Stefan Suarez wrote a stirring note on Facebook, "
When Ondoy Gets Old"
So we fed a few people. Now what?
It's Day 6 and Facebook, Twitter, TV, the papers- everything's still Flooded with news about the Flood (though a little less than before). I even have some friends getting angry when their other friends post "useless" stuff- you know- the kind of stuff we'd normally post if there wasn't an emergency or disaster.
But here's reality... a few days or weeks from now, things will not-so-slowly start to look normal again. At least for us. Facebook will have less stuff about emergency relief, and more of those quizzes, and games, and scores, and invitations to gigs and parties and whatnot. In a few days, Ondoy will no longer be "the news". When Ondoy gets old, it will be forgotten. It will be just another problem that we've learned to live with...
He stressed that "The truth of the matter is this- 95% of the people whom we are helping now-
they needed our help BEFORE the typhoon," and urged everyone to "be around for them PERMANENTLY." He ended his post by throwing the ball back to his friends (and their friends): "If we're here to help, let's make sure we follow through. This is where I shut up and let you guys do the talking. Use the comment box below to share your ideas and thoughts on the matter."
And his friends did start talking. And are still talking. 50 comments so far, only 12 hours after his post went online.
Reposting some of the comments below, will sort through them asap.
Reg W. Bautista
There are those pushing for a more lasting impact. Support Efren Penaflorida and Tulakabataan.
http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/vote/index.html
Margarita Villanueva
You think Pepeng is Ondoy's kuya? Will he steal the lime light from Ondoy? Anyways, I also have thought about the What-happens-next-part, and I was praying that "thinkers" will rise up to the occasion. While others help, others should also plan. We cannot neglect the "immediate" needs same with the "follow through". When they said "any kind of help... Read More will do" whether a peso or a great follow through plan, a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. A prayer or a team to execute the great plan. Could be now, could be later. Help is help. Just like the body, not everyone can be the nose or the cheeks. We all have a role to play. I just hope this is enough shaking to wake people up. Since these are OLD problems, we need to look on both extremes. The POOR needs attention, and so does CORRUPTION. They have a common denominator.
Christian Bugia
What we need to do is to start digging out the roots of these old problems, so we could have a fresh start. and this will not be possible if we will not start on ourselves. By being vigilant on everything we do on a day to day basis, there will be less trash to sweep and more clean places to enjoy, less smoke to emit and more clean air for our ... Read Morelungs, less exams to fail and more hope for a better career, less time for ourselves and more time to help each other. Disease is not the only thing contagious in this world, but character as well. There is hope, we just need to live by it starting today.
Ivy Tagle Ignacio
This is really TRUE and GREAT Stef!!! How can we help??? First and foremost...we need education. These people need to be educated...im not saying this in a negative way, don't get me wrong..."the children is our hope for a better future"...maybe in some way or somehow we can give our share thru that...Im a homeschool mom, and I strongly believe ... Read Morethat me son learns a lot of things teaching him for a few hours everyday. maybe some can do something like that. Im willing to volunteer in teaching kids. :)
Violeta Imperial
Pls Repost: Calling all creative business leaders, let's come up with the list of realistic simple Jobs for the evacuees. Let's economically empower them to also help others in need. This will also help them heal faster. Thank you and GOD bless.
Calling on Community Organizers (Community Dev Course): please volunteer to your schools to be assigned to different evacuation centers. This will help u in your Community Dev Studies (Advised by Ikeng). Take stress debriefing exercise first at UP/UST/DOH. Thank u and GOD Bless.
Paul John Peña
We need to map out more sustainable strategies that address rehabilitation of communities after all the hype is gone.
Antonio Sy Jr.
The root of the problem is simple...development has not been equalized between the cities and the countryside. This is what you get...people becoming attracted to the city who they think will provide them a decent standard of living (Kasalanan ni Hollywood ito) but unfortunately, reality sinks in and they couldn't go back anymore as they don't ... Read Morewant to lose face or worse, they don't have the means.
For as long as we engender a culture of making money the path to true happiness (instead of just having a decent quality of life) you will always see people move from the countryside to the cities.
as Ivy said education is the key...but on top of that is an outlook change that living in the city s better than the countryside.
