This is one of the most influential piece of writing that I ever read in my life. It is so much true and you can never hide the fact that I always tell in my blog that I never liked Filipinos who’s only aim is to get out of the country and work. You may read some it here, “The Irony of Filipinos” and here, “Philippines: No Hope?“.. Filipinos associating “Better Life” to “Going Abroad”. You will know the reason if you read the essay and I hope it sparks even the tiniest bit of patriotism in everyone’s heart.
MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun Kim
Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines . Do you really think the corruption is the problem? 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 nonatural 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 beloved. 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.
My question to you: Do you love the Philippines?
December 19th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
nope… philippines is “NOT” worth dying for…
December 21st, 2008 at 11:03 pm
What is?
March 27th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
yes..i absolutely do. this is my country. this is my beautiful country. and it’s always my prayer that the philippines will rise again..will be reborn..and its also my prayer that there will be birthing of the philippines in every heart of the filipinos.
May 11th, 2009 at 9:04 am
? fudmonster18.
“and it’s always my prayer that the philippines will rise again”
The Philippines have never risen, progress just stopped.
May 17th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Very true…
Very touching… thanks for the message man…
I wish Philippines would see this message and reflect among themselves and the truth of which is inside them.
August 15th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Huh, I never thought that other countries like Korea were jelous of us back then until now. I guess karma strikes back really fast. Now we, the Filipinos are incredibley jealous of successful countries. I’ll name one, surprise surprise..Korea.
Ditto. I totaly agree with you man.
I’m still in high school and I have a classmate that came fresh from Korea. She said she liked it here but I doubt she liked it because of the place, I mean come’on there’s nothing interesting to see in Quezon City. I think she liked it here because of how hospitable and cheerful Filipinos are to other people despite of the depleted status of the country, and that is the very reason why we, the Filipinos are still living.
If were once united to fight for our freedom against the greedy and egotistical minds and power of the government during the time of the late Pres. Cory Aquino, we can still do it again now. We can still fight against the corrupt government, against the ongoing poverty, and against the rising criminal rates, for our country, and most importantly for ourselves. Fight out of love not of revenge, out of peace not of violence, and out of patriotism not of selfish intentions.
Don’t just sit around and wait for some miracle to fall from the skies, today’s the day to fight for our country. Procrastination is not an option. There’s no other day but, today.
That’s all i got. I ran out of words. HAHA
Thank you (*BOWS)
August 18th, 2009 at 1:05 am
I hope you’re not just saying that because Cory Aquino died.
More power to you.
August 18th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2zbvGXgDXA
The country has began to love itself again.7.3% growth in 2008, 2009 it fell to 5.0% because world recssion,China is growing at about 6.6% so economically the Philippines is becoming more progressive.2 of the biggest malls of in the world are in the philippines,the 2nd tallest structure in the world besides the dubai project will be in Manila completed in 2012.
a 15 billion$ project has also been in development in conjunction with this pagcor tower.The Philippines will be transformed in the next 10 years and then finally they can say We have risen.
August 18th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
No offense to Korea but the real reason why Korea progressed was because Japan modernized Korea during the colonial era from 1910-1945.Korea was given the industrial base to build upon.Japanese developed infrastructure, a bank system(which was not in existence at the time.), eduction system, and factories and such.Without Japanese interference;Korea would not be as progressive as they are now.
August 18th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
That’s bullshit. if you look into Philippines’ history. Those who conquered us are more advanced than Japan.
Also, Japan influenced the North Korea. The allied forces including the US influenced South Korea.
October 4th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
that was real good. that’s not a “short” essay,, ^^
you are awesome man.. hope this message spreads..
i love the philippines and i’m proud to be a filipina yet because of the government pushing us down, we can’t improve the rate of our country. sorry… i shouldn’t be saying this.. i am 12.. x]
there’s not enough determination in my/our country.. that’s my point.. more power man!
October 9th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
a 12 yrs old. wow. welcome and thank you for dropping by.
January 6th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I think it’s not because of who modernized who…the problem in our country is internal…we have to make our country strong…but first let’s start with ourselves. if we have the right attitude, corruption, poverty, uneducation should i say, etc…will be lessen or gone. we cant blame anybody for what’s happening in our country. look first in ourselves if we are worth blaming other people…
January 13th, 2010 at 4:27 am
Love your country? To love Philippines? love to change?
That’s pointless.
There is no such thing as HOPE in the Philippines.
It always been like that.. poor and corrupt country.. nothing more.
nothing more.
January 18th, 2010 at 2:46 am
Jasmin hit it on the spot. Attitude spells the difference. There is too much negativism, pessimism and hopelessness in the world today. Let us not contribute to that. We can all do something for the country that we love (or that we live in — we are still part of the citizenry since we live here). We can all work together and achieve milestones, but we must stop blaming other people first.
I heard Papa Jack on the radio the other day. He said that “kahit sinong iluklok [natin] diyan sa gobyerno (puwesto sa gobyerno) hindi sila magiging effective kung mismong tayo hindi nakiki-cooperate.” The dragon boat race produces a team of winners who work together and pull together to conquer the odds. We are no different.
January 19th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
a drowning person would always want to drag someone with him. in order to be saved, you need to learn to swim yourself or be capable of saving 1 person at a time. it doesn’t have to big. but at least, if every person know how to swim, there will be no casualties.
It’s the same case as being poor. it’s like drowning. the mindset of being poor is contagious as if they make themselves better if they discourage a fighting heart to do good with his life. It’s for you to decide if you believe the drowning person.
great comments everyone. I appreciate your opinion.
March 7th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
there’s no hope for the Philippines and a lot of Filipinos hate the philipines
i hear that the philippines will soon be as poor as africa
March 7th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
@nohope4phil
I also heard the world will end on 2012. This is all bullshit.