The Philippines: Love it, Hate it, What does it take?

[dallasgirl]

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i agree to blank... most filipino's like complaining and blaming others for their fault. I think na there is a huge difference between edsa 1,2 and the huge rally now to oust pres. arroyo. This protestants cge pang libak ni arroyo na she just make the philippines miserable. Look at them now before sa edsa 1 and 2 they said marcos and erap resign for they are corruptÂ* but why is it now they are allies na? Asa naman tong ilang pinag laban sa edsa 1 and 2? ngano maki uban naman sila ana na mga tao na once they hated and curse. Nakuha ba nato balik ang gi kawat sa mga marcos? WALA.... na sentinsyahan na ba si ERAP? WALA...ngano karon maki join forces sila ana mga tao na utro sad mga corrupt!!!Â*

[apple_jane]

Sometimes, i think this people does not know what they are fighting for... they keep on talking about ousting the president.. gosh.. don't they realize that it takes more than half a century to make this country a progress... GOODNESS.. our country is going down to the pits.. if this rallies won't stop.. so, what happens next if she resigns? There is a big implication on this... if she is successfully thrown out of Malacañang.. then, people will no longer follow what is in the constitution bec the congress themselves does not have faith on the Laws that they make. Aren't they the lawmakers and how ironic they are also the lawbreakers!

[polie]

I got your points...
But kani, are we also willing to adopt to our children the fact na all president or all politicians are manikas during elections and mangurakot during their term? Musulti mo nga every president mag sige na lang ing ani, that's why dili maau. Okie c RAMOS gi ing-ani? Musulti mu na tanan politicians kurakot so that includes RAMOS that time right? And so karon as we remember ERAP grabeh to ka klaro ang iyaha that's why people goto to edsa and now c PGMA, don't you think dili grabe ang klaro nga pagpanikas sa atong Election Process, are we going to tolerate such Immoral Act. Again I reiterate, si Ramos nag EDSA ba? we still not sure if the next president would be same as of PGMA and ERAP, what if pareho cya ni RAMOS?
And so if we tolerate karon si PGMA for sure mao na ni ang himuon sa mga kolokoy na pulitiko ang klarong pagpanikas sa Election kay OKIE ra man natong mga pilipino.

[tolstoi]

the optimist and pessimist essays on the Philippines..know which sides you're on :mrgreen:
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Why I Have Hope for the Philippines
by: Franco Varona

I lived in the Philippines for a grand total of two and half years after
growing up in Vancouver for a majority of my life. I finished off high
school in Manila, then went on to college there for one sem. I left Manila
in the beginning of 1999 for Syracuse, but something happened to me during
my short stint in Manila- I began referring to it as "home". My brief stay
in the Philippines had affected me so deeply that I have subsequently
geared the rest of my life towards helping the country out.

I took up International Relations, with a concentration in Foreign Policy,
War and Conflict Resolution- because I believed that a deep knowledge of
all three of those aforementioned subjects CAN and WILL help the
Philippines eventually. Before living in the Philippines, my motives were
selfish and self-serving- I wanted to be a lawyer to make money, or be a
journalist so I could, in my own way, shape the world throug! h my words.
But living there and getting to know the country intimately helped me
develop a love for the country that can only be compared to the love I have
for my family. Now, I have every intention of using that degree to its
fullest potential in any way I can for the country.

Even though my birthplace is Canada and I spent my informative years in the
USA, the Philippines has somehow found its way to my mind and my heart.
And I say `my mind' because I see the Philippines as a challenge, not as a
sinking ship. And I believe there is a whole generation of young Pinoys
that feel the same way as me.

The Korean essay was right in some ways- sometimes I meet up with second
generation Filipino-Americans and they simply do not care. They don't
identify with the Philippines and perceive it to be a dirty, corrupt
society. Although initially annoyed when I speak to these types of people,
I eventually realize that it's not their fault- they have lived in a
developed nation all their lives and know no better. I myself used t! o be
like that before moving back.

