DOJ ready to probe 'wrong rendition' of Philippine national anthem during Pacquiao-Clottey fight


http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=264450

GUSTO nila, patugtugin nalang ang plaka ng national anthem para sigurado hindi mali ang pag kanta:D

DOJ ready to probe 'wrong rendition' of Philippine national anthem during Pacquiao-Clottey fight


http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=264450

Dyan sila magaling...Magaling din pala silang magpreserve nang isang historical house, like what Ocampo did to Rizal's house... :)

http://wawam.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/jose-rizals-green-house1.jpg?w=468&h=360

Dapat kasuhan din si Ocampo nito...Hanep, parang ginawang playhouse ang bahay ni Rizal.

^^ Isa lang ang masasabi ko sa NHI: extremes sila. Napaka-conservative sa mga ganyang klaseng bagay pero pagdating sa heritage structures, parang minsan walang pakialam.

Kung gusto nila ma-practice ang patriotism, dapat may baguhin sila tulad niyang sa pagkanta ng Lupang Hinirang. Bago na ang generation ngayon, mas papakinggan ang Lupang Hinirang kung may pagkakapareho ito sa mga bagong musika. Mas pinakikinggan ko pa nga ang Lupang Hinirang ni Regine kesa sa orig eh.:lol:

Dyan sila magaling...Magaling din pala silang magpreserve nang isang historical house, like what Ocampo did to Rizal's house... :)

http://wawam.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/jose-rizals-green-house1.jpg?w=468&h=360

Dapat kasuhan din si Ocampo nito...Hanep, parang ginawang playhouse ang bahay ni Rizal.

What a f...... piece of c......... I saw Rizal's house in 1991. It wasn't like that. It was the original. That is an ugly piece of green monstrosity.

^^ The one that you saw isn't really the original one. The original one got blazed by fire. The one that you saw is a replica. This one that we currently have is an ugly replica.

Jejeje. Buhay pa pala ang thread na ire? :lol: bueno... wala lang...

For example. The United States is said to be great because she calls upon the Almighty in many of her patriotic songs and literature. Methinks this is the best rendition of that great American classic... :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5hXZyLUYdY

b5hXZyLUYdY

Proverbs 14:33-35
33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
35 The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

Proverbios 14:33-35
33 En el corazón del cuerdo reposa la sabiduría; Y es conocida en medio de los necios.
34 La justicia engrandece la nación: Mas el pecado es afrenta de las naciones.
35 La benevolencia del rey es para con el ministro entendido: Mas su enojo contra el que lo avergüenza.

Jeremiah 18:8
8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

Jeremías 18:8
8 Empero si esas gentes se convirtieren de su maldad, de que habré hablado, yo me arrepentiré del mal que había pensado hacerles.

2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Crónicas 7:14
14 Si se humillare mi pueblo, sobre los cuales ni nombre es invocado, y oraren, y buscaren mi rostro, y se convirtieren de sus malos caminos; entonces yo oiré desde los cielos, y perdonaré sus pecados, y sanaré su tierra.

:cool:

^^ The one that you saw isn't really the original one. The original one got blazed by fire. The one that you saw is a replica. This one that we currently have is an ugly replica.

I guess so but that was more a faithful recreation of restoration of the original. It was unpainted, looked and smelled old and typical of old spanish colonial houses. The front door practically opened on to the street (no sidewalk). There should be very specific terms on restoring/recreating original heritage buildings. And, the govt should limit the use of colors to the original. Green? God forbid pink (no offense to Mr. Fernando.)

^^ How about neon colors?:lol:

But this one really irks me. The old one, though very simple, seem to emanate what Rizal's and his family's life was during the day. If I remember it right, it was painted with white and the flooring was beautifully polished floor wood. I think that was 3 or 4 years ago.

Is this the Rizal's house now? Kung sino man ang may pakana dyan dapat ikulong ng lifetime. Eh daig pa nyan ang Lupang Hinirang na kinanta to the tune of Paparazzi... sobrang kawalan ng respeto at over the top na kawalan ng aesthetic sense.

When will they learn that 85% of tourism potential is aesthetics.

Dyan sila magaling...Magaling din pala silang magpreserve nang isang historical house, like what Ocampo did to Rizal's house... :)

http://wawam.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/jose-rizals-green-house1.jpg?w=468&h=360

Dapat kasuhan din si Ocampo nito...Hanep, parang ginawang playhouse ang bahay ni Rizal.

I think we should make a petition to the NHI to undo this monstrosity. And they have the guts to tell people how they should sing the national anthem? Where did they put their brains? The way Arnel sang it was normal, and it was just worthy of pride.

These bastards ought to be taught a lesson on what history should be. I guess that's their mindset: it REPEATS itself.

Now, if only… (http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23074:now-if-only&catid=28:opinion&Itemid=64)

There is probably some valid reason to once again debate on how the national anthem is supposed to be sung.

After all, there is a law—Republic Act (RA) 8491—that prescribes how “Lupang Hinirang” is to be sung, and the National Historical Institute is hell-bent on seeing to it that the law is enforced and we sing the National Anthem according to Julian Felipe’s original composition and musical arrangement.

Not only that, the law also says, “The singing must be done with fervor.”

Exactly how “fervor” is to be measured to meet the law’s standards, the law does not say. So one could sing with fervor the way Martin Nievera or Arnel Pineda showed and claim that he sang it with fervor.

RA 8491, by the way, is not limited to the singing of the National Anthem. It also prescribes the national flag and how it is to be used or not used, a national motto—maka-Diyos, maka-tao, makakalikasan at makabansa (if one is an atheist, an illegal logger, does that mean he violates the law?)—the “Great Seal” of the Republic of the Philippines, a national coat of arms, and other so-called heraldic devices—symbols of nationhood, supposed to be.

We are perhaps one of a few countries that have such laws. At the least, we know that in the United States, Americans can sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” any way they want to, and they can do anything with the American flag, burn or mutilate it if they wanted to. In fact, civil libertarians in the US argue that the freedom symbolized by the American flag carries with it the freedom to burn the same flag.

But I am digressing. Back to “Lupang Hinirang.”

There is probably some valid reason, too, to sort of revisit the National Anthem.

To be sure, the present National Anthem was not originally cast in stone. It had undergone revisions since Julian Felipe composed it for the proclamation of independence in 1898 to evolve to what it is today.

In fact, it had no lyrics then and had to borrow Jose Palma’s poem, “Filipinas,” written in Spanish. The lyrics were in English during the Commonwealth era—and this was sung well into the 1960s. The present lyrics were adopted only in 1958. Even the tempo and the key were changed at some point.

The National Anthem was essentially a “colonial” march, meant to inspire Filipinos in their fight against foreign colonizers and invaders. And even the current lyrics adopted in 1958 speak much about defending the country against foreign enemies and invaders.

But times have changed. Our greatest enemies no longer come from the outside, but from within; they are not foreigners but ourselves, more particularly the people we elect to public office.

Sa dagat at bundok/Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw bears little meaning when our forests are gone, our rivers and seas are polluted, and our skies are filled with smog.

There’s no dilag in tula at awit sa paglayang minamahal when we have little regard for the responsibility that comes with liberty.

Ang kislap ng watawat mo’y/Tagumpay na nagniningning can’t be so when we have not won the fight against the ills that have kept us poor and less than a nation.

Buhay ay langit sa piling mo can’t be so as there can be no heaven when 70 percent of the population wallow in poverty.

In a way, the National Anthem is lost both in translation and in the realities of the times.

So, perhaps, it is time the National Historical Institute take another look at the National Anthem and contrast it against our realities.

And if only we can muster as much fervor, as much enthusiasm, as much conscientiousness in enforcing our laws on accountability of public officials, on graft and corruption, on presidents lying to us through their teeth, on election cheating, etc., then perhaps, no matter how we sing the National Anthem, we can sing it not only with fervor, but with pride and dignity.

Then, perhaps, we would be willing and happy not to die for our country, but to kill those who make her poor and morally bankrupt.

