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.
June 11th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Koreans never envied filipinos before. This article apparently a piece of writing written by a korean student to impress his filipino english teacher. I couldnt imagine that a citizen from one of asian tigers like south korea be jelous to an impoverished nation like the philippines. Koreans wanted to be like well-off filipinos??? ridiculous!!! There are more well off koreans than filipinos even before.
Why philippines still a poor country?
Its not about patriotism nor crying for destitute filipinos. Its not also about persuading filipinos working abroad to go back to their beloved country and work together to rebuild their dying nation. Do you know what would happen to the Philippines if there are no OFWs?? Philippines will no longer exist. Remittances of filipinos abroad are of great help to the economy of the philippines.
Did you cry for your country?? Why should I?
Do you love your country? huh? why should I?
Did your country cry for you? Hahahaha forget it man….
Did your country love you? Lol..lol…lol….
Philippines should love their own people first by providing a decent and satisfying job, good oppurtunities, encouragement and hope so that their citizens wouldn’t fly away from their native land.
June 12th, 2010 at 10:39 am
@geo,
if money is all the reason. we don’t need patriotism or social responsibility. Even the heroes who died because of that are just morons that don’t know how to think.
You don’t ask what your country can do for you. but what you can do for your country.
Being an ofw may be a great financial help. But its not a heroic thing to do. If there are no ofws? There will be lot of businesses in the Philippines and the Philippines will thrive. Why? Because many people will actually be using their brains instead of being swayed by a large salary.
June 13th, 2010 at 12:40 am
This eloquent speech of John F. Kennedy about ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country is already a cliche and the Filipino people are tired enough of doing everything for his country. Filipinos pay taxes. Filipinos are proud when their kababayans are being acknowledged like manny pacquiao, charice and arnel pineda. Filipinos are cheering for athletes competing around the world. The love of filipinos for their country is there but the people running the country dont have love for filipinos.
If there are no ofws??? well.. just few filipinos could afford to buy condos and house & lot because salaries of an average filipinos are not enough. Also, less filipino businessman and entrepreneur because most ofws had in mind to put business after years of working abroad. Also, Philippine will have economic recession because most filipinos are unemployed. There are less job than number of people. Families who rely only on remittances will die on famine. Most filipinos are only employees of foreign businessman.
Using their brain??? Dont you know that most politicians running the country are graduate of an exclusive schools in the Philippines? Some also graduated cumlaude in the US and other countries. Do you know the implication of putting all intelligent people in the government? Look at the Philippines you will see the answer. DISASTROUS…isnt it?
June 14th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
@geo
Salary, jobs, corrupt government. All these are just excuses. You don’t have to point fingers at anyone for your status in life… We live in a world full of possibilities. We are not in the great depression or world war. We don’t need to go to other places to find great salary. We can make a change. Everyone can start a business now even at a measly P1,000. All other things are just excuses.
The government has nothing to do with our status in life. If I go to work, will the goverment stop me from earning money? If I want to start a business, will the government stop me? The only problem here is money. And its not in the government’s hands if you want to have some or more of it. Even if Boy Abunda becomes the president of the Philippines, my business will still earn me money. The goverment has nothing to do with making money.
Having a stupid or capable president won’t decide whether you’ll be successful. There are millions of jobs out there, you only need 1.
Condos, cars, are just a lifestyle obsession. You don’t need those things. You only need to eat and survive. And by the way, don’t you think the line “Gusto ko mag-abroad para maiahon ang pamilya ko sa hirap” ay cliche na din?
June 14th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND (300000) LICENSED NURSE IN THE PHILIPPINES PLUS ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (100000) NURSING GRADUATES EVERY YEAR COULDN’T FIND JOBS IN OUR BELOVED COUNTRY. Almost thousands engineering, architecture, accountancy graduates are now applying abroad not because they want to earn big money but because they couldnt find job in the philippines. Other hundred thousand college graduates are still unemployed.
Government has nothing to do with it??? I strongly disagree. They have great responsibility for their citizens.
Have you read the article written by an arab writer “world without filipinos”?
THE WORLD NEEDS FILIPINOS. Its not about earning money. Other filipinos have much deeper reason why they work abroad.
