what's your insight on this?
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 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 & 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 wo 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.
Philippines - 10 Answers
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1 :
I am touched by your missive, really i am. If only the people in my government were all upright ones, with all of them working for the good of the country and its people, we Filipinos would not be such unfeeling brats. No actually, unfeeling is not the correct term. Speaking for myself, I despise so much these corrupt people, from the President to the Senators, Congressmen, even the Chief Justice of the Philippines. I feel such contempt for them that it seems I do not care where the country is going, but I do care so much. I might be alone in my belief that we need an iron hand to bring some sort of order to our economy that is in total disarray. I wish we had a Lee Kuan Yew that could handle a much bigger population. Probably not in my lifetime.
2 :
Hi there, a very good essay, I was about to cancel it because I find it long but when I continue reading I enjoyed it. I think your right, it's the lack of love for the country, nobody wants to sacrifice. You know what, another problem with the Filipinos (that includes me) is their crab mentality, they don't want to see other people go ahead of them, for them if we're to suffer, so are you. I met a guy, he was a factory worker, he didn't study,but he wants to (so much) but he's parents doesn't want him to study because they think that even if he study he will end up with nothing because for them the country will remain the same. I was so disappointed when I heard it, he was so good with math, I thought I this guy was just given a chance to study he might be one day become a math instructor or engineer. That's why I want to become rich, I want to help those people especially like him who has the potential but where not given a chance.
3 :
Sadly but true, we Filipinos lack love for our country. We see it only as a place we were born, grew up in with our families and a place to come home to. I could never understand how our heroes (Rizal, Bonifacio et al) could have been so passionate about a country that they were so willing to give up their lives for. I cannot understand why Ninoy Aquino said that the Filipinos are worth dying for considering that the Filipinos do not love the country that Aquino so loved and was willing to die for. Is it because we have not experienced the kind of pain they felt when they saw how the country and its people have suffered, been ravaged by wars, been raped and mutilated by the colonizers? Is it because we were not taught how to love our country the way a good and patriotic citizen should? Or, is it because we have different cultures. We have been under colonization and have, in effect, adopted some of the colonizers' habits and ways of thinking. Like the Spanish "mañana" system. Or, the Americans' indifference...even the Japanese disregard for an individual's right. All those have been ingrained in our ancestors' minds and lives and have, unfortunately, been passed on from one generation to the next. Still, it isn't reason to be what we are because we know it isn't right. The legacy of the past has its good and bad points. It is up to us to choose what works best for us and for our country. Again you are right. To quote you "We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person."
4 :
Although I am american I enjoyed your testimony. That is beautiful. The bible teaches a lot about the power of unity but people in general during this modern age do not want to unite. Everyone is out for themselves. Its hard to reach out and help people because of the cheating and deceitful motives. I would rather reach out to children because they are not real experts at being deceptive and being users. Most children are teachable unlike adults who are too ignorant and set in their own ways. Reaching out to the next generations is more profitable.
5 :
That guy's opinion is on point, I couldn't agree more. Aside from patriotism, trust among fellow Filipinos is lacking in the nation.
6 :
That essay by a supposed Korean has been making the rounds in our email inboxes for some time already. You are asking for my insight: I agree most about what's said about the Philippines, and in fact many Filipinos already share the same sentiment long before that essay came about. Love of country, faith, etc.... nobody would argue against that, right? But what made it catch our attention is, I think, because its written by a foreigner. No truth could be more biting than when it is told by an outsider.
7 :
The Americans helped you out more than you know and they still are.
8 :
I used to be married to a Filipina. And she would always whine to me about how corrupt your country is. But suprsingly, when we visited the Philippines 3 years ago, she gave money to the custom officials in the airport just to speed up our luggage. My point is, why complain if you become a part of the corrupt system. Well, my wife cheated on me last year and we got divorced, but thats a different story. Just a thought.
9 :
thank you. I needed to be reminded of this.
10 :
I cannot comprehend why Filipino race is such a rare and unique specie when it comes to patriotism . Any Filipino will love and defend the following in order of most importance: 1. First & foremost the immediate family, then followed by; 2. The region where his/ her descendants have tribed and lastly; 3. The Philippines, the country of his/ her origin. In the heart of every Japanese, Korean, Malaysian and some nationals, the order of priority is exactly the opposite of what the Filipinos have for their preference. No wonder this country cannot move forward because if ever a citizen will bear sacrifices it would be for his/ her family first before the country. edit: "A Filipino's sense of self is derived from his or her family: "I am who I am because of my family; their success is my success, and my shame is their shame..." The Family (pamilya) is the most important social unit in the Philippines, a core value, and the ultimate safety net. A Filipino would find it almost impossible to refuse family requests or ignore family obligations."
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