How the internet is saving the Philippines
I’ve been thinking about writing this article for the past few days. As most of you know, the Philippines has recently been struck hard by the Ondoy storm. Various parts of the country now are in ruins because of the devastating force of the storm. In fact, I have a lot of friends who were affected badly by it. However in this time of darkness, I find it really inspiring to see the level of volunteerism, especially coming from the youth. What was once touted to be the most apathetic sector of society is now leading the charge in donating, packing, and delivering relief to affected communities. Why? One of the biggest factors is definitely the internet.
Here are three reasons why:
Social Media gave the youth a voice and an ear
Before the popularity of the internet, you can only get news like this from news programs on television and radio. I don’t think that the youth back then were glued to the TV sets during the late afternoon news shows. I also can’t remember any friend of mine (youth) that was a fan of AM radio. The first important thing social media did is that it gave the youth the ability to access information. Because of the huge base of users of social media in the country, information literally travelled at light speed.
Let me quote an article published on ABS CBN interactive:
The multitude of people present was this university’s version of Filipino bayanihan, one borne out of repeated pleas for donations and volunteers through Twitter, Plurk, and Facebook, and one that broke our so-called culture of apathy.
It was difficult not to get involved. Two days before, on Saturday, those of us online received word of stranded friends in Ateneo after Katipunan Avenue succumbed to a deluge, rendering the road impassable.
Ondoy then was starting to flood the metro, at a rate that would soon be marked as one of the fastest in Philippine history.
Friends stranded in Ateneo, and even we who were safe at home, lost their cellphone signals, and resorted to posting status messages on our Plurk, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.
In my case, my Facebook was flooded with messages and status updates of friends requesting that we contact their families to see if they were safe, and vice versa.
While I feared for my friends who were stranded, and those who had family members missing, I was equally thankful for those kind souls who offered help on the Web.
Before I knew it, Facebook became a live, updated stream not of quiz results or game updates, but rather of Ateneans — and non-Ateneans, too — helping each other contact family members, sending calls for rescue, or soliciting donations for the relief operations that were immediately established in our student leadership center.
This is the same building where our stranded schoolmates slept for the night.
This brings me to my second point – social media and the internet gave the youth a voice. No longer did they have to rely on phones to let other people know about what was happening. All they had to do was to log-on (which they do normally) and just type whatever it is they wanted to let others know.
Social Media made the message credible
Another important thing that we can’t ignore is this point – social media and the internet made the call for help much more credible. Why? Because it’s not your parents or the TV station telling you to help. It’s your friends. It’s like peer pressure but instead of alcohol, it’s charity. This, I think, is one of the most understated reasons why the internet has changed the playing field for social causes.
Social Media made it look cool
Other than being credible, social media also made helping out look cool. My case and point is this picture of popular teen idol Gerard Anderson which has been making the rounds in the internet:
If he’s helping out, why shouldn’t you? Other than this picture, the video of GMA 7’s teen idol Richard Gutierrez interview about saving Christine Reyes on a speedboat also became viral. It’s stuff like this that emboldened to youth to finally snap and wake up from their apathetic slumber.
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8 Responses to “How the internet is saving the Philippines”
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This is actually the first time I’ve seen a real, organized approach to dealing with a national issue using the internet. Like you said, it enables so many people who do not have a voice elsewhere spread to the nation their concerns and issues.
Although I find that Richard Guttierez speedboat bit annoying. haha!
Dwight, It’s not a bit annoying. It’s really annoying. hahahaha
Hey Dwight!
I think it started out as something not really planned. In fact, I still believe that everything being done online is still on the fly. There’s no single body organizing everything – which I think makes the entire thing more credible and effective.
And yeah, I also found the speedboat story annoying, haha!
I agree it was not planned. It reflects the possibilities and the potential of individual collaborative action online, social media and social networking.
[...] – His insinuation that bloggers and Facebook users are not helping in the relief operations is just plain stupid. The reason why volunteerism among the youth is so high is precisely because of the popularity of the internet and social networks. [...]
“What was once touted to be the most apathetic sector of society is now leading the charge in donating, packing, and delivering relief to affected communities.”
“To change a Nation, you should raise a Generation”
Fellow Youths it is now our time to get out there and reach out people.
These people don’t need our mercy, they need us, our help.
Tired of harvesting imaginary vegetables from farmville?
Go out there and Be part of the solution!
Godbless the Philippines
Bangon Kabataan!
Why typhoon “Ondoy” happened
These days, everyone has been doing a lot of thinking. In light of the destruction typhoon “Ondoy” has caused, we’ve changed much of our point of views. Some of us have been moved into action, as evidenced by the dozens of volunteers offering to lend a hand in dealing relief goods and taking care of the needs of the victims of this typhoon. Some of us started “pointing fingers” at those we thought were the reasons for this tragedy. All these are great, but you are still missing the MOST IMPORTANT POINT OF WHY ONDOY HAPPENED.
My fellow countrymen, more than anything else, “Ondoy” happened because the LORD JESUS is calling all the people to come back to Him, before it’s too late. To stop your sinful ways and instead, look for the TRUTH in order to make sure you are able to follow God’s commandments and serve Him according to His will. The ROOT CAUSE OF ALL OUR MISERIES IS BECAUSE MOST OF YOU WON’T FOLLOW AND SERVE THE LORD! How many more “Ondoy’s” do you need before you consider that you are doing A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE AGAINST THE LORD’S WILL?
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” (Hosea 4:6) KJV
JESUS Miracle Crusade International Ministry(JMCIM) will be holding A MAJOR CRUSADE this coming October 17 and 18 at the Quirino Grandstand, Luneta Park, Manila to celebrate the great miracle our Dearest JESUS wrought when He guided Our Beloved Pastor, Evangelist Wilde E. Almeda and the 12 Prayer Warriors while they were in Talipao, Jolo-Sulu, preaching the Gospel to our fellow countrymen, the Abu Sayyaf. I am inviting all of you to attend and start serving the LORD through this ministry. JESUS Miracle Crusade International Ministry is 100% TRUTH! We are the TRUE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST! We know who the Almighty GOD is: JESUS CHRIST! We preach the TRUE Gospel! We have witnessed all the signs, wonders and miracles done during the LORD JESUS’ earthly ministry, thereby proving that WE ARE IN THE TRUTH! The TRUE End-time prophet is here: Beloved and Honorable Evangelist Wilde E. Almeda!
For the entire world’s sake, listen to the gospel preached by Beloved and Honorable Evangelist Wilde E. Almeda!. Attend our church services and hear the TRUTH. Please visit http://www.jmcim.org for more information.
If you want to be spared from more tragedies that will befall THOSE WHO DON’T WANT TO FACE and HEAR THE TRUTH, which is most of the world, come to JESUS Miracle Crusade International Ministry and start following the LORD’s commandments and serving Him!
“In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)KJV
I am one of the victims of typhoon Ondoy, and I salute to those people who helped me rescued my grandma and cousin as well as our 5 dogs at home…
Will there be no cellphones and internet, we won’t be safe…thanks to the new weapons of heroes in this century:internet.