2013 - A Year of Disaster

It has been a wild ride in the ending months of year 2012 due to the disaster that happened. I was thinking lately about that "END OF THE WORLD" stuffs. Since everyone was just paranoid on whats going on at the moment.

EARTHQUAKE

It all started with a strong earthquake that hit Bohol last October 15, 2013. I would not forget that morning since I was still lying in bed. It was around 8:30 am when it all started. Lying flat in bed feeling lazy to get up  when things were really starting to fall. With the killer instinct on my mind I immediately ran outside the house for safety purposes.

At that moment I composed a text message and sent it to my parents.

"Kusog linog dri paps...ok ramo diha ni mama?"
Dad a strong earthquake happened now are you both ok with mom?

While some of our neighbors were outside screaming, yelling and even crying. As they feel the tremors and strong shake. I was able to send the text message and then realized I was only wearing my boxers LOL!.

And the aftershocks would be felt every now and then. Believe it or not it lasted more then 2 months which I was able to get used to it. But some aftershocks are really annoying and would occur unexpectedly. Some instances were in I was caught in the middle of the church.

While praying after lighting a candle in Sto. Niño an aftershock just happened. A moment of silence was felt and you can feel the silent sound of worried people. Luckily the aftershock stopped right away, if not the whole crowd would be on mass hysteria.

The outcome of that earthquake would be devastating. As it crushed and destroyed infrastructures like churches, roads, buildings and almost anything.

And until now when Christmas is approaching some slight tremors and afters shocks can still be felt.

SUPER TYPHOON YOLANDA

Fully charge gadgets including phone for communication purposes

On November 7, 2013 Yolanda unleashed it's wrath on Leyte and some parts of Cebu. Before the landfall a calm weather before the storm was experienced.

The weather was so hot and there was no air that can be felt by our skin. During these times I was keeping in touch with my parents.

The moment Yolanda struck Leyte the last text I received from my dad was.

"Uwan na diha? Kusog na kaayo uwan dri og hangin. Nag brownout npud"
Is it raining in their? Strong winds and rain are going on right now and a total blackout.

I got this text message around 4 am. And could not reply since the communications were down. I had no information and status update from my parents for the past 4 days.

On the other hand I was not able to take a bath for 2 1/2 days. Because their was no water supply, but didn't mind that since what's important is that I have something to eat and drink.

Yolanda washed the whole Tacloban city. Leaving it like a ghost town, similar to a wrecked cemetery. A progressive city was replaced with a weeping sight. Survivors don't know what to do after the aftermath and dead bodies where everywhere.  An estimated of 10k deaths were feared as the death counts rises.

Thanks to other countries that helped the victims of Yolanda. It was really a warm relief that huge help was approaching. Almost all countries around the world offered help both financially and other sorts of necessity. The goal was to help Tacloban rise back again after a tragic calamity.

Other instances of calamities: 

Minglanilla Cebu experience a tornado last June
Alternative Soucre: http://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2013/06/19/955764/tornado-hits-minglanilla-talisay-city

Park Mall experienced a tornado last November
Source: Sunstar

Hug For Yolanda near Sto. Niño

Another typical Sunday afternoon after I lighted a candle and say a prayer in Sto. Niño. When I got out of the church the first thing that I want to do was to eat munchkins.

So I immediately look for that Swedish guy selling munchkins nearby. After 5-10 minutes of searching I couldn't find the person.

So I decided to go home, and when I was about to turn left near city savings bank building(P Burgos St.). I noticed a group of people having a placards.  When I read the stuffs written on the placard it said. "HUGS FOR YOLANDA VICTIMS 1 HUG ANY AMOUNT OF DONATION".

I thought they were protesting about something. Until I realize what they are doing when I read what was written on their placard. So other people and by passers who noticed it would participate. From kids and adults they would share a hug.

How Did Social Media Helped People During Calamities?

First and foremost let me make this clear. IT WAS A HUGE HELP, Since most of the news feeds were coming from social media. News anchor and other establishments continue their updates via social media sites.

People are updating every now and then using twitter,google+, facebook etc. Constant updates helped others to be aware of the incidents on other places. Especially facebook when people are uploading videos and images.

EARTHQUAKE IN BOHOL AND CEBU
During the strong earthquake(7.2 magnitude) that hit last month people and netizen's uploaded various images. From fallen structures to the destruction that Bohol had undergone. Even when their are aftershocks people are updating their status.

As soon as an aftershock occurs some online users would took a photo and upload it. This just shows that people would want to share something informative online.

YOLANDA SUPER TYPHOON THAT HIT LEYTE AND NORTHERN CEBU

One of the strongest typhoon's this year that left a scar was super typhoon Yolanda. Social Media was quite helpful especially when it comes to the latest news. News feed would be constantly updated online when people would share their resources of info.

And even when the super typhoon started it's wrath netizen's continued to upload videos and pictures they took. From devastating current videos caught on camera they upload it immediately. It was clear that social media had made a huge impact in providing latest updates.

Never before scenes of pictures and videos that people share online were seen. Since not all parts of Tacloban were being covered by reporters. So people who were able to capture raw videos would upload and would start to share it to their friends.

It was also a huge help during the aftermath. Consistent updates were possible especially to current status of Tacloban Leyte. Images of the city were visible online for people to be aware of what happened.

Other volunteers would take pictures of survivors writing a message. The message was all about "FAMILY NAME WE ARE SAFE or FAMILY NAME WE ARE ALIVE".

This kind of information is quite crucial especially to the relatives. Since this would rest assure them that their love ones are still alive. Since this would preven
t others from worrying too much.

But some messages would just to sad to read. Especially when they tell and write about a family member that died. It's sad but at least and with all due respect it will still be shown for confirmation purposes.

Even international news personnel where forecasting. Internet had been a huge help during those days when it comes to latest news. People and their friends could instantly connect and communicate because of social media.

At the same time some of the Philippine government lapses and sluggish respond were also updated online. CNN personal was able to cover and witnessed how slow the Philippine government's responds.

And that issues went viral online because it was exposed and shared. Information now a days could travel the world in an instant. From one click to another online users could easily get informed.

Sources of the pictures:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151769626161977&set=pb.116724526976.-2207520000.1386263710.&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151755856076977&set=pb.116724526976.-2207520000.1386263744.&type=3&permPage=1