=====
As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently studying in the
Philippines to take advantage of our cheaper tuition fees and learn
English at the same time.
This is an essay written by a Korean student i want to share with
you. (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 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 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.
---
(FOR THE LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE)
=====
i believe this has been passed on through email. but i got my copy from a friend's Lj. Koreans do posses this - ..lovely-ing personality. our korean neighbors sends us gifts during holidays. so sweet.
one cup at a time
As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently studying in the
Philippines to take advantage of our cheaper tuition fees and learn
English at the same time.
This is an essay written by a Korean student i want to share with
you. (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 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 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.
---
(FOR THE LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE)
=====
i believe this has been passed on through email. but i got my copy from a friend's Lj. Koreans do posses this - ..love
one cup at a time