Always and everywhere, proud to be a Filipino (http://politics.inquirer.net/view.php?db=1&article=20100316-258957)

This is in reaction to Pin Orejana’s article titled “Reflections on massacre: ‘I’m a Filipino and I’m not proud’.” (Inquirer, 2/28/10)

In describing how she felt about the Maguindanao massacre and the Philippines, she said, “And because I grew up sheltered, protected, and still naive, from what really happened, I thought, ‘May pag-asa pa ’yan, meron pa.’ ... At this moment, though, one thing’s for sure ... I am a Filipino, and I am not proud.”

There are 10,000 things that Orejana can say are wrong in this country—from the horror that was the Maguindanao massacre to the corruption in government, to the poverty of 90 percent of Filipinos, to the traffic, the heat, the misery that is everyday living in the Philippines. How can you not want to rail and scream at politicians who treat government coffers as if these were their personal bank accounts? How can you not want to tear your hair out at the heavens which, not content with flooding the country not just once but twice last year, are now out to scorch our country dry with El Niño?

And yet.

I love this country so much. The Philippines will always be my home, wherever I happen to be in the world. I could never be anything other than Filipino. I’ve never considered myself particularly nationalistic, but hearing about friends who have become citizens abroad, I would surprise myself with tears. Reading about someone living in New Zealand and proclaiming that they are not proud to be “Pinoy,” I surprise myself with my anger.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with shining a light on what is wrong with the country. The Lord knows that there’s nothing like turning a blind eye for evil to perpetuate. Nor do I have anything against those who, for various reasons, have decided to leave the country. But unlike Orejana, I don’t believe that it is naive to think that there is hope for the Philippines. And I am offended to my very core when someone says that they are ashamed to be Filipino.

Before we do a Pontius Pilate on our country, before we congratulate ourselves for being right about how the Philippines is going to the dogs, before we go about proclaiming that we are not proud to be Filipino, should we, maybe, not take a step back and ask ourselves what we’ve done to make it better?

It is us Filipinos, all 90-plus million of us collectively, who ultimately make the Philippines what it is. And I believe with all my heart that if we hope and act together for the Philippines, we can make a better place for ourselves and for our children.

Sino pa ba ang magmamahal sa Pilipinas kundi tayong mga Pilipino (Who else will love the Philippines but us Filipinos)? As for me, at this moment, one thing’s for sure: I am Filipino, and I am proud!

What am I proud of as a Filipino? Filipinos can easily adapt to new culture, language, and environment.

^^ How about neon colors?:lol:

But this one really irks me. The old one, though very simple, seem to emanate what Rizal's and his family's life was during the day. If I remember it right, it was painted with white and the flooring was beautifully polished floor wood. I think that was 3 or 4 years ago.

I saw it 19 years ago. It was a few metres off the plaza with the tower of clay pots. That's why I thought it was the original house. It was very typical of the old colonial houses. They should not have slapped on paint. It's like painting the walls of intramuros green!

Is this the Rizal's house now? Kung sino man ang may pakana dyan dapat ikulong ng lifetime. Eh daig pa nyan ang Lupang Hinirang na kinanta to the tune of Paparazzi... sobrang kawalan ng respeto at over the top na kawalan ng aesthetic sense.

When will they learn that 85% of tourism potential is aesthetics.

Hindi lang dapat ikulong. Ambeth Ocampo or the one responsible for this, should also scrape the green paint using his tongue.

For God's sake, that is our national hero's house!!!

The "faulty" rendition of Lupang Hinirang is nothing compared to what Ocampo/NHI did.

What am I proud of as a Filipino? Filipinos can easily adapt to new culture, language, and environment.

And because of this, some of us tend to lose the Filipino-ness easily... :)

^^ Which, in essence, is still part of being Filipino. ;)

A REACTION TO A KOREAN STUDENT'S ESSAY INSULTING FILIPINOS FOR BEING LESS NATIONALISTIC

We Filipinos don’t get progressive because we lack nationalism?

Before anyone makes such an insult against a particular race, he should first undertake the necessary research and some observations, like the following:

1. He should first read Philippine history books to know that we Filipinos have always fought for our freedom and our native land – from the times of Lapu-lapu, Raha Soliman, Sultan Kudarat, Dagohoy, Sumuroy, Palaris, and dozens of other local heroes, to Rizal, Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, Mabini, and Jacinto; to the World War II generation, when a million Filipinos perished; and recently to the 1986 People Power Revolution.

2. He should observe that Filipino farmers, fishermen, professionals, employees,industrial workers, service personnel, and others work hard here and abroad to earn a decent living for themselves, for their loved ones, and for their country.

3. He should also observe that we Filipinos help one another in our works and festivities, and during personal agonies, man-made disasters, or natural calamities.

4. He should also look at those Filipinos who volunteer in social service and humanitarian endeavors like the Red Cross and rescue efforts; those who extend financial assistance to poor patients in the hospitals, to students from poor families, and to other needy people; those who plant trees and care for nature, the environment, and animals; and those many other unsung heroes among our countrymen.

Patriotism and nationalism may not always be tangible in our everyday lives, but when the imperative call for it comes, Filipinos respond enthusiastically.

A humbling example of that is the national and local elections of May 10, 2010, in which 38 out of the 50.7 million registered Filipino voters (that was a 75% voters’ turnout) trooped to the polling precincts, and most endured the 2- to 6-hour long wait, the extreme heat and humidity, the hunger, and the exhaustion, just to be able to cast our votes. We did all those sacrifices because we want change – a good government and good leaders. Why do we want all those? Because we care for our country – that’s how simple it is.

The Philippines is also a defender of the democracy of the free world. It is one of those countries that dispatched soldiers to the Korean Peninsula in 1950-53 to defend the South Koreans against the suicidal invasion by the fanatical communist North Koreans. One of those sent soldiers was Fidel V. Ramos, who became our nation’s president in 1992-98.

I am saddened by the fact that after we helped Korea defend its freedom and democracy in the past, here now comes an irresponsible Korean sporadically spitting on our faces by calling us less patriotic, which is a severe insult to all of our painstaking and hard-earned efforts towards a better country.

The problem with some people is that because they are already prosperous, they feel that they already have the right to lecture other citizens about nationalism.

And why did that Korean single out the Philippines? Of the more than 230 countries in the world, more than half are poorer than ours. Why doesn’t that Korean go to the more than 100 countries poorer than the Philippines and also lecture the peoples there about this thing called patriotism?

For those who want to know the real reasons why the Philippines is a poor country, the following link may help:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/why-is-the-philippines-a-poor-country/

A REACTION TO A KOREAN STUDENT'S ESSAY INSULTING FILIPINOS FOR BEING LESS NATIONALISTIC

We Filipinos don’t get progressive because we lack nationalism?

Before anyone makes such an insult against a particular race, he should first undertake the necessary research and some observations, like the following:

1. He should first read Philippine history books to know that we Filipinos have always fought for our freedom and our native land – from the times of Lapu-lapu, Raha Soliman, Sultan Kudarat, Dagohoy, Sumuroy, Palaris, and dozens of other local heroes, to Rizal, Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, Mabini, and Jacinto; to the World War II generation, when a million Filipinos perished; and recently to the 1986 People Power Revolution.

2. He should observe that Filipino farmers, fishermen, professionals, employees,industrial workers, service personnel, and others work hard here and abroad to earn a decent living for themselves, for their loved ones, and for their country.

3. He should also observe that we Filipinos help one another in our works and festivities, and during personal agonies, man-made disasters, or natural calamities.

4. He should also look at those Filipinos who volunteer in social service and humanitarian endeavors like the Red Cross and rescue efforts; those who extend financial assistance to poor patients in the hospitals, to students from poor families, and to other needy people; those who plant trees and care for nature, the environment, and animals; and those many other unsung heroes among our countrymen.

Patriotism and nationalism may not always be tangible in our everyday lives, but when the imperative call for it comes, Filipinos respond enthusiastically.

