Philippines - an opinion of a FILIPINO
Miyerkules, Pebrero 25, 2009
the ultimate
problem of this nation,
we listen more to foreigners than to our own people.
***
(wingedgoddess.multiply.com)
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 Koea. 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 s mall 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.
***
not all people in korea loves their nation, it just happened that the people in the position and their supporters do really have love for their country.
We, the Filipinos love our country. Like what the koreans who were sent to Germany to earn the confidence of the german govt, our people, of the prior ages, have done the same thing.
The world had the confidence on us once, but it failed. The reasons? Corruption. Not of the officials alone but including the people.
Corruption doesn't necessarily means stealing money.
It may involve corruption of one's resources, mind, culture and worst of all, IDENTITY.
Corruption in our country involves also people of the other nations. Even from the Philippine pre-historic era, our country have been exploited. It's resources (Gold&spices&skills,etc), culture(now we lost our own identity) and now we lost our identity even before we knew we do have our own.
And I know the reason why this korean is here in our country--cheaper education. our resources for the betterment of Korea? Filipinos are mostly Christians, our culture is to care for the world first before our country.
We let other nations to use our own skills, talents and other resources for their advancement. We teach, we contribute, we nourish the world from our own fruits.
"Even our country is still on it's development stage, we do not forget to lend our resources for the advancement of the world."
"We love the world, more than our own country"
"this is the Filipino Mentally--the Filipino Spirit"
We go to other country not like others, not to exploit your nations, but to help on your development.
It might be better if we will care for our country's development first, but we can't ignore the fact that we are more into others than into ourselves.
although some can't understand it, and for them it is stupid. I am proud of this culture.
-binpatag
posted by Tajo @ 6:38 AM,
,
Hamak na Alikabok
Martes, Pebrero 24, 2009
"Ayaw sa akin ng marami,
ako'y pinandidirihan at kinasusuklaman ng lahat,
kung saan-saan ako napapadpad,
itinataboy at pilit na binubura ng lipunang
mula sa akin ay ginawa."
ako'y pinandidirihan at kinasusuklaman ng lahat,
kung saan-saan ako napapadpad,
itinataboy at pilit na binubura ng lipunang
mula sa akin ay ginawa."
-ang hamak na alikabok
Maraming tao ang mapagmataas, at inaamin ko na ako'y isa sa kanila. Mahirap ang lumuhod at magpakababa sa harapan ng isang tao, lalo na't ang taong ito ay pinaniniwalaan nating kinahihigitan natin. Sino ba namang tao ang yuyuko o magpapatikluhod sa isang gusgusin.Ang ilan sa atin ay pilit ibinababa ang iba, o 'di kaya'y gumagawa ng bagong klasipikasyon o samahan upang maibukod ang sarili at maging masmataas sa iba. Tulad na lang ng klasipikasyon ng estado o katayuan sa buhay ng isang tao. Dati-rati, ang lipunan ay nahahati sa dalawang antas--ang panginoon at ang alipin. Ngunit sa pagnanais ng ilang panginoon na maging mashigit sa ibang panginoon, ginawa nila ang antas ng mahaharlika. Gayundin naman, ang ilang mga alipin ay nagnanais na mapaangat ang kanilang antas, kung kaya't ginawa nila ang antas ng aliping namamahay at aliping sa gigilid.
Hindi natatapos ang kagustuhan ng taong maiangat ang sarili sa ibang tao. Ang ilan nga ay hindi lamang tao ang nais higitan. Ngunit hindi tungkol sa mga taong ito ang tunay na paksa ng akdang ito. Ito ay tungkol sa alikabok na ipinapahid sa noo sa araw ng pagpapahid ito.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ang tao, ay sinasabing nagmula sa alikabok at sa alikabok din magbabalik. Ito ay inaayawan ng mga tao dahil sa ito ay madumi. Bilang tanda ng pagpapakumbaba, kahit pa ang mga myayaman, mga sikat na tao, at mga pinuno ng bayan at bansa ay naglalagay nito.
Ang alikabok ay paalaala na ang lahat ng tao ay pantay-pantay sa paningin ng DIYOS. Walang klasipikasyon ng antas o uring kinabibilangan ang kahit sinuman para sa Kanya. Walang makapagsasabing siya ay malinis, pagkat ang lahat ay madumi at makasalanan. Ito rin ay nagpapahiwatig ng pagtanggap na tayo ay gabutil lamang kung ikukumpara sa AMA.
