Essay about the Philippines from a Korean

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 thought that counts)

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 workjust 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 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 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.

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