This entry was written by Jaeyoun Kim, a Korean who studied here in the Philippines. He probably wrote this essay for us to see what really is the problem in our country.
This is my 25th post as a blogger. Instead of having of blogging about myself on how it feels, let me republish this essay written by one Korean student here in Philippines in 2003. This piece is an eye opener for Filipinos. The article sites reasons why it seems difficult for our country to rise from the mire of poverty and is now behind among the SouthEast Asian countries.
Here it is.
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.
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 cameto 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 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 boat men, for the boat men 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 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.
After reading the essay, my grandfather seconded his/her curiousity and ask me, is the Philippines worth crying for?
Who will shed tears for our motherland? Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit, to hold the lonely Flag that symbolizes her name?
After reading this essay, let's hope we all learn to love and support our country, our province and most especially our foundation. May God bless this beautiful country. May we be enlightened to do more for our country and not just thinking about ourselves all the time.
Poverty is indeed the major problem in our country today.
Maybe lack of love for our country is really the problem. He is right in what he says. We go to Church every Sunday yet nothing's happening because we do not focus. Seeing children in the streets is really depressing. He impart to us suggestions that we must do to gain love for our country.
What I do not like in his essay is that he is comparing his country to ours. He is comparing the people in his country to the people in the Philippines. He said, "I talked to two prisoners... 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." If Korea have great love fof their country, how come they're all over the Philippines? Yes, they study English here. But how come they're like 'occupying' our country already. They can be seen anywhere-- streets in Makati, in Baguio, and even in our subdivision that is exclusively for the families and relatives of those who became part and is part of the navy, army, marines, and the like. They even build their restaurants here.
Maybe Jaeyoun Kim is not like the other Koreans. I think he is just concern for our country. He's right (in a way) in his essay. We must love our country, and the rest will follow.
If a Korean like Jaeyoun Kim cares for our country, why can't we?
♥♥daisy
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