MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES by Jaeyoun Kim
Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.
Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love for the Philippines.
Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.
Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father & brother also died because of famine. Korean government was very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism…
Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.
40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea . He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through horrible experience.
In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park . They asked to him, “President, when can we be well off?” That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea. He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart.
Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea . They always hoped that their children would live in well off country.
My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood.
Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people… I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.
Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children.
When I was in Korea, I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia , but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.
My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there are so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun.. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame.. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them.
My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that the Philippines will be well off.. I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love.
Let’s put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships. It changes the world. Please love your neighborhood and country. Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines , there is God for people who are abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country. You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.
That’s all I really want to ask you Filipinos.
I sincerely hope that this essay inspire us all and show LOVE for our homeland.
It's a good thing to read this essay from a Korean's point of view, very eye-opening message from one who's heart is made to love.
ReplyDeleteNahihiya ako sheng. Our nationalism is a far cry compared to them.
DeleteAko rin, nahiya ako para sa ating mga Pilipino.
Deletei thought that living overseas for this many years that this is so true and let's begin with me. i don't speak of my country with love that is deeply rooted in my soul, like the other expats here in the us do.
ReplyDeletei think it's true that as a people the filipinos would rather leave the country than help rebuild it.
i totally agree with this sentiment, because it's my sentiment before i even read this essay.
How long I stay abroad doesn't count. I'll always return to the Philippines. That's how strong my attachment to our country.
DeleteBut I'm afraid you're right. Given the chance, most Filipinos prefer to migrate than help the Philippines stand up where she stumble. Kinda selfish but I don't know if we can blame them, considering how feed-up they are of how things are being managed back home.
i am where i am because i love my country. my deepest personal choice - that of being single - has roots in my love for my country. i thought i cannot be poor and upright and a journalist all at the same time.
ReplyDeleteand yes, i still cry for my country. i still love it.
"i thought i cannot be poor and upright and a journalist all at the same time."
Deletereminds me of cleric's vow of celebacy. >: D
there are many silent patriotic filipinos who don't have to ecstatically jump with joy every time a filipino is recognized worldwide due to singing, dancing, boxing, or winning beauty contests.
ReplyDeletethey are the calm and composed ones. they don't really have to stay in the country to show their love. they show it by being proud of who they are.
a good civic education is the key and the responsibility of developing real love for country should not just rest on the shoulders of teachers.
i enjoyed this one pare.
I prefer a Philippines beholden to no one, able to stand on her own. Where her citizens are educated enough to be politically mature and economically stable, rather than be proud of achievements of talented individuals that doesn't reflect the true nature of a Filipino.
DeleteThanks you for pondering on the subject, beatburn. I really appreciate to see there are Filipinos like you. There is still hope.
Bro, with your permission, I will post this in FB. Hopefully it will others and something could happen especially that the elections is just around the corner.
ReplyDeleteNo problem! : )
Deletei'd be honest to say bro. I think this short article was probably written by a Pinoy. I have known South Koreans for a long time. In fact I have an in-law who is South Korean. The sermon sounding critique is so uncharacteristic of a Korean. They are very respectful people who don't simply throw unsolicited advice that may hurt/offend other nationalities.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, the reason for South Korea to be that strong and prosperous today is because it exists right beside its nemesis, North Korea, the most active nuclear county outside the UN block, a real threat to its existence and even the free world. If it wasn't that economically strong, it would have been hegemonized by North Korea long time ago. Same case as Taiwan who had to strengthen itself to resist the advances of China.
Hmmm... you got a point there, bro. I took this article from another site and the owner said the author is a Christian missionary assigned in the Philippines.
Delete