When Doing The Right Feels So Wrong

Passing-by a pedestrian overpass this morning, I saw a homeless family taking shelter there. They have three children, the oldest is around 4 years of age and the youngest was probably less than 1 years old because it was still cuddled by the mother. They made the whole overpass their home – All of their things are scattered around the overpass from one end to another. The farthest end was their backyard where the head of the family segregates all the garbage they collected, preparing it to be sold to the nearest junkshop.

 

It took me just about 10 seconds to cross the overpass, as I reached the other end; I looked back, reached my pocket, looked at the money, looked back again and went down the overpass.

 

I just looked back and did nothing. It felt hard, felt really hard for doing nothing. They are not asking for help but i know they need it.

 

They say it’s wrong to give charity directly to beggars because we’re encouraging them to beg instead of helping them. That there are plenty of charitable institutions where you can give you help so that it will be used properly. Those charitable institutions does not only give them money but were also teaching them ways to earn money aside of begging.

 

What if there’s someone in front of you, someone who needs your help, do you still need to go to the nearest charitable institution? Sarcastic as it sounds but what can we do? Is this really the right thing to do when this feels so wrong?

 

When is the right time to give help? Where is the right place to offer it? Do I have to wait for them to cry for help because giving it to them? Do I have to see them lying on the ground looking so helpless?

 

I wanted to help them but I’m also afraid that they might get angry. They’re just homeless – not beggars. I really want to help them so I ask for Gods help to give me courage. My intention is good that’s why I don’t have to be afraid. Thank God for he gave me courage I’m asking for. I bought a pack of bread, a spread and a juice for their breakfast. I slowly approach them and greeted them MERRY CHRISTMAS before handing over my gift.

 

They smiled at me. It was very heartwarming when I heard the lady said “Thank you and Merry Christmas”. I can see the happiness in them but I’m happier than they are.

 

It took me just about another 10 seconds to hand over the gift pack but already feels a day of happiness in me.

 

A SHORT ESSAY ABOUT 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 i want to share with you. (Never mind the grammar; it’s the CONTENT that counts) Maybe it is timely to think about this in the midst of all the confusion at present.

 

MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun Kim

 

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines . Do you really think that corruption is the big problem in the Philippines ? I don’t 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 country in the world. Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no natural resources.

 

Koreans used to talk about the Philippin, for Filipinos were very rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos.. Many Koreans died of famine. My father & brother also died because of famine.

 

Korean government was very corrupt and is still very corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically because Koreans really did their best for the common good with their heart burning with patriotism.

 

Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the spirit of patriotism.

 

40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform Korea. He tried to borrow money  from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investor because the economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to Korea to build a factory. They had to go through horrible experience.

 

In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried there as they saw the President Park . They asked to him, “President, when can we be well off?” That was the only question everyone asked to him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the President of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to Korea. So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea. He always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart. Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to help developing country because they wanted their country to be well off.

 

Though they received very small salary, they did their best for Korea . They always hoped that their children would live in well off country.

 

My parents always brought me to the places where poor and physically handicapped people live. They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood.

 

Have you cried for the  Philippines? I have cried for my country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country.

 

They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I talked to two prisoners at the maximum-security compound, and both of them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they are released from the prison. They said that they would start a new life in other countries and never come back to the Philippines
.
Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the future and their children.

 

When I was in Korea , I had a very strong faith and wanted to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines , I completely lost my faith.

 

I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia , but there are too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing has been changed.

 

My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry that there are so many beggars and street kids. When we went to  Pagsanjan Falls , I forced my parents to take a boat because it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that they would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the boatmen, for the boatmen were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and enjoyed it.

 

But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love for them. My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very young told me that if we just go to mass without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith should come with action.

 

She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same and have received a great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as they love God, so that the Philippines will be well off.

 

I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos should remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from person. Love must start in everybody, in a small scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let’s put away our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes.

 

I discover that every person is worthy to be loved. Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships. It changes the world. Please love your neighborhood and country.

 

Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do unto 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.

 

(FOR THE LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE TO OUR FELLOW FILIPINOS)

 

Do not blame poverty on political leaders. Leaders are nothing for without the help & cooperation of their countrymen. I hope this essay brings forth changes in our perspective in life especially with the way we see our future in this country, the Philippines! Stand up & be proud Filipinos!

Pacquiao and Dela Hoya – I love you both.

The result of Manny Pacquiao and Oscar Dela Hoya’s fight last sunday made my happy and sad. My blood tells me i should be happy. I’m a filipino, a proud filipino. My blood tells me i should celebrate because Manny Pacquiao did not just won the bout but dominated Oscar Dela Hoya. But -this made me sad. Watching Dela Hoya got so beaten also made me lonely.

I don’t know what to feel because I love them both. I will never forget the day Trinidad defeated Oscar Dela Hoya on a twelve rounder bout. I should be Oscar, the winner should be Oscar. I don’t know why Oscar kept on running on the 9th ’til 12th round of that fight. He knew he was already the winner, i also thought that way. It was a heartbreak when we heard trididad won the bout by a close split decision. It was really a heart breaker.

Watching Oscar kept on withdrawing on the 7th and 8th round to Pacquiao made me remember how he lost to trinidad. This time, it’s different. Oscar kept on withdrawing because he can’t find a way how he will counter Manny’s attack. He knew it will gonna it soon.

I wanted Manny to win. I always wanted. But I also prayed that Oscar will lose on a decision, a close split decision. That way, i will be very happy for being able to watch MY TWO IDOLS on a warriors fight.

Did you see the moon smiling at you?

Last night a lot of people experience a very rare incident or perhaps an incident that will happen only once in their lifetime… and i’m one of them.

