Sir Ely's Mini-Museum

HONG KONG - CURRENCY AND HISTORY

Hong Kong is one of the most visited countries in Asia, and in the world, the most popular city for tourism. It is equated to Aberdeen in Scotland, and called as "Little Hong Kong" by Chinese people. It is officially called Hong Kong Special Admistrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China since July 1, 1997. China has 2 such regions, Macau being the other one. This is the reason why a person visiting Hong Kong can easily have cross-country tour to Macau, where many Filipinos are waiting to assist travelers. Hong Kong attractions include Victoria peak, Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong Skyline, Tian Tan Buddha (Big Budhha), and Hong Kong Tramways (Ding Ding). These famous attractions and many more is the reason why Hong Kong is dubbed the Asia's World City, and the Fragrant Harbour.

Hong Kong is used to be a fishing village and the one that popularized Kung Fu. It has deep concerns to outlaws because its criminal justice system focuses on rehabilitation. Before, wild tigers usually roam the city, but now, it is the bussiest shipping ports in the world because its location is convenient to transshipment of goods to and from the West. Aside from being the closest country to the Philippines, many Flipinos visit Hong Kong because they seek better living standars. As of this moment, 7.51 Philippine pesos is equivalent to 1 Hong Kong Dollar.

It was the Royal Mint in London who issued the first Hong Kong Dollars, but five years later, the Chinese people refused to approve the coins because of their similarity to Spanish and Mexican coins. But up to now, Hong Kong Dollar is still the prime currency being circulated in the city, and the one which can also be used in Macau. Sir Ely received coins from the city when Hong Kong nationals Tabitha Ruth Canon and Samara Lisbeth Canon, relatives of Baltazar Family, visited the mini museum. On the other hand, the banknotes was handed to him by his youngest sister Engineer Eliza and brother-in-law Kevin Galicia when the couple visited Hong Kong and Macau after their wedding last June 1, 2024.

See the physical banknote and coins in Sir Ely's Mini Museum. Visit and explore!

HUNDRED PESO BILL - THE 81 YEAR OLD "MICKEY MOUSE MONEY"

Not all government-issued money bears a commodity value. During the World War II, the Japanese government issued fiat money - paper money which has no commodity value, or one in which the Central Bank does not honor. The Japanese occupancy in the Philippines was one of the darkest in Philippine history. They issued fiat money (or "Mickey Mouse Money" as the Filipinos call it as a derogatory remark) to capture guerillas who are using other currency. The Puppet Government (Japanese Government) money during that time can buy a duck egg for 75 pesos, while a box of matchsticks for 100 pesos. Issued on the year 1943 by the Japanese government, the obverse side has the Rizal Monument at the right side, 100 figure at the center, and the word "one hundred" at the left side. It's circulation only lasted until the liberation from Japanese occupancy (1945). Sir Ely was able to have this Japanese Government 100 peso bill through his friend Dexter Alagon.

This year 2024, eighty-one years have already passed since the release of fiat money, the Philippine monetary unit being used is the New Generation Currency Series (2010 - present). It's first release was during the third year presidency of Benigno S. Aquino III, and continued during the time of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, and the current President Ferdiand "Bongbong" E. Marcos, Jr. The reverse side captures the images of Mayon Volcano, whale shark, and the map of the Philippines.

It would be interesting to find a person who was born on the year 1943, and celebrating his 81st year at the time of writing this article (June 15, 2024). And yes, Sir Ely's brother-in-Christ Sir Gary Conner of Alabama Church of Christ is that person. Wishing Bro. Gary's 81st birthday a very memorable and meaningful one! Sir Ely met him with his wife Sis. Joyce F. Conner in Alabama, USA on the year 2015. Bro. Gary and Sir Ely shares the same passion in gardening, reminiscing nations' history, and reading the Bible.

Sir Ely's Mini Museum has the fascinating, very old 100-peso Philippine bill (1943) displayed with the newest one (2024). Visit and explore!

THE MORGAN DOLLAR

What's the fuss about these coins? Why is it that they are expensive and many are looking to collect and make them a treasure? Well, it is basically because these coins were made up of 90% pure silver, and serious coin collectors are willing to spend more than a thousand pesos just to have an authentic one.

