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
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.