A humbling example of that is the national and local elections of May 10, 2010, in which 38 out of the 50.7 million registered Filipino voters (that was a 75% voters’ turnout) trooped to the polling precincts, and most endured the 2- to 6-hour long wait, the extreme heat and humidity, the hunger, and the exhaustion, just to be able to cast our votes. We did all those sacrifices because we want change – a good government and good leaders. Why do we want all those? Because we care for our country – that’s how simple it is.

The Philippines is also a defender of the democracy of the free world. It is one of those countries that dispatched soldiers to the Korean Peninsula in 1950-53 to defend the South Koreans against the suicidal invasion by the fanatical communist North Koreans. One of those sent soldiers was Fidel V. Ramos, who became our nation’s president in 1992-98.

I am saddened by the fact that after we helped Korea defend its freedom and democracy in the past, here now comes an irresponsible Korean sporadically spitting on our faces by calling us less patriotic, which is a severe insult to all of our painstaking and hard-earned efforts towards a better country.

The problem with some people is that because they are already prosperous, they feel that they already have the right to lecture other citizens about nationalism.

And why did that Korean single out the Philippines? Of the more than 230 countries in the world, more than half are poorer than ours. Why doesn’t that Korean go to the more than 100 countries poorer than the Philippines and also lecture the peoples there about this thing called patriotism?

For those who want to know the real reasons why the Philippines is a poor country, the following link may help:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/why-is-the-philippines-a-poor-country/

Well you totally missed the point of the whole essay.
However, it is true that a lot of people are starting to lack nationalism. Hopefully the new administration can turn things around, but after the government turned into a corrupt bureaucratic self serving entity a while back things have spiraled down. I've heard lots of people complaining about the government and how they just want to leave the country because of how corrupt it is. You can't argue that a lot of people stopped caring. Seriously, it's not that hard to see. Just look at all the trash you see everywhere. Sure, it's a lack of discipline, but do you think a truly patriotic lot would do those kinds of things? You see government workers prioritizing their stately mansions over the improvement of the quality of life for all of the citizens. Thus, the Philippines went from being one of Asia's former tigers to being near third world status. I think that would be enough to bring up anyone's attention and write an essay. I might CONSIDER anything you had to say if I thought the Philippines was TOO nationalistic. Sadly, that doesn't even come close to the current situation.

I can also tell you that he singled out the Philippines because he lived there. He didn't go around singling other countries because he didn't live in those places. Thus I appreciate the words he has to offer.

Don't take something that's meant to be encouraging and turn it into an insult. That's not what it was intended to be. I'd like for you to point out one thing in there that was "insulting." The most you'll find is an observation, and once you find it, try and disprove it if you really are against what was said. Good luck.

"Well you totally missed the point of the whole essay."


How could I ever miss the point of the whole essay when this Korean says:

"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."


The main point of this essay is the insult that we Filipinos lack nationalism or patriotism or love of country.

Don't we Filipinos love our country? Read history books.

Don't we Filipinos love our country? Observe how we Filipinos labor everyday in order to have better lives and better future for our loved ones and for our country.

Don't we Filipinos love our country? What about the unsung heroes who assist our countrymen -- like the sick patients in the hospital, those who need rescue during disasters, etc.

Don't we Filipinos love our country? What about the majority of us who voted in the last elections? We endured all the hardships to be able to cast our votes because we want change and a better future for our country.

If there are Filipinos who hate their being Filipinos and are leaving the country, well they are not the majority. Most Filipinos still care for our country. And most of those who leave the country still remit their hard-earned money for their loved ones. If they didn't love their country, then why would they care for their loved ones?

If there are non-patriotic, well, nobody can please everybody all the time. That is a universal principle.

The Korean singles out the Philippines because he lives in this country. He should thank the Filipinos for being liberal enough to face his insults. Had he lived in Yemen, a country poorer than the Philippines, and had accused Yemenis of being less patriotic, I wonder if he could still go out of that country with his body and soul still together.


The accusation that we Filipinos lack patriotism is a horrible insult to our history, to our heroes, to the one million Filipinos who perished in WW II in defense of our freedom, to the majority of us Filipinos who today strive hard, work hard, and still hope for a better future and a better country.

We Filipinos are not perfect. If we complain, that's because we are human. If some of us hate their very own race, again, there's no human as a perfect human.

"Well you totally missed the point of the whole essay."


How could I ever miss the point of the whole essay when this Korean says:

"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."


The main point of this essay is the insult that we Filipinos lack nationalism or patriotism or love of country.

Don't we Filipinos love our country? Read history books.

Don't we Filipinos love our country? Observe how we Filipinos labor everyday in order to have better lives and better future for our loved ones and for our country.

Don't we Filipinos love our country? What about the unsung heroes who assist our countrymen -- like the sick patients in the hospital, those who need rescue during disasters, etc.

Don't we Filipinos love our country? What about the majority of us who voted in the last elections? We endured all the hardships to be able to cast our votes because we want change and a better future for our country.

If there are Filipinos who hate their being Filipinos and are leaving the country, well they are not the majority. Most Filipinos still care for our country. And most of those who leave the country still remit their hard-earned money for their loved ones. If they didn't love their country, then why would they care for their loved ones?

If there are non-patriotic, well, nobody can please everybody all the time. That is a universal principle.

The Korean singles out the Philippines because he lives in this country. He should thank the Filipinos for being liberal enough to face his insults. Had he lived in Yemen, a country poorer than the Philippines, and had accused Yemenis of being less patriotic, I wonder if he could still go out of that country with his body and soul still together.


The accusation that we Filipinos lack patriotism is a horrible insult to our history, to our heroes, to the one million Filipinos who perished in WW II in defense of our freedom, to the majority of us Filipinos who today strive hard, work hard, and still hope for a better future and a better country.

We Filipinos are not perfect. If we complain, that's because we are human. If some of us hate their very own race, again, there's no human as a perfect human.

Note how you keep saying history books. Things have changed since then. The last 20-30 years have especially seen dramatic changes.
There are unsung heroes everywhere, not just the Philippines. There are people throughout the world - not just the Philippines - who help the sick out (they're called DOCTORS by the way, and they're paid to do it). However, I do admire the glimmer of patriotism I saw after Typhoon Ondoy. However, it's unfortunate that it took a TYPHOON for that kind of patriotism on that kind of a scale to surface. Sure, there are many patriotic Filipinos out there, but there are WAY TOO MANY people who don't care that are bringing the rest of us down.


"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."


You missed the whole point of the essay because you totally twisted the meaning into something that it isn't. There is nothing insulting about this quote. The main point isn't that he's trying to INSULT Philippines. Why do you think he's trying to help out Filipinos by writing this essay in the first place? Come on, use your head. This is not even English 101. If he wanted to be insulting, there's A LOT more he could've said, and there are plenty of other things he could've said to convey a meaning of contempt. There's a time to be a hostile, and there's a time when you need to learn to accept help/constructive criticism.

Here's what I think about remittances:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2945524/philippine_remittance_is_it_good_or.html
There is both a good and bad side to the coin. As for me, I'd like to see a generation that has to make a sacrifice. Limit the number of OFWs and let those who go abroad come back and bring their talents to build and industrialize the country to help raise the quality of life. This method will work 1000x better than remittances. And if you ask me, that sacrificial generation will be made REAL heroes. They're working for a distant future that they probably won't enjoy for a long time. However, people from then on will no longer have to leave the country (that they're patriotic for) to have a decent life.

^^well, im not trying to defend the korean-side, why should i?

but it's just that i took courses on Korean history and culture, and i should say that those guys really hard a rough time, judging from what i've learned, yung situation sa atin, wala lang compared to post-war Korea...but those guys really worked hard into building the Korea that we see now...they too had dictators at par with Marcos, and yet they managed to turn that to their advantage...

true, tayong mga pinoy patriotic din at nagtutulungan, sadly, lumalabas lang yung bayanihan spirit natin, kadalasan pag may sakuna o kalamidad na nangyari na...that's why i'm studying Korean history and culture, because sa tingin ko, marami tayong pwedeng matutunan sa kanila...