December 1, 2008, from this day forth, i will never forget this date. The day moon smiled at me. I can’t explain how happy i am when i saw the moon smiling at me. It’s was a feeling i never felt before, a feeling i can hardly explain.

I don’t know why, but when i saw the smiley moon, it felt like i have no problem at all, it seems that all of my problem just vanished, i stared at it for more than five minutes, i can’t believe what i am seeing.

After staring at it, i realized how lucky i am. I’m lucky that i’m not alone, it told me that no matter how dark my night is, just look up…. above me…. and i’ll see someone smiling at me and guiding my way.

That there is someone up there. Watching for us, he who knows everything, he who cares for all. He, the only one who truly understands time.

Where is Mikaela Irene D. Fudolig?

As a regularly do, I read the transcript “Take not the Road Less Traveled” of Mikaela Irene D. Fudolig’s speech again. I must admit, this girl from the UP and her speech inspires me. In fact, meeting her personally would be a great honor to me.

One year after her graduation, where has she gone now?  Did she became a teacher as mentioned on the last part of her speech?

“Take NOT the road less traveled. Rather, MAKE new roads, BLAZE new trails, FIND new routes to your dreams. Unlike the track-beaters in campus who see where they’re going, we may not know how far we can go. But if we are brave, defiant searchers of excellence, we will go far. Explore possibilities, that others may get a similar chance. I have tried it myself. And I’m speaking to you now.

But talk is cheap, they say. And so I put my money where my mouth is. Today, I place myself in the service of the University, if it will have me. I would like to teach, to share knowledge, and perhaps to be an example to new UP students in thinking and striving beyond the limits of the possible. This may only be a small disturbance in the grass. But I hope you’ll come with me, and trample a new path.”

Google is my really my friend because it directed me to Mikki Fudolig Blogspot Account. She has a new transcript there titled GURO. As I expected, it was another eye-opener yet very inspiring speech.

I am very glad to know that she really became a teacher. I have faith in her that she’ll become a good mentor.

Mikaela Irene D. Fudolig, BS Physics with a GA of 1.099, received the top honors. She also delivered the valedictory address on behalf of the graduating class.

Only 16 years old, Fudolig is the youngest student to be graduated by the University in the recent years and one of only two admitted to UPD without a high school diploma and without taking the UP College Admission Test.

She was only 11 years old and a sophomore at the Quezon City Science High School when she was granted permission to enroll at UPD as a non-degree student, having volunteered for a prototype Early College Placement Program the UPD College of Education was spearheading. After earning remarkable grades for an academic year, the Department of Education (DepEd) endorsed

her admission to UPD, which was approved by the UP Board of Regents on May 30. 2003.

Freedom of Speech

WikiPedia.org – Freedom of speech is being able to speak freely without censorship. The right to freedom of speech is guaranteed under international law through numerous human-rights instruments, notably under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, although implementation remains lacking in many countries. The synonymous term freedom of expression is sometimes preferred, since the right is not confined to verbal speech but is understood to protect any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.

 

What is Right? – WikiPedia.org In the jurisprudence and the law, a right is the legal or moral entitlement to do or refrain from doing something, or to obtain or refrain from obtaining an action, thing or recognition in civil society. Rights serve as rules of interaction between people, and, as such, they place constraints and obligations upon the actions of individuals or groups (for example, if one has a right to life, this means that others do not have the liberty to kill him).

Just recently, A boy wearing blasphemous T-Shirt is charge with offensive behavior in Australia under the Summary Offences Act 2005 for public nuisance.

A GOLD Coast teenager who wore a T-shirt by English extreme metal band Cradle of Filth that reads ’Jesus is a c**t’ has been charged with offensive behaviour.

Teen arrested for ’blasphemous T-shirt’
Above the offensive slogan a nun is depicted masturbating.

A 16-year-old was arrested on Monday for wearing the shirt and was charged with offensive behaviour under the Summary Offences Act 2005 for public nuisance.

Senior Sergeant Arron Ottaway said the teen was walking along Hollywell Road, in Biggera Waters, when a officer saw him.

Police conducted inquiries at Australia Fair, where the teen said he bought the shirt, to find any shops selling it.

The Reverend Matt Hunt of the Helensvale Baptist Church said it was sad people spoke about the Lord in such a way.

“It’s fairly common language these days to express sadness, anger or hurt,” he said. “It’s a degrading word to use and Jesus is anything but that. It’s like calling white black.” Read full story here…

What about freedom of speech? Where’s the freedom of expression? He’s just expressing his belief you may say. Yes! He is given a right on freedom but expression but not a privilege to degrade others.

Misconception on Freedom of Speech, others think the can do anything because the have a freedom of expression. This is also the reason why many people are being charged by Libel because of this so called freedom of speech.

We’re given a right to live so one one has a liberty to take it right? Well except those who are given a privilege to do so. Huh!? Consider convicted criminal for example. By law, he has a right to live, that is if he is not sentence to death.

Senators, if i’m not mistaken, can’t be charged of anything when on a senate meeting inside the senate hall. Now we’re talking of true Freedom of Speech! But it’s not just a right, they’re given a privilege.

Having a freedom of speech doesn’t mean we can do anything without facing any consequences. We can’t always reason out our right on freedom of expression because it has it’s own limitation.

I, myself, do not undestand how far our right on freedom of speech go. But one thing is clear to me. Next time I’m going to open my mouth – I’ll think twice before saying it.

Welcome to my Blog

Hi there. Welcome to my Blog. I’m an early thirties professional from the Philippines. Yup! I’m an IT Professional but my blog won’t be about Information Technology, Hehehe. So what’s the content of my Blog??? As the title suggests – Anything Goes!