Learning from Jang Geum

Long before I saw the end of the long-running telenovela Jewel in the Palace on GMA 7, the gems of knowledge and wisdom (how knowledge is used) from that historical piece are already shining brightly in my mind.

Filipino households, including mine – rich or poor, highly-educated and unschooled alike – waited and watched night after night to see the twists and turns in the lives of the royal household, especially where the fate of the lead character Jang Geum lies.

The results of Jang Geum’s research, discovery and experimentation with diagnosis and treatment in Oriental medicine – including the use of acupuncture, herbs and Korean red ginseng – proved exciting to the viewers as it was, probably, to the character herself.

From the time she was a kitchen helper to the time she became a nurse and, later, personal doctor of the king, the indefatigable maiden exhausted all means to get hold of only the best remedies for any illness – whether nutritionally, psychologically like when she took long walks with the king in an effort to get him out of depression.

What would ordinarily interest the modern-day Filipino suddenly became an object of study, especially among those conscious of their health. More Filipinos now know that Korean red ginseng kills poisons in the body, is good for blood circulation, increases stamina and hastens the recovery of patients.

Jang Geum’s triumph in the end is evident to any viewer, having seen her and all other characters in situations where deceit and ill motives where uncovered and pure intentions where rewarded – where good triumphed over evil.

When faced by mind-boggling life-death situations, Jang Geum remained focused on her objective – to save a life – even that of her most cruel enemy. Even her own love interest, who later became her husband, was set aside when anyone – king or slave – needed her medical services.

Jang Geum, although orphaned at an early age, knew how to put destiny in her hands. She simply used everything – her intuition, training and conscience.

Her skills, knowledge, wisdom and the compassion that was behind everything good she did led her to discover the cure to society’s maladies – physical and spiritual – the jewels in any palace.