Thursday, November 14, 2013

Discussion for STS students of THY

Question: As a student of Science, Technology and Society what are your thoughts on the Typhoon Yolanda Tragedy?

123 comments:

  1. I think the disaster and tragedy brought on by Typhoon Yolanda is one of the biggest tests provided by nature on the people and especially the government. Sadly though, I think the attention to the tragedy, very much more in local media, has been more or less focused on the lack of help from the government, making the situation worse. Personally, I think we should all just focus our attention and energy on what we can do to help, individually and as a country, and leave all the other issues brought about for later. What matters, I think, is not who has helped or who hasn't, but the fact that we helped in the best way we can.

    Audrey Anne A. Arocha
    2012-51626

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    Replies
    1. I actually agree with the points stated above. The Typhoon did indeed bring a slew of hardships, but all I see when I look at my newsfeed are people pointing fingers and blaming this person or that. While it may be true that some people really are to blame, how will accusing someone help meet the demands for support that the victims of the typhoon so badly need? As a student in STS, it is my opinion that there are better ways to use the technology we possess, and while it is not wrong to post about awareness of the situation or even accuse someone of being inept (as people do have their right to express themselves and their opinions), there are more productive ways to help out, such as informing others of projects or activities that one can partake in to ease the burden of the typhoon victims. I'm fairly sure nearly everyone in the Philippines or even the world knows about the typhoon, not as many people know what they can physically do to help.

      Joachim R. Sison
      2012-58294

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  2. I think that everyone who uses and enjoys the benefits of social media must help campaign for the help to the people in disaster-stricken areas, especially those in Samar and Leyte areas. As students, the least we could do is to volunteer, donate, and propagate the word regarding the condition of the areas affected by typhoon Yolanda, and appeal to the whole world for help. The rest of the country may have been spared for now, but it is our duty as Filipinos, and as humans, to help our fellowmen who are in dire need. It is not enough that we pray for them; we must also take action to be able to help them. Being an STS student teaches us the impact of technology to the society -- and therefore, we must use that knowledge to reach out to the ones in need, starting with using the power of social media appropriately.


    Karmela Rae Baldo
    2013-18602

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  3. The Typhoon Yolanda Tragedy that took away many lives and properties saddened me a lot. Seeing good people suffer made me think that they do not deserve any of the suffering at all. Living is never easy, though, and tragedies will always come in the way.

    As a nation, we should help each other in the best way we can. We should stop blaming people. We must keep an eye, though, on the some alarming things that are happening, like relief goods not being sent to those who need them, etc. We must all see this tragedy as a challenge to us Filipinos, to rise again and heal.

    Maria Teresa Llera 2013-40924

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  4. While I sit here writing this comment, thousands of stricken souls cry for help throughout our country. Being an STS student and a Filipino citizen, I believe that we are not just encouraged to reach out, but we are obliged to do so. It matters not the amount of goods we give, or the amount time we spend assisting. What truly matters is that we passionately offer ourselves to the cause. Even the smallest of donations given directly from the heart will suffice. Yolanda might have possibly been the strongest storm, but we Filipinos, as a community, are stronger.

    Lorenzo Arturo C. Defensor
    2013-59820

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  5. Thoughts about how we see these recent tragedies and calamities have been frequently asked nowadays because of how visible the effects of it are now. On a scientific view as well as being an STS student, I think this tragedy is something that is not uncalled for anymore. We have been warned a lot of times and have been reminded on how we should take action and take care of our environment more but sadly, it had always been ignored. I still am hoping that we would soon overcome the grave effects of this tragedy. AND after that, I clearly hope that we would take more action on preventing these events from happening and not just trying to take action after it already happened.

    Grandiehl Shyrr G. Enriquez
    2012-29603

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  6. It was really devastating and scary not just for Visayans but for all mankind. I think this is a sign for us to do something like participating in volunteer works, donating some goods, and disseminating the appeal for help of our fellowmen. I personally think also that it is time for the government to reinforce their disaster management councils to do some preemptive measures for destructive disasters such as typhoons and earthquakes. I also think that the future developers should consider urban planning to at least reduce the danger brought about by poorly constructed infrastructures especially in NCR. As an STS student, we must devote ourselves to invent things and create ideas for the betterment and safety of the nation with the use of science and technology we have right now.

    Audrey Deniece SP. Flores
    2013-72538

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  7. Yes, it's one of the most destructive typhoons we had, but i don't...i felt bad to see how awful the damage was, worse was still the great number of lives killed. We have been warned so many times, why can't other people understand why evacuating is very important and necessary even before the calamity? What is the purpose of the technologies we are using if people can follow what it showed us to do?Probably i was just depressed... But looking on the other side,i wish the victims would still trust in God and have more patience to wait for the help that they may receive. I really pray that these help would reach them. And to whom it may concern, please stop spreading rumors on possible attacks of NPA or prisoners or any kind of news that would scare everyone. You are all tired and traumatized, please think before you say anything that may cause bad things.

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  8. It was very scary and devastating not just for Visayans but for all mankind. I think it is a sign for us to prepare for something like this because we all know that it's indeed possible for it to happen again. As for our government, I suggest that they should reinforce our disaster management councils to do preemptive measures for terrifying disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. I also think that future developers should also consider urban planning to at least reduce the danger that poorly constructed infrastructures may bring in residential areas especially in NCR . As an STS student, I think we must devote ourselves to do our best in creating ideas and innovations for the betterment and safety of our nation with the use of science and technology we have right now.

    Audrey Deniece SP. Flores
    2013-72538

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  9. Things have been said about how the government lacks solutions for the rather unexpected disaster brought on by Yolanda. Although the region could have been more prepared for this and the trouble could have been lesser, I believe that this is not the right time to blame politicians nor anyone else for what has happened; instead, what the people need is the assurance that we are here to help them get up and move on. A way to do that is by using what we know about science and technology in order to provide whatever help we can and without realizing it, even just an hour of volunteering could end up with a society saved.

    Monica Tiongco
    2013 - 21566

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  10. The influence of science and technology intensifies with every step of scientific development. The degree by which people were able to interact and visit other places even within their home country were greatly improved now, than it was in the 16th century.

    With it this improvement of communications and transportation, so should the ability of governments and peoples to actively avoid hardship during calamities. A fact not so felt in the case of the Philippines. The Philippines is an island nation that is affected by more than 20 storms every year. It is also a nation found within the Pacific Ring of Fire, meaning it is particularly exposed to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. The Philippines therefore, should be a country of elite of disaster risk managers. Except that they're not.

    I admire the criticism of foreign media outlets. They have shown their mettle and skill at the job each time they showed themselves in Tacloban. Anchor Christine Amapour with the seemingly oblivious President Aquino III, Anchor Andrew Stevens with VP Roxas, and the very-popular Anderson Cooper just talking to the camera. They all did their job well in criticizing what deserved to be criticized. Most especially when the guilty (the supposed organizers of our evacuations and their bureaucrat masters) try to awash themselves of any blame. Atom Araullo, notwithstanding his popularity and bravery exhibited during his reporting, was not able to accomplish this hard-hitting journalism we should be expecting from an UP Applied Physics graduate.

    As an STS student, I wish to learn more about meteorology and storms, and how governments should prepare for these calamities.

    Malcolm Aniag
    2012-10792

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  11. This tragedy has destroyed lives, but it has also built in each and everyone of us the heart to help our fellow countrymen. It is also a realization that material things and possessions can just vanish in a blink of an eye, and that we should give more focus on the things that matters most. As STS students, we should maximize our resources and use the power of technology wisely to help even in the simplest manner.

    2013-13256

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  12. Typhoon Yolanda devastation was a warning not only for us, Filipinos, but also for the whole race of humanity to become more aware in our actions to the environment. Climate change and global warming can be accounted as factors why typhoon Yolanda became so strong (increased air temperature causes increased evaporation and storms draw strength from warm water and air in the ocean’s surface). Thus, the tragedy serves as a reminder for people to become more conscious on nature and have responsible use of technology and innovation, because in the end, we will also be the one to suffer.
    201324095

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  13. Typhoon Yolanda devastation was a warning not only for us, Filipinos, but also for the whole race of humanity to become more aware in our actions to the environment. Climate change and global warming can be accounted as factors why typhoon Yolanda became so strong (increased air temperature causes increased evaporation and storms draw strength from warm water and air in the ocean’s surface). Thus, the tragedy serves as a reminder for people to become more conscious on nature and have responsible use of technology and innovation, because in the end, we will also be the one to suffer.
    201324095

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  14. Not to sound heartless or inhumane but my first thoughts about the tragedy is that stuff like that is common all over the world. Shit happens and the only thing we can do is support those affected by such events. Besides, Filipinos are best known to brush off any problems we face and keep on living with a smile.

    Dave - 2013-70005

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  15. We should not let this tragedy be the sole judge of the current administration. Yes, relief operations and clearing operations are being done slowly, but we must keep in mind that the aftermath is great and the local government units are partly paralyzed because everyone -- from the ordinary citizens to the local government officials -- is affected. The national government is also doing its best to help the survivors but we all know it's not easy to do. Posting rants about the government's ""not doing its job"" or ""hypocrisy"" on social networking sites won't help hasten the relief and clearing operations. Neither will it help those affected by the typhoon. Neither will it change the government in the blink of an eye. Neither will it restore the affected areas. Instead of ranting about the government's ways and decisions right now, we should volunteer and donate. Instead of looking at the flaws of the government's system in relief and clearing operations, we should be more open-minded because we are not the ones doing the government's job. Instead of using this time to judge the current administration as if everything it has done is wrong, we should help the government in helping those affected by the greatest typhoon in history.


    2013-19749

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  16. We have already seen and heard enough about the devastation created by Yolanda's surge. Honestly, feeling of sorrow caused by the misfortunes of the victims and blaming the authority won't solve this dilemma. However, let us help in any way we can. Donating goods, volunteering to relief operations and even clicking the 'share' button on social media posts about the situation on the devastated areas will do help a lot. I think that collective effort when done continuously is way much stronger than the typhoon itself. As one nation, I also believe that we can end this tragedy together ..sooner. :D

    Calimlim, Noli R.
    13-11406

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  17. More than anything else, I think we should go out of our way to help our typhoon-stricken brethren not only by sending them cash donations and basic needs but also helping them overcome their fears and the trauma they are currently experiencing. I believe that with all the help and support they are receiving from all over the world, they can replace the things the typhoon tore down. But the emotional stress they underwent while seeing their loved ones die and their properties destroyed may not be easily remedied. That traumatic experience they had will always be a part of them and also hinder them from really starting over again unless we help them to recover from it. As STS students, we can help them by using our knowledge about how our society works and the skills we can learn from the course.


