My Short Essay about the Philippines

Nakita ko ‘to sa tumblr, at nang mabasa ko, halos naiyak ako, bukod sa totoo ang lahat ng mga sinabi niya at tagos talaga sa puso, nakakaiyak at nakakapanlambot ng puso na sa kalagayan ng mga Noypi ngayon, mahirap o imposible itong mangyari. Gayunpaman, mayroon pa rin namang iilan…na sana dumami pa. Pakikalat ‘to (e.g., facebook, tumblr, plurk, blog) kung pwede lang. At isabuhay ang mga nakasulat todits.

My Short Essay about the Philippines
Jaeyoun Kim
September 2003

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 completely 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’s brother also died because of famine.

Korean government was awfully 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 toget a loan and attract a foreign investment because the economy 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 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 boat men, for the boat men 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 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 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. 

 credits to Jaeyoun Kim

MY 9 Y.O. DAUGHTER TAUGHT ME THE MOST VALUABLE LESSON

Nakita ko rin ‘to sa facebook. Basahin mo.

MY 9 Y.O. DAUGHTER TAUGHT ME THE MOST VALUABLE LESSON…

Last night I had a chance to talk and spend more time with my youngest daughter who was then sick w/ fever for 2 weeks already. We were about to go to sleep when she ask me ,
” Mama, why are you so sad? “

I said: Baby, it’s because I don’t like how things are turning out, I am sad because I am upset at the moment, i wish I could do something about it”.

To which she replied : ” Is it because I am sick and that we don’t have much money? Is that why you’re upset lately?”

So I answered back : ” Yes, Dear, I am a bit upset and worried because we don’t have much money, I don’t have a stable job, I am having problems sending you kids to school, I cannot buy you stuff that you need or you want, you’ve been sick and I don’t think there is enough reason for me to smile anymore.”

She said back to me: ” But Mama. you should be happy. I am happy. “

I said to her: ” baby, how can you be happy? We are poor,we weren’t born rich; your father left us, i don’t have much money, I can’t send you to school, we are just living in just the mercy and generosity of our relatives who still cares, I don’t have a stable job and you’re sick! If only we were rich, then i might be happy.”

She replied back with the her innocent eyes and touching smile: ” Still, Mama, regardless of what you say, I am happy! “

Shock and amazed at the same time, I asked her ” why is that?”

” MAMA, I’M HAPPY BECAUSE WE ARE ALIVE! “..

that’s her bold and naive answer, which shook me from senses, making me realize that indeed I am supposed to be happy; there is a reason to smile and be happy about, that indeed I am fortunate to still be alive. That LIFE itself is the most precious Gift anyone can have. That living is the most valuable of all things; be it with richest or with the modest of all, it is the essential possession anyone can ever have. That we are living for a purpose, we are just making life’s purpose more complex by not being contented; by not being grateful for Life itself. We should be thankful enough that every single day we are still blessed to exist and experience the beauty of everything around us.

I learned my lesson. I hope you learned from my lesson.

credits to it’s writer.

The Family Tate

Nakita ko sa note sa facebook ng kaklase ko.

The Family Tate

You’ve heard of the Tate family. There is Dick Tate, who wants to run everything. Ro Tate tries to change everything. Agi Tate stirs up trouble whenever posible (Irri Tate always leands a hand).

Whenever new ideas are suggested, Hesi Tate and Vege Tate pour cold water on them. Imi Tate tries to mimic everyone. Devas Tate loves to be disruptive. Poten Tate wants to be a big shot. But it’s Cogi Tate, Medi Tate, and Facili Tate, who always save the day and get everyone pulling together.

-Campus Journal, Wisdom for Life (Our Daily Bread For Students)

-June 7-

Sayang, wala sina Reales Tate at Palpi Tate. Hehe.

credits to it’s writer.

A Picture

dr was a little boy hus
1st luv was a young girl in
a picture w/c he found &&
picked up for da street. as tym
went by he got married,
but still he kept it . until 1 day
d wyf found it && asked
“wer did u get dis ??”
d man said “i kept dat since i was a child y?”
d girl replied
“i lost dis pic wen i was 9″.

credits to it’s writer. 

Kowts

“God doesn’t give you what you want, God gives you according to who you are. Change who you are to change your life.”
-from facebook’s God wants you to know application