Bakit ito ay ikinakalandakan sa harap ng maraming tao at hindi sarilinin na lamang? Hindi ba ito tanda ng pagiging mapagpaimbabaw dahil ginagawa ito lantad sa madla?
Hindi. Dahil bukod sa ito'y pagpapaalala, ito rin ay nagsisilbing pag-amin na ikaw din ay makasalanan. Ito ay bahagi ng pagpapakumbaba at pagsasakripisyo para sa paghingi ng kapatawaran sa PANGINOON. Walang sinuman ang magiging mapagmataas sa pag-akong siya ay madumi at makasalanan.
Maaaring sa iba, ang kahulugan nito ay ang pagsasabing, "Tingnan ninyo, ako ay isang banal at nagsasakripisyo para sa lahat." Kung ganito, ito ay mali. Ang pagpapakita sa mga tao ng mga ginagawa sa intensyong magmalaki na siya ay banal ay hindi naaayon sa tunay na intensyon ng gawaing ito. Ang paglalagay ng alikabok ay nangangahulan ng pagsasabing, "Tingnan ninyo ako, ako ay makasalanan." Ito ay ang pag-aminin na, "Huwag mo akong purihin pagkat ako ma'y madumi rin."
Ang alikabok, ay nagpapaalala ring ang materyal nating katawan ay mabubulok, kung kaya't mas dapat nating pagtuunan ng pagpapahalaga ay ang ating kaluluwa. Maspahalagahan natin ang ating palasyo sa kaharian ng DIYOS at hindi ang palasyo sa materyal na daigdig na ito.
"Sapagkat tayo ay dumadaan lang sa daigdig na ito,
at ang tunay nating mundo ay hindi ang daigdig na ito."
at ang tunay nating mundo ay hindi ang daigdig na ito."
ANG PAG-AAYUNO
Marami sa atin ang nag-aayuno. Naniniwala tayong ang gutom na nararamdaman natin sa pag-aayuno ay pagpapakasakit upang tayo ay mapatawad sa ating mga kasalanan. At halos lahat sa atin ay dito na tinatpos ang sakripisyong ito. Sakripisyo bang maituturing ang isang bagay kung ang kabutihang dulot nito ay sa iyong sarili din?
Ang sakriisyo ang ang pag-aalay ng sariling kaligayahan para sa iba. Kung ikaw ay kumain lamang ng isang buong kain lamang sa isang araw, ikaw ay makakatipid. Sa tunay na intensyon nito, ang pagtitipid mong iyon ay inilalaan mo dapat sa mga taong nagugutom at mahihirap at hindi para sa sarili. Ito ang tunay na sakripisyo. Ang pag-aayunong ito ang magtuturo sa iyo na pahalagahan ang mga biyayang iyong natatanggap at ito ay ipamahagi sa iba.
BAWAL NA KARNE
Ang karne sa panahon ng lumang tipan ay tumutukoy sa literal na karne ng hayop at tawag ng laman. Ang karne sa panahong iyon ay mahal at kinahuhumalingan ng marmi. Ito ay simbulo rin ng kasaganahan. Ang karne na ipinagbabawal ng simbahan ay hindi lamang tumutukoy sa karne ng mga hayop at tawag ng laman, sa malawak na kahulagan, ang karne ay tumutukoy sa mga bagay na itinuturing nating sarap o ligaya.
Ang Cake, Coke, at Chocolate, bagamat hindi gawa sa karne ng hayop ay maituturing pa rin karne para sa iba. Karaniwang ang bawal na karne na tinutukoy ay ang mga bagay na mahal, o mga pagkain o gawaing maaaring ituring na luxury, o hindi kinakailangan. Kasama rin dito ang panunuod ng pilikula, paggamit ng airconditioner, panunuod ng tv, o paggagala sa mall.
Ang tunay na intensyon nito at ang matuto tayong tumanggi sa mga bagay na alam nating masarap ngunit hindi naman kailangan at lalo na kung hindi ito makabubuti sa atin. At tulad din sa pag-aayuno, ang natipid nating karne, sana ay matutunan nating maibahagi sa iba.
"Ang mga mapagpaimbabaw ay tumanggap na sa tagpong iyon ng kanilang gantipala, ngunit ang mga taong may sinseridad sa kanyang ginagawa ay tiyak na makatatanggap ng gantimpala mula sa AMA."
posted by Tajo @ 9:27 AM,
,