MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES

July 19, 2008

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, PresidentPark 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 againbecause 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 CatholicChurch 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.

SUGGESTED READINGS

• Apagmaragul mu bang Kapampangan ka?
• Bakit ganito sa Pilipinas?
• Combating Corruption in the Philippines
• Congressman Manny Pacquiao
• EDSA - Ang huling habilin
• Gusto kong maging Senador ng Pilipinas
• Hinanakit ng sang ordinaryong office worker na ayaw nang magbayad ng tax…ever!
• Kapampangan Kontra Recount
• Manny Pacquiao for President 
• Pamana ni Gloria sa bayan – The Positive side
• Pamana ni Gloria sa bayan – English Version
• Pamana ni Gloria sa bayan – The Negative side
• Prostitution in Angeles City
• Treseng Hudas, mga balimbing sa Pilipinas!

Modus Operandi sa Bus

January 24, 2008

hindi ko na   sana ikukwento kasi akala ko aksidente lang….. AKALA KO AKO LANG!…
UNG PALA MERON PANG IBA NA MABIBIKTIMA NG GANITONG SISTEMA…PAANO NA KUNG UN LANG ANG NATITIRA MONG PERA AT MALAYO PA ANG PUPUNTAHAN    MO? kawawa ka naman….maglalakad ka….

(based on my own experience sa isang aircon bus….) last september 6, 2007, 4pm ako ay nagpunta sa cubao at bumili ng ticket (going to   baguio ) sa victory liner cubao. sumakay ako ng aircon bus from victory liner (cubao) to robinsons galleria (going back sa office in ortigas)  …ang pamasahe po ay P10 from cubao to robinsons galleria… at ako po  ay nagbigay ng P100 sa kundoktor… binigyan nya ako ng ticket worth P10 at kinuha ung 100pesos na binayad ko, sabay sabi na sandali lang wala  akong baryang panukli. So, pagdating sa may P Tuazon (near araneta center)…pina alala ko uli ung sukli ko sa konduktor… tinanong nya ako, "san ka nga uli baba’?."  sumagot ako na…"sa may robinsons galleria lang!"…… ."malayo ka pa naman eh…sandali lang"…sabi ng kundoktor. so, pagdating ng VV Soliven… lumipat ako ng upuan (3rows before the  driver , at the right side of the bus). Pagdating ng SEC (near ortigas ave.) kinukuha ko na ung sukli ko…hindi kumibo ang kundoktor… (luminga- linga lang) parang deadma ba?…. Nang patawid na ng ortigas ave. (stoplight). ..tumayo ako at nilapitan ko yung konduktor na naka upo sa tabi nung driver…hiningi ko ung sukli ko… 
eto ang sabi nya sa’kin…"PATINGIN NGA NG TICKET MO?.,…   sabay inabot ko… sabi ng kundoktor… "Eh WALA NAMAN AKONG SINULAT (note) SA LIKOD NG TICKET MO ..TAPOS HIHINGI KA NG SUKLI!!!…. TARANTADO KA PALA EH… medyo mag init ang ulo ko sa sinabi nya… kaya sumagot ako… na ..
TARANTADO KA RIN!!!…KANINA KO PA SINASABI NA …UNG SUKLI KO SA P100 NA BINIGAY KO… dun na kami nagkasagutan. …at may dumikit sa akin na lalaki at sinabihan ako na …."PRE,,WALA KA NAMAN INAABOT NA ‘SAN DAANG PISO eH…TAPOS HIHINGI KA NG SUKLI!!!.. tumayo ako malapit sa pinto..malapit sa driver…
at sinabi ko ung ginawa nung kundoktor nya…. eto ang sabi nung driver…. ‘   ABA ..PARE…HINDI KO ALAM YAN…BAKA NAMAN WALA KA TALAGANG BINIBIGAY NA P100 DUN SA KUNDOKTOR KO…(sa pagkakataong ung…tatlo na ang nakikipagtalo sa akin… ung konduktor,.,, ung driver at ung isang lalaki na nakaupo sa may likuran ng driver… Sabi ko sa sarili ko…agrabyado ako pag nakagulo…kaya sinabihan ko
ung   driver na…baba na ako. ..sabi ko…"BUKSAN MO UNG PINTO…BABABA NA AKO..LAMLAMPAS AKO. HINDI AKO MAKIKIPAG BASAGAN NG MUKHA SA INYO SA HALAGANG P90 PESOS (sukli)…SA INYO NA LANG UNG SUKLI KO…
(sa pagkakataong ung, …ung bus ay nakahinto sa may tawiran sa harap ng POEA…pero hindi nya binubuksan ung pinto…hanggan sa umarangkada na uli ung bus..)
Sa may tapat ako ng DOLMAR BLDG (fronting POVEDA near Ortigas MRT Station) ako ibinaba…na kung saan eh..wala ng mga traffic aide na mapagsusumbongan ng kalokohan hila…
So…after one month…nakalimutan ko na ung nangyari….

Last October 30, 2007 (Tuesday) around 6:15pm…pauwi na ako galing ortigas going to   makati (guadalupe tulay)… May isang babae na kasakay ko sa bus….na nagrereklamo sa kundoktor at
driver….na hindi rin binibigay ung sukli. Sya daw ay galing sa may Timog …sya ay baba   sa may Boni…. Naalala ko ung nagyari sa’kin …nang biglang may "LALAKI" na tumayo sa may kabilang upuan at sinabihan ung ‘BABAE" na … "MISS…MISS. ..SINGKWENTA PESOS LANG UNG BINIGAY MO SA
KUNDOKTOR… KITANG KITANG KO"…. Sa galit nung babae…akmang baba na sa may tapat ng ‘Jollibee Boni"…nang biglang isinara  nung driver ung pinto….at tsaka pinatakbo na matulin ung bus…hanggan sa makarating sa may tapat ng "PUGON"…(bilihan ng tinapay malapit na sa tulay)….
Dun ko na pag tanto ung nang yari sa’kin…parehong- pareho ng ginawa dun sa babae… Bago ako…bumaba sa may Guadalupe tulay Loyola)…tiningnan  ko ung driver,,,ung kundoktor at ung "LALAKI" na kumatig dun sa kundoktor… . Magkaka-kilala pala sila….at nagtatawanan pa… Akala ko ako lang ang nakapansin sa nangyari… pag sakay ko ng jeep papuntang DELPAN….may "MAMA" na bumati sa akin…sabi nya…"PARE, KALA KO KANINA…TUTULUNGAN MO UNG BABAE…un hindi sinuklian?.. .    "KASI NAKITA KO UNG MGA KA-KONTSABA NUNG DRIVER AT NUNG KONDUKTOR… .UNG ISA…HINDI NAGSALITA PERO LUMAPIT SA MAY LIKOD MO….KAYA AKO…LUMIPAT DIN AKO …KASI TWO YEARS AGO…NAKA EXPERIENCE AKO NANG GANYAN SA MAY BALINTAWAK.. .SINAKSAK UNG ISANG PASAHERO…KAWAWA NAMAN…GANYAN ANG MODUS OPERANDI NILA SA BUS….
KAYA NGA PAG SUMASAKAY AKO NG BUS…PALAGI AKONG MAY DALANG BARYANG PANG BAYAD… so samakatuwid. ..hindi lang pala holdaper at snatcher ang titinang mo sa bus….kawawa naman tayo…parehang kung mamuhay….paano na  tayo…???? Sa inyong lahat…lagi po sana tayong mag iingat….
 

Salamat po.