From my observation, Koreans are raised to look down at everyone.
Even my Korean friends tell me this.

^^well, im not trying to defend the korean-side, why should i?

but it's just that i took courses on Korean history and culture, and i should say that those guys really hard a rough time, judging from what i've learned, yung situation sa atin, wala lang compared to post-war Korea...but those guys really worked hard into building the Korea that we see now...they too had dictators at par with Marcos, and yet they managed to turn that to their advantage...

true, tayong mga pinoy patriotic din at nagtutulungan, sadly, lumalabas lang yung bayanihan spirit natin, kadalasan pag may sakuna o kalamidad na nangyari na...that's why i'm studying Korean history and culture, because sa tingin ko, marami tayong pwedeng matutunan sa kanila...

Exactly! Fortunately, our situation isn't as bad as to what they had. That's why I see so much potential in the Philippines. I just know that if there was a great hard working Filipino spirit, we could go REALLY far. We have more resources, more man power, and we do have a lot of talent.

Is the Philippines worth crying for, despite of political instability?
Who will shed tears for the Motherland .
Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit,
to hold the lonely Flag that symbolize her name.

Count me in, you may?

How Much Do We Love The Philippines?

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 we want to share with you.
------------

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 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 BR 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 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.

-----------

Now I will second her/his curiosity. Is the Philippines worth crying for?

Who will shed tears for the Motherland.

Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit, to hold the lonely Flag that symbolize her name.

If you love the motherland, it's just a click to spread this message.

"Life with CHRIST is an endless hope, without HIM, a hopeless end.


++++++++

well... count me in.... I find it very sad to see that there are more foreigners who appreciate our country more than its citizens.....





A REACTION TO A KOREAN STUDENT'S ESSAY INSULTING FILIPINOS FOR BEING LESS NATIONALISTIC

We Filipinos don’t get progressive because we lack nationalism?

Before anyone makes such an insult against a particular race, he should first undertake the necessary research and some observations, like the following:

1. He should first read Philippine history books to know that we Filipinos have always fought for our freedom and our native land – from the times of Lapu-lapu, Raha Soliman, Sultan Kudarat, Dagohoy, Sumuroy, Palaris, and dozens of other local heroes, to Rizal, Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, Mabini, and Jacinto; to the World War II generation, when a million Filipinos perished; and recently to the 1986 People Power Revolution.

2. He should observe that Filipino farmers, fishermen, professionals, employees,industrial workers, service personnel, and others work hard here and abroad to earn a decent living for themselves, for their loved ones, and for their country.

3. He should also observe that we Filipinos help one another in our works and festivities, and during personal agonies, man-made disasters, or natural calamities.

4. He should also look at those Filipinos who volunteer in social service and humanitarian endeavors like the Red Cross and rescue efforts; those who extend financial assistance to poor patients in the hospitals, to students from poor families, and to other needy people; those who plant trees and care for nature, the environment, and animals; and those many other unsung heroes among our countrymen.

Patriotism and nationalism may not always be tangible in our everyday lives, but when the imperative call for it comes, Filipinos respond enthusiastically.

A humbling example of that is the national and local elections of May 10, 2010, in which 38 out of the 50.7 million registered Filipino voters (that was a 75% voters’ turnout) trooped to the polling precincts, and most endured the 2- to 6-hour long wait, the extreme heat and humidity, the hunger, and the exhaustion, just to be able to cast our votes. We did all those sacrifices because we want change – a good government and good leaders. Why do we want all those? Because we care for our country – that’s how simple it is.

The Philippines is also a defender of the democracy of the free world. It is one of those countries that dispatched soldiers to the Korean Peninsula in 1950-53 to defend the South Koreans against the suicidal invasion by the fanatical communist North Koreans. One of those sent soldiers was Fidel V. Ramos, who became our nation’s president in 1992-98.

I am saddened by the fact that after we helped Korea defend its freedom and democracy in the past, here now comes an irresponsible Korean sporadically spitting on our faces by calling us less patriotic, which is a severe insult to all of our painstaking and hard-earned efforts towards a better country.

The problem with some people is that because they are already prosperous, they feel that they already have the right to lecture other citizens about nationalism.

And why did that Korean single out the Philippines? Of the more than 230 countries in the world, more than half are poorer than ours. Why doesn’t that Korean go to the more than 100 countries poorer than the Philippines and also lecture the peoples there about this thing called patriotism?

For those who want to know the real reasons why the Philippines is a poor country, the following link may help:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/why-is-the-philippines-a-poor-country/




ADDITIONAL REACTIONS TO A KOREAN STUDENT'S ESSAY INSULTING FILIPINOS FOR BEING LESS NATIONALISTIC

Before the rooster crows, the Filipino farmer is already up to prepare for farming. In the fields, while under the heat of the sun or in the cold rain, he tills the land and plants the seedlings. Then he waters and protects... those seedlings from pests. During the reaping, he is glad to measure his harvests, which are the fruits of his hard work.

The three main crops of the Philippines are rice, corn, and sugar cane. Annually, there are about 14 million metric tons (MT) of rice harvests, four million MT of corn harvests, and two million MT of sugar cane harvests, for a total of 20 million MT, which are worth P250 billion. Ten million hectares of lands for these three products are being tilled and planted by the Filipino farmers.

In the coconut industry, the Filipino farmer is already tested. Each year, the total harvests of coconut products like coconut oil, copra meals, desiccated coconuts, and oleo chemicals reach three million MT. The Philippines is the world’s biggest exporter of coconut products; its share in the world market is almost 65 per cent. Coconut exports per year are worth US$750 million.

Products like beef, pork, poultry, vegetables, fruits, cultured fish, abaca, and coffee also depend on the Filipino farmers. The fish and seafood industry rely on the Filipino fishermen.

The nation’s total agricultural output is worth more than P400 billion each year. Because of the diligence, perseverance, and sweat of the Filipino farmers and fishermen, the country has food.

The Filipino farmers endure all the hardships to earn for themselves and for their loves ones, and to give their countrymen food. That is a patriotic act.

But then, nobody claps them.

The Filipino miners dig the mountains and other sites for gold, nickel, silver, copper, gypsum, zinc, chromite, and other minerals. They also mine sulfur, silica, clay, limestone, marble, phosphate, precious stones, natural gas, and petroleum.

The Filipino miners also risk their lives to earn for themselves and their loved ones. That is a patriotic act, too.

But then nobody claps them.

The Filipino industrial workers perform well in electronics, or the making of semiconductors and microcircuits, which are integral components of computers, television, radio, radar, medical and electrical equipment, and other devices. Yearly, they export more than US$30 billion worth of electronics products. This is the country’s biggest export.

The Filipino industrial workers also produce garments, textiles, shoes, leather, rubber, automotive parts, canned foods, furniture, handicrafts, and more. The country’s annual total exports are worth more than US$50 billion.

The Filipino industrial workers work hard to gain personal income and export revenues for the country. That is a also patriotic act.

But nobody claps them.

The Filipino teachers, physicians, nurses, dentists, lawyers, judges, and employees manage our schools, hospitals, clinics, courts, and offices. The policemen are tasked to protect the lives and properties of the citizens, and to maintain peace and order in the communities. The defense of the sovereignty and territory of our republic is vested on our soldiers.

These Filipino professionals work to earn for themselves and for their loved ones, and to maintain the various sectors of our society. That is also a patriotic act.

But nobody claps them.

The Filipino accountants, clerks, bookkeepers, and auditors run our banks, corporations, companies, stock markets, and foreign exchange markets. They analyze the capitals, credits, exchanges of goods and currencies, insurance, accounting, and auditing.

The Filipino computer scientists and programmers are the ones behind our electronic commerce, information technology, and computerized system in these modern times. The Filipino journalists write or broadcast news, features, and editorial about the current events in our country and the world.