But you know what the Korean essay didn't mention? It happens with all
second- and third-generation immigrant kids living in developed countries.
Although I have met many FilAms who don't wish to go back home, I also
have met many Korean-Americans, Japanese-Americans, even Irish-Americans who
don't have any connection to home. There is love for the Philippines- the
Korean essay was just looking in the wrong places.

Do you want to know where the national pride is? It's in every Pinoy's face
on the streets of Manila, Cebu, Davao, or any other place in the
Philippines. Life is hard for Filipinos- I see that everytime I'm home. But
there is a mutual love shared between Pinoys. They enjoy the simplest of
the simple things of ever! yday life- from the fishball vendor dancing
outside a nightclub in the wee hours of the morning to the late night
security guard that wakes up just to give you a nod and a smile. Although
generally the country has come under hard times, the Pinoy has somehow
found a way to survive, and do it with a smile.

When I go back to the Philippines, I don't see the jaded looks of misery I
see in the streets of North America. I see in every Pinoy's face a glint of
hope- that everything can only get better from here on out. National pride
is also in today's college student- today's young working Filipino. I have
been lucky enough to have run into a rather large, very motivated group of
young Filipinos outside of the Philippines that harbor an immense love for
the country. I've seen these people in college, I've hung out with them in
different cities and amongst these young Filipinos, there is one prevailing
theme. They have goals, they have passion, and they are driven to succeed.

Sure, they may spend a few years out of the Philippines after schooling,
but they will go back. And when they do, Mom, I promise you a Renaissance.
These are the people that will lead our country into better times- these
are the people that will bring back with them the knowledge and the drive
to motivate others. These are the people that will bridge the gap between
the "masa" and the rich. These are the people that will take that glint of
hope in every Pinoy's eye and create a wildfire of productivity and
efficiency.

The Philippines is still, by definition, a young country. There have been
mistakes made in the past, but we will learn, won't we? It's just human
nature. I don't look at the Philippines as a country that "was" one of the
richest in SE Asia and now is one of the poorest- I look at the
Philippines as the country that has the largest upside. Just be patient, and watch as
the younger generation moves into place. You will see a more educated, less
selfish government take the seat of power. You will see plans put into
effect that were formulated and perfected which were fueled by years of
anger against the poverty we now see. A new Philippines will emerge soon,
and soon we won't have to bear the pity of a Korean student. I can promise
you that much mom, because I know I'm one of the many that will be working
towards that.

If the Korean student's essay on the Philippines went around, let us make
sure that this more inspiring essay reach every Filipino's heart.

.................................................. .................................................. ..............................

My Short Essay about the Philippines
Jaeyoun Kim
September 2003

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 completely 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’s brother also died because of famine.

Korean government was awfully 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 economy 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 a 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 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 boat men, for the boat men 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 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
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.

[potterboy]

"... the lack of love for the Philippines..."


that rings.

[darkwing]

3 out of 5 pinoys want to go to the US

[yagit]

both essays show the different sides the philippines have now...both have striking points and its something for pinoys to ponder....

[splendid moonlight]

by: Franco Varona

Do you want to know where the national pride is? It's in every Pinoy's face
on the streets of Manila, Cebu, Davao, or any other place in the
Philippines. Life is hard for Filipinos- I see that everytime I'm home. But
there is a mutual love shared between Pinoys. They enjoy the simplest of
the simple things of ever! yday life- from the fishball vendor dancing
outside a nightclub in the wee hours of the morning to the late night
security guard that wakes up just to give you a nod and a smile. Although
generally the country has come under hard times, the Pinoy has somehow
found a way to survive, and do it with a smile.

i believe it is true.

Jaeyoun Kim talks about how there should be love among us. Franco Varona believes there is already love. they are both right. and they are both hopeful for our country. we should be too.

[crinkle]

both essays show the different sides the philippines have now...both have striking points and its something for pinoys to ponder....

precisely. i just hope we don't just read stuff on the net... we should act on it...

and now i start to wonder... how many people read these articles? and how many did something to deal with the issues presented?

i know i haven't done much...

[jumps_zilla]

i intend to live in the philippines until i die.