June 16th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Sir,
About 90% of those license nurses took nursing because of the promise of working abroad and having a high salary. Not many of them chose nursing because they like it or will use their skills for the homeland that taught them. The other 10% i applaud them because they are the one who will work for the sake of other people. Ask any nursing student or freshman today for the reason why they took nursing. I believe they will answer you something like “para makapagabroad”. Tell me with a straight face that money is not the reason. The fact that the unemployment rate for nursing is too high is because too many people chasing for money and enrolling in nursing school. Blinded by promise of working abroad and failing to follow their own, real dreams and passion in life. Then they get angry at the government for not providing enough jobs for nurses.
The world needs Filipinos I agree. But don’t you think that their homeland need them more?
June 18th, 2010 at 3:26 am
Our country is teetering on the brink of poverty, high unemployment rate, corruption, and recession. Working abroad is one great option for filipinos who feel distressed of trying to look for a better job in the philippines but couldnt find one. Working abroad doesnt mean your greedy for money. There is much important reason behind that. It could be the love for your children who need support for their education or maybe the monthly consumption of your ill mother for medicine whom you couldnt buy with your salary in the philippines. It may also be to uplift the quality of life of your family or yourselves whom for years suffered from abject poverty and havent experience enjoyment in life.
It would be unfair for filipino overseas workers to be misinterpreted as craving only for money without crucial reasons. It is a wrongful act to misjudged filipinos leaving the country for work abroad of having no love for their nation. In fact, they sacrifice their own happiness because of their genuine love.
“The world needs Filipinos I agree. But don’t you think that their homeland need them more?”….
As i have said we dont need to bring the 11 million filipinos back to our country to develop our dying nation. Great leaders are what we need. Unscrupulous leaders who run the government should be eradicated. “The youth is the hope of our motherland”….and it is not…OFWs are the hope of our motherland.
We are in a real world. This is not a school that your goal of answering questions is only to impress your teacher. You show off your goodness inside the classroom to get high grades but at home you act not courteous to other people.
Leave OFWs alone. They are heroes. They’re helping the economy of the Philipines afloat. Lets pray for good leaders and good citizens. This is one reason to make FIRST WORLD PHILIPPINES.
June 18th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
I would like to keep this as simple as possible as we are only repeating what has been said before. The Philippines is poor yes. Corrupt, yes. Recession, not quite. Recession is over. Unemployment, not really. Tons of jobs out there. But what does the government have to do with finding a job or creating a business? Its pretty convenient to point fingers at the government just because you can’t find a job.
I’m not against ofws. I’m against the mentality. In the long run. All professionals will go abroad to work. Leaving none to the Philippines. And so, our sons and daughters will be taught by incapable teachers with no experience in the field. Or be taken care of incompetent doctors and nurses in our deathbed. Seats in the government will be taken by people less competent than today. Or maybe, there will be no government. All filipinos are outside the country, there is none to manage.
I am interested to hear your knowledge in the real world… It would be interesting to know what a student’s view of the real world is. I may come across as an asshole for my comments. But please do shed us some light on this issue.
June 18th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Well if you’ll combine two Koreas, there might be more poor people than the Philippines. My country could have become a developed nation if Marcos wasn’t overthrown. Who was behind People Power Revolution? Some people, the Catholic Church and the United States which are Illuminati puppets. What happen to the Philippines next? Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was stopped. Meralco was given back to the greedy Lopezes. Philippine National Railway was neglected and so on. Our Ang Bagong Lipunan note which was secured by bullions of gold was manipulated by the ineternational banker. The Global Elite has been controlling the Philippines so no matter how hard we do our best, poverty will still exist. Anyway, it exist everywhere.
August 10th, 2010 at 10:14 am
I appreciate your patriotism as well as Korean economic achievement.
On the other hand, I do not agree with the both sides. Let us see Chinese:
Chinese is a nation with the most serious corruption.
Chinese is known as betraying his country.
Chinese is full of inside riots and it is a dictatorship regime.
Yet China has achieved brilliant economic achievement as well as its political effect is growing. Why?
When the Filipines was one of rich nations in South East Asia, China was one of the poorest nation. Why?
August 12th, 2010 at 9:52 am
@edwin
Because chinese people know how to do business. Those businesses even though you said chinese people will betray their country, still helps their country more by paying taxes. But still, its the “people” who helped the country grow. Staying behind and growing a business empire, which makes china a valuable country for cheap goods like electronics.