The production of these coins in the United States started in the year 1878 when the Coinage Act of 1873 was promulgated, ending the free coining of silver and the previous design. This also marked the economic expansion of US as they started trading with many nations. With 38.1 mm. in diameter, the obverse side featured the woman in the Statue of Liberty, modeled by Anna Willes Williams, an American teacher and philosopher, while the reverse side captured the image of the eagle with spread wings. The name Morgan Dollar was due to the United States Mint Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan who gave its design. The production lasted till 1904, then it was continued in the year 1921, and then again last 2021 onwards as collectibles only. Experts believe that there are just 500 original pieces remaining today because they were melted. Original Morgan Dollars are extremely fine in conditions, and those that are uncirculated can cost up to several million Philippine Pesos.

Sir Ely's Mini-Museum has a display of a circulated 1883 Morgan Dollar. Visit and explore!

THE PHILIPPINE TWO-PESO COMMEMORATIVE COINS

Did you know that there was a two-peso, round, commemorative Philippine coin issued by Bangko Sentral in 1990? Yes, it was a small version compared to the decagon-shaped 2-Peso coin, but both featured Andress Bonifacio in the obverse and the Cocos Nucifera (coconut palm tree) in the reverse side. There was also a version of this commemorative coin wherein instead of Andres Bonifacio being in the obverse side, it was the former President Manuel Roxas who was featured.

Long, long ago, even before the time of the decagon-shaped 2-Peso Philippine coin (1983), the Spaniards issued a 2-Peso gold coin, and it was on 1861, the year of the birth our Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal. The coin was 3.38 grams and featured Isabell II, the Queen of Spain during that time, on the obverse side, and the Coat of Arms of Spain in the reverse side. The next in recorded history for the 2-Peso coin was the decagon-shape which the Generation X and Y have seen and handled. The obverse and reverse sides were the same as that of the commemorative coin. It was demonetized in the year 1990.

The two versions of the 2-Peso commemorative coin are available in display in Sir Ely's Mini-Museum. Visit and explore!

THE PAPUA NEW GUINEAN TOEA

Papua New Guinea is a country found in the Ocenia, or countries in the Pacific Ocean. Once it was believed that it is part of South East Asian nations, that is why, they consider it is as the only nation in the region which is not a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and this was a mistake. The official currency of Papua New Guinea is Kina, or Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK) which was introduced last April 19, 1975. It is divided into 100 toea, just like our Philippine centavo being 1/100 of a Peso. Papua New Guinean toea was introducted on the month of December of the same year (1975), specifically the 5, 10 and 20 toeas. All of these three denominations were made from copper-nickel, with the reverse side showing their national symbols. Smaller denominations like 1 and 2 toeas were also introduced but was withdrawn last 2006, and was demonetized starting April 19, 2007. The government also released 50 toeas as a commemorative coin last 1980. Their currency had decreased in value because several years ago, 1 Kina was equivalent to more than P23, but now, it is just equivalent to P14.51. Still, Papua New Guinea shows a considerable better economy than other countries like the Philipines, considering that they are both developing countries, that is, belonging to low-middle income group.

Travelling to Papua New Guinea is exciting but some sites give warning to traveller due to increasing crime rate. This cannot be a description of the whole country because Sir Ely met two locals from Papua New Guinea when he attended the 6th International Conference on Future Education in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last July 5-7, 2023. They were Napasu ang Haihavu who presented the study entitled "Cross-Cultural Collaborative Research: Lessons from a Collaborative Participatory Action Research Project". They are very friendly and God-fearing, too. Posed here in this article are the two Papuans (locals of Papuna New Guinea), with Sir Ely and Dr. Nilda V. San Miguel.

Displayed in Sir Ely's Mini-Museum is a toea from Papua New Guinea. Visit and explore!

COMMEMORATIVE ONE-PESO PHILIPPINE COINS

Four things can be considered as hot stuff for coin collectors - (1) old currency, (2) uncirculated banknotes, (3) limited-edition denominations, and (4) commemorative coins. For Philippine currency, the two latests commemorative one-Peso coins are the ones issued for the 150th birthday of Dr. Jose P. Rizal and for the 50th celebration of the establishment of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Our very own National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, was born on June 19, 1861, and during the year 2011, it was his 150th birthday. Several months later, on December 2011, the Central Bank of the Philippines issued a commemorative coin as a tribute to Dr. Rizal. This commemorative, one-Peso coin, was minted on a limited scale, that is why it is rarely seen in monetary transactions. This coin is indeed historical and is highly significant, for not all would thought of still being alive when the next commemorative coin for Dr. Rizal's 200th birthday (2061) would be released.

