A KOREAN ESSAY ABOUT THE FILIPINOS...AN EMAIL MESSAGE FORWARDED BY A FRIEND... WORTH TO READ...

THERE YOU HAVE IT! THIS IS A GOOD ONE! IN RESPONSE TO WHY THE
PHILIPPINES IS A POOR COUNTRY AND WHAT WE SHOULD DO ABOUT IT!

Nakakabaliw talaga ang bayan natin pati Koreano nahihilo sa atin.

SUBJECT: KOREAN ESSAY WORTH READING

Please pass it to all Filipinos you know.

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 and 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 bsp;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  ove 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 )