Shortly after news of the sinking of the Princess of the Stars broke out, I found myself checking the Internet and TV news channels for updates. For some reason, being informed that some survivors were found gave me hope although I did not know of a relative or a friend being on that boat.
I remember being stuck in traffic and discovering that the cause was a collision of buses on the other side of the expressway. Vehicles slowed down to view the wreck. When the building where I used to hold office was razed by fire, my friend texted to ask if I was okay. When I told her that I no longer stayed there, she texted that she was stuck in traffic because drivers on both sides of EDSA stopped their cars to look at the fire.
Andy Warhol noticed this and incorporated multiple images of a car wreck in his artwork. Everyday, tabloids and some TV news shows bring stories of blood and gore. Why are we attracted to these stories? I suppose there is a "scientific" explanation as to why people are drawn to accidents and tragic events.
One of the things we're discussing in my aesthetics class is the unity of opposites. My teacher is convinced that everything good and wonderful in the world illustrates this principle. On the first day of classes, he quoted Khalil Gibran on how experiencing joy is possible only after a person experiences sorrow. Last week, he claimed that the philosopher Lao Tzu said that beautiful people should be grateful to ugly people for making them beautiful.
He may have a point. As crass as it may sound, watching and reading about horrific events in the safety of our homes heightens our sense of being alive. As one of the divers said in a TV interview, she felt great sorrow when she viewed the shipwreck. At the same time, she was grateful that she was still alive.
Empathizing with the victims of tragedy is not enough though. Because we're still around, we are in a position to do something. I do not mean joining the bandwagon and condemning everyone even before the investigation is over. Based on the radio shows I heard, that seems to be favorite activity of anyone who has radio airtime. I suppose making bombastic accusations attracts people the way accidents do.
I've noticed that there are several relief drives for victims of Typhoon Frank. Donating cash, goods, or services is easy and convenient to do as churches, schools, and even malls have set up booths for doing so.
However, this isn't the only thing we can do. Our country is visited by several typhoons a year but our government manages to look stunned each time a disaster strikes. The Princess of the Stars tragedy has exposed the deteriorating and useless (and very expensive) weather equipment of the Coast Guard, the use of toxic pesticides allegedly banned in other countries, and just how vulnerable we are.
We should join the clamor and demand that the government do its job. Put the weather equipment to work (we're still paying for it even if it's not being used). Make the rules and regulations for maritime travel stricter. Train people on disaster-preparedness. These are basic services that government should provide. Giving away P500 a month (and visiting "allies") should be the least of its priorities.
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Email: lkemalilong@yahoo.com