People Power 3

Facebook was the place to be last weekend for those connected to the Web but unable to leave their homes (such as me, since I was still recovering from my operation).

Here are excerpts from my Facebook wall (for those not familiar with Web 2.0 language, a wall is like a homeroom or a public diary where other people can write comments):

Last Sunday, at 4:30 a.m., I posted this: “Only Teodoro and Villar were visibly helping during the flood. Where were the other presidentiables? It makes no difference if the two were thinking of politics. They helped. The others missed their chance to show that they can handle crises.”

My Facebook friends (“friends” are people on a mailing list) responded immediately. Among the many responses I got, these are representative (I translated those written in Filipino):

 “Dick Gordon was around, doing Red Cross stuff. Noynoy and Mar were mentioned in relation to relief goods to be delivered. But other than that I have no recall of anyone else.”

 “The question is, where is Noynoy?”

“I read somewhere that they were in Bukidnon or some other province in Mindanao.”

“Gordon is remarkable! His Red Cross group is now rescuing people in Provident Village.”

 “The others are/were out campaigning, I guess.”

 “Teodoro was expected to be doing his job as NDCC chair, with its massive machinery and resources, as well as Gordon as Red Cross Chair.”

“Sometimes some would rather not advertise their helping out.”

“One should not be lauded for something he is supposed (in fact, paid) to do, or for doing something which is in his power to do. And for Teodoro, I think the unpreparedness of a disaster preparedness contingent to respond effectively is a reflection of what he failed to do as DND chief.”

I added: “What I feel bad about is that the other presidentiables (not just Noynoy but particularly him) showed no leadership yesterday. At the very least they should have rallied their troops to do something. If they didn’t know what that something was, then they should not be our president!”

That brought more responses.

“I like how you say it. I agree!”

“You are absolutely right. A good leader is someone that is able to think and act fast in time of adversity and devastation.”

On Monday, at 6 a.m., I posted this: “There’s a People Power Revolution going on (call it People Power 3): everyone helping the victims of the flooding, with or without the help of the government or those that want to be in the next government! I love the Filipino people, not just those in the country but those abroad!”

Immediately, 26 Facebook friends indicated that they agreed with me. Some posted comments such as these:

“The great flood that devastated most of Metro Manila yesterday is another proof that we have no politician nor government official who is ready and can instantly provide the needed leadership in a crisis situation. This latest natural disaster was another national disaster for aspiring politicians and leaders of this disaster-prone country. In times of need, they are nowhere to be found!”

“This is like a ray of sunshine amid the gloom. Let’s continue helping in our own way.”

“We share the same thought. Another good reason to feel good about being a Filipino and to encourage hope for the nation. Indeed a ray of sunshine.”

“Bayanihan. Everyone helps the victims of Ondoy in whatever way they can.”

“No country in the world could have coped. I thought the front page yesterday [of a newspaper, not the STAR, that featured a huge photo of a presidentiable rather than the flood - IRC] was in extreme bad taste.”

“I agree. Why put a huge photo of Noynoy and Mar smiling when that wasn’t the biggest story? Maybe the editors were stranded.”

I changed the topic (called a “thread”): “Nice work, DZMM! When I texted them about a family still on a rooftop, they called me back immediately to ask for details.”

I got this quick response: “Saludo, DZMM!”

I also got this response: “May I have the text number so I can pass on details of my friend’s dad who is also trapped on a roof in Cainta?”

I immediately posted the text number, which I had taken from the DZMM website. (To be continued)

“WORDS OF THE DAY” (English/Filipino) for next week’s elementary school classes: Oct. 5 Monday: 1. fish/ninong, 2. eel/nata (our), 3. rabbitfish/nisnis, 4. halibut/namnam, 5. seahorse/nais, 6. patriot/nami (vine); Oct. 6 Tuesday: 1. girl/ngipin, 2. sole (fish)/ngalangala, 3. batfish/ngakngak, 4. moonfish/ngabngab, 5. goby/ngalngal, 6. nationalism/nguya; Oct. 7 Wednesday: 1. keep/oo, 2. short/paa, 3. soldierfish/pako (nail), 4. threadfin/padpad, 5. flounder/pagakpak, 6. emperor/pagal; Oct. 8 Thursday: 1. note/pa, 2. shut/pakwan, 3. angelfish/pako (fern), 4. needlefish/pag-asa, 5. damsel/pagaspas, 6. gourami/pagaw; Oct. 9 Friday: 1. ball/quart, 2. scad/quake, 3. ray/quail, 4. azucena/quack, 5. flathead/qiyas, 6. snapper/qabul. The numbers after the dates indicate grade level. The dates refer to the official calendar for public elementary schools. For definitions of the words in Filipino, consult UP Diksiyonaryong Filipino.