Another commemorative coin which was also issued in limited number is the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN. It was released last November 2017, in consonance with the 30th and 31st ASEAN Summits which were held in Manila, Philippines. This organization was founded last August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, but has its current headquarter in Jakarta, Indonesia. There are 10 members of ASEAN - Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. Among these countries, Sir Ely have visited Thailand (2019), Vietnam (2022) and Malaysia (2023). Some are wondering why Papua New Guinea and India are not included. This is because Papua New Guinea is located in the Pacific Islands, while India is in South Asia, and not South East Asia.

Both of these commemorative and limited edition coins are available for display in Sir Ely's Mini-Museum. Visit and explore!

THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES DIRHAM (AED)

United Arab Emirates is composed of seven regions which they call Emirates. They are Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain and Ras al-Khaimah. The currency in UAE is called the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). In the years 2009-2010, when Sir Ely was there as a teacher in The Philippine School (TPS) Dubai, 1 Dirham is approximately equilavent to 12 Pesos. Right now, 1 Dirham is equivalent to 15.25 Pesos. Sir Ely and his colleagues stayed in Sharjah, though their work is in Dubai, because the flat (means apartment in British English) and commodities in Sharjah are cheaper there, rather than in cities. There were only 3 known Filipino schools there at that time - The Philippine School (TPS), New Filipino Private School (NFPS) and Far Eastern Private School (FEPS). Right now, there are already 6 Philippine schools in UAE.

See more pictures of Sir Ely's stay in UAE through this link:
https://youtu.be/s6zRJUpZz_M?si=6iOo5GIKimNZu_6F

Dirham continues to be at good standing because there are oil companies and reservoir in the Middle East. People from all over the world visit UAE either to work or to have a vacation. Other nationals are not allowed to buy real properties in UAE as part of their government rule, but the manpower in that country is mostly from other countries.

See the display of Dirham coins in Sir Ely's Mini-Museum. Visit and explore!

THE POLYMER BANKNOTE AND THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE

Did you know that the Philippine's P1,000 bill issued by Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) won the 2022 "Banknote of the Year Award" by International BankNote Society (IBNS)? It defeated its co-finalists from Algeria, Barbados, Egypt, Northern Island, and Scotland.

The reason for its success in the competition is its use of polymer which is related to plastic, instead of paper-made substance. There are several very good features of polymer: eco-friendly, recyclable, shorter survivability of bacteria and viruses, easily sanitized, more durable, more cost efficient, and easily distinguishable. As of now, the P1,000 banknote is the biggest denomination in Philippine currency.

The featured national symbol in the obverse side of P1,000 banknote is the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi), while the reverse side features the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. It is interesting to mention that appending Sir Ely's Museum is a small aviary, housing a female hawk named "Igop" ( reverse of "Pogi"). Sir Ely's father was the one who named her. Both hawks and eagles belong to the family of Accipitridae which are carnivorous birds. There are many similarities between the two birds but eagles are much larger and have longer wingspan. Igop has already been the Pascual family pet for 8 years now. Sir Ely's learners and co-teachers have already greeted Igop in her sanctuary.

Come and have a glance of Igop near Sir Ely's Mini-Museum, with the display of one of the first releases of the P1,000 banknote. Visit and explore!

"FLY ME TO THE MOON" - Discovering the Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers

"Fly me to the moon and let me play among the stars..." This is a famous song by Frank Sinatra in which the lyrics mean that loving the girl makes him feel he is on the moon. Even before men literally stepped on the moon, the French novelist Jules Verne had already predicted that man could step on it, through his science fiction novel "From the Earth to the Moon" in 1865. He also was the first to conceptualize a machine that could submerge in water, later named submarine. That is why he is referred to as the Father of Science Fiction. (Jules Verne is one of Sir Ely's favorite novelists. He has a collection of Verne's novels which include Eighty Days around the World, The Mysterious Island, and Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea.)

But did you know who had put Verne's imagination into reality? In the year 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright (the Wright Brothers) invented and flew the first aircraft. They changed the world of flight forever. Sixty-six years later, in the year 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. More interesting that these, the Wright Brothers and Neil Armstrong all came from Ohio State of America. This is why Ohio is dubbed as the "Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers".

