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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 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 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 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.
Wow? Isn't it.
Then recently, a hostage situation took place in Manila. This was just 2 days ago. Jun Ducat, who hostaged people even before this incident, hostaged 32 shchool children and their teachers who were on their way to Laguna(?) on a field trip. Ducat, apparently, voiced his complaints towards the government through this event because he says he wouldn't be heard if he didn't. They say he has good principles and ideas and he really wants to make a difference in the country.
Now, if he really had good principles and hopes for the country, did he have to do it this way? I mean, why make parents, authorities, etc get worried jut so u can be heard? Can't you do it peacefully? Sure, no one was hurt... but did it have to go that way? I mean, if you really love your country, why would you do such a thing? It really makes you wonder about patriotism these days. And how our minds have been corrupted by violence. Not only is this an example, you can also take Edsa 2 and 3. I don't even consider 3 an Edsa because it wasn't as peaceful. I mean. They're sayng that "the country would be better if we have a better president and the only way we can kick this current one out is by making a large rally." Why? Can't you not make a rally. Can't you make a difference yourselves. I mean. The government may be corrupt but we're also making them corrupt. Simply in the streets, we pay no to get caught. What more for tax evasion and other stuff. We're making the government corrupt because we ourselves are corrupt. So why blame the government when you don't blame yourselves. Make a difference: do something. do something WELL. Don't hostage people because that only makes things worst. Yes, what the Korean said. LOVE. Just LOVE. Work hard not to get money but because you want to give money to the country. Study well to be able to help the country. Don't litter so the country will be cleaner therefore having more resources which extends the possibilities of technology giving out more jobs. There is a lot you can do. Just start to love the country now. By yourself. And that'a big difference. If you love your country, would you steal money from the people who pay taxes? If you love your country, would you not give money through paying proper taxes? If you loved your country, would you hostage your country's future to prove you love your country? HYPOCRISY
Phew. Why'd I write such an intense and weird and long article? I dunno. But it kind of feels good. I dunno. Weird nga lang for me.
Ba naman. Haha. Si Tuason man lang hindi dumating. We wasted money pa on Ice Cream. Hahaha! Oh well... So. Nothing much happened. I arrived. Talked. Sat down. Watched the bands. Blueprint had no life. Pay Per View was patapon. No offence though to both bands... actually, to Blueprint lang. Haha. Then, watched Caloy/Liboro/Ureta play cards with the girls. Haha. And then eat. And then play Murderer. Shit... when was the last I played that? Mas masaya noon. Hahaha. Oh well. And then... When Jona left, we went on the swings and paperclips, and then I left. Yawn. Hahaha!
. WIHHEEE! Haha.... Uau! Wow! Uau! Hahaha... Well, we ate and then we ate the cake. But before eating the cake, cyempre my picture process muna. Picture picture--pati cake slicing pinicturan... HAHA! Oh well. Scrumptious cake brought to you by Art Cakes on the 5th Floor of Shang. Before they use to do designs on the spot. Now, you have to pre-order to design your cakes. Aww... Anyway, I was taking care of the cake as i was bringing it to the food court kasi Mothers' Day myt repeat itself... 
After this, we made our way to the theatre. Haha... So, we bought drinks and watched 300. Next entry na lang ung review. Together with my say about Apocalypto. Basta, all I can tell you was fantastic! Haha... Afterwards, we went to Kameraworld on the Ground Floor. We had our picture taken. Bwahaha! Wallet size. I have them right now. Haha! Oh well. Buti naman it's digital na ngayon... Hhehe... Oh well. After pic taking, we went to Starbucks.
I also gave wallet sized for everyone else. Tapos todo-cam na... Haha! Grabe kakahiya.. pero okay lang. Buwahahahaha! Sana nagpapa-picture kami sa guard para matino-tino naman... HAHAHAHA! Well, afterwards, we went to look for a box for myself. They went on to look for a bag as I decided on the box. Which I did. YAY! Haha. I have one na.. kahit na it was stuffy inside my bag. HAHA! Oh well. Well, I met up with them again. And then, we went everywhere and I got dizzy and tired fro all their bag-searching... eek! Oh well, we left CJ behind and ran to the music store. And then he found us... DAMN! So we took our picture na from Kameraworld. COOL!
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