essay by a korean from 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 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.