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

This is an essay written by a Korean student,(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 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.