Bautista: Kim Pop

SURELY Juan will know of a Kim from Korea, who doesn't. I know of many Kim's. But one in particular was unlike any other Kim. There was a fatherly figure to him, not very common for a Korean. Mostly strict and straight. This was uncommon. He is a teacher, he is a scout, he is jolly, he is chubby, he is expressive, he is laid back, he is funny, he is respected, he has presence, he is influential.

Mr. Kim a teacher like his wife is humble and meek. All kids and scouts even his peers and associates look up to him. He is not powerful, he is I'm sure but he doesn't show it. When he speaks every one listens. Well mostly he is sharing stories about me, he seems proud to be friends with me. That's my bias.

He really is something else. I at first would have thought that he is like from the mafia. He orders people around, he has command over every one, he instills discipline and when he really speaks, not that he can speak English better than others, he just has the stature for one to listen to. Well that's a teacher there for you. He is offended every time I will call him Sir.

He is a Kim like no other. Actually he can double as a Filipino, short and stubby, happy and jolly (teddy bear) but very intellectual and academic. His wife is even better. Most motherly and accommodating. A mother to everyone. She will take care of me and all others like we were her own. I really mean it. I think she is a principal in an elementary school. Well maybe, since she does act like it too. Like her husband, Juan will not really expect this Kim to be like any other Kim.

Time was when he would recognize a battalion commander in the Philippine Army who headed a contingent of soldiers to stand alongside their Korean counterparts to fight the enemy. He had very high regard for this man, he once offered to carry the bags for him in the train station. They had soon become friends. In fact only recently they had met and Fidel Ramos remembers him as the high school boy scout who would carry his bags. Mr. Kim is remembered even by FVR until today even after fifty years. I would.

The Kim's I would know of are either in government or an acquaintance to someone who now resides in the Philippines or in Baguio. A businessman, a restaurateur or a butcher. It is just that common. This is different since he will just be an immediate friend to almost any Juan. They say he is just a teacher and a scout, just? It seems quite the opposite, he to me and many others is The Teacher and The Scout, very different.

I have very high regard towards this Kim. A Pop to many, now a Pop to me, formerly a Pop to my daughter previously. I would at first consider him a Manong or Kuya, a Hyungnim, but no, he is Opa, Pop to me. It just shows on him. I am reminded of my Scoutmaster Sir George, like him many of us Eagle, Rizal and Citizen scouts consider him our Pop. In Korea it is just the same for this Kim, many Tiger Scouts he has produced. Some in government, some in the academe, some in business, but all consider this Kim, Pop.

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