FROM A KOREAN STUDENT: 'MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT
THE PHILIPPINES'

As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently
studying in the Philippines to take advantage of our
cheaper tuition fees and learn English at the same
time.

This is an essay written by a Korean student I want to
share with you. (Never mind the grammar; 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 Kim

Filipinos always complains 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 no 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 burning with
patriotism.

Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for
their neighbourhood 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 neighbourhood. And, I have loved my
neighbourhood. 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 neighbourhood.
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 Pasanjan, 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
neighbourhood 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
neighbourhood 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 neighbourhood 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.

(FOR THE LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE)