Let me share this essay from a Catholic Korean missionary. His name is Kim Jaeyoun.
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
[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 in 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 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
the President Park. They asked to him,"President, when
can we be well off?" That was the only question
everyone asked 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
Philippinesbecause of so many poor people. I have
been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in
the prison was 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 distribute
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, it
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 Philippineswhen they were
young. They are so sorry that there 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 boat men, for the boat men 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
Philippineswill 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.
Now I will second her/his curiosity. Is the
Philippinesworth crying for.......
Who will shed tears for the Motherland .
Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit, to hold the
lonely Flag that symbolize her name.
If you love the motherland, tell a friend
spread this message.
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 in 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 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
the President Park. They asked to him,"President, when
can we be well off?" That was the only question
everyone asked 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
Philippinesbecause of so many poor people. I have
been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in
the prison was 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 distribute
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, it
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 Philippineswhen they were
young. They are so sorry that there 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 boat men, for the boat men 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
Philippineswill 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.
Now I will second her/his curiosity. Is the
Philippinesworth crying for.......
Who will shed tears for the Motherland .
Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit, to hold the
lonely Flag that symbolize her name.
If you love the motherland, tell a friend
spread this message.
