Sandara Park reflects on enduring love for the Philippines
Photos from @krungy21 /X, daraxxi/Instagram
K-pop star Sandara Park’s connection with the Philippines remains as strong as ever, and the singer once again highlighted how the country became an important part of her life long before she found fame in the entertainment industry.
The 2NE1 member recently shared a heartwarming encounter with Filipino fans after an unexpected stop at a Jollibee branch on Orchard Road.
While walking around the area, Sandara said the familiar Filipino fast-food chain immediately caught her attention and became her dinner destination for the day.
Despite wearing a mask, Sandara said Filipino customers still recognized her inside the restaurant. She affectionately called them her “mga kababayan,” reflecting the close relationship she continues to share with Filipino supporters years after she first entered the country’s entertainment scene.
Naglalakad ako kanina sa may Orchard and nakita ko ang Jollibee! Nagulat ako!!! Sabi ko ito na ung dinner ko! So pumasok ako para mag order, at nakilala ako ng mga kababayan ko kahit nakamask ako! at nag group pic kami hehehe 🥰 https://t.co/IYIQEFbLYC
— Sandara Park (@krungy21) October 13, 2026
‘The Philippines raised me’
The simple fan interaction also led Sandara to reflect on the role the Philippines played in her younger years, when she was still discovering herself and had yet to build a showbiz career.
“Kasi minahal ako nang todo ng Pilipinas nung bata pa ako. Nung wala pa akong alam sa showbiz, wala pa akong friends at wala pa akong alam sa mundo (Because the Philippines showed me so much love when I was young, back when I knew nothing about show business, had no friends and knew little about the world),” she responded to a fan. “The Philippines raised me and changed my life.”
Before becoming a global K-pop star, she gained popularity among Filipino audiences after joining the reality talent search “Star Circle Quest” in 2004, eventually becoming one of the country’s most recognizable young celebrities.
Sandara emphasized that her connection with Filipinos goes beyond nostalgia, as she considers the country a place that welcomed her during a significant chapter of her life.
Ending her message on a playful note, Sandara jokingly wondered if her bond with the Philippines was meant to be: “Hindi kaya Pilipina talaga ako sa past life ko (Could I have been a Filipina in my past life)?”
