An Essay from a Korean

I've been reading alot of e-mails about certain foreigners feeling so sad for the Philippines and try to give us ideas on how to run the country. It's a funny thing when you get lectured about love of country from a foreigner. That's the last thing we ever wanted. Here's something that I got from the e-mail just this morning that I would like to share with you:

Presently, there are many Koreans studying in the Philippines to take advantage of its cheap tuition fees. The following is an essay written by a Korean student.

My Short Essay about the Philippines
by 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 the entire country was destroyed completely 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's brother also died because of famine. Korean government was awfully 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 mineworkers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through a 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 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 develop the 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 a 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 a Catholic church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from the Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighbor. And I have loved my neighbor. 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 the 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 neighbor. The owners of factories and companies distributed their profits to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and save 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 so many beggars and street kids. When we went to Pagsanjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it would be fun. However, they were not happy after taking the boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they sympathized with 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 a 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 the same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighbor 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 the 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 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 neighbor 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 neighbor 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.

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." -Anatole France

I also read something like this a couple of years ago from a Korean too. The only difference to this e-mail is that this Korean didn't blame the corruption in the government for the current situation of the Philippines. He's probably true, you know. We Filipinos just lack patriotism. We cradle the west as if they are our saving grace. Well, if you look into our past, being colonized by 3 different countries, we actually don't have a cultural identity that we can cling on. The Philippines grew up holding on to the hands of these foreign invaders (most especially the US) and forgot to let go. Also, the sad truth to all these, is that WE, as a nation, are not totaly unified. Who says we're not unified? You mean to tell me that being united when a natural disaster occurs is not unified? Well, that's just it, isn't it. We need to have a natural disaster in order for us to be one. What happens when there aren't any? Nothing! We keep on bickering amongst ourselves, pulling one another down. The term crab mentality comes into mind. Anyway, the point to all this is that we must learn to love. We should first learn how to love ourselves; for who we are and for what we are. Not in a selfish kind. Then, love our fellowmen/neighbor. Let's end all this bickering and try to solve problems instead of making new ones. After that can we only acheive the love of country.

Gosh. Look at me lecturing about something so deep a topic. Anyway, Koreans should know, right? Meaning, looking at their history and all, they probably were the poorest in asia back then. But look at them now. Who would have thought that these people were looking up at us in the past. Now, it seems that the tables have been turned. So sad. This is just something for us to think about. With the current situation of our country, we need new ideas. Well, come to think of it, this isn't exactly new.

Bounce!