These professionals also earn hard, and strive to become important members of our society. They also render patriotic acts.

But nobody claps them.

The Filipino engineers, architects, and technicians direct the designing, construction, and maintenance of our roads, bridges, canals, dams, irrigation systems, tunnels, buildings, airports, piers, and railroads; electricity; telecommunications; and factory machinery; and the manufacture of automotive and appliances like television, radio, refrigerator, electric fan, air conditioner, washing machine, flat iron, and cooking stove.

The Filipino chemists and chemical engineers supervise the making of food products like milk, chocolates, ice cream, candy, cheese, margarine, and mayonnaise; beverages; medicines; chemical products like toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, cosmetics, and detergents; and petroleum, fertilizers, powder, and explosives.


These professionals also provide important services to the country. They are also patriotic.

Bu nobody claps them.

Working together with the professions, industries, and government are the carpenters, masons, electricians, pipe fitters, mechanics, postmen, bakers, cooks, sellers, drivers, tailors, carvers, gardeners, utility
personnel, cleaners, agents, collectors, and hired-outs, and those in the factories, printing shops, laboratories, hospitals, pharmacies, malls, hotels, restaurants, taverns, music bars, parks, film outfits, theaters, carnivals, telecommunication stations, harbors, airports, gasoline outlets, worship houses, and many others.

What will happen to our country if these important individuals turn idle? But they work hard to become productive citizens. What they do is also patriotic.

But nobody claps them.

If Filipinos cannot find livelihoods in their own land, many of them go abroad. Almost ten million have already been to other countries. They leave their loved ones, go to places whose cultures and ways of living
they do not know, and take whatever work to earn for the food, clothing, housing, education, medication, and future of those they leave behind. They endure all the hardships so that they and their loved ones would be
able to live with dignity and hope. They remit more than US$15 billion each year.

Their sacrifices are no doubt also patriotic.

But nobody claps them.

NOW, here comes a Korean student insulting us Filipinos by charging that we lack love for our country.

Behold -- he earns thunderous applause.



The charge that we Filipinos lack love for our country is a total disrespect for our nation's history, for our heroes, for the Filipinos who rose up against the Spanish colonizers in 1898-96, for the Filipinos who fought the American invading forces during the Filipino-American War (1899-1906), for the more than one million Filipino who perished in World War II in defense of our freedom, and for the majority of us Filipinos today who work hard and strive hard -- here and abroad -- to earn a decent living for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for our country.

Some say that that Korean has singled out the Philippines because he then lived here. Well, he better be thankful to the Filipinos for being liberal enough to face his insults.

Had he lived in Yemen, a nation strictly Islamic and poorer than the Philippines, and had he also insulted the Yemenis for being less patriotic, I wonder if he could still get out of that country with his body and soul still together.

From my observation, Koreans are raised to look down at everyone.
Even my Korean friends tell me this.

then show them their place :lol:
60% of my friends are Korean but no one looks down at anyone

The following essays are from http://emanila.com/philippines/author/jon-e-royeca/

I am sharing them here to counter the many negative remarks against us Filipinos.





Anti-Filipino Remarks

“Filipinos are lazy, thieves, corrupt, undisciplined, have crab mentality, have short memories, are always late, have colonial mentality, are copycats, are gossip-makers, are gamblers, are cheaters!”

These are the remarks many people say against Filipinos when some of us commit mistakes, crimes, scandals, wrongdoing, embarrassments, and other flaws. These remarks are on television, radio, in newspapers, magazines, literature, advertising, show business, and on the Internet, as well as in government, politics, commerce, and even in the educational and religious sectors. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/anti-filipino-remarks/





Anti-Filipino Remarks: Colonial Legacies

The anti-Filipino remarks are living vestiges of the Spanish and American colonization of the Philippines. We have been made to believe that we are an awful race. We have been made to believe—because it is not natural for any person to degrade himself. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/anti-filipino-remarks-colonial-legacies/





Filipinos are Industrious

FILIPINOS are industrious—this fact is proven by the millions of them who work, sweat, and toil in their land of birth or in other countries. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/filipinos-are-industrious/





All Races Have Thieves

ALL races have thieves. There is no race or nation that doesn’t have them. Stealing tempts humans, and anyone can be tempted, but most overcome such temptation. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/all-races-have-thieves/





All Nations Have Graft and Corruption

GRAFT and corruption is the act of stealing or transacting illegally public or private funds for personal gains. This is a global practice and is as old as humanity. For the full article, please click here.

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/all-nations-have-graft-and-corruption/





It’s Not Lack of Discipline

URINATING on the street or against the wall, spitting in public, jaywalking, disposing of garbage anywhere, and other bad habits make anti-Filipinos conclude that we Filipinos are undisciplined and the worst citizens on earth. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/it%E2%80%99s-not-lack-of-discipline/





Crab Mentality Is Universal

IT IS said that we Filipinos have crab mentality and so we do not attain the progress and prosperity we have long been aspiring for, that it is practiced only by us Filipinos, and that we will remain a poor nation if it is not plucked from our selves. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/crab-mentality-is-universal/





On Our Sense of History

ANOTHER upsetting negative charge against us Filipinos is that we have short memories, that we have no sense of history, and that because of it, we disregard our patriots and the crucial events that had happened in our country. These are misleading accusations. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/on-our-sense-of-history/





The Real ‘Filipino Time’

FOR anti-Filipinos, the meaning of Filipino time is “always late.” It is said that the Filipino is and will always be late in his appointments. He does not value time. He is never punctual. He wants to be late in gatherings because he likes to get the attention of everyone. He is the one who arrives last; thus, everybody notices him because of his untimely arrival. Are all these negative remarks against us Filipinos true? For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/the-real-%E2%80%98filipino-time%E2%80%99/





Colonial Mentality

ANTI-FILIPINOS say that Filipinos, because of their colonial mentality, always prefer foreign talents and products to local ones. This mentality does exist, but it is wrong to accuse us Filipinos as always practicing it. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/colonial-mentality/





Copycats?

WHEN one resident opens a sari-sari (variety) store and then days later a neighbor also puts up a similar enterprise, anti-Filipinos claim that Filipinos are copycats—gaya-gaya, puto-maya—and that they are good only when they imitate their neighbors. These are another wrong charges against Filipinos. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/copycats/





Gossips are everywhere

Gossips are everywhere. They work in humans very naturally because humans have eyes and ears. What is seen or heard travels into the mind. The mind accommodates it. The hoarded thought is brought down the tongue. The tongue will get itchy if what the mind has deposited is not spewed out of the mouth. When the mouth does, everything spreads. Human nature causes it all. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/gossips-are-everywhere/





Why Is the Philippines A Poor Country?

THE usual answers to this question are because allegedly we Filipinos are indolent, thieves, corrupt, undisciplined, crab-minded, divided, and more. Let us have the real answers. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/why-is-the-philippines-a-poor-country/





Wrong Perceptions of Americans

ANTI-FILIPINOS love to imagine, fabricate, and propagate stories that would make the United States of America a flawless paradise on earth, and the Americans flawless (and almost angelic) beings. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/wrong-perceptions-of-americans/





Defend the Filipino

NATIONS become great because their peoples aspire to be so. Greatness makes them wealthy, powerful, respected, and feared. But seeking and winning greatness is difficult, for it requires the resolute character, outlook, and will of the people to triumph against all odds. For the full article, please click:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/defend-the-filipino/

^^ako, none of the above...yung leaders siguro natin...in fairness, ang galing nilang magmanipula ng mga tao, imagine, ilang milyon ang ginagawa nilang bobo during elections? tsk,tsk...kaya nga ayoko na minsang maging pilipino...cebuano na lang :lol:

A REACTION TO A KOREAN STUDENT'S ESSAY INSULTING FILIPINOS FOR BEING LESS NATIONALISTIC

We Filipinos don’t get progressive because we lack nationalism?

