it’s the CONTENT that counts ) Maybe it is timely to think about this in the midst of all the confusion
at present.
MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun KimFilipinos 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
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
Koreans did not work just for themselves but also
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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 a gain 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
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
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 s mall scale and have to grow. A lot of
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
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.
That’s all I really want to ask you Filipinos.
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