    Camille Anne C. Barbosa
    2013-01010

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  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  19. I agree with what Audrey and Karmela said above. What happened in the Visayas Region was indeed devastating and dreadful, and in a way, a test in the solidarity and unity of our country as a whole. Even if it is a simple way, I believe that using social media to spread the news of what happened is one great step to rouse everyone in the world into action - to volunteer, donate, and pray for all the people affected by the typhoon

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  20. The great tragedy and destruction caused by typhoon Yolanda is indeed overwhelming, even for a country like ours that is yearly frequented by typhoons. What's more troubling is that despite the continuous fund raising activities, volunteer works and call for donations, there are still towns that haven't received any help at all. Although many seem convinced that the government is to blame, none of us could have seen this coming. The government, I think, would just have to further improve not only the technology that we need for preparing and for facing disasters like this, but they also need to maximize the resources within our reach so that we can be sure that help would reach those in immediate need. But now, this can only serve as a lesson to everyone. What we can do now, is just to help in any possible way we can, may it be through social media, donations or through volunteer work. Other countries have agreed to help our fellow Filipinos in the greatly affected areas, they have agreed to help not only financially, but they have also agreed to lend us the technology and man-power we need. We may lack the technology, we may lack resources, but we Filipinos never lack the will to help and the strength to stand back up.

    Clarice Alyanna Adeva
    2013-01089

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  21. The great tragedy and destruction caused by typhoon Yolanda is indeed overwhelming, even for a country like ours that is yearly frequented by typhoons. What's more troubling is that despite the continuous fund raising activities, volunteer works and call for donations, there are still towns that haven't received any help at all. Although many seem convinced that the government is to blame, none of us could have seen this coming. The government, I think, would just have to further improve not only the technology that we need for preparing and for facing disasters like this, but they also need to maximize the resources within our reach so that we can be sure that help would reach those in immediate need. But now, this can only serve as a lesson to everyone. What we can do now, is just to help in any possible way we can, may it be through social media, donations or through volunteer work. Other countries have agreed to help our fellow Filipinos in the greatly affected areas, they have agreed to help not only financially, but they have also agreed to lend us the technology and man-power we need. We may lack the technology, we may lack resources, but we Filipinos never lack the will to help and the strength to stand back up.

    Clarice Alyanna Adeva
    2013-01089

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  22. The aftermath of typhoon Yolanda left numerous Filipino people without their love ones, homes, food, communication etc. and thankfully through technology, the news about the damage made by the typhoon reached people all over the world and this generated a lot of volunteers and donations for the typhoon Yolanda victims. This showed that technology played a vital role in helping the Yolanda victims and of course, the "bayanihan" that people showed after the disaster was also essential in the recovery of the people devastated by the typhoon.

    Pat Andayon (2011-02035)

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  23. I could say that the process of informing the people about the upcoming typhoon was sufficient. I’ve heard it in the news several days before it hit the Philippine Islands. As an STS student, I think our technology now concerning the possible weather phenomena is more accurate than before, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the disaster it made. Seeing those victims and the destruction the typhoon left at the Philippines – especially the Visayas region – I feel pity for them, but also feel awe for their perseverance despite this life-taking event.
    As journalism major, I can say that this tragedy Typhoon Yolanda really saddens me. Even more, this tragic news is being broadcasted all over the world by the medium of mass media, and some of them are journalists like I’m supposed to be someday. Sharing bad news is never a pleasure, but it is the obligation of the journalist to do it; this really hurts me somehow I cannot explain.
    However, when I see people bond together to help, it puts a smile on my face for they finally come together for a cause or reason: helping the unfortunate people who survived the wrath of Yolanda. Even in my own little ways, I also try to help them, for it brings me peace somehow.

    Paollo Deo R. Reyes
    2013-66992

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  24. Typhoon Yolanda is indeed a tragedy that destroyed not only the properties and livelihood of some of our FIlipino brothers and sisters but also their hopes and dreams. As its strong and viscous wind passed across the Philippine region it took with it lives of thousands of people and even up to this moment the death toll is sadly still increasing. Now as a student of the STS subject, I do wonder how science and technology could still be improved in order to help the society. With the different disaster that our country has experienced I do believe that they may come a time when a more strong adversity would come (but hopefully Yolanda is the last). The challenge that all of us should face is how could we utilize more the knowledge and technology we have in order to prevent or at least be prepared for such tragedy. Also I think that what happened here in the Philippines should serve as a lesson to every one of us to be ready and be alert always, though it’s sad to think that we learn these things the tough way.

    God bless the Philippines. God bless the Filipino people!

    DelaCruz, Jeff Denver F.
    2013-21915

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  25. For months, calamities have been shaking our spirits. The Yolanda tragedy was obviously too much, but it is something no one could have prevented. Since the damage has been done, the only thing we could do is to unite, not only with our countrymen but also with other nations, in trying to save people and whatever other things we could. Anyone capable of using their hands and feet should serve fellow countrymen in need. The words "The Filipino spirit is resilient" will not move, not unless we move. A simple act such as signing up for campus relief operations makes a big difference. On the other hand, the government should go all out on using private aircrafts in the Luzon in distributing goods to places that are hard to reach; restaurants and fast foods should pack and donate food; private and public employees should establish their own relief operations and collect and pack clothes; and doctors should go where they must be. Indeed, our prayers can be heard through words, but they will not be enough without concrete action.

    2013-68145

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  26. The aftermath of typhoon Yolanda left numerous Filipino people without their love ones, homes, food, communication etc. and thankfully through technology, the news about the damage made by the typhoon reached people all over the world and this generated a lot of volunteers and donations for the typhoon Yolanda victims. This showed that technology played a vital role in helping the Yolanda victims and of course, the "bayanihan" that people showed after the disaster was also essential in the recovery of the people devastated by the typhoon.

    Pat Andayon (2011-02035)

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  27. Most of us gain knowledge and updates about this tragedy through local and international media. It has been more than a week after the typhoon struck in our country but the media reports have always been about the large percentage of survivors who still have not reached by the relief operations. Many people have blamed the government about its slow response. No one wants this tragedy to happen. Instead of joining the groups who criticize our government, people should just focus on how to help our fellowmen. We could help in many ways especially through science and technology. We could already help by simply sharing photos of missing persons in Facebook. There is no time for pointing mistakes. We should just learn from such mistakes and be united as one as we show our "bayanihan" spirit.

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  28. My only concern is that, yes, PAG-ASA said that they did their thing by giving the people knowledge on Yolanda even before it hit our country but was there a problem in the information dissemination? Did that reach the people in Tacloban and Palo? They, at the very least, were prepared. But were they prepared enough? Or was Yolanda's destruction too overwhelming that the preparations did not mean anything during that time and even PAG-ASA was stupefied by Yolanda's destructive capabilites?

    That aside.

    "Dapat pinagtutuunan ngayon ang rescue and relief operations." (Dr. David, 2013)

    Dr. David said it. We need to focus on helping our kababayans in Visayas. Less of the ranting. Less of the government bashing. Save it for later. Those people are in need of food and water. They survived the tragedy with heavy hearts coz some of their relatives died. Iskolar ng Bayan. That's what we are. We ought to help them in any way we can.

    2012-15340

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  29. Typhoon Yolanda had ruined many communities and families. As the fortunate ones who were not affected by the typhoon, what we can do at this time is to continue helping and not to waste our time and attention into blaming the government or anyone else. Though the horrifying damages that the typhoon had brought and the delays on relief operations were because of the government or any other sector, it is not time for complaining and blaming someone for all those flaws. This time, it doesn’t count who had helped, what matters is the people who need help. It is not about us, but it is about them.

    As an STS student, I suggest that we should use our resources and technology to efficiently deliver the relief goods to the people since that is the eminent problem right now. Many people have helped yet less has been received by the affected communities. Finally, I also suggest that we should be warned by this tragedy. We should learn to use Science not as a catalyst for the destruction of our environment but as our shield to disasters like Typhoon Yolanda.

    Nikka Sales
    2013-52498

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  30. What happened to our country is such an unfortunate event, that everyone around the world mourns with us. It is just really sad to see all the life that was swept by Typhoon Yolanda, not only humans, but also plants and animals. The super typhoon was a big reminder for me of just how powerful nature can be. Nature can shelter us, but it can also kills us.

    On another note, it's very heartwarming to see everyone, not only Filipinos but people around the world, help the victims get back on their feet. Everyone does their share to help, whether be it in small or big actions. With all these help we are sending out, I just hope that the victims of Typhoon Yolanda feel our sincerity and may this help them stand again.


    2011-14690

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  31. The typhoon Yolanda is one of the most devastating tragedies our country has experienced. It is dreadful thinking about the aftermath this typhoon has done - loss of lives, destruction of homes, scarcity of resources and emotional pain.

    Nowadays, social media has become a very powerful tool for information dissemination. I can say that this has its advantages and disadvantages. An advantage is raising awareness. Once you go online, we are easily exposed to the latest happenings/situations in the regions affected by the typhoon. Besides this, we are also made aware of the various ways we can help our brothers and sisters, may it be through donations or helping in relief ops. Social media has also become a medium for communication. With this, victims may be able to contact loved ones in order to confirm their safety or to ask for help. A disadvantage would be the dissemination of wrong information. Sometimes, false happenings would spread on social media and would cause unnecessary panic or anger.

