On the Haiyan/Yolanda Aftermath

Posted on my Facebook account last November 14, 2013:

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I seldom rant or think out loud on Facebook. But this time, please let me share my 2 (or more) cents on all these hullabaloos.

ON CRITICIZING RELIEF OPERATIONS

Yes, the government and organizations can only do so much. Yet, many survivors need to receive the aid as soon as possible; else, they will die of hunger and diseases.

But obviously, there are many things that are not working effectively and efficiently. As concerned citizens, we need to call these things out - especially the slow paced relief distribution, the government's non-stop blame game, the useless and deliberate downplay of death toll (through the help of some local reporters), among others.

It's not because we just wanna troll around, it's because we give a damn and WE CARE. And we want action to speed up. We want things to improve. If you look at it, this is actually a way of helping out.

We need to give feedback. In the first place, this is the government's JOB (for crying out loud). We want them to succeed in this endeavor!

But to be fair, let's make sure all these complaints are matched with action on our part.

ON LOOTING

I can't blame these people. They are desperate and hungry, and they have families to feed.

Think about it. What would you do if you were in their shoes?

In my mind, if the same level of devastation happens in Manila, I'm very sure the potential looting could be worse!

This is a rare instance where we shouldn't judge these people as long as they are merely doing this for their (note:) BASIC NEEDS.

ON DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN AID

Thank you. Thank you very much. As people who believe in debt of gratitude or "utang na loob", we will forever be grateful, and we will never forget.

As a token of appreciation, let us be vigilant and ensure that ALL donations go to the rightful beneficiaries, and not in the pockets of the greedy.

A transparent accounting and very strict audit should be in place. This is an opportunity for whoever is tasked to do this to step up, shine and bring back our lost credibility.

ON SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

Can we just stop policing people on what they post on social media?

Just because people photos, statuses or links that are not related to the super typhoon or relief operations, doesn't mean they don't care.

You don't even know what they do outside in the real world. Who knows, they could have donated or volunteered more than you have.

After all, this is social media, a virtual world - not church or school! If you don't like what you see, unfollow or remove them from your friends list! Stop being self-righteous bitches.

And by the way, flooding our timelines with tons of relief blah blah blah's without action on your end doesn't count. Sorry. Try harder.

ON GIVING

Just donate or help, period. No need to post pictures and announce to the whole world what you've done. I rarely quote the Bible, but this time I believe the verse below is most appropriate:

Matthew 6:2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others..."

ON RESILIENCE

This is a very admirable attitude of the Filipinos, a proof that our spirit as a people is very strong, not easily shaken and can easily move on with our lives.

But after everything that has happened to us - as far as I can remember from the earthquake/volcanic erruption/lahar/flashflood of the 1990's when I was very young, to this... More than ever, our mentality on horrifying aftermaths should not just be "rise and move on", but also "NEVER AGAIN."

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At the end of the day, let us all do our part, yet remain vigilant.