Before anyone makes such an insult against a particular race, he should first undertake the necessary research and some observations, like the following:

1. He should first read Philippine history books to know that we Filipinos have always fought for our freedom and our native land – from the times of Lapu-lapu, Raha Soliman, Sultan Kudarat, Dagohoy, Sumuroy, Palaris, and dozens of other local heroes, to Rizal, Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, Mabini, and Jacinto; to the World War II generation, when a million Filipinos perished; and recently to the 1986 People Power Revolution.

2. He should observe that Filipino farmers, fishermen, professionals, employees,industrial workers, service personnel, and others work hard here and abroad to earn a decent living for themselves, for their loved ones, and for their country.

3. He should also observe that we Filipinos help one another in our works and festivities, and during personal agonies, man-made disasters, or natural calamities.

4. He should also look at those Filipinos who volunteer in social service and humanitarian endeavors like the Red Cross and rescue efforts; those who extend financial assistance to poor patients in the hospitals, to students from poor families, and to other needy people; those who plant trees and care for nature, the environment, and animals; and those many other unsung heroes among our countrymen.

Patriotism and nationalism may not always be tangible in our everyday lives, but when the imperative call for it comes, Filipinos respond enthusiastically.

A humbling example of that is the national and local elections of May 10, 2010, in which 38 out of the 50.7 million registered Filipino voters (that was a 75% voters’ turnout) trooped to the polling precincts, and most endured the 2- to 6-hour long wait, the extreme heat and humidity, the hunger, and the exhaustion, just to be able to cast our votes. We did all those sacrifices because we want change – a good government and good leaders. Why do we want all those? Because we care for our country – that’s how simple it is.

The Philippines is also a defender of the democracy of the free world. It is one of those countries that dispatched soldiers to the Korean Peninsula in 1950-53 to defend the South Koreans against the suicidal invasion by the fanatical communist North Koreans. One of those sent soldiers was Fidel V. Ramos, who became our nation’s president in 1992-98.

I am saddened by the fact that after we helped Korea defend its freedom and democracy in the past, here now comes an irresponsible Korean sporadically spitting on our faces by calling us less patriotic, which is a severe insult to all of our painstaking and hard-earned efforts towards a better country.

The problem with some people is that because they are already prosperous, they feel that they already have the right to lecture other citizens about nationalism.

And why did that Korean single out the Philippines? Of the more than 230 countries in the world, more than half are poorer than ours. Why doesn’t that Korean go to the more than 100 countries poorer than the Philippines and also lecture the peoples there about this thing called patriotism?

For those who want to know the real reasons why the Philippines is a poor country, the following link may help:

http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/why-is-the-philippines-a-poor-country/




ADDITIONAL REACTIONS TO A KOREAN STUDENT'S ESSAY INSULTING FILIPINOS FOR BEING LESS NATIONALISTIC

Before the rooster crows, the Filipino farmer is already up to prepare for farming. In the fields, while under the heat of the sun or in the cold rain, he tills the land and plants the seedlings. Then he waters and protects... those seedlings from pests. During the reaping, he is glad to measure his harvests, which are the fruits of his hard work.

The three main crops of the Philippines are rice, corn, and sugar cane. Annually, there are about 14 million metric tons (MT) of rice harvests, four million MT of corn harvests, and two million MT of sugar cane harvests, for a total of 20 million MT, which are worth P250 billion. Ten million hectares of lands for these three products are being tilled and planted by the Filipino farmers.

In the coconut industry, the Filipino farmer is already tested. Each year, the total harvests of coconut products like coconut oil, copra meals, desiccated coconuts, and oleo chemicals reach three million MT. The Philippines is the world’s biggest exporter of coconut products; its share in the world market is almost 65 per cent. Coconut exports per year are worth US$750 million.

Products like beef, pork, poultry, vegetables, fruits, cultured fish, abaca, and coffee also depend on the Filipino farmers. The fish and seafood industry rely on the Filipino fishermen.

The nation’s total agricultural output is worth more than P400 billion each year. Because of the diligence, perseverance, and sweat of the Filipino farmers and fishermen, the country has food.

The Filipino farmers endure all the hardships to earn for themselves and for their loves ones, and to give their countrymen food. That is a patriotic act.

But then, nobody claps them.

The Filipino miners dig the mountains and other sites for gold, nickel, silver, copper, gypsum, zinc, chromite, and other minerals. They also mine sulfur, silica, clay, limestone, marble, phosphate, precious stones, natural gas, and petroleum.

The Filipino miners also risk their lives to earn for themselves and their loved ones. That is a patriotic act, too.

But then nobody claps them.

The Filipino industrial workers perform well in electronics, or the making of semiconductors and microcircuits, which are integral components of computers, television, radio, radar, medical and electrical equipment, and other devices. Yearly, they export more than US$30 billion worth of electronics products. This is the country’s biggest export.

The Filipino industrial workers also produce garments, textiles, shoes, leather, rubber, automotive parts, canned foods, furniture, handicrafts, and more. The country’s annual total exports are worth more than US$50 billion.

The Filipino industrial workers work hard to gain personal income and export revenues for the country. That is a also patriotic act.

But nobody claps them.

The Filipino teachers, physicians, nurses, dentists, lawyers, judges, and employees manage our schools, hospitals, clinics, courts, and offices. The policemen are tasked to protect the lives and properties of the citizens, and to maintain peace and order in the communities. The defense of the sovereignty and territory of our republic is vested on our soldiers.

These Filipino professionals work to earn for themselves and for their loved ones, and to maintain the various sectors of our society. That is also a patriotic act.

But nobody claps them.

The Filipino accountants, clerks, bookkeepers, and auditors run our banks, corporations, companies, stock markets, and foreign exchange markets. They analyze the capitals, credits, exchanges of goods and currencies, insurance, accounting, and auditing.

The Filipino computer scientists and programmers are the ones behind our electronic commerce, information technology, and computerized system in these modern times. The Filipino journalists write or broadcast news, features, and editorial about the current events in our country and the world.

These professionals also earn hard, and strive to become important members of our society. They also render patriotic acts.

But nobody claps them.

The Filipino engineers, architects, and technicians direct the designing, construction, and maintenance of our roads, bridges, canals, dams, irrigation systems, tunnels, buildings, airports, piers, and railroads; electricity; telecommunications; and factory machinery; and the manufacture of automotive and appliances like television, radio, refrigerator, electric fan, air conditioner, washing machine, flat iron, and cooking stove.

The Filipino chemists and chemical engineers supervise the making of food products like milk, chocolates, ice cream, candy, cheese, margarine, and mayonnaise; beverages; medicines; chemical products like toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, cosmetics, and detergents; and petroleum, fertilizers, powder, and explosives.


These professionals also provide important services to the country. They are also patriotic.

Bu nobody claps them.

Working together with the professions, industries, and government are the carpenters, masons, electricians, pipe fitters, mechanics, postmen, bakers, cooks, sellers, drivers, tailors, carvers, gardeners, utility
personnel, cleaners, agents, collectors, and hired-outs, and those in the factories, printing shops, laboratories, hospitals, pharmacies, malls, hotels, restaurants, taverns, music bars, parks, film outfits, theaters, carnivals, telecommunication stations, harbors, airports, gasoline outlets, worship houses, and many others.

What will happen to our country if these important individuals turn idle? But they work hard to become productive citizens. What they do is also patriotic.

But nobody claps them.

If Filipinos cannot find livelihoods in their own land, many of them go abroad. Almost ten million have already been to other countries. They leave their loved ones, go to places whose cultures and ways of living
they do not know, and take whatever work to earn for the food, clothing, housing, education, medication, and future of those they leave behind. They endure all the hardships so that they and their loved ones would be
able to live with dignity and hope. They remit more than US$15 billion each year.

Their sacrifices are no doubt also patriotic.

But nobody claps them.

NOW, here comes a Korean student insulting us Filipinos by charging that we lack love for our country.

Behold -- he earns thunderous applause.