This significant history is reflected in the quarter-dollar coin of Ohio, USA. Sir Ely was fortunate to meet Peter Sayer, a Professor in The Ohio State University, during PALT (Philippine Association of Language Teaching) International Conference 2023 held in Baguio City last December 7-9, 2023.

The quarter-dollar highlighting the Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers is avaible for display in Sir Ely's Mini-Museum. Visit and explore!

THE 5-CENTAVO PHILIPPINE COIN, THEN AND NOW

Many of us would not anymore dare to leave a 5-centavo coin inside our purse, for it may be given as change in malls and supermarkets, but cannot be used to buy commodities in local stores. But for Generations X and Y, they can relate their stories of how they could still use this denomination during their youthful years. Sir Ely for one, was still able to buy several meringues (candy dessert made from egg whites and sugar) during his childhood with the use of the scallop-edged 5-centavo coin.

Did you know that the 5-centavo Philippine coin has already several series? The first one was after the Spanish-American War, the year 1903 when round copper-made 5-centavo coin was printed. This denomination was not popular at that time, it looked like the half-centavo and one-centavo coin. Being not popular, the 5-centavo Mexican coin was also accepted and used during that time in the Philippines. Printing of this very first 5-centavo coin lasted till 1928. The other series of 5-centavo coin was English Series 1958-1967, the Pilipino Series (1969-1974), Ang Bagong Lipunan Series (1975-1983), Flora and Fauna Series (1983-1994), BSP Coin Series (1995-2017), and the latest, the New Generation Currency Coin Series (2018—present).

In three of these series, Melchora Aquino (Tandang Sora) was featured from 1969 to 1994. She is dubbed as the Mother of Revolution and Mother of Balintawak. She is a model mother during that time and even now because she was not educated but was literate. She can read and was able to raise her 6 children even after her husband died while their youngest children was 7 years old. Not only did she became a pillar to her children, but was active too in the revolution, allowing her home to be used as meeting place of the Katipuneros (revolutionaries). And we have many like her during these days, including the mother of Sir Ely (Elizabeth Articona Pascual) who also has 6 children who are now all professionals.

The different series of 5-centavo coins are available for display in Sir Ely’s Mini-Museum. Visit and explore!

THE ZIMBABWEAN 10-BILLION DOLLAR LEGAL TENDER

What will make you an instant billionaire? Would it be the holding of the 10-billion-dollar banknote released by Zimbabwe government several years ago? Indeed, there was a 10-billion-dollar crisp bill from the Southeast African country of Zimbabwe. During that time, the economy of the country was planking, and releasing the 10-billion-dollar bill was their move to stabilize the economy. On the obverse side of the banknote is the Balancing Rocks in Harare, and on the reverse side is the dam miner. There was even a 100-trillion-dollar banknote released. But this action backfired on them as it ignites many financial issues like hyperinflation. The use of this banknote was abandoned in the year 2009.

However trivial was the release of this legal tender, it is still a big interest for currency collectors to have a copy of this, for it is not usual that a bill has that very big value. But having this on hand will not make someone a billionaire because it is not even worth 5 US Dollars, and cannot buy even a delicious pizza.

Sir Ely has not yet gone to Zimbabwe, but he has a friend preacher there, a local of Zimbabwe. He is Bro. Isheanesu Masvaya (Bro. Ishe) introduced by Sis. Joyce Conner of Alabama, USA. Bro. Ishe is passionate in sharing the gospel even though life in Zimbabwe is difficult. The evangelistic meetings their local church is conducting causes many to obey the gospel.

The 10-billion-dollar bill of Zimbabwe is available for display in Sir Ely’s Mini-Museum. Visit and explore!

THE DECAGONAL 2-PESO PHILIPPINE COIN

The usual shape of coins is round, but there are also hexagonal, octagonal, decagonal, dodecagonal and tetra-decagonal coin shapes. In the Philippines, there were three known decagonal (ten-sided) coins, all of which are engraved in 2-peso coins. The most popular among these three was minted from the year 1983 to 1990. It featured G*t Andres Bonifacio y de Castro in the obverse side, and the coconut palm (cocos nucifera) in the reverse side. This monetary unit was demonetized last January 2, 1998. Coconut palm, though very prominent in Southern Tagalog, Bicol Reagion, Eastern Visayas and Davao, and is considered the tree of life because of its vast benefits and uses to sustain life, is not the national tree of the Philippines. It is for the simple reason that it did not originate from this country but from the coastal area of southern Asia which is in the Indian Ocean sector.