    As part of one country, we should do our obligation in helping our society. Now we are given the platform to do something to help those in need. Now is not the time to blame each other or find fault in the government. Now is the time to be united as one family. Do your part. Fulfill your obligation in our society. With volunteerism and a positive outlook, we can overcome this and have hope for a better tomorrow. :)

    Thea Selina G. Morales
    2013-59204

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  32. The Yolanda Tragedy should serve as a wake up call to us Filipinos. We have gone through countless typhoons in the past yet we still remain complacent and we still lack the initiative to solve this repetitive problem in our country. Hopefully after this tragedy, a big improvement will be seen with our urban planning, evacuation protocols, and relief efforts. As STS students, we must criticize the technology we use in society whether they are beneficial or detrimental to our environment. We must think of new technology that could help us achieve sustainable development while incorporating everything we learn about technology and the environment in our daily lives so that we won't face the consequences as harsh as we have these past few days. Lastly, we must be willing to help and share our blessings and knowledge with others so that everyone may be ready to face any tragedy or rise up again after loosing so much.

    2013-19392

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  33. Honestly, what happened was embarrassing for the whole country. At times like these, we should be there for those who mourn because of the tragedy and give them whatever we can to help them in their needs. What just happened should have been an opportunity for us to show our fellow countrymen and the whole world that we are one country and that we help each other despite the number of cultural differences we have. Aren’t times like these a reason why we have nation-building programs? But instead, what happened was otherwise. Some of us used the opportunity to give way to their motives and lost the true essence of helping. We help in spite of and not because we want something in return. And the worst of all, some of us just showed the whole world that we are not one nation.


    2013-40983

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  34. This disaster has indeed, brought wreck to our brothers and sisters in Visayas. The damages and casualties dealt by Yolanda had exceeded the expectations of everyone. As an STS student, we should see this as an opportunity to be more aware of the fast-changing world, and be sensitive to the effects of the actions caused by our everyday activities. This should be also an eye-opener to everyone that when there comes a time when people are in need, we should respond to their calls of distress.

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  35. Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda which recently hit the Philippines will go down in history as one of the deadliest and most destructive typhoons ever recorded. This is a time when we all agree that science and technology play an important role not only in increasing our awareness of devastations brought by natural disasters is concerned, but more importantly, in helping us face the challenges and threats posed by natural disasters. Science tells us that global warming will induce more intense storms, and that the effects of climate change such as higher global temperatures and rising sea levels are making the impact of severe storms like typhoon Yolanda worse. More science discourse are now being undertaken to study if weather patterns have really changed and if there will be more and bigger storms coming. Understanding how the weather has changed is very useful for us Filipinos because we are at a greater risk because of our vulnerability. Technology is important if we are to address our country’s capability in terms of disaster response. Typhoon Yolanda affected power, communication lines, and even cell phone towers such that satellite phones could not carry messages at a time when texting is necessary in assessing the situation, locating people and supplies, coordinating deployments, and most especially, relaying messages to loved ones. It is therefore important to have improved technology on early warning systems, post-disaster communications, and information management so that when disaster strikes, we will have the capacity to see much more quickly where the needs are, where the resources are, and where disaster teams should be better deployed. Despite our country’s very limited resources, our resilience through adaptation, which we Filipinos are known for, will greatly increase with the help of science expertise and improved technology.

    Denise Anne R. Castro
    2013-14434

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  36. I could say that the process of informing the people about the upcoming typhoon was sufficient. I’ve heard it in the news several days before it hit the Philippine Islands. As an STS student, I think our technology now concerning the possible weather phenomena is more accurate than before, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the disaster it made. Seeing those victims and the destruction the typhoon left at the Philippines – especially the Visayas region – I feel pity for them, but also feel awe for their perseverance despite this life-taking event.

    As journalism major, I can say that this tragedy Typhoon Yolanda really saddens me. Even more, this tragic news is being broadcasted all over the world by the medium of mass media, and some of them are journalists like I’m supposed to be someday. Sharing bad news is never a pleasure, but it is the obligation of the journalist to do it; this really hurts me somehow I cannot explain.

    However, when I see people bond together to help, it puts a smile on my face for they finally come together for a cause or reason: helping the unfortunate people who survived the wrath of Yolanda. Even in my own little ways, I also try to help them, for it brings me peace somehow.

    Paollo Deo R. Reyes
    2013-66992

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  37. The catastrophe brought to our country, especially in Leyte and other largely devastated provinces by Super Typhoon Yolanda proved that man cannot go against nature. This calamity affected over 9 million people, leaving over 3,000 casualties. Many at this moment experience hunger, thirst, desperation, and helplessness due to their difficult living conditions as of the moment. We cannot fully blame the government for such because this is a natural disaster although at this point, they must do their best to help these affected people. From this experience, we can also see how inferior our technology and our system are compared to other countries. We cannot help but to compare because the Philippines is in the limelight of the world at the moment. The country is now being compared to Japan who experienced a tsunami back in 2011 as well as other countries who suffered ravaging natural disaster in the past. A number of foreign countries are now giving aid to the Philippines, providing help for our country to recover. Hopefully, we will manage to recover from this tragedy and move on soon enough. Over the centuries, man has encountered natural disasters; it destroyed properties, deterred livelihood and even took lives. But man surely will stand up again, rebuild everything and improve guided by his experience in the past. It is an inevitable cycle; destroy, rebuild and improve. We Filipinos must take this tragedy as a learning experience so as to invoke improvement for the future.

    Gazelle Anne Garcia
    2013-70202

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  38. Typhoon Yolanda has again brought out the sense of community in us Filipinos as we continue to lend a helping hand to our countrymen in need regardless if we know them or not. However, there is also another side of the story wherein a heated exchange is going on between those who criticize the government for their actions (or inaction) during and after the typhoon and those who bash these critiques. Let us be reminded that we do what we can to help but in the end, the government that is mandated by the people to serve them must also be held accountable especially in these life-and-death situations. Critiquing the government is not done out of spite but is done out of duty as responsible citizens of the country.

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  39. I just thought that we were ready. Days before Typhoon Haiyan was officially named Yolanda, I saw in the news that everybody is preparing survival kits, evacuating early, storing food and drinks, and making sure their houses can be a stronghold. But I was totally wrong, as I watch different stations airing the devastation brought by the typhoon. I asked the question, "can we really be prepared for such strong disaster or is there just something wrong in the preparation?"

    I thought, that there could be miscommunication in the information. Although the information is seemingly adequate, the understanding of the information has brought error in the process. When the report says, "Yolanda is classified as a Category 5 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 315 kph and gusts reaching 380 kph." How can an ordinary citizen estimate how dangerous it will be provided with just numbers and to add, never in history has it been experienced? So I thought that scientific information should be relayed in such a way that even Grade 1 students would have a clear image in their mind of what the forecast is saying. Scientific information should be more visual rather than statistical.

    Christian Paul dG. Allan
    2013-04986

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  40. I love the way how today's technology, especially in the field of communication, lets people from all over the world know about our situation and also make way for them to reach out and help. Donations are coming from everywhere, and people from other countries are genuinely concerned for the Filipinos--they know what we are going through. Technology erases boundaries, it unites everyone, and during times like this, all people of the earth are supporting each other. It's touching.

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  41. I consider the Yolanda tragedy one of the most devastating calamities to have ever hit our country in recent memory. But like all great tragedies, there is always a door to great change. The super typhoon showed the Filipino people how unprepared we are against the growing strength of natural phenomena. Some occasions were that we lacked proper information dissemination on the potential hazards of a category 5 typhoon, especially on its resulting storm surge. Thus, our protocol for pre-storm preparation was inadequate to deal with such a force. After the storm hit, our proper immediate response to aid those affected was less than satisfactory because we had no proper plans to deal with that level of destruction. We also lacked the proper system for shipping relief goods and we lacked the portable medical equipment that could have been used to immediately tend to those in need. Basically, we were not prepared for a disaster of Yolanda's scale. Even though we've been constantly battered by typhoons in the past, we have not adapted well to them. I take Yolanda as a wake up call to us Filipinos. Carefully studying the effects of this disaster will hopefully result in better emergency response protocols as well as the acquisition of new technologies that will help us cope with future disasters. It also serves a warning to the human race. Climate change caused by our activities is the cause of these abnormally strong typhoons; if we continue to irresponsibly utilize our planet's resources, it's only a matter of time before we pay the full price.

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  42. To Audrey, we actually share the same sentiments. I really don't understand why people waste time accusing and pointing fingers to others when we could just focus first on helping the victims. I mean, people are dying. This is not the time for the blame game. We should direct our efforts toward addressing the real problem here and not divert our attention to some trivial matters. As a student, I believe that using social media is a great way to disseminate information regarding the situation of the affected areas. Also, donating and volunteering is of great importance. We should help our fellowmen the best we can. Despite Yolanda being a super typhoon, I still believe that our country can rise from this fall.

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  43. It was a disaster alright. So many lives were lost and so much damage was brought upon Visayas. Social media has played a crucial part in raising awareness which prompted so many people and organizations to lend a hand to the victims. Technology has come a long way and I am happy for that. The spread of information, however, had many people pointing fingers and blaming others. Instead of playing the blame game, why not help the victims in any way we can? Those people need our support and not our rants. It will be hard to recover, but if we all work together I'm sure they'll get back up on their feet. In the face of despair, even the smallest glimmer of hope will prevail.

    Hannah Dungca, 2013-14765

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  44. At first, I really got dismayed with the local government officials upon hearing the news. I thought that they did not strive enough to prepare their constituents. However, upon knowing that some people died after drowning in the actual evacuation centers, I realized that I was wrong with my prejudgment. I think most of the victims really prepared for the super typhoon. But a catastrophe of that intensity would be really difficult to avoid.

    Now, the victims really need help in order to get up and move on. It would be a really long process of rehabilitation both physically and mentally. Only time will heal all sorts of painful experiences. And aside from providing their necessities, letting them know that not just the whole country but the whole world is with them and for them and giving them motivation to continue on would really help them recover.

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  45. I think this calamity should humble us and inspire us to study harder, because it shows us how far our country still has to go in terms of disaster management technology. A lot of times when I think of science, I think of giant textbooks and microscopes and hard exams. But this helped me realize that science and advancements in technology are super important because they can help prevent catastrophes like this. I think as UP scholars and STS students and all that we can make sure that something this bad doesn't happen again. I can only imagine how hard it must be for those people right now, but I do hope that someone, somewhere, will find the strength to overcome his/her suffering and work so that in the future, no one will have to go through this anymore.

