The message goes:
As you know, we have plenty of Koreans currently
studying in the Philippines to take advantage of
our cheaper tuition fees and learn English at the
same time.

This is an essay written by a Korean student I want to share with
you.
(Never mind the grammar; it's the CONTENT that counts) Maybe it is
timely to think about this in the midst of all the confusion at
present.
MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
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. 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.

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 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.