Other decagonal Philippine 2-peso coin featured former President Elpidio Quirino and our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Not only Philippines has a decagonal-shape coins. Colombia has a 1-Peso decagonal coin featuring General Simon Bolivar, Hong Kong has a 1-Dollar decagonal coin featuring Queen Elizabeth II, Tanzania has a 5-Shilingi decagonal coin featuring former President Ali Hassan Mwinyi, and Sierra Leone has 500-Leones decagonal coin featuring the warrior Kai Londo.

The 2-Peso decagonal Philippine coin is available for exhibit in Sir Ely’s Mini-Museum. Visit and explore!

HONG KONG CENTS AND MILS

Most monetary currency is subdivided into 100 centavos or cents. But Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), the monetary unit of Hong Kong, further divided cents into 10 mils, making 1 HKD equivalent to 1000 mils. Therefore, the Philippine kusing (half centavo) is not yet the smallest in monetary division because mils is very much smaller, being related to millimeter and milliliter (a thousandth of a unit). Hongkong mils (or mills in American English) appeared in circulation in the mid-19th century and can hardly be found, if not totally extinguished, nowadays. Hong Kong Dollar is being released by three monetary institutions, namely, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), Bank of China and Standard Chartered, while the HK$10 banknote and coins are being issued by the Government of Hong Kong.

Why is it that we usually see Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain in most of the old coins of Hong Kong? It is simply because Hong Kong was a Crown Colony of the British Empire in the years 1843-1941 and 1945-1981, was a British Dependent Territory in the years 1981-1997, and was transferred to the entire territory of China, becoming Special Administrative Region (SAR) from 1997 until at least 2047. (Note: There was a break in territorial jurisdiction between the years 1941 to 1945 because it was the time of Japanese occupation.)

Sir Ely’s family is planning to visit Hong Kong in the near future. But even before that, Sir Ely have already had an acquaintance with a Hong Kong national, Frederick K S Leung, the Chair Professor and Kintoy Professor in Mathematics Education in the University of Hong Kong. He gave the keynote address during the 14th Biennial International Conference of MATHTED held in Philippine Science High School, Western Visayas Campus, Jaro Iloilo, last October 19-21, 2023.

Sir Ely has several Hong Kong cents displayed for viewing in his mini-museum. Visit and explore!

LAPU-LAPU IN PHILIPPINE 1-CENTAVO COIN

In the year 2018, Sir Ely and some of his family members landed in Mactan-Cebu International Airport which is in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, visiting heritage sites in the queen city of the south. The city was named in honor of Lapu-Lapu, a leader in Mactan, Cebu, and the first Filipino hero who fought against Portuguese invaders. Sir Ely and his family stayed in Mabolo Royal Hotel and visited Heritage of Cebu Monument, Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, Taoist Temple, Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niňo, and Yap-San Diego Ancestral House.

Lapu-Lapu was featured thrice in seven of the known releases of Philippine 1-centavo coins. The first release (1956) featured the emblem of the United States of America. The second (1963) featured a Filipino worker seating with the Mayon Volcano in the background. The third (1974) which was circular and aluminum-made featured Lapu-lapu. The fourth (1975) featured again Lapu-lapu, but this time, the coin was square-shaped, round corners, and made of aluminum. (When Sir Ely was still a kid, he tried to break open this coin, and found out that inside the coin was just crampled, white paper.) The fifth (1988) featured Lapu-lapu for the third time, circular, still made of aluminum, and depicted the Voluta imperialis (sea snail) on the reverse side. The sixth (2012) featured the logo of Central Bank of the Philippines, and this time, made of copper plated steel. The latest (2018) featured “mangkono” (Philippine ironwood).

These seven known releases of Philippine 1-centavo coin were put together for display by Sir Ely in an emptied Ferrero Rocher chocolate clear container. Visit Sir Ely’s Mini-Museum and explore!