    -Clare Feliz Tan, 2013-14912

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  46. As a student of STS this semester, my thoughts about Typhoon Yolanda is that this supertyphoon definitely brought about realizations and appreciation of technologies such as electricity, water systems, telecommunication, oil, airplanes, ships, and satellites. All of these were out of reach during the typhoon and its aftermath. These were either stopped or were gone for several days.

    I have come to realize that these things are really important. These technologies have always made us feel secure and they are necessary for our survival.

    Being a survivor of a typhoon before, Ondoy. I felt that Yolanda did a lot more devastating phenomenons such as loss of electricity and electricity lines. It also destroyed water systems making it hard for the people to have potable and clean water during the aftermaths.

    Just to share, I have a friend of mine who was really worried about her family during and after the typhoon. However, telecommunication was down at that time and signals were not working. Hence, this brought more worry to my friend.

    We both realized that her long distant relationship with her family really depended on telecommunication and the fact that it was stopped by the typhoon made it more scary. Without any news, people were on a panic.

    News reports on TV about the typhoon were also delayed and were affected because some satellites were destroyed by the typhoon. Communication of politicians were also affected because of the stopped telecommunication services. It's very sad to hear that they find it hard to work without it.

    The ships and the airplanes, nevertheless, are important for the transportation of goods and for relocating the families that were affected.

    In conclusion, I have come to appreciate the new technologies that we are now enjoying at this period. Technologies that I have said have deemed more important than ever. It is good to realize that we have to use these things to the fullest and make it improve our lives for the better. As for the aftermaths, appreciation of these technologies does not really matter for now. But, I'm just really sharing my thoughts.

    In the end, let us help each other and make ways to send aid to our Filipino brothers and sisters. Let us use the technologies to lighten their burden and help out. Start donating and let us go to relief operations. Make them feel the love by sharing this message to everyone who can see you in the world of internet.

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  47. By the way, I would like to put my student number: 2010-33637 Roxanne Jennifer D. Abuel. This is connected to the comment I posted earlier. Thank you.

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  48. In the midst of the destruction brought about by Yolanda, the one thing about us Filipinos that has really struck me is our ability to never lose hope. Our resiliency and our faith rise above our own fears and we continue to move forward despite the storms. Even though most of the houses and buildings in the Visayas region have collapsed and the people there have lost almost everything they had to the typhoon, they still strive to help each other by sharing the little of what they had left. Churches and organizations there, even though they were affected, worked hand in hand in restoring broken lives and livelihoods by purchasing relief goods and distributing them to affected families in the area. It is also admirable to see the love of the Filipinos for their country and their countrymen through their acts of service. People from Metro Manila had gathered donations, within days, to be sent to the people of Visayas. A lot of people have sacrificed their money or their time to help those affected. These just show how much we care for our fellow nationals, no matter how far they are in terms of distance and relation. Yes, the storm has brought chaos to our country, but it has also revealed how strong we are as people. The storm has tested our unity and our heart for our fellowmen as Filipinos. Let us thus have heart for others and continue to support the typhoon victims in any way we can, may it be in the simple repacking of goods, or its distribution or the contribution of financial help. Let us take part in keeping that fire of hope burning in each of the hearts of the Filipinos affected by helping them. Let us ACT. And let us act NOW.

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  49. I consider the Yolanda tragedy as one of the most devastating calamities to have ever befell our country. The disaster proved that we are totally prepared to face the growing wrath of a changing nature, resulting in our fellowmen to lose their lives. But when there is great misfortune and grief, there is always a door for change. The disaster showed us our discrepancies and weaknesses so that we may act upon them. The lack of information dissemination about the potential hazards of a category 5 typhoon especially on the topic of storm surges, the inefficacy of the regular disaster preparedness and response protocol to deal with disasters of immense scale, the lack of proper technology that could have saved lives and made rescue and recovery operations quicker, and the lack of organization during the aftermath are just some of the flaws that Yolanda has pointed out. In my opinion, the effects of the typhoon should be carefully studied in order to develop new and better emergency protocols and preparations that will help us cope up with future calamities. We should also think of investing in disaster preparedness and disaster relief technology which can be used to significantly reduce the number of casualties in the future. I take Yolanda as a wake up call to us Filipinos, that we need to truly be prepared for disasters like this and possibly even greater destructive forces. It's a sign that we should prepare for the worst before more of our loved ones lose their lives. This tragedy is also a warning to the entire human race. Global warming is the root cause of the abnormal weather patterns that we are experiencing today. If we continue to irresponsibly consume the Earth's resources and take the environment for granted, it will only be a matter of time for us to pay the full price.

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  50. The magnitude of the devastation in Region 8 is nothing like we have ever seen and as one of the students affected by Typhoon Yolanda, last week was one of the hardest especially having no news from relatives in Leyte due to the communication breakdown. I think the media should devote their airtime on this and update the country continuously while being considerate and tactful in delivering the news of this immense tragedy. Also, we should help deal with this destruction now, but at the same time, experts should start studying, planning and establishing ways to mitigate risks in the future.

    2013-49565

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  51. The catastrophe brought to our country, especially in Leyte and other largely devastated provinces by Super Typhoon Yolanda proved that man cannot go against nature. This calamity affected over 9 million people, leaving over 3,000 casualties. Many at this moment experience hunger, thirst, desperation, and helplessness due to their difficult living conditions as of the moment. We cannot fully blame the government for such because this is a natural disaster although at this point, they must do their best to help these affected people. From this experience, we can also see how inferior our technology and our system are compared to other countries. We cannot help but to compare because the Philippines is in the limelight of the world at the moment. The country is now being compared to Japan who experienced a tsunami back in 2011 as well as other countries who suffered ravaging natural disaster in the past. A number of foreign countries are now giving aid to the Philippines, providing help for our country to recover. Hopefully, we will manage to recover from this tragedy and move on soon enough. Over the centuries, man has encountered natural disasters; it destroyed properties, deterred livelihood and even took lives. But man surely will stand up again, rebuild everything and improve guided by his experience in the past. It is an inevitable cycle; destroy, rebuild and improve. We Filipinos must take this tragedy as a learning experience so as to invoke improvement for the future.

    Gazelle Anne Garcia
    2013-70202

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  52. As an STS student, I think we could have gone through Yolanda smoothly had our resources been evenly distributed and efficiently synthesized through the proper use of technology, achieved obviously through extensive knowledge of technology. Regrettably, our government focused on adding more digits to their overwhelming wealth rather than analyzing Yolanda, how much damage it can inflict and what best course of action our country could do to save more lives. I think as a student of the University of the Philippines, we should start thinking about long term solutions to the problems our country is now facing, and we also should think about the future obstacles our country would face so that we can withstand whatever tragedy that is threatening to come our way.

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  53. Yolanda's damage in Tacloban also include destroyed infrustractures, wipe out records and documents, and even persons who should impose authorities are victims. Aside from the short-term relief goods (like food, water, clothes and medicines), they also need long -term relief (like psychological treatments to all the traumas, shelter, family, support) for them to be able to continue their lives; their careers; their EDUCATION.

    In UP Tacloban, the oblation was the only one standing still there. Good news, that other UP units allows UP Tacloban students to cross reg and will undergo special assessment procedures since there are deficiencies in the documents needed. We could help in our own little way by welcoming them in our classes.

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  54. I believe there was much of the "blame game" when the tragedy hit our country. Many of us focused on the flaws of our government, the lack of preparation of the people and the inadequacy of the media. Instead of wasting our time and energy on this, we should put more effort in helping our fellow citizens to cope up with this unfortunate event.

    Although it was already predicted that Typhoon Yolanda would hit our country, it was not predicted that it would cause this much damage. This is one reason why our country needs to allocate more money in Science and Technology. But even with better predictions, we cannot really prevent tragedies like this from happening again. Thus, we also need budget for early preparations and for faster restoration. People should also be taught how to prepare for natural disasters and how to cooperate in the restoration as well. As a student of STS, I believe future events like these could be less traumatizing, especially with better preparation and planning. Of course, this will be a lot easier if we, as a nation, do it hand in hand.

    2013-23838

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  55. As a student of STS, I believe it is important to investigate, first and foremost, how science and technology affects the environment and subsequently, society. The aftermath left by super typhoon Yolanda, presented through shots and videos of once fully functional cities reduced to debris and rubble is to say the least, disheartening. However, it cannot be said that the typhoon came without warning. For years now, scientists have been warning nations about the rising amounts of worldwide carbon emissions, leading to climate change. Perhaps I may be jumping to conclusions, but when a typhoon forms of this magnitude (recorded as one of largest and strongest in history) then there must be some causal evidence associated with climate change. It is important that as STS students, we find ways in which technology may be improved, developed, and manufactured in eco-friendlier ways.

    In relation to social media, I am ambivalent as to the effect it has had on keeping citizens on the same page in terms actually assisting relief efforts. On one hand, people have been using facebook, twitter, youtube, and other sites as a medium to finger point, to accuse, to conspire, and even express superstitious beliefs. In a time like this, only matters that pertain to concrete ways of helping victims should be considered relevant. Bashing government administration will not help. In due time, those who were responsible will be put to justice; this should not be prioritized NOW, with thousands dead, and even more homeless and starving. On the other hand, I am thankful that social media has given citizens an outlet to arrange relief ops, to provide people with more and more information as to how they can help, and even to find strength in one another.

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  56. I think yolanda was a devastating typhoon that caused terrible accidents and deaths to happen. But i think it was great that other countries are donating and helping Visayas. Even if this tragedy happened, it has united not only the Filipinos but people from other countries too. They have helped and donated maybe even more than the Filipinos alone. The effects of yolanda is bad but Filipinos can get back up.

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  57. I believe Yolanda was detected and announced by NASA using the social media even before it struck Visayas. I'm not saying it's their fault for not preparing or evacuating. Even I wouldn't leave my home if such disaster comes, it is where I grew up, and it might as well be my grave. And I think our fellow Visayan brothers prepared but nobody expected that Yolanda was that devastating. It might even be the worst disaster ever based on the number of casualties. As an STS student, I really think social media is the best way to spread the news of what Yolanda did to our country. I volunteered and donated because I saw what happened in Facebook, it's one example of how powerful social media is. What we can do is volunteer, donate, or help in every way we can. Just spreading the news is already a great help to Yolanda victims.

