What Koreans think about Filipinos
I normally don’t read forwarded messages much but this caught my attention. This is an essay of a Korean about the Philippines.
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.
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.
Be the change you want to see in the world – Mahatma Gandhi
Cliden(not my real name) on Jan 17, 2010
I’ve read your article and it was really great, i hope that everyone would understand your article like i did because… the painful truth, that everyone wants to leave in this place… but i surely would like to make a difference it’s just people won’t cooperate very well when doing something good. People here always complain of the bad stuffs that are going on and not thinking of the good things that happen. Well, we need a leader like Park to change our nation… but people always say (Corruption) to anyone who stands in “Politics”.
Most of all there is this “Crab mentality” where when we see someone is on top we tend to pull him down through pride. Everybody wants to be the best… by bringing the best ones down.
“People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.”
Most of us lack common sense and discipline and there are many people working on that, actually many people want to change the country and help it but… its the people that won’t LISTEN.
I have witness outreached programs and community services it seems that people who participate in those activities do not apply what they’ve learned.
“Faith should come with action. ”
I don’t understand really… why people go to church here and still do NOT change of their ways.
From what i’ve observed when i go to church there are young people outside the church just TALKIN!!
That made me curious ” do they even care of the good news? Do they even change just a little bit?” I think not.
We really need help “INSIDE”!!!.
rose on Mar 10, 2010
r u sure?
i guess u need to think about it a
hundred times ok!!!!!!!!!!
Jade on Mar 11, 2010
@ rose – what should I think a hundred times over?
joy on May 18, 2010
Youre right, we fILIPINOS need to love our neighbors.As what you have said LOVE is a keyword for filipinos, your probably right!
As a highschool student I wanted to share my own opinion, We go to church to pray to thank God for giving us blessings… but as what youve said that we go to church and we pray but nothing change! you are wrong…. I’ll continue this message….
bennix on Jul 21, 2010
I am a Filipino.
I understand your article don’t worry Filipinos are resilient.
I don’t care if Philippines well stay poor forever cause I am not after impressed those nations who owns the world. World is temporal.
I love eternal things ………