Turkish middle class students who are now in the Philippines to study English language cited that they choose to study in the country because it is more cheaper instead of going to the US or England since teachers and schools here are capable to trained them with competitive quality compared to the costly education from countries that mentioned above. This is also true among many South Koreans who are here to learn the English language.
Recently, i read something written by Nick Quaqin and realized that our history as a people is a tragic history. So tragic that we always tend to blame the foreigners and foreign powers than looking into ourselves as a people and to our leaders as well for the last 100 years. This realization is similar to what Jaeyoun Kim, a South Korean student who wrote an essay regarding why our country failed to progress. However, there are many factors why Philippines failed to develop as a society yet Kim's observation is worth reading by concerned Filipinos wherever they are.-albert
(As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently studying in the Philippines to take advantage ofour cheaper tuition fees and learn English at the same time. 'When I went home to Iloilo last February, I observed the presence of South Koreans everywhere we went.I asked some of them why study English here. The response was - Filipinos speak clearly, slowlyand easy for us to understand than any other English speaking country in the world. ' --Vic Evaristo)
This is an essay written by a Korean student I want to share with you. This should be a wake up callto every Filipino. (Never mind the grammar; it's the CONTENT that counts)
MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun Kim
Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines. Do you really think the corruptionis the problem of the Philippines? I do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lackof 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 & brotheralso died because of famine.
Korean government was very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond yourimagination, 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. Educationinspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.
40 years ago, President Park took over the governmentto 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 hadonly three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that theycould 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 theairport 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 withthem 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 prisonerswho 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 thePhilippines. Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood.
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 prisonerswho 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 thePhilippines. 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 thePhilippines, I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations inthe Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the onlyCatholic country in Asia (second to East Timor), 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 muchpoorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there are so manybeggars and street kids. When we went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it wouldfun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boatagain 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 havereceived a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as theylove 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 sinfulstructure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a small scale and haveto grow.
A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let's put away our prejudices and look at ourworries 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 forpeople 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.
(FOR THE LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY PLEASE SEND THIS MESSAGE TO ALL FILIPINOS YOU KNOW).
This article was send to banico_albert@yahoo.com by Ms. Isay Ribaya isayribaya@yahoo.com
Isay said, Honest criticism hurts but it is an avenue for growth to become better. In our little place we can start making a difference by the little things we do and let the domino effect manifest. Hope you find in this essay something to discuss on the web.