    2013-68230

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  58. I believe Yolanda was detected and announced by NASA using the social media even before it struck Visayas. I'm not saying it not their fault for not preparing or evacuating. Even I wouldn't leave my home if such disaster comes, it is where I grew up, it might as well be my grave. And I think our Visayan brothers prepared but nobody expected that Yolanda was that devastating. It might even be the worst typhoon ever based on the number of casualties. As an STS student, I think using the social media is the best way to spread what Yolanda did to our country. I volunteered and donated because I saw what happened in Facebook. It is one example of how powerful the social media is. What we can do is volunteer, donate, or help in every way we can. Just spreading the news is already a big help to the Yolanda victims.

    2013-68230

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  59. The Destruction brought by the typhoon Yolanda gave us Filipinos a reminder that we humans are vulnerable, however, despite our vulnerability, we must endure this tragedy and to live life as it was given to you like a second chance. Don't let it go to waste.
    We should help our countrymen who was devastated by the typhoon even in our own little ways -- donating relief goods, etc -- in every opportunity we see. I also see social media as a big help in helping those who were affected by the typhoon by its function to inform people of what happened, and to what those people can do to help them.
    As STS students, we should be aware of what may happen next. We should not be ignorant to what is happening in our society - may it be political, environmental, etc.

    2013-61265

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  60. Isang nakagigimbal at nakapagmumulat na pangyayari ang naidulot ng sakunang dala ng bagyong Yolanda sa buong Pilipinas lalo na sa mga apektadong lugar. Ikinatutuwa ko ang nakikita kong pagtutulungan ng mga tao sa loob at sa labas ng bansa upang alalayan sa pagahon ang mga nawalan ng bahay at ng buhay. Sinasabing ito ay dahilan ng global warming at ng climate change kung kaya't may kapanagutan din dito ang mga tao. Bago ako (tayo) maging estudyante ng STS, tayo ay mga Pilipino kung kaya't makatutulong tayo sa pamamagitan ng pagdo-donate, pagvo-volunteer sa kahit anong pamamaraan at sa pagsiwalat ng mga bagong impormasyon. Bilang estudyante ng diskursong ito'y magagawa nating i-apply o isabuhay ang mga kaalaman at kakayahan na ating matututunan sa bawat diskusyon at workshops upang mapangalagaan at maiwasang abusuhin ang ating mundo at maging responsableng tagagamit ng mga makabagong teknolohiya at serbisyong ibinibigay nito. Tunay ngang walang pinipili ang sakuna o mga problema, ang importante rito ay handa lahat tayo.

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  61. First of all, my sympathy to the victims of the typhoon. It was really a life lesson, not just for us Filipinos, but for the entire humanity. It would serve as a reminder to all of us that though technology has advanced so much, still we need to know how to handle it.

    Xavier Noel Briones
    2013-41022

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  62. The typhoon was a real eye-opener, not only for us Filipinos, but also to the rest of the world. It reveals to us the great power that nature holds, which can exceed the existing intensity scales today. The society especially in the affected regions experienced greater harm due to the harsher and stronger wind speeds. It is pertinent that we help in the way that we can to the affected regions.

    The role that science plays here is that it is eases aid and support delivered to the regions that the typhoon affected. This includes transportation, raising of awareness through different media and the different preventive efforts.

    The people consolidates itself to work as a single unit in order to hasten the delivery of relief goods and other aid. The society is working towards a common goal, which, in my opinion is the best way to lift our country from this tragedy.

    2013-70296

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  63. As what the others have said above, indeed it was dreadful. it just shows how the climate of the world have deviated from its norms. On another note, I'm very disappointed due to slowness of our government when it comes to ensuring the arrival of the relief goods to the affected areas, i.e. the private sectors as well as the international community is doing a far more better job in handing out relief to those who are affected.

    Mayor, Andrew Kevin B.
    2009-53399

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  64. I love the way how today’s technology—especially in the field of communication, enables people from all over the world to know about our situation and reach out to help. Donations are coming from everywhere, people outside the country are genuinely concerned about us—they know what we’re going through right now. I feel as if boundaries are slowly crumbling and turning into bridges, and during times like this, we realize that we are all the same, regardless of race, culture, or whatever. It’s touching.

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  65. I think that this is a chance for our government to review the procedures and preparations undertaken whenever there is a disaster in our country. For example, we cannot ignore the fact that almost every year, our country faces one major disaster, so why not create a national first-response team trained to deal with any sort of disaster and can be sent out anytime, anywhere in the country to give first aid?

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  66. I love the way how today’s technology—especially in the field of communication, enables people from all over the world to know about our situation and reach out to help. Donations are coming from everywhere, people outside the country are genuinely concerned about us—they know what we’re going through right now. I feel as if boundaries are slowly crumbling and turning into bridges, and during times like this, we realize that we are all the same, regardless of race, culture, or whatever. It’s touching.

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  67. After the height of the Zamboanga war and the Bohol earthquake, the Philippines yet encountered another national crisis in the coming of storm Yolanda, which greatly devastated Tacloban and the rest of Leyte. None of these three incidences have been resolved, and the government have so much problems to address. Despite the current situation, I'm just pissed off by the political play happening in the distribution of relief goods. Only selected places which favor the current administration are being given aid, and political labelling is rampant in relief good packages. Even at times like this, politicians prioritize their positions, and work in securing their name, instead of securing the country. Other nations even exert greater efforts to extend help, but what is up with our country's leaders?

    Elisha Ching
    2013-68141

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  68. As a STS student, I have 3 thoughts. Specifically on the fields of science, technology, and Society. First, on the field of science, The yolanda incident is natural in nature. It was too devastating. Combining the field of science and technology, the informations regarding the disaster was easily spread out. The whole country itself is aware of the incident thanks to technology. Because of this fast information, many rescue operations was conducted to help the country. For the society, here is the part where our part as a citizen and "family member" of the Philippines comes in. This incident became a test of what character we really have. It is a test of the unity of our country. But one thing's for sure and that is we Filipinos can help each other in our own little ways. Another thing, we Filipinos won't stop at this point cause I know that we will continue to stand up and battle on these challenges and overcome them

    Mañalac, Ed Joshua G.
    2013-61222

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  69. I don’t think there’s anything I can say about the Yolanda tragedy itself that hasn’t already been said – not to the thousands of deaths, to the millions displaced, and the billions’ worth of damage. There’s also been too much finger-pointing – “Yes, we should blame the Aquino administration, they’re just using this as a campaign opportunity!” “No, they’re wrong!” “The government is trying its best; we shouldn’t judge them solely on this!” – that I feel that we’re losing sight of what this was originally all about – the survivors and their stories.

    I read in yesterday’s paper that Japanese medics brought in portable X-Ray machines to the places hit the hardest in order to efficiently assess damage. These machines were developed soon after the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Japan in 2011, and is only one example of how quickly Japan got on its feet after that horrible tragedy.

    I am not, of course, comparing us to Japan. The Filipino spirit is its own, and uniquely resilient. But I think we should adopt their willingness to embrace technology and use it to better their own. They took that tragedy and developed measures to mitigate damage should another one come around. And that’s what I think the current government should focus on – not campaigns, or claiming that Korina Sanchez is better than Anderson Cooper, or trying to absolve themselves of guilt (because really, those relief operations could have been better organized). That’s all done now. What the current administration lacks is long-term planning; their idea of crisis damage mitigation is handing out rice and cans of sardines. They don’t think about engineering the areas to better equip them for storms, or constructing better sewage systems or replanting trees to prevent flooding, or even organizing an efficient transport system so aid can get there quickly.

    I don’t doubt for a moment that we’ll get back on our feet. The aid - both local and international - alone is overwhelming. But hopefully this serves as a reminder as to how important innovation and technology is. Life goes on, but science must march on alongside it.

    Liana Isabelle Baconguis
    2013-14710

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  70. If there is anything I can take away from the tragedy, the blaming, and the subsequent sympathy about the whole ordeal is that we, as a people, have all the means to help out those who are in need without the support of the government infrastructure but lack the correct information to make effective decisions on how to do so.

    We are either bombarded by misinformation or politically charged statements that only serve to distract us but all the while, we will happily charge blindly into helping out because we believe that it is the right thing to do.

    It's actually a good thing but as a Library and Information Science Student, I believe there should always be a more effective and efficient way to get the word out to those who want to help. There should be a way to organize these efforts in a space where everybody can see them, where everybody knows what's up, what is needed, and what to do so that our act of "reaching out" is not some sort of spontaneous reaction to an event but more of an informed decision.

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  71. The Typhoon Yolanda has actually affected us in ways a lot of people didn't really expect to happen, both good and bad. Despite the devastating situation it has brought us in (especially to the families affected), it has ironically given us a lot of positive things too. It helped the Filipino people become more aware of the government's shortcomings, and it paved way to the unity not only among the Filipinos, but with some of the other countries as well. Once again, we Filipinos showed that after a disaster, we can stand up together.

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  72. [Erwin Dennis Umali]
    In the context of science and technology and its ties with society, the aftermath of Yolanda is an indication of the failure of science and technology in aiding society.

    Taken at face value, the meteorological community failed to emphasize enough the gravity of Yolanda's destructive force, most especially in the impact of its storm surge, which arguably caused the most damage, and claimed the most lives. Somehow, the danger of the surge was not transmitted enough to the locals to mean "imminent, insurmountable danger", and caused lives to be sadly lost.
    The public also failed to interpret and trust PAGASA's predictions enough. There was a failure in communicating and understanding what was likely to happen. Most relied on "sa nakagawian" rather than what science says. Despite warnings even from international meteorological sources, especially on storm surges, I can't help but feel that we could have prepared better. We could have done more. We could have spared more lives.

    Notice, though, that I started the preceding paragraph with "Taken at face value". Of course, it would do little to blame either the scientific community or our society at this point. Not only is it detrimental and moot, but there are many, many more things to consider -- politics, government leadership, our culture -- and each of these present depth to the issue at hand that it becomes hard to pinpoint a single 'cause of failure'. Thus, I agree with the common opinion in this thread of "stop whining, start doing". Lives need to be saved and rebuilt.

