeowners Association, commended the students for their “hard work, sacrifices, and good hearts to help families have a better life.” Echoing Tamera’s sentiments, Brgy. Captain Manny Guarin, of Brgy. Payatas, also offered thanks to the Koreans and to Kia for the “good relationship and camaraderie” they shared with the people of Bistekville 1.

In addition to the cultural performances, KMC Regional Office President, Tae-Jin Park, formally turned over US$ 46,000 to Habitat for Humanity- Philippines, represented by Rommel Corro, Operations Manager, NCR- South Luzon division. Park shares, “Happy Move Camp has two goals– one is to help people have sustainable happiness by offering volunteer work for community development. The other is to provide Korean university students with a chance to go abroad, experience volunteer work, and cultural exchange so that they grow up to be warm-hearted global leaders.”

Park also wishes for the people of Bistekville 1 to “remember Korea, Kia and the Happy Move volunteers as good friends” who will continue to take part in such social contribution projects worldwide. After all, Kia literally means “to rise out of Asia,” and so we can only expect Kia to continue acting on their social responsibilities in a global scale.

The afternoon was definitely a sight of big smiles and bigger hearts as a deep sense of accomplishment was reflected from the faces of the Korean students, who showed no sign of exhaustion, as they mingled and spent one last afternoon with their new-found friends from Brgy. Payatas. CAC President, Ginia R. Domingo, proudly shares, “We, at CAC, are very happy with how Happy Move Camp in the Philippines turned out. Our Korean volunteers truly imbibed the spirit of bayanihan and of sharing. I hope they will take this memorable experience back home and continue to live as true global leaders.” Indeed, a true sense of learning, sharing, and moving together rightfully capped Kia’s Happy Move Camp.

As the brand with the Power to Surprise, Kia and CAC have once again staged not only a distinctive event, but a truly inspiring experience for the Korean volunteers, the community of 350 families in Bistekville 1, and everyone who shared a part of themselves during the charitable and cultural immersion.