Cynthia Dayco
You know, it's not like volunteerism didn't exist before Ondoy. We should just make it a habit, if you will. Find a permanent soup kitchen or a relief center and commit to help one or two nights a week. Join Gawad Kalinga.
Don't like heavy lifting? Stop ignoring the UNICEF volunteers and pledge to have the donation charged to your VISA every month... Read More.
Another thing we can do is keep a close eye on the politicians and gov't officials during this time. Those who proved to be opportunists, hypocrites and nincompoops--campaign against them in 2010.
Junie De Leon
News last night mentioned people wanting to go back to their provinces. I guess the it's also about helping other provinces progress such that more jobs can be created. We do need to decongest Metro Manila. Along with the decongestion, other problems may be solved such as the garbage problem which is partlty due to Manila being over populated. Just my thoughts. I personally wouldn't mind settling down in the provnices. As long as good jobs are available. Life should be less hectic there.
Antonio Sy Jr.
@Junie...there lies the problem..as long as there are good jobs out there. We have to develop these places first. Maybe choose a few areas that will serve as a mini-Manila similar to Cebu and Davao. We need more of those especially in the Bicol Area, Central Luzon, Northern Luzon...maybe one or two more in the bigger islands of th Visayas and devleop Zamboanga, Cotabato to at least Cebu standards. THAT will decongest the main city...
It should also be sustainable...that means huwag naman grand dreams tapos di rin naman matatapos. Let's start by having these mini cities be connected with GOOD roads tothe surrounding areas so that people will be able to sell their produce withough having to go through middlemen who squeeze them through and through. Communications can be further... Read More enhanced.
Business will never move into these areas unless they see that the purchasing power of people will be able to sustain their business. That means we should have a plan of having people generate their income either by being entreprenuers or by generating jobs in the area.
Kenneth Cardenas
Hi Stefan. I am currently doing research on urbanization in Mega Manila, and I typed up some comments on the past weekend's disaster based on what I've found out so far that might help with how to play the endgame, as you put it.
Feel free to join the discussion here: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=290948210385
Anna Patricia D. Malay
1) Life after Ondoy will be marked especially during the 2010 elections. What we decide then, who we decide on, the memories we're vigilant to remember. Do NOT forget anything. Be vigilant.
2) If anything, now, we see how healing compassion is. I just pray and hope that all the hearts that have been touched to give will not turn cold again and ... Read Moreunfeeling at some point, as we've been wont to do. The help is needed long after Ondoy. Be compassionate.
3) Always, always be on the side of caution. Now we see that property must be wisely located and storm signals properly heeded. A lot of work our government needs to do but if we're more responsible with our own selves, we can rely on them less, at least, until government can get its act together. Be wise.
Kiko Escora
help those who need help help themselves?
David Guerrero
Hi Stefan. Well put. If there's any good that comes out of this it's that we put more systematic volunteer programs in place. And stop blaming 'the system' for the situation. Sometimes the most important thing is just to get on with it and act on your beliefs.But the action needs to be institutionalized and collective otherwise we'll get tired as individuals and give up. We have to work on the people closest to us, and the things we can most influence. Then rely on others to do the same.
James Paul Linog Yian
We are fickle-minded, we love sensationalism and heroism. What we don't like is the boring work of institutionalizing what gains we started. Precisely because it is boring and nobody wants to do work that isn't appreciated. And it doesn't win elections too. Why do you guys think the senate and congress continuously parades sensational issues and do... Read More public hearings "in aid of legislation" kuno. Sad to say...It is we who perpetuate this mentality and it is us who feed upon this downward spiral. Eventually we need to stop talking and we need to start changing from within. Stop the talk and do something. I'm done talking.
Angela Poe
Very well put. It's hard to make efforts sustainable because once people jump in and see how much work actually needs to be done, it gets overwhelming, and suddenly we don't know where to begin, and sometimes we wonder if our small actions are worth anything. What we need is for people to find something that will work, do it well, and stick with it... Read More. And try new fields, sure, but keep doing something and try to get others to join in. What's really important is motivation, for people to keep in mind the reason they started something and the reason they need to keep on going, even when everyone else gets tired, forgetful, or cynical.