    Still, though, I can't help but feel exasperated. How many more disasters does our country need to withstand for the government to get a hold of itself better in preparedness? What's really happening in PAGASA? A case of brain drain? Red tape? Politics? What can we do to make the public trust and understand scientific judgment more? How can this utter exasperation as a student help make change in a bog-ridden, inflexible government?

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  73. 2013-70142

    It is an unfortunate tragedy which could have been minimised by improving the public's education in science as well as our own capabilities in terms of weather forecasting and disaster mitigation.

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  74. It is true that technology have improved and is far more advanced now a days, but to me as an STS student, this is not an assurance to prevent, protect or save anyone from the effects of calamities/disasters such as typhoons, earthquake or the like.Take for example the coming of typhoon Yolanda. The people in authority did advise everyone regarding the entry and possible effects of the typhoon; and people have also prepared themselves well, but still the damaging effects were unimaginable. This just shows the limits of human mind/capabilities.No one can really foretell what is to come. This is a fact that people usually forget resulting to their finding faults and pointing fingers to each other like what is happening now. Sad to say that ‘There are always vultures in places with cadavers’. Let them be, retribution will follow them soon. The damage has been done, let’s continue to concentrate more on helping the victims. Thanks to those who have been and are still sharing their 3Ts unselfishly to the victims of Yolanda. It is heart-warming to see that regardless of race, man do have a compassionate heart especially in times like this.

    Fidel Delos Reyes
    2009-31842

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  75. That Typhoon Yolanda was a horrific tragedy, that its effects are far-reaching and indelible, is self-evident. As a nation, we seem to have resigned ourselves to the business of weathering storms; though devastating on a level that even now is difficult to comprehend, the surprise we feel is not that it happened, but that it happened so much. As residents of one of the worlds' most storm-ravaged countries, we are used to sorting through debris and wreckage, but the scale of this typhoon in particular has, I think, stunned us with grief.

    Given the breadth of this destruction, to say that the defense of the Philippine government's inaction is annoying is an understatement. Was it practical to expect that they take preemptive steps to prevent undue loss of life or, failing that, at least be ready with immediate deployment of relief goods and aid? Probably not, but practicality does not trump responsibility. I expect more of my government. Regardless of ability, regardless of resources, regardless of the multitude historical and cultural evidences that point to unnatural self-interest, clannishness, and incompetence: I expect more of my government.

    This is not to imply that I don't understand the logistical difficulties of evacuating hundreds of thousands of people, or of providing adequate care and rehabilitation to that same number. Some things are impossibilities; as yet, we do not have the infrastructure and resources to respond to disasters of this scale. We need more vehicles to transport relief goods, more roads. We need more accurate storm surge warning systems. We need communication systems that don't fail as quickly. We need evacuation plans. We need better prevention and quicker reactions.

    But with all of these failings and their analyses also comes the tendency to fall into the danger of overintellectualizing the situation. We don't have the resources to put these things into place, but for every lack there is a man, woman, or child dead. For every lack there is a family lost and homeless. Before these people were victims to be viewed from behind a camera lens, they were individuals with lives and work, whose lives and work are now lost to them. They are not abstract concepts presented for the benefit of our bleeding, liberal hearts, or so we can feel better about our own privileged empathy; they are real pepole. The presence or absence of government resources does nothing to change that. So of course I expect more of my government. How could I not?

    2011-02507

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  76. After a very strong earthquake where our people have not yet recovered comes next a super typhoon which inflicted a terrible amount of devastation. The Philippines surely is a hotspot for such natural disasters so there is no one to blame for such unfortunate happenings as they are how nature is designed. But because of these events we rise up and head to the challenges of facing them which is how it contributes to the development of our modern science and technology. The hazard is always there specially for our country but we should do something to improve and bring the risk to the minimum.

    2013-41010

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  77. The recent Typhoon Yolanda may have caused a lot of damage. It destroyed houses and other buildings, livelihood, historical landmarks, people's lives, some hopes, but most importantly, it destroyed what was left of the people's trust in the government.

    When you think about it, we don't really need to go to Leyte and other affected provinces to help because our simple donations may already help the typhoon victims. However, we may feel the need to do it ourselves because of what we see is happening--the military team, government and organizations, maybe not all of them, who are supposed to be our channel to help the victims, aren't doing what they are supposed to.

    If Typhoon Yolanda wasn't enough to serve as a wake up call, I hope the foreign news team's criticism is.

    People say bashing the government and posting and sharing photos online won't help. But I personally think that nowadays, despite the negative image of social media, they come in really handy. By sharing news on your Facebook timeline, you are spreading the word. And I think, in some small--or big way, that can help. So many relief operations have been launched online and you can't really say that won't help the situation.

    I'm not going to romanticize the Filipino bayanihan because solely depending on it may not save us. We need help more than what our country can give and that's okay because we're only human. But I know Filipinos are strong. And it pains me to say that sometimes, it's our fellow Filipinos who bring us down.

    Let's just do what we can. No need for big, heroic acts. We may not realize it and it's cliche, but I'll say it anyway...every little thing counts.

    MENDOZA, Catherine Julia
    (I don't know how to use my personal Google account to post comments. It always registers as the group blog. :()

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  78. This typhoon left a great damage in our country. As STS students, we should use every possible way to help the victims. Donating is the most usual way of helping. But, I know that there are still many ways on how we can help the victims. I think we should use our knowledge and at the same time, the technology available around us. We cant blame other people for saying not-so-good things about our government but also we should not waste our energy on blaming the government. Rather, we should also do our parts and not only depend on our government.

    20113-68056

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  79. As an STS student, I am disappointed by the inefficient use of technology not only of the government but also by the people in general. One of the biggest problems faced by the victims of the typhoon is not merely the typhon itself but more on the aftermath. As a result, survival has now become very difficult, no matter how much relief goods people send to the victims, if the stuff doesn't go to where it's supposed to go (because of lack of transportation and such) they're practically useless as of the moment. It saddens me how the priorities of the government are messed up, like how they bother with trivialities such as taxing the relief goods when there are people suffering and dying because they have no food, water or shelter. There are many ways of distributing the goods to the people, like using helicopters and ships to transport the goods to the area, since apparently using airplanes is near impossible what with the ruined airports, and from there start clearing seats the rubble that blocks the streets so that they can deliver the goods using trucks, cars etc. Building temporary shelters and communication devices such as radios is also very important so that people will have somewhere to stay, and they will be informed that something is being done to help them, all they have to do is be patient. Informing the world about the situation would also benefit the masses, warning them of the dangers mother nature poses so that they can be better prepared for the future.

    2013-72341

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  80. Because of global warming and climate change, we already knew that a typhoon this strong was bound to happen one day. And it did. Now we are left with the aftermath of this disaster. Even though lives were lost and houses got destroyed, this brought the once divided state together to forget about some issues first and focus on what's important - our countrymen. This proves that catastrophes might come our way but we stand strong as we make good use of the technology developed like networking sites and advances in transportation. This invoked people from all over the world to disregard distance and to start giving.

    Richelle M. Bernardez
    2013-49311

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  81. It is about time to address the root of the issue: the devastating intervention of the mankind to the environment. This is a serious concern, not just to the Philippines who was affected the most, but to the international community as well. The intergenerational justice must be uplift, for the unequal exploration and exploitation of both developed and developing countries, and of transnational corporations, create negative externatilies that establish destructive impact to our beloved planet we treated as home. If we continue to irresponsibly commodify our natural resources, how many dead bodies do we want to witness again? We have to remember that environmental backlash is not from the earth's natural response, but from the intervention of us who are supposed to be its stewards of this natural gift, not just for the present but also for the future generation.

    Lloyd

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  82. In line with another GE I am taking, CE 10 Disaster Mitigation, Adaptation and Preparedness Strategies, it is a fact we have to face, being in the frontline against the Pacific Ocean, to be the victims of harsh storms and winds. We cannot prevent these acts of nature from happening but we can control the possible hazards and casualties to these events. It is, of course, a sad time for the Philippines but it is not like this has not happened before. "An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure." If we can adapt and budget our resources into preventing casualties, disasters like these will not b as destructive to the Filipino people. We have grown to think lax, always being faced with storms and typhoons, "super typhoon naman palagi eh" people no longer take it as seriously as they should because it takes them away from their daily routine to prepare. They would rather just let it pass than overprepare for something they witness every now and then. We have lost our drive for preparation and merely react when the casualties have been dealt. "Sayang yung preparasyon kung wala naman pala mangyayari." Pero mas sayang ang buhay dahil walang ginawa. "Sa huli ang pagsisisi."

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  83. I agree with the above comments of what has happened and we should all contribute in helping our brethren in anyway we can and we should also take as a lesson in order to strengthen our emergency response before and after a calamity. What happened in the Visayas region especially in Tacloban would have been prevented if preventive actions were done since this was not the first time that this kind of calamity happened in the Philippines.

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  84. We, Filipinos, experience typhoons more often than we'd like. With that experience, we gain knowledge of how to prepare for such natural disasters. Despite all the knowledge and skills we've gained, we couldn't have prepared enough for the category 5 super typhoon that recently struck our country. The pictures and stories of the aftermath are definitely hard to look at and bring me to tears sometimes. But what amaze me the most are the hearts of all the people involved. From the strong hearts of the survivors who've lost almost everything they had and everyone they knew who but still fight vigorously in the battle that is life, to the generous hearts of all the people who contributed to the unbelievably humongous amount of donations in cash, kind, talent and time that I can't even fathom the fact that the victims are still suffering. But I think that fact shouldn't discourage us from continuing to contribute to the help that they greatly deserve. To quote an author I forgot the name of, "I always thought that somebody should do something about that. And then I realized, I am somebody."

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  85. My every bit of faith in the government vanished as Typhoon Yolanda left. Every year, a number of typhoons strike the country, and yet, the government, still, hasn't learned its lesson. Thousands of people died because of its inadequate preparation and post-disaster response. Anyway, I believe it isn't the right time to blame the govt. What we must prioritize is helping our brothers and sisters in the affected areas. It's really hard for them to move on from this tragedy... We must, at least, provide them the support system that they need. This phenomenon, again, is a test for our unity as a nation.
    As an STS student, I think we could use our current knowledge in science and technology in making innovations to help the country in preventing, or lessening, the adverse effects of natural catastrophes in the years to come.

