Ondoy

The underestimated typhoon with public storm signal no. 1 named “Ondoy” had brought the Island of Luzon in a drastic devastated state. It was a big shock for us to see Metro Manila drowned in the brownish water, which was enough to kill hundreds of lives and destroy hundred thousands of homes, vehicles, establishments and businesses which had estimated property damages of worth billion pesos.

This rare occurrence was not normal for us to see especially in more developed areas of Metro Manila, although these phenomenon were usually experienced by our country men in remote areas and provinces of the country, whenever we saw them on T.V, we usually tend to become their spectators as we, who lived in a more advanced lifestyle and exists in the world of convenience had developed callous eyes to barely saw them with compassion.

What makes Ondoy’s experience different from the others? Our family, friends, relatives and people who are close to us were now the victims of this typhoon. This time, our connection to the victims was not something to be ignored as their spectators, but rather something need to be responded as their rescuer. The coldness of water that had chilled their bodies was being felt by our own feet, their shaking voices were now heard directly from our cell phones and their situation was seen in our own computer screen.

The information overflowed on Facebook and YouTube was directly attributed to the youth. They used the internet to send information, actual footages and videos, to show to the people how serious the situation was. This involvement of our young people had created big fuss to the cyberspace where immediate responses from different people and sectors boomed. Even the Media had resorted to the internet to gather news and information because floods narrowed down their information sources. They also launched telethon for those who were in need of rescue and a call for the sponsors to help out.

There were also young people opted to be volunteers in the relief operations done by both government and private sectors. They are the ones who opted to be perspired than to be inspired. They were able to prepare food packages for the hungry stomach, gave comfort for the homeless people and most of all, they touched not only the hearts of the victims but also the hearts of the Filipino. These Filipino youth are worth considered as the special treasure of the Philippines that is something to take care and to be proud of. Yes, despite of the “psyche” about being “Impersonal” and “virtually minded” of the Filipino youth today, there are still Filipino youth who are willing to walk out from the cyber-world. They are the one who leave their endanger virtual farms and hungry luxurious pets just to take the challenge of the drowned reality of our country. We must learn not to spoil ourselves to be complacent in helping others by just stretching our fingers in the keyboards, but rather need to shake our comfort zones to move with open arms to those who are in need.

Dondie Bernardino