Short Essay About The Philippines

[g0rge0us]

I got this from a bulletin in my friendster account. Hope you'll like it like I do. :BIGGRIN:


The message goes:

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 you

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.

[tcha]

This is true! I have been to Malaysia and sad to say I pity our country, we are far way behind of what Malaysia have developed... I still don't lose hope, I know we can also be like those developed countries

[euqinimod]

This essay is SO right. Korea was one of the countries who strived really hard to regain good economic status after the Second World War. They used to envy the Philippines because of its good economic status. Some Koreans even ask themselves when Korea will be like the Philippines. But now, the situation is reversed. Korea has a far better economy than the Philippines. It's not just because of the corruption in the government. Our main problem is we lack fervor for our country. The most important thing for the Filipinos right now is money. We don't care how our actions will affect our nation as long as we gain money doing them. One Korean who is also a Christian said that he has met all the five latest leaders of the Philippines; that includes Marcos, Aquino, Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo and he said that NONE of them LOVES our country. Leaders who don't love the Philippines and citizens who don't care for the nation, now, with these two components, what else can we expect? The Philippines won't get anywhere if we continue being blind and lazy. We have to act now. Not just for ourselves but for our country and for the next generation. Lets make the World Bank see that we do not need 175 years to rise from poverty. Let's make the whole world see that Filipinos love the Philippines. :bravo:


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Do you deserve the Philippines? Does the Philippines deserve you?
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[ctivnan]

This poem is insightful.

You know, what I have noticed recently is that many Filipinos are wearing shirts with three stars and a sun. I really feel good about this. Somehow, I think we are starting to love our country.
Like Tcha, I believe that there's hope! I also agree with Equinimod that we have to do something.

Showing our love for the country can start by buying Filipino products. You know, before Palm Corned Beef was better than Purefoods, but I was curious to try Purefoods again and voila! It tastes better and is not as greasy as before. Our products are improving, let's give them a chance to be better. :yey:

:thanks: for this thread, Gorgeous!

[euqinimod]

Yeah.. purefoods products taste really good now.. I like their corn beef better than those imported from Canada and USA..

:dance3:

[euqinimod]

Let's support the Philippines by supporting Filipino products.. :music-smiley-7524:

[tcha]

In Malaysia the people there buy their own products, it's very seldom that they buy something imported. You also would notice that when it comes to DRINKS, it's very seldom you see people drinking SODA( softdrinks), they go for health drink. It was my first time to taste barley drink, so never did I had soda when I was there, and mind you, lots of wheat grass in there! Oh I miss it more!

[tcha]

We should be patronizing our products too, like our very own BUKO JUICE! also healthy to drink.

[tcha]

Guys, I came to this blog (pinoyblog.com) and just gave some thought on posting it here, you think this one helps?

WANTED: VOLUNTEERS ( FOR A radio PROGRAM)
Everyday, we complain about graft and corruption in our country. We know people die because government resources do not reach them but instead fill the pockets of many of those in power. Little children are left begging in the streets while many of our politicians are quarrelling over what is left of the country. What then does our future hold?
We know change we must, and 2010 presents an opportunity. However, with a little over a year from elections, we still do not know who or where our real leaders are. We do not even have a glimpse of what the real issues are. With more than 90 Million Filipinos, why can’t we find even a few among us who can lead the country to the clamored change?
Now, Lead Philippines (www.leadphil.blogspot.com) has teamed up with Di Duwag ang Pilipino (www.diduwagangpilipino.com) to produce a weekly radio program that will:
* Discuss in pressing details poverty brought about by graft and corruption
* Interview potential leaders on their ideas on solutions to poverty and how to stop graft and corruption
* Expose fake leaders from real leaders by challenging their ideas in an open dialogue
We are now calling on volunteer writers, interviewers, field and/or online researchers and all those who can help us produce this radio program in whatever capacity.
If you:
* are a Filipino citizen, 18 years of age or above,
* have high level of intelligence and maturity,
* speak/write fluently and confidently both in English and Filipino,
* are aware and concerned of national issues,
* have an open, independent and critical mind,
* believe that you can do a better interview than most in the mass media, and
* have an extreme desire to see a better Philippines.
We call on you to be part of our mass media campaign to help educate the people about our own problems and the solutions to them, and in the process help find real leaders of our country.
Stop complaining about your country now… Join us and be part of positive change!
Send us an email with your resume and contact information:
lead(dot)philippines(at)yahoo(dot)com

[g0rge0us]

We should be patronizing our products too, like our very own BUKO JUICE! also healthy to drink.

Moms, we always have buko juice every lunch. It's part of our meal. :victory:

[tcha]

Moms, we always have buko juice every lunch. It's part of our meal. :victory:

^^^good for you, it's expensive for me ( having it every meal!):OOPS:

[ctivnan]

We should be patronizing our products too, like our very own BUKO JUICE! also healthy to drink.

:love3: I just love natural coconut juice! :happy0141:

@Gorgeous:

It's great to have coconut juice every meal! That's very healthy! :happy0141:

[g0rge0us]

Yeah, it's really healthy! I feel like my meal's not complete if I don't have it. I just so-like it a lot! Haha..

[Kerlinda1]

Hi Dear All Friends,

I am new here in this forum I am a writer so If any one need any assistance in writing Dissertation, Thesis or Essays etc contact me any time it would be my pleasure to help :)

Thanks.

[sweetascandy]

Philippines is the great country you could ever visit. Many tourist come and go. Bringing good memories back to their home town and telling friends to come and discover the beauty of the Philippines. According to them is that the Filipino's are fun of joy and happiness. Enjoys Life til the end.