    2013-45570

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  86. The Typhoon Yolanda Tragedy surely will leave a great mark on every Filipino, not just on the Visayans who experienced it but also to those who witnessed its effects. This is the right time for us to show what each of us can make to help our fellow countrymen.

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  87. It's really nice to know that the civil society are more involved and are really helping out. We are very lucky to have these social networking sites that are very useful to us who may not be able to give help physically. I just don't like what's happening in the government today regarding the issue of the effect of the typhoon in the Visayas region. They are pointing at each other about who's to blame. I think no one could actually prepare for such storm surge. The best thing that they could do is to just work together and make these places stand again. And for us students, same as the things said above: volunteer, donate, and pray.


    Paulline Joyce N. Olabre
    2013-11698

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  88. Everyone is to blame. We abused nature and as sort of payback it gave us yolanda. But what's done is done. What we can do now is to try to recover what has been destroyed.
    2013-68149

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  89. Everyone is to blame. We abused nature and as sort of payback it gave us this tragedy. But what's done is done. What we can do now is to recover what has been destroyed.

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  90. According to the people of Project Noah, extensive research has been done to identify key locations that will be greatly affected by the super typhoon Yolanda. They handed the list to the concerned government agency. Thankfully, through science and technology, preventive measures could be executed to lessen the consequences of nature's wrath. However, it is in the proper use of these tools that the society can benefit from them. From the perspective of an STS student, I think that the government has failed to maximize or even utilize the perks of science and technology. I strongly wish that for the next calamities, more preventive measures can be done.

    2010-28664

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  91. What happened in Visayas is a chaos and I give my sympathy for what happened in there but because of this, there are many things that many people have realized. It brought out the bayanihan spirit among us Filipinos and even among other nations. Aside from this, the problems and inefficiencies the government were shed into the light which opens the opportunity for us to correct them.

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  92. As an STS student, I can see how vital science and technology is at this time of tragedy. I can see how much help and aid our fellow countrymen as well as other countries are giving to the affected families, through relief goods such as food, water, clothes and other basic needs. The sad thing is, these are not easily brought to the affected areas because of certain limitations such as 1) lack of communication 2) blocked roads 3) limited transportation. Because of lack of proper means of communication (cellphone or telephone), officials and LGUs cannot coordinate properly, thus causing delay. Because of the lack of proper equipment to remove road blocks, help is not getting to certain parts. Lastly, because of limited transportation, the goods that these people need are not delivered to them immediately. Yet, we are thankful, because despite these limitations, those in charge, and even the volunteers, are not discouraged, but instead, even more driven to help those who are affected.

    Maria Victoria Onglao
    200979210

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  93. Yolanda's arrival is not surprising for us Filipinos since we live in a country that is said to be the most-exposed to tropical cyclones. What’s surprising are the damages our country suffered even though we are a nation frequented by more or less 20 typhoons a year. Yolanda caused thousands of fatalities and worth of millions of damage.
    The disaster brought by Yolanda led us to open our eyes to another disaster that has been there all along. This disaster was brought by the pretentious government, specifially, the socio-political system.
    Super Typhoon Yolanda only proved that the government has been neglecting the Filipino’s welfare and that the government is still incapacitated on calamity preparedness despite of the horrible experiences of the Habagat and other Typhoons such as Ondoy. Yolanda has only famed our government more on the incompetence in carrying out services that would benefit us Filipinos and also more on its figure as a self-serving horror that pretends to care.


    Kristina Patriz S. Marquez
    2013-48674

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  94. Social media has been a great help in disseminating information and filing petitions to help the victims of Yolanda. It has paved the way for Filipinos to reach out to our countrymen here and abroad, and it has let the Philippines know of the goodwill of people of other nations. However, as I myself am a survivor of typhoon Ondoy, I think that PAGASA weather reports should also show some sort of simulation or prediction as to what kind of devastation a storm will bring. When people see, or at least expect, what they are up against, they will prepare for it better. For example, the Visayans could have fled to higher ground had they known that the term "storm surge" would cause water to look like huge wall-like waves.

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  95. As for the preparation for the Typhoon itself, we were prepared, but let's be real, who could even prepare for a 20ft storm surge? No matter how much we tried, it would still cause tremendous damage. During the Typhoon, I think the media deserves some commendation for covering the Typhoon despite it's intensity and the risk it held to their lives. Now for the aftermath. First of all, basically everyone is blaming the government, and it's completely understandable because there's not organized system of how things are getting done. Relief operations are all over the place and they think they have it "under control". It's becoming more of a problem than it should be. Instead of everyone helping out, people are questioning the credibility of foreign media stations and saying that they "don't know what they are talking about". It's becoming an issue of politics and so much more. What we need right now is full support towards the victims and help them get back on their feet. If you think the government isn't doing what they should, then instead of posting on your social media accounts, get out there and volunteer for relief operations and donate if you can and show the government that they can do so much more.

    Mayumi Katrina B. Rix
    2013-14322

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  96. It's great to know that people worldwide recognize the situation we're in, and go straight into action by helping us get back to our feet through donations and many other aids. I respect and appreciate the help very much, but what frustrates me is how our country seems to be featured in the news for the wrong reasons as well. Right now we are mainly being featured in the news for the typhoon tragedy but other concerns including our government and corruption are being stressed on as well worldwide. This is a wake up call to our country to improve whatever needs to be fixed for the welfare and development of our country.

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  97. The Yolanda incident was a really terrible tragedy but it was nice to see so many people trying to do everything they can to reach out to help out those who were afflicted. I think that the media, in general, was a really huge help in bringing awareness to everyone because I feel that it was mostly because of the media that we learned of the extent of the damage done in the afflicted areas and because of that, we were able to respond quickly and we were able to know what they need at the moment.

    Bianca Anne M. Fabia
    2013-72071

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  98. Typhoon Yolanda left a great damage in the Philippines especially in Visayas. Many people lost their homes and their loved ones. But Filipinos are willing to help each other at all times. Many people donated food and water. Even other countries offered their help.

    2013-62734

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  99. This tragedy has brought out the best in us Filipinos. It brings out our spirit of being "bayanihan", a characteristic endemic to us Filipinos. What's sad about our country though is how some of our government officials lack this trait. Resources that are allocated or donated for the affected individuals are not properly transported. Our government officials lack transparency with regards to these resources which is why some organizations, both foreign and domestic, take matters into their own hands. This for me is embarrassing as it is showing our government's incompetence both nationally and internationally. One could count the number of selfless officials who reached out without any intention of getting something in return. Others even put their job and honor on the line in order to help the victims of this tragedy. To me as an STS student, the Typhoon Yolanda Tragedy was indeed a grave moment for our brothers in Visayas but let us also take a look on the ongoing tragedy that is the government officials that we ourselves have chosen. All we can do at the present is to help out our brothers by volunteering, donating, and praying.

    2013-14820

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  100. I agree wiith all the comments above, Typhoon Yolanda was one of the biggest and worst tragedy in the Philipphines that tested the strength of every Filipino people but still, we were able to prove that our unity could make it possible for us to gain what we have lost because of this dreadful experience

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  101. I think in a certain small aspect, PAG-ASA and the media were to blame for this. It is true that they gave a warning ahead of the storm , but the concept of storm surge was not explained well to the people. they introduced a concept that is not known to people or more likely, they didn’t educate us what actually it is. . They ended evacuating to areas that were also nearly destroyed by the calamity. See what can miscommunication and inefficient information dissemination can do to people.
    Subjective thoughts aside, it is also hard for the government and authorities to make reformulations and action plan on the disaster. If there's something that Haiya n left us, it is the lesson (things to do and not to do) that we should remember if and when we will encounter times like this again.

    2008-44779

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  102. The Yolanda incident was a really terrible tragedy but it was nice to see so many people trying to do everything they can to reach out to help out those who were afflicted. I think that the media, in general, was a really huge help in bringing awareness to everyone because I feel that it was mostly because of the media that we learned of the extent of the damage done in the afflicted areas and because of that, we were able to respond quickly and we were able to know what they need at the moment.

    Bianca Anne M. Fabia
    2013-72071

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  103. Accompanied by strong winds reaching 195mph, Typhoon Yolanda is indeed stronger than a category 5 hurricane. Thousands of fatalities were recorded, people are still missing and countless Filipinos are homeless and starving. Typhoon Yolanda served as an eye-opener, not only for Filipinos, but for the entire world. Moreover, it gave us an insight on what is happening to our environment –climate change. Social media played a huge part in raising awareness globally. In a matter of days, people around the world started to volunteer and donate. This reminds us how powerful social media is. Our government was quite embarrassing. Instead of addressing people's needs first, they started to finger-point. Also, I think that this typhoon will define President Noynoy Aquino's presidency.

    2013-25246

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  104. Typhoon Yolanda left a great damage in the Philippines especially in Visayas. Many people lost their homes and their loved ones. But Filipinos are willing to help each other at all times. Many people donated food and water and it’s so nice that even other countries offered their help.

    2013-62734

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  105. As a student of Science, Technology and Society, you can't help but think they're must have been away to minimize the destruction caused by Typhoon Yolanda. We are living in the modern technological age. We innovate technology every day to combat the issues we face. It's sad to see that it wasn't applied to the people affected by the typhoon. There is room for change though. In light of recent events, more precautions can be taken to prevent such a loss of life. Simple things like having a shelters similar to the one in USA that people go to during tornadoes. Even a better communication system can do wonders for our people. There is still hope for us to rise above the ashes. I'm confident we will.

    Jacinto Armando S. Mantaring
    2013-70652

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  106. I think the best way to help our countrymen is to come up with sustainable solutions instead of just providing relief goods. Relief goods are great and all, and it's really great to see our people joining hands to help out all those who are affected, but in the long run, something MORE is needed. The people who were affected need livelihood solutions, clean water sources, electricity lines, and new homes. Relief operations can only help so much; eventually, we all need to help out in getting these people's lives back in order for the long run.