The charge that we Filipinos lack love for our country is a total disrespect for our nation's history, for our heroes, for the Filipinos who rose up against the Spanish colonizers in 1898-96, for the Filipinos who fought the American invading forces during the Filipino-American War (1899-1906), for the more than one million Filipino who perished in World War II in defense of our freedom, and for the majority of us Filipinos today who work hard and strive hard -- here and abroad -- to earn a decent living for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for our country.

Some say that that Korean has singled out the Philippines because he then lived here. Well, he better be thankful to the Filipinos for being liberal enough to face his insults.

Had he lived in Yemen, a nation strictly Islamic and poorer than the Philippines, and had he also insulted the Yemenis for being less patriotic, I wonder if he could still get out of that country with his body and soul still together.

There are functional societies and there are patriotic societies. Everything you mentioned is evident in a functional society. However, there are subtle differences which take patriotic societies to that next level.

You keep on listing these things as if the Philippines is the only country out there with paid employees. If you think everybody works only for their country and not for their well being, then go ahead and clap and give an award every time a baker bakes a loaf of bread and every time a dry cleaner dry cleans another suit. Give me another country that doesn't have workers that get up in the morning to do their job, or give me another country that doesn't export its goods to make a profit. COME ON! What is it that makes these workers so patriotic? The point is, there are a lot of Filipinos out there who don't care about their country as much as they should, and Jaeyoun (and I) are praying for most (if not all) Filipinos to be proud of their country. We want everybody to work hard and love their country so it can be something great.

Plus I can't believe you're the one that's complaining about this Korean student's essay for being "insulting" and "racist" when you're the genius that also wrote an article about how Americans are a lot crappier than they seem. In a matter of fact, I'm annoyed that you wrote that article, because you didn't persuade ANYBODY that Americans are worse than they seem. In fact, you got a person thinking that all Filipinos are blame-shifting whiners like you are. In another article, you even tried your best to unearth how other countries have crab mentalities. If a person like you worked at a company and immediately pointed at other people for doing the same thing when you're the one gets caught for doing something wrong, you indeed will get fired, and no one will have your back. So, if anybody here is the bigot, it's not Jaeyoun; it's you.

Here is the link to that by the way: http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/wrong-perceptions-of-americans/

I agree what Khan said about you're article: "I was thinking the same thing. Why would ANYONE spent so much effort defending wrong things. That energy could be better spent trying to educate the ignorant behaviors mentioned."
All of your essays are trying to shift the blame on other people or they're all about defending bad habits. Your writings have the attitude a 5 year old has when they try to blame their own accident on their sibling to escape blame. If I were you I'd be more PATRIOTIC in that I'd think of solutions instead of wasting my time trying to cover up faults. That's heroism as well. Don't think of ways to cover up faults because they'll still be there.

Let me allude our situation to a simpler scenario:

You and your friends are on your way home after having a couple of drinks. You are completely drunk. All of the sudden you and your friends throw up all over the street.
There are two different kinds of people who would respond to this situation:

Type A.) This person will make an attempt to cover the vomit with a napkin at most and will soon flee the scene of the incident. If a passerby approaches and asks what happened, person type A will also blame his friends on the problem. He will also try to convince the passerby that everybody else in the world pukes on the street when they're drunk.

Type B.) This person will accept what has happened and will find a way to clean up the mess. When a passerby approaches and asks what happened, he will not focus on who all is at fault, but he will focus on a way to amend the situation.

Who is the better person? Who actually spent their time wisely?

So tell me, where do you actually plan on going with your complaining? Where do you plan on going with your finger pointing and rebelling towards those who help you? Do you think people out there are actually going to say, "Oh, nevermind, those Filipinos actually have a legitimate reason for peeing in public and throwing trash everywhere!" or "Oh, nevermind, I see why Filipinos always keep trying to bring each other down with that crab mentality." or "Oh, those Filipinos have a great reason for having a corrupt government!" ?? The answer is no. The answer is everything you've been saying up to this point was a giant waste of time. You're not fooling anybody, and you're supporting bad habits. Let's suppose a half-witted person did respond like that (as you hoped), then what? What have you achieved? Is your country any better? The answer is still NO. You're also giving the government all the more reason to stay corrupt and let its people continue to pee on streets and litter wherever they please. However, if you can actually think of a solution to our problems, you'll gain a lot more fame and publicity than what you're currently doing, which is nothing.

FURTHERMORE, you're totally wasting your time defending your ideas with your own writings. If you want anybody to persuaded by any factual information, at least support your ideas with a legit source. Nobody's going to be persuaded by unedited articles which you wrote.

FINALLY, you should realize why Jaeyoun's essay of hope received thunderous applause. If he wanted to insult the Philippines, do you think he would've said the lines, "If you love your child, teach him to love the Philippines."? Or anything else along those lines? No. He would've said something a lot more judgmental and cruel. If he hated the Philippines he wouldn't spend his time writing an essay with a message of hope for its people to love their country. This is purely common sense. You still have failed to post anything insulting that he said. When you did you have no logical backing for it either. You just keep tirelessly blabbering on and on about how it's insulting. Go ahead, post what it is about this essay that's making you cry so much. Thank God you’re the only one here who has twisted his meaning into something that it isn’t.

PATRIOTIC DEEDS ARE ALL NOTHING!

For some people, the patriotic deeds of the Filipinos in the past and in the present are all nothing!

The past is past; it doesn't count anymore. And so the gallantry, sacrifices, blood, and tears of our ancestors, of our heroes and heroines, of the Filipinos who staged in 1896-98 the revolution against Spanish, of the Filipinos who fought in 1899-1906 the American forces, of the more than one million Filipinos who perished in the fight for freedom against the Japanese invaders in 1941-45, and of the Filipinos who braved armored tanks and warplanes during the peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution -- all of these are nothing because they are already the past! They don't prove anything at all that we Filipinos had done patriotic deeds in the past and that we could still do them again.

The majority of Filipino voters who demonstrated the spirit of burning patriotism in the May 10, 2010, national and local elections -- they are all nothing!

The majority of Filipinos today who work hard and strive hard, here or abroad, to earn for themselves and for their loved ones, and to become productive and honorable citizens of our country -- they are all nothing!

For some people, the patriotic deeds of the Filipinos in the past and in the present are all nothing! They don't measure up to anything! They don't count!

For those people, the one that counts is that Korean student's essay!



-----
TRAITORS

Those people who obstinately cling to that racist Korean student's essay belong to the breed of individuals who love believing what foreigners say against Filipinos.

Instead of defending their very own race, the race of their ancestors, parents, and children, they rather clap the insults of the foreigners.

They are no different from those canines who betrayed their own countrymen to the Japanese during World War II.

If the Japanese invade again our country today, those canines will be the first to their point fingers at, and betray, their countrymen to the invaders.

According to the data of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, in 2009, South Korea is the 15th largest economy and 9th biggest exporter out of the 182 surveyed countries in the world. It manufactures and exports electronics, computers, cameras, household appliances, cars, construction equipment, ships, and other high-tech and industrial products, amounting to more than US$350 billion a year.

(My own country, the Philippines, is ranked as the world's 47th largest economy and 55th biggest exporter with more than US$50 billion export revenues each year.)

From being one of the poorest and the most backward up to the 1950's, South Koreans are now among the world's wealthiest peoples.

Koreans believe that they have achieved all of those economic successes because of discipline, perseverance, and most of all, patriotism, their passionate love for the native land. They do love their country.

Really?

Dr. Syngman Rhee was elected as the first president of the Republic of Korea when it was established in 1948. He was reelected thrice, but he suffered unpopularity because of corruption, fraud, and terrorism committed by his political party right under his nose.

The people deplored his third reelection in March 1960 because of widespread electoral fraud. They rioted in the cities, sacked the homes of corrupt government officials, and clashed with the police. The uprising forced Rhee a month later to flee the country and settle in Hawaii with his family and with their loot.

Corruption, terrorism, and fraud tarnished the image of the "Father of Korean Independence" and the country's very first president.