Raina Reyes
Great point! I'm starting a book drive to help collect books for those who lost theirs to Ondoy. I've called a couple of evacuation centers, to find out who the proceeds could go to, and was turned away pretty harshly. Mostly because I wasn't offering food or clothing or any of those basic needs. Hindi kasi nila kailangan ng libro. :( But from what... Read More I saw on the news, thousands of books were covered in mud. Public school libraries were ruined. What people forget sometimes, is that education IS a basic right, and once they start rebuilding, people will need more than just food and clothing. They'll need encouragement, support, hope and the confidence to start rebuilding their lives. So we need people who will be there when the hype fades a way. And to those who are thinking of starting long-term efforts, don't be discouraged! Keep the faith and stand by. :) We'll need you in the long run.
Cristina Tan Schneck
Relief is just the beginning...we have to help them build thier lives, build their houses, build their future...yes you are right, we are facing with the problems that were right in front our face way before Ondoy...we can not remain indifferent anymore...
Noreen Bautista
Nash brought this idea to me about coming up with an idea-generating team for long term solutions and to make our communities more able to withstand calamities like these.
We need people from all fields to help address environmental, livelihood and housing concerns. Can we mobilize this?
Neva Kares
Thanks for posting this. I admit, I'm one of the usually apathetic ones. But because it was my hometown that was badly affected (Marikina) I really felt involved and was moved to do something.
You're right that most of these people needed help before the typhoon (except for the ones in Provident and subd in QC).
Here are my suggestions from my learning experience with volunteering in relief efforts this week:... Read More
*When donating something it's better to give directly to people who need it
Not only will it ensure it gets there but these people also need your time. it would be good to give them the gift of your friendship and presence as well. it was an eye-opener for me to know these people close-up and personal. they're not just faces on posters and news reports anymore.
*Soup kitchens and food drives are most effective - because it taps into the Pinoy's cultural thing of food being a community event. There's an emotional aspect to gathering together in one place and sharing food (breaking bread) which is very important to Pinoys.
*Keep hounding government for better urban planning and environmental vigilance
It's kind of tiring and feels futile but we should remain abreast of the urban planning situation in our city, for a start -- and call out our leaders through online and print campaigns to do their duty.
*Take waste segregation and recycling seriously -
Most people will gladly segregate and recycle if they get enough reminders about it -- namely, if they see someone do it consistently. Let's start with our household; let's be examples. And let's post info about Materials Recycling Facility and junkshops that take (and buy back) many of our plastic, styro and non-biodegradable junk.
*BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO BE
You want the government to be free from corruption, graft and nepotism? Start by practicing fairness when treating your own family. If you work for an airline, for example, give your relatives and friends the same treatment you'd give any customer. Don't try to skip lines by using "connections" or "palakasan." Don't run a red light even when absolutely no one is around. Don't bribe a cop or traffic enforcer no matter how inconvenient. Teach your child or sibling patience and respect for the rules and regulations. Really. It's the little things.
Tim Tayag
I agree with a lot of the comments. But one thing to think about too is how do we help them help themselves? Instead of just giving them fish, how can we teach them to be fishermen? Government should certainly be held responsible but up to what point? How do you help people realize their full potential without making them dependent? I've always... Read More believed in providing education. Just things to ponder this coming elections.
All these relief efforts show that there is still great hope to change our country for the better.
Neva Kares
tim: the solution is develop and support micro and small businesses.
because these enterprises can best employ those who haven't had more than a few years of high school education because and those below poverty level. these enterprises are good livelihood programs because they're small enough to be flexible to needs of single mothers, for example, who cannot sustain stringent schedules of, say, big factories.
if govt (esp BIR, BFAD, DTI, CITY HALL and SEC) make it easier for people to start a business and not demand unrealistic requirement and standards (ESPECIALLY BFAD!!) then more people will have opportunity for gainful employment.... Read More
Economic growth and poverty alleviation through livelihood, instantly.
Lawrence Anthony Ong
I agree, but I'd just like to add that someone needs to take the lead in all this. I do not know who but unless someone leads (and no, I don't think that person's a politician) with a vision, everything else will stay the same.