    2012-63269

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  107. Typhoon Haiyan is considered as one of the, if not the strongest storm in recorded intensity, impacting Guiuan, Eastern Samar with sustained winds estimated to reach 315 km/hr and a central barometric pressure estimated to be at 890 mbar. Considering the sheer intensity of the storm, no one could really had prepared enough for such a calamity to strike. The only thing that kept this country standing was the typhoon’s speedy movement and Filipino hardiness.
    It is true that the Philippine government lacked sufficient preparation against this typhoon, but who would be? No state can prepare sufficiently for and event with this power, scale and intensity. What happened is that we prepared for a weaker storm, complacent that it would just be like the ones before it. Then this powerful storm rolls over the Visayan archipelago with an intensity unmatched in the records. And now a slightly organized relief and recovery effort was instituted. Multiple bottlenecks and flaws were shown in the plan, but the most evident is our lack of ready cargo carriers. The PAF can only field 3 C-150 cargo planes and none else. It took days for the ports to clear enough to be used again, leaving thousands in dire need of supplies. It is commendable how much the government reigned in the anarchy that eventually arises after the aftermath of such a drastic change in daily life. With the limited resources available, they were able to mobilize a relief force which, though lacking, was able to reach into the disaster zone immediately. What they did from there on can be criticized, stemming from the flaws of the underlying system for relief response. The relief efforts hunkered down in major urban areas as the force was too small to serve the entire disaster area. The result is that even a week after the disaster, some people still have not received aid.
    We have a lot of resources that we could have used to prepare better. We could have invested in the construction of a nationwide weather information system linked with satellite data to properly monitor factors that directly impact a location. Better building codes and proper community planning, especially in urban areas, can mitigate the effects of a future disaster on this scale. A proper system to tell people what a storm can really do to both them and their property I they do not prepare adequately. A comprehensive plan could have been put into effect to keep people safe and secure. Hopefully we accept the change that is needed as the people of this nation have become far too reliant on a mindset of relying on other to aid us in solving our problems. It is time that this nation either changes its ways, or be absolutely destroyed by the next big disaster that will strike.

    John Romel Flora
    2013-18347

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  108. Two weeks has already gone since super typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda struck the Philippines but the victims are still incredibly frantic and in pain. Despite the negative effects, however, I can say that Typhoon Yolanda was an eye opener not just for the Filipinos, but also for other people all over the world.
    I have noticed that during the typhoon, people with internet and television access were updated as to what was happening to the provinces that were affected. The media did a very good job in publicizing pertinent information. The fear and anxiety of the people who were aware of what was happening was lesser compared to those who had no idea or whatsoever about what the others were experiencing. Not only that; different countries lent, and are still lending, a helping hand through donations. As a student of Science, Technology and Society, I believe that we must utilize our knowledge on Science and Technology in a way that would help the society when they need us most.

    Marie Julliene Solidum
    2013-52165

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  109. The typhoon Yolanda has devastated many families. It has destroyed houses and homes alike. It has left us with memories that might forever haunt us. But as human beings, we will not let a disaster bring us down. Through the years, we have outlasted countless catastrophic events, both manmade and natural-- from wars that killed many on both sides, to plagues that have wiped out an entire civilization. And yet we still manage to live. To move on. To adapt. To survive.

    With the use of modern technology, we will be able to rebuild our broken communities. Technology will help us rise, harder, better and stronger.

    2012-35593

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  110. I think Tacloban and other affected areas were indeed ready for the onslaught of Yolanda. PAGASA predicted that a super typhoon would come and our country did its best to prepare for it. But I think the tragedy that happened was something inevitable. No matter how much we prepared, no matter how much we warn our people, there are things that are bound to go wrong. Technology and our government did their job. We successfully predicted an upcoming super-typhoon, information was successfully transferred to everyone through the media and other communication devices and we were able to prepare ourselves through technology, but still, there is nothing we or technology could do to stop the wrath of a super-typhoon. We ended up with thousands of casualties and millions of damaged resources and all we could hear about are news about people blaming each other. It's nice that tons of help are coming but it's still not enough. There are still people suffering out there at this very moment so as Filipinos and as students of Science, Technology and Society, we should use technology to help spread information and gather as much help as we can. We should stop blaming our government for once and use the technology we have to donate, and help as much as we can.

    Alezon Maxine Valerio
    2013-22282

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  111. 20,000 people injured, 1,600 still missing and more than 5,000 deaths confirmed. For me, the disaster preparedness of the Philippines is not enough and there are many factors why, like poor construction of the evacuation centers, poverty, lack of technology application, and many more.
    Many are blaming other people, especially the government, but the best thing to do is to set that aside first and focus on how we can help.
    The aftermath of the disaster showed how helpful the Filipinos are, even those who are affected with the typhoon didn't hesitate to help others. Other countries as well helped by sending troops and donations to aid the country. Social media also played a big role in disseminating information. I just hope that with this event, the government will start finding more effective solutions for future disasters.

    2011-44571

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  112. In my opinion, everyone today seems to be focused on looking for people to blame for all the tragedies that occurred. However, we tend to overlook the fact that Yolanda was the strongest typhoon in recorded history and you can't seem to be prepared for something as devastating as Yolanda. What we can do, however, is stop the blame game, pray for the ones affected, and provide the simplest yet strongest form of help that we can give: moral support. Because at the end of the day, we know that everything's gonna be alright as long as we stay strong as a nation.

    Joben Ryan A. Padre
    2013-42972

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  113. In my opinion, everyone today seems to be focused on looking for people to blame for all the tragedies that occurred. However, we tend to overlook the fact that Yolanda was the strongest typhoon in recorded history and you can't seem to be prepared for something as devastating as Yolanda. What we can do, however, is stop the blame game, pray for the ones affected, and provide the simplest yet strongest form of help that we can give: moral support. Because at the end of the day, we know that everything's gonna be alright as long as we stay strong as a nation.

    Joben Ryan A. Padre
    2013-42972

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  114. May this unfortunate event finally force our government into giving enough support to the Filipino scientific community in their efforts in researching for cleaner technology for the sake of the environment.

    Jacob Ron Murillo
    2009-10762

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  115. The Typhoon Yolanda incident brought forth various social and political issues that emerged with the half-hearted disposition of our leaders towards their responsibilities of protecting the nation’s interests and ultimately, their people.

    We were technologically able. Our weather forecasting systems were able to track and scale the strength of the typhoon and whatever storm surges that it carried. What we lacked though was a sense of urgency and preparedness towards an impending disaster. This resulted in slow relief for Yolanda’s victims, further hampered by scarce logistical support for clearing debris and transporting of supplies.

    Hopefully, there would be less politicking and more foresight involved the next time around, as it is not unlikely that another “Yolanda” visits the Philippines once again.

    Antonio Luis Go
    2012-62325

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  116. Typhoon Yolanda has undeniably left such a great devastation (that is, physically, materially and emotionally) to us Filipinos. The death and destruction brought by this typhoon will forever be marked not only in Philippine History but also worldwide that is why this tragedy, I think, should serve as a wake up call for everybody. A call for innovation, a call for a better system, a call for new perspectives, a call for optimism, and a lot of other wake up calls that could, in any way, help the Philippines and its people recover from this dreadful event.

    However, it does not end there. As an STS student, bottomline, I think it is best for people to come up or try to think of more "long-lasting" solutions to the problems caused by this typhoon and not just focus on the temporary solutions (e.g relief goods) because surely, we would encounter other dreadful things such as Typhoon Yolanda in the future.

    2013-62888

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  117. Even before Typhoon Yolanda hit the country, there was already an image circulating on social networking sites that features how big of a storm Yolanda really is and with it, a warning addressed to the Filipinos that it's going to hit the Philippines soon. This made the Filipino people aware of what's in store for them in the next few weeks and helped them prepare for what might happen. During and after the storm, people also used social media to gather donations, to spread the word on how big of a damage Yolanda did and also, to contact the families of the victims of Yolanda. "Sharing" a post about the tragedy may be trivial for some but doing it actually helped spread the word about the victims and it is actually one of the reasons why the information about the Yolanda tragedy reached other countries, which also makes it one of the reasons why we gathered more donations for the victims. This goes to show that we've come a long way in communicating and in spreading information. Social media, while it has its downsides, proved to be very helpful not only in our daily lives but also, in times of calamity. Technology can greatly improve our way of living; we just need to use them responsibly.


    Mikko Chino R. Salvador
    2013-70157

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  118. No one can simply ignore the devastation left by the super-typhoon Yolanda. Seeing and hearing the news updates on television and social media sites truly move one's heart and made you feel as if you're one of the victims. But it is during these times that the role of technology is greatly used and appreciated. Because of lack of mobile signals, it is only through news reporters, who made an alternative way to communicate to the families of the victims and to ask for help to the government authorities, that they were able to connect and to unveil their terrible condition. Also, through cameras and videocams, witnesses of the said typhoon had easily taken photos and video footages that went viral on the internet that stirred up Filipinos, even non-Filipinos. No one can deny that what has happened made a great impact on the relations of our country to the other states and indeed unify our nation as one.



    Mary Catherine O. Sy
    2013-09736

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  119. The dangers of misinformation and lack of information were very apparent. People who did not understand a "storm surge", and a huge one for that matter, would never have been able to prepare. The people of science wouldn't just lie blatantly and tell them that there's a tsunami, because there isn't one. Therefore, a moral crisis rises: do we lie to save lives? Or do we tell the truth and save our dignity and integrity? If people were well-informed about this, there would've have been lesser casualties. But then again, it is difficult to reform society in a very short span of time. But who knows what would've happened if they succeeded...

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  120. Towns are barely recognizable now after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated provinces in Visayas, leaving thousands of people homeless. Not that they weren't prepared. Many may have but not enough to save their backyard trees from getting uprooted and their roofs from getting flown off by Yolanda's strong winds. These left many hearts broken - and officials pointing their fingers at people to blame.
    It's about time people open their eyes to see that we are not getting younger - so is the Earth - and at present, we have to be fully aware of how bad natural calamities are becoming. Worst-case scenarios have to be considered no matter how improbable they are since it's possible to only be an inch away from these situations.
    Prevention is better than cure - a cliche rarely practiced. We all have to know how important it is to perform preventive measures during risky situations instead of finding for cure. High risk returns high costs, not only in terms of money and property but also lives.

    Chezza Maria C. Cabreros
    2009-47855

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