Rhee's successor, John M. Chang, began a four-year term in July 1960, but was overthrown ten months later by a military rebellion led by General Park Chung-hee. Park claimed that the military had to intervene to save the country from further corruption. He led the country until he got assassinated in 1970.

Chun Doo Hwan staged a coup in 1980 and was the nation's leader until 1988. In 1996, he was sentenced to death after having been found guilty of mutiny, treason, and corruption. His successor, Roh Tae Woo, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the same offenses. They were soon pardoned by Pres. Kim Young-sam.

On May 19, 2000, South Korea’s Prime Minister Park Tae-joon, one of the country’s prominent industrialists, resigned from office after a court ruled that he had evaded taxes by entrusting real estate to a third person. The court ordered him to pay the government US$1.2 million in taxes (AFP, May 20, 2000).

In April-June 2001, the South Korean government arrested 251 banking agency officials and businessmen for corruption and bribery, which cost the country US$1.5 billion. One of those arrested was a former vice defense minister who accepted bribes in return for business favors (AFP, June 30, 2001).

On November 30, 2001, South Korea’s finance minister apologized to the public after a state-run audit agency reported that, based on a six-month investigation of 87 banks and non-banking financial institutions, there were 182 cases of misuse or embezzlement by the recipients of public money amounting to US$5.64 billion. The agency asked prosecutors to investigate 44 individuals for allegedly embezzling public funds (Reuters, December 1, 2001).

The culture of Korean corruption has already made it into the international arena.

In December 2005, the U.S. Department of Justice ordered the South Korea-based Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., the world’s largest maker of memory chips for computers and other gadgets, and its U.S. subsidiary, Samsung Semiconductor Ltd., to pay a US$300 million fine to settle accusations that it secretly conspired with industry rivals to fix prices and cheat customers.

The justice department had earlier also ordered Samsung’s rivals, Hynix (another Korea-based company) and Infineon Technologies AG (of Germany), to pay US$185 million and US$160 million, respectively, for the same offenses (AP, December 16, 2005).

My own country also has the vicious problems of graft and corruption. But I have yet to hear a Philippine-based corporation or any other business firms being slapped with a severe punishment amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars by the government of another country.

In May 2009, Roh Moo-hyun, the country's president in 2003-08, jumped to his death in the mountains of rural Korea. He was the first national leader to undertake suicide because of bribery and corruption charges. The corruption committed must have been so massive and shameful that they only possible way out was self-extermination.

Koreans project to the world that they are prosperous because they do love their country.

They are prosperous, there's nothing to argue about it. But if they really love their country, why is it that graft and corruption has permeated their culture and society? Why is it that it has always been rampant, be it in the government or private sector?

I am not making any accusations that Koreans don't love their country. I am not like many Koreans who get intoxicated when they insult the Filipinos by calling us less patriotic.

I am only asking why graft and corruption has always accompanied the vaunted Korean patriotism.

PATRIOTIC DEEDS ARE ALL NOTHING!

For some people, the patriotic deeds of the Filipinos in the past and in the present are all nothing!

The past is past; it doesn't count anymore. And so the gallantry, sacrifices, blood, and tears of our ancestors, of our heroes and heroines, of the Filipinos who staged in 1896-98 the revolution against Spanish, of the Filipinos who fought in 1899-1906 the American forces, of the more than one million Filipinos who perished in the fight for freedom against the Japanese invaders in 1941-45, and of the Filipinos who braved armored tanks and warplanes during the peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution -- all of these are nothing because they are already the past! They don't prove anything at all that we Filipinos had done patriotic deeds in the past and that we could still do them again.

The majority of Filipino voters who demonstrated the spirit of burning patriotism in the May 10, 2010, national and local elections -- they are all nothing!

The majority of Filipinos today who work hard and strive hard, here or abroad, to earn for themselves and for their loved ones, and to become productive and honorable citizens of our country -- they are all nothing!

For some people, the patriotic deeds of the Filipinos in the past and in the present are all nothing! They don't measure up to anything! They don't count!

For those people, the one that counts is that Korean student's essay!



-----
TRAITORS

Those people who obstinately cling to that racist Korean student's essay belong to the breed of individuals who love believing what foreigners say against Filipinos.

Instead of defending their very own race, the race of their ancestors, parents, and children, they rather clap the insults of the foreigners.

They are no different from those canines who betrayed their own countrymen to the Japanese during World War II.

If the Japanese invade again our country today, those canines will be the first to their point fingers at, and betray, their countrymen to the invaders.

As important as the past is, do you think the past reflects the attitudes of what we've become today? Do you think Japan has changed significantly since they had the ambitious goal of wanting to conquer all of Asia? Obviously they have. Everything anybody has ever worked for in the past will instantly become nothing if the path changes. That's why it's the PRESENT that matters. What has happened, happened. Do you think our forefathers who so boldly stood up against the Spanish long ago would be proud of us if they see the Philippines (not now, but in the future) filled with people who don't give a crap about their country? No. Do you think they fought so gallantly for a corrupt government that steals from its own people? No. That's why we need to continue to love our country even more than we do now.

Let me show you how important the present is. Suppose you work for a company. Five years ago you won a pretty decent contract for your company. Since then you've done absolutely nothing. You sit there, get a salary, and you assume that what you did 5 years ago will safely float you to your retirement. However, the economy soon goes down, and your company needs to make cuts. Do you think your boss will keep you because of a contract you won 5 years ago? NO. You're going to get FIRED because you're no longer an asset to the company. That's why you must strive to maintain your performance. It's not about what you've done, it's about what you do and what you continue to do. Good performance and being able to maintain it is what matters.

It's good to value and learn from what has happened in the past. However, you need to let it go so the future can take its place.

-------------------------------------------
COMPLAINERS AND IDLERS

Those who complain and do nothing about the problem make others want to run away or wish they were deaf.

Those who idle by giving excuses instead of search for answers end up right back where they started - with a problem unsolved.

Those who twist the words of kind people into bad words, and those who blindly defend bad habits instead of looking for solutions, belong in the line of unemployed columnists.

And this might not belong under my virtues of complainers and idlers, but stop repeating yourself when you run out of ideas. You're wasting precious thread space.

As important as the past is, do you think the past reflects the attitudes of what we've become today? Do you think Japan has changed significantly since they had the ambitious goal of wanting to conquer all of Asia? Obviously they have. Everything anybody has ever worked for in the past will instantly become nothing if the path changes. That's why it's the PRESENT that matters. What has happened, happened. Do you think our forefathers who so boldly stood up against the Spanish long ago would be proud of us if they see the Philippines (not now, but in the future) filled with people who don't give a crap about their country? No. Do you think they fought so gallantly for a corrupt government that steals from its own people? No. That's why we need to continue to love our country even more than we do now.

Let me show you how important the present is. Suppose you work for a company. Five years ago you won a pretty decent contract for your company. Since then you've done absolutely nothing. You sit there, get a salary, and you assume that what you did 5 years ago will safely float you to your retirement. However, the economy soon goes down, and your company needs to make cuts. Do you think your boss will keep you because of a contract you won 5 years ago? NO. You're going to get FIRED because you're no longer an asset to the company. That's why you must strive to maintain your performance. It's not about what you've done, it's about what you do and what you continue to do. Good performance and being able to maintain it is what matters.

Those who twist the words of kind people into bad words, and those who blindly defend bad habits instead of looking for solutions, belong in the line of unemployed columnists.

And stop repeating yourself when you run out of ideas, you're wasting precious thread space.


I am repeating myself for those who can't get my ideas. It's not a waste of precious thread. The repetitions are not for you, I suppose.

I can't discuss here my articles. This is not the proper venue for them.

If you admire other citizens so much, I could just wish that those citizens will also admire you.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000605678724&v=app_2347471856&ref=profile#!/profile.php?id=100000736890069&v=app_2347471856&ref=ts


By the way, this will be my final answer to you. You admire other citizens so much. I can't discuss with such people.

Thank you.