“Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think that corruption is the problem in 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 the 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 and brother also died because of famine.
Patriotism of Koreans
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 neighbors and country. Education inspired young men and women with the spirit of patriotism. Forty 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 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 have to go through a horrible experience.
Development Loans
In 1964 President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundreds of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried as they saw President Park. They asked him, ”President, when can we be well off?” That was the only question everyone asked him.
President Park cried with them and promised them that KOREA would be well off if everyone worked hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got a 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 in developing the country because they wanted their country to be well off. Though they received a small salary, they did their best for Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in a well-off country.
Tears For Your Country
My parents always brought me to places where poor and physically handicapped people lived. They wanted me to understand their lives and help them. I also worked for the Catholic Church when I was in the army.
The only thing I learned from the Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighbors. And I have loved my neighbors.
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 did not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for the church. They pray every day. 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 were released from prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines.
Extreme Poverty
Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so we were able to share our wealth with our neighbors. The owners of factories and companies distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and save 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 l saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and l see them every day.
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 changed.
I am sure that LOVE is the key word that Filipinos should remember.
We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start with the person.
What I Want For Filipinos
Love must start in everybody, on 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 discovered 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 NEIGHBOURS AND YOUR 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 neighbors 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.”
WRITTEN BY JAEYOUN KIM.
As I mentioned, this is a message/observation by the author ten years ago. From the reader's point of view, was there progress/improvement that we can say helped the Filipinos to have a better life?
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