My heart beats for Korea

June 2, 2009
9:30am, FC 2083, UP Diliman


I am a full-blooded Filipino. I love my country. I’m proud of my country.

But I also have another country in my heart. Korea: both North and South.

I don’t know why and how I fell in love with this country. Was it through the Korean TV drama series that I took notice of this country beyond the recognition of its flag?

I was able to step on its land on February 28, 2008. I saw the magnificence of its nature as well as its remarkable technology. I met its people. I befriended many. I found a worthwhile job here. I learned basic photography and drawing here. I knew I left with an increased wisdom.

Someone told me that I should check my motives in going back there. It must not be because of money that I would go back. I must not be blinded by the higher salary that this country can provide for me. I should not follow the footsteps of my fellow Filipinos who look up to other countries like America as their “dreamland”.

Again I say I love my country. But I love Korea too.

I can’t deny that I like the prestige that comes with going out of the country to earn more income. I will be a hypocrite if I don’t admit that I liked Korea because of its mass media and cultural influence. But I think the reason why I value this country and its people goes beyond fulfilling my self-interests.

I knew it when I feel deeply sad and burdened whenever I hear of a suicide case from Korea. I knew it when I feel troubled about their suppressive educational system. I knew it when I talk to my Korean friends and feel both their pride and insecurities. I feel deeply for them. And I wish to help them in any way. Even when it is also difficult to help myself, my family and my country.

I often visit Prof Yu Gyeong Min’s (my Korean language teacher and friend) blog site. This morning, I watched the video she posted to honor former South Korean president Roh Moo Hyun. I felt sad again, watching how warmhearted the president was as shown in his photos. I don’t know him much, and I’ve always doubted a politician’s character or way of living. But somehow today, I “paid my respect” to him. He was a human rights lawyer. An activist to the core. A president who worked to cross the borders of North Korea. A grandfather who especially loved kids. Deep inside me, I felt an enormous loss for the Korean people.

I have often described Korea as a suppressed, stressed and depressed nation. I know this is true and in a corner of my heart, I often wished that I can do something about it.

This moment, I am whispering a prayer for this country, and its people.