THE SINGAPORE CENTS

In the year 2021, the island country of Singapore was the declared the cleanest country by "Time Out Index". Indeed, because this Asian country has zero waste mechanism/machinery, they are able to dispose trash and convert them to energy. The status of having clean environment contributed to an increased life expectancy, and in 2022, it was recorded that 8.8% of the working force in Singapore economy is shared by elderly people 65 years old and above.

Singapore has a high economic status and standard of living if the basis is the buying power of their money. By this moment, 41.37 Philippine peso is equivalent to just 1 Singaporean Dollar (SGD). Each SGD is subdivided into 100 cents, and Singapore has 5, 10, 20, and 50cents, including 1 SGD coin. The biggest coin value is 10 SGD released as commemorative coin during the 100th birth anniversary of its founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Sir Ely has not yet gone to Singapore, but he received Singaporean coins as donation from friends and family members. Also, Sir Ely has an acquaintance with a Singaporean national, Dr. Toh Tin Lam from Nanyang Technological University of Singapore. They meet today during the 14th Biennial International Conference of MATHTED (Mathematics Teacher Educators), happening in Philippine Science High School, Western Visayas Campus, Jaro, Iloilo City, this October 19-21, 2023.

Singaporean coins are available for display in Sir Ely's Museum. Visit and explore!

THE PHILIPPINE TWO-PESO BANKNOTE

Those who were born under Generation X (1965 - 1984) have surely seen and used the Philippine 2-peso bill during their childhood days. This piece of history commemorates the Philipine independence in its reverse side, as General Emilio Aguinaldo wave the Philippine Flag on the balcony of his abode in Kawit, Cavite, during the declaration of Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 1898. In the obverse side, Philippine National Hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, was featured. This banknote was made of 90% cotton and 10% linen, and was demonetized in the year 1993. What is interesting about this bill is that it is the only Philippine banknote whose featured person is not facing front, but side view, that is, only one eye is seen.

Sir Ely received a copy of this banknote as a gift from her Ate Anne (older cousin from his father side) when he graduated in elementary school. With this banknote, he also received a Merriam-Webster Dictionary which Sir Ely loves reading when he entered high school. It was his Ate Anne who also wrote his Salutatory speech and trained him in delivering it during high school graduation day.

This Philippine 2-peso bill is available for display in Sir Ely's Mini-Museum. Visit and explore!

THE SOUTH KOREAN JEON

If you are thinking that the Philippine Peso is being devalued and has low power of buying, you might consider thinking again after reading this article. The monetary unit of South Korea is Won (KRW, Korean Won). It is divided into 100 sub-units called jeon; synonymous to our centavo which is the sub-unit of Philippine Peso. The rarest of these coins is the 10 jeon. Back in the year 1969, there were just few which were minted, that is why they are difficult to find. And in the succeeding year, 1970, it was halfway in printing for mass production because of the consideration of its very low buying power. From 88% copper and 12% zinc, the South Korean government decided to just make it 65% copper and 35% zinc. Did you know how very low is its value? In order to have an equivalent of one Philippine centavo, you need to have 24 jeons. This means that Php 1 is equivalent to around KRW 24 (as of the present current foreign exchange rate). This is why we can even see 100 and 500 jeons because of its very low value. This sub-unit currency of South Korea is not anymore being used, and just appears in foreign exchange rates, or the decimal portion in money exchange activities.

The very low value of South Korean Won and jeon does not mean that South Korea has poor economy. In fact, they are the producer of the leading automobile brand Hyundai Creta. Sir Ely was blessed with this unit this year 2023. Thanks to the high technology engineering in South Korea, Hyundai Creta gained a five-star rating in the ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) crash test, withstanding the bump of a boulder equivalent to the weight of a big elephant.

Sir Ely received some jeons from a South Korean friend named Heo Young Sook (Mrs. Kim) in the year 2001. Mrs. Kim is a wife of a Pastor in Han Gill Church, South Korea. Sir Ely and Mrs. Kim first met in San Pablo City when Mrs. Kim and their congregation had a local church mission, and in the succeeding year, they met again in Heritage Hotel Manila. They were not fortunate to meet in South Korea though Sir Ely landed in the airport of South Korea (Incheon Airport) in the year 2015 (in going home to Philippines from Alabama, USA), but they had a conversation over the phone.

Both South Korean jeon and South Korean Won is available for display in Sir Ely’s Mini-Museum. Visit and explore!