Nabasa ko ang post na ito habang pafacebook facebook lang. Sa isang hapon na walang magawa sa buhay, itong essay na ito ang nagpamulat sa akin para bisitahin uli ang blog ko na napabayaan ko na dahil sa NBA2k13. Gaano mo ba kamahal ang Pilipinas? Sa pinaka una kong post na Nasaan na ba Tayo Ngayon (http://juandelacruz013.blogspot.com/2012/11/nasaan-na-ba-tayo-ngayon.html) nabanggit ko kung gaano kaunlad dati ang Pilipinas. Sa kuwento dito malalaman niyo na titingala tayo dati ng mga taga-Asya at sa paglipas ng panahon ay napag-iwanan tayo.
Ito ay isang maikling lathala ni Jaeyoun Kim, isang Koreano,
tungkol sa ating bansa. Na sana kahit papaano ay mapukaw nito ang nakatagong
pagmamahal mo sa ating inang bayan.
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. 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.
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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.
I sincerely hope that this essay inspire us all and show LOVE for our homeland.
PS: Ang lathaing ito ay gawa ni
Jaeyoun Kim at hindi ko pagmamay-ari. Ang ilang imahi ay nakuha ko lang sa google. Sana sa pagbasa niyo sa post na ito ay namulat ang iyong mga mata sa pagmamahal sa iyong bayan. =)
