The country is not
called “the Pearl of the Orient” for nothing.
History have teaches
us that more than 1 country colonized the Philippines principally because of
its rich natural resources.
Sad to say Spain colonized
us for more than 300 years, the United States for almost 6 decades and Japan
for less than 5 years, all of them one way or another benefitted from what the
land, sea, and Filipinos can offer.
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| (photo credit to owner) |
One South Korean PhD student Jaeyoun Kim,shared her
observations of the country while staying in the country. She particularly is
sad as to why the predominantly Catholic country in Asia seems to be having a
hard such a time in its economic progress.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte just announced that the insurgency problem and the proliferation of illegal drugs are the one making it harder for the country to attain its full economic potential as a country.
Filipinos apparent
lack of patriotism – love for country despite being religious for our Korean
friend is so “opposite” that she cannot understand why are we what we are and
not we should be.
She says that:
The Philippines is
the most “religious” country in Asia, they say. But there are too many poor
people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been
changed.
For her full open
letter we have quoted in it full below:
Filipinos always complain about the corruption
in the Philippines. Do you really think 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.
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| (photo credit to owner) |
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.
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| South Korea's shipbuilding industry (photo credit to owner) |
In 1964, President Park Chung-hee 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. 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 distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that
employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their
children.
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| South Korea's world class Incheon International Airport (photo credit to owner) |
When I was in Korea, I had a very strong
faith and wanted to serve in a church. 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 most “religious”
country in Asia, they say. 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 Pagsanjan, I forced my parents to
take a boat because it would be 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 a
church since I was very young told me that if we just go to church without
changing ourselves, we are not Christians 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.
If you have a child, teach them how to love the Philippines. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country.
That’s all I really want to ask you,
Filipinos
-Jaeyoun Kim. (김재연)
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Report from Jaeyoun Kim. (김재연)
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