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

Surprise fiesta visit.

So I decided to leave Cebu for a while since i had enough of it's pollution. I made my decision to go home and visit my parents on my home town. This time I would surprise my parents that I would go home this fiesta since it has been a year and a half that I haven't seen them. I failed to go home last year due to hectic schedule of work.

I didn't texted nor replied the text from my father since he texted me if my uncle would visit them he would ask some favor. My father would eventually ask some razor blades for his beard/mustache and some milk for my mom. Even if I received his text messages I didn't replied for the purpose of a surprise.

When it was the day for departure I was not able to sleep on the boat the whole 8 hours. The boat(medallion transport) left the port of Cebu exactly 9pm and it was sluggish on it's voyage. Plus it was not really cool inside the boat since we were able to get the economy ticket. I told my uncle to purchase the tourist ticket so that we can sleep well on an air condition environment.  Since there was a slight difference of the around 100 pesos from economy to tourist ticket. Heck I would rather pay for a good sleep while travelling rather than sitting the whole 8 hours waiting in vain.


I noticed that there were a lot of familiar faces on the boat. And most of the passengers are from our hometown. Some of them were even our relatives so we didn't really expect it. They have the same purpose to go home and that was to enjoy the fiesta and have some vacation also.

When the boat was nearing the port I could just feel the cold and cool swift of the wind. Yes this is paradise for me and I had an instant excitement feeling about it. The boat arrive around 5:30 am in Bato Leyte and it was raining also.  So we immediately took a tricycle before the rain would pour hard.

When were riding the tricycle I was just smiling along the way since I know mom and dad would be surprise.  Plus I bought a mothers day surprise gift a Samsung LED 32 inch TV. While we were entering our baryo I could see now the open wide vast green rice fields. The scene that would someone entertain me so I started to feast the view. And then we arrived at our house I saw my father sitting near the road side together with some of my relatives. Caught him smiling since he didn't expect that I would arrive together with his brother.

I also saw my mom ahead probably having her morning walk as her exercise. Oh damn I could see her smile while approaching fast as I also come near her to greet and bless her hand. While she was carrying some vegetables on her hand.

We walk all inside since we would have our breakfast and coffee. While we were in side I noticed there reaction that they were delighted of what I have brought. I really tried my best to save some extra cash to purchase something so that they will have there own TV. And I don't want them to watch television on our neighbor's house.

While we were setting up the antenna there was a missing piece that was missing in order for the coaxial cable to fit. My parents were a bit feeling foul since they might not able to watch and use it today and beside it's game 4 of the Nba finals. I said to myself I won't go back to cebu if this television won't play LOL! so we immediately went to the nearest town(lungsod). Our purpose was also to have some grocery and meat stock for there consumption. And we were lucky enough to purchase what we need and the antenna cord converter. When we arrive back home the TV was working well and all smiles for us and I can sense that they were happy.

I was also able to see and greet my relatives including the old ones whom could hardly recognize me due to there blurry eye sight. I ask for their hand and showed manners by blessing it and also hug them for comfort. I was able to see the places that I missed hanging out and the good green rice field view from the window of my room.

I was just a two day vacation and I wanted to extend more days but I need to go back to cebu for work reasons. As much as I wanted I would love to stay around 1 week since I missed and love to live a simple life in my home town.

Until the next time I would be back and visit my parents I would find another way to surprise them. :)

Revisiting Caniago Island Day 1

Last May my colleagues and I decided to have a last blow of summer as the group decided to go to canigao island in Matalom Leyte. Since this will also be like a dispedida for both James and Francis before they will go to Singapore.

The gathering place was on Francis Moreno's boarding house and some just went directly to the port since they could not make it on time. Both Ron and James arrive in the port just in last minute before the departure. Ron came together with her fiance and James together with his family (wife and 2 kids).

When we were sailing in the seas my friends fell as sleep as I was just listening to some music on my iPod. Since my insomnia was at it's peek I was not able to sleep until we arrive at Bato Leyte. The cool breeze of air welcome us and the sound of tricycle from my uncle was waiting. After we departed the boat we took time to get necessary foods and things in the near by market and going to our destination. As we were approaching my home town I decided told my uncle to stop over my fathers house so that I can greet him and also to borrow some kitchen utensils.

It's nearly 5 years when my last visit of my home town and still little changes I have noticed. Tall tress and green rice fields still captured my seen. The big cross at the back of my fathers house was still there and it was repainted. My little cousins also greeted me and some of my few relatives who were shocked seeing my unexpected.

We arrive at the rest house exactly 9 a.m and took manners in preparing for breakfast and arranging our belongings in the dorm. While others where busy playing dota and also cooking for lunch. Some even took a bath already in the sea since the tide was high. After lunch the group decided to go the canigao island and we were fetch via boat.

As we were approaching to the island I could see that the place was starting to be developed and getting crowded. Well it's summer and a lot of people preferably know now the place. A lot of changes I noticed on the island and among of them is that cottages were everywhere and also a watch tower were made for life guards to monitor the people. There is now an entrance both were in you will pay entrance fee for Php 10.00 per head.

As we find our spot and place to settle down since the front part of the island was merely crowded and full of people. We decided to take a walk going to the other side of the island which was just a couple of walk from the sea shore. As I roam my eyes seeing the changes that was implemented in the island. I can see how people tend to forget how to take care of nature and how to preserve it. I saw that the middle part of the island going to the light tower was now cleaned up. And all those trees and bushes were removed.

As we continue to walk in the shore line I also noticed that roap's were used as boundaries in the coastal area. This signifies that if a swimmer went out of that area he/she will be in trouble since the island is full of strong water currents. Currents that could drive you away to a far area in a matter of seconds. It's clear enough that those roap's act as precaution's to those swimmers.

After 5 years I can feel again the fine sand and watch the green and blue water of the island. I missed this feeling way back when. Were in you could just watch how nature tend to erase your problems and grunges. The sea breeze was perfect were it soothes your skin the moment it hits you. Yet there were some things that I as a bit disappointed like no proper maintenance of the island. Garbage and other stuffs that can trigger the destruction of the place were there. Some were dangerously walking in the sanctuary and some were also getting sea clamps. Which is not prohibited because it's a sanctuary place.

I used to sit down in this sea shore and let the waves hit my feet. As I could take a wide look of the long site in front of me. And listen to the deafening silence. I can just recall that only bird tweets and sea shore waves were the most dominant sound I can hear. And this was also the place were my grand father take a break after long hours of fishing or seek shelter when a storm nor typhoon hits them while fishing. It's kind of a different island now. Compared five years or even long time ago were sea snake, birds and sea turtles are only the visitors of the island.

This will be a big challenge for the mayor on how he will maintain and propagate the place that capture my childhood. This was one of the places that acted my motivation to learn how to swim since when I was a child my father or uncle would dare my to learn how to swim so that I can go along with them in fishing. And They would not let me come together with them because I don't know how to swim.

After a walk we finally settled down a sport were we set up a tent for our belongings and start to indulge the sea. We tried to enjoy every part and every minute we could since we decided not to have an overnight in the island for security and food purposes. We would go back to the rest house for dinner. As a storm was approaching we could just see the dark skies in front of the island.

We decided to roam around and have a tour of the island. We managed to went around the island going to the sanctuary place. We stop at the back of the island waiting for a sunset and also had fun with little fish jumping in the shore line. Clear water like the river what entertained us at the back of the island. But thick clouds covered the sun and we did not get a chance for a sunset in the island.

When we got back in the rest house we ate dinner. And after a while others felt tired and went to sleep. While others decided to sit for a while and have a drink and talk about jokes and nonsense things.