Swept Away

September 28, 2009

 

Let me tell you something – I can’t stand going to Facebook these past two days. Why? Well, I expected Facebook contacts to be posting pictures, status updates, and videos about how hard-hitting typhoon Ondoy is (I’m talking about those who are from the Philippines; so those from other parts of the world, we’re cool). And I’m not saying no one did exactly that, but it’s just that there ARE some people who live in the Philippines, know what’s going on, but then they’d rather post self-absorbed status updates as though those are all that matter in their world. Which might be the case.

 

I’m not anti-fun, but seriously, don’t you guys know anything about bad timing? Can’t you guys keep your private life nonsense to yourselves for just two days? Can’t you post pictures of yourselves and your babies and your boyfriends for your friends to envy some other time? Some of us could barely make it out safe. Some have cars, belongings, and shelters gone because of the flood. Tell us something useful!

 

Here are some gems of wisdom, for keeps. I would’ve loved to give commentary, except I think they speak for themselves.

 

“met up with [censored] in sm to have our saturday lunch date, bought [censored] her fave vanilla cake. while celebrating bigla brownout buti na lng may candle hehe=)”

 

“the one working PC at the airport — some dumb chick hogged it and started playing FarmVille on Facebook while people lined up behind her — for 10 mins. now. WTFISWRONGWIDPEOPLE?!”

 

“♥ has found that special someone, and she’s holding on tight and not letting go this time around ♥”

 

And how about this one: http://twitpic.com/jd9pu

 

Riiight.

 

Anyway, my schedule for this week has pretty much been screwed because of what happened. More than half of my coworkers are stuck in their homes, and those of us who were fortunate enough not to be affected by the typhoon have to visit them and help them out. I will be more than glad to do that.

 

I don’t usually do public service blog posts, but I’ll take exception for today. To anyone who is reading this, please seek out relief centers and donate money, food, anything. Find some ways to help. I’m going to nab three paragraphs from Ade Magnaye:

You can donate to the Philippine Red Cross through SMS: text RED[space]AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4483 (Smart)

TXTPower is also accepting donations for Ondoy typhoon victims via SmartMoney 5577514418667103, GCash 09179751092 and Paypal.

Tulong Bayan hot lines for donations and volunteers are 09086579998, 9137122, 9136254, and 9133306. Drop-off points are at Expo Centro in Cubao in Quezon City and White Space at 2314 Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati. Repost this info if you can. That’s not all you should do, of course, but raising awareness won’t hurt any.


Posted by nightdreamer at 11:11 am | permalink

Previous Comments

hi jou! i reposted the last part of ur entry. yung ways to help…hope u dont mind…take care jou…

Posted by tashy at September 28, 2009, 9:19 pm

o hai there. should i be guilty? i didnt post anything related to Typhoon Ondoy or Pepeng or whatever devastation it caused manila and northern luzon, does that make me a horrible person? T__T but at least i posted sites for relief operations heh

but srsly? if you dont want to see their private life nonsense updates, UN-friend =b

Posted by Cai at October 14, 2009, 5:08 pm

@Tashy Hope those info was helpful to you.

@Cai I don't recall seeing you post anything at all, which is ok, I think.

To be honest, part of this post was written just when I was still reeling from the shock with how destructive the typhoon was. It was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction, and you're not the only person who called me out about my attitude when I wrote this post, which, in retrospect, I should have sugarcoated.

I'm not saying I regretted what I did, just that under normal circumstances, I would've been less vocal with the displeasure I get from reading those frivolous status updates. Another thing is that I intended this post to be read by the very people who've been cluttering facebook with trifling and boring details about their lives (which I copy-pasted here), trying to grab the attention of those who was awed by what's going on in Luzon, but ending up causing irritation. And also, though I didn't write anything about them, the people posting those messages have histories of posting overly self-indulgent tripe.

Normally I don't mind reading private life stuff. Maybe it's just bad timing that riled me up in this case.

The second, in particular, really drove me up the wall; the person was all apathetic about people dying, but created a stink out of not being able use the internet for a few minutes. Really?

And I don't do un-friending. There's too much drama happening in real life that when I'm using the internet, I'd rather avoid confronting or doing something mean to people. Been there, done that, and it ain't worth it.

Posted by nightdreamer at October 14, 2009, 5:37 pm

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