Science, Technolgy and Society (STS) Blog. The title comes from the legend about Archimedes Heat Ray, supposedly used against the Romans during the Siege of Syracuse.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Discussion for STS students of THX
Question: As a student of Science, Technology and Society what are your thoughts on the Typhoon Yolanda Tragedy?
Through what happened last week, we could see how much technology has saved lives. Firstly, even though there had been a tremendous amount of people who were affected by the storm, definitely there would have been even more who would have suffered if not for the knowledge that a supertyphoon was coming; because of this, many were able to prepare beforehand. This knowledge of course was taken from scientific instruments (technology). Technology also has played the role in the aftermath of the storm by helping in transportation of relief goods and evacuees. For example, planes were used to bring in food from other cities and was also used to take people out of Tacloban city. However, I believe that the situation could have been even better if we had improvements in the current technology we have; relief efforts have been reported to still be slow due to the lack of planes, for example. Through this, we could see how important the government must invest in research and technology so that we could save even more lives in the future.
I think this tragedy really served as a lesson to each and everyone of us because many people died, many became homeless and until now, many people are still starving even though they prepared themselves for the super typhoon. I also think that relief operations are slow because accessibility to the affected areas is also a problem. And since we live in a poor country, kulang tayo sa mga kagamitang pangtulong even though many people even countries are helping us. However, I hope that our government will really do their best to help our kababayans in Visayas para makabangon ulit sila from this tragedy.
The destruction caused by typhoon Yolanda is very devastating. No words will ever be enough to describe what has happened there, what still is happening there, what the people experienced and what they still are experiencing there right now. It might have been days after the typhoon hit the Philippines but, it is known to us that they still need our help. Food, clothing, water, medical assistance—these are just few of the things they need. As individuals, we might not be able to give everything they need just by ourselves but, we should not be hesitant in helping them, no matter how big or small we can offer them. As STS students, I believe that we cannot only help with them with our donations but also by taking advance of the technology we have right now and the services it can offer to us that might be useful in situations like this.
Typhoon Yolanda was one of the biggest tragedies that has struck our country. Though many calamities have come and gone before, the government still hasn't learned from these past calamities. When the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Bohol not more than a month ago, the government should have already been able to prevent greater destruction of the structures. They should have already had executed their plan of destruction management even before the massive earthquake occurred. Now that typhoon Yolanda has just ravaged a great part of the Philippines, especially the Eastern Visayas, we are only left to give these people a temporary solution by donating even when it's actually the government's responsibility to find solutions for better structures to prevent greater damage.
During the height of the typhoon however, people who had access to televisions and the internet were easily informed about the catastrophe going on. The media played an important role in the dissemination of information about the current status of the typhoon. Reporters were able to give live coverage of what was actually going on during the storm. Technology really did do a great deal in making people aware of what was happening while they were happening.
The destruction caused by typhoon Yolanda is very devastating. No words will ever be enough to describe what has happened there, what still is happening there, what the people experienced and what they still are experiencing there right now. It might have been days after the typhoon hit the Philippines but, it is known to us that they still need our help. Food, clothing, water, medical assistance—these are just few of the things they need. As individuals, we might not be able to give everything they need just by ourselves but, we should not be hesitant in helping them, no matter how big or small we can offer them. As STS students, I believe that we cannot only help with them with our donations but also by taking advance of the technology we have right now and the services it can offer to us that might be useful in situations like this.
As a student of Science, Technology and Society, I believe that there are lots of different ways in which we can help the victims the typhoon. With the current technology there are ways in which we can inform the public through the use of social media about the current situation Visayas and what each and everyone can do to help the victims. For example, through the use of the internet, not only were Filipinos able to spread word about the situation in Visayas within the Philippines, but were able to spread word to other countries as well. Because of that, even foreigners are lending help through donations to the victims in the Philippines. As one society, we must set aside all our differences and unite to help the victims in any way we can. If we're not able to help personally by repacking goods, the least we can do is donate what is needed like food, water and clothes which are the things which they need the most.
The havoc brought by Yolanda is a tragedy our nation cannot totally be prepared for. Though the typhoon was detected before its landfall and evacuations started, Yolanda still left the Philippines devastated as it is still now observed in Visayas. Relief operations are underway by both the government and private organizations but with a tension between the two because of the government's said lack of action. Instead of focusing one's energy in pointing the flaws of the government in aiding the victims, I think it is for the best that we do whatever we can to help our fellow Filipinos without fighting over who did not do anything. Continuous donations and volunteers waging support through social networks have been abundant from the locals and from other countries which is very heartwarming. However, I think we should not stop in thinking about the now but more of the future for the Yolanda victims. How will they fare when they have nothing left? Relocation of families, financial assistance and job opportunities, among many, are to be provided for the victims for them to start anew. As for the provinces affected, I imagine it will take years to build infrastructures but may the government make the buildings stand against strong typhoons and earthquakes so that if it comes to worse in the future, Filipinos will not again feel the loss they had endured.
What I think about the tragedy which happened in the Visayas Region is that even we were prepared for the storm or should I say a catastrophe that time, we can not say that we are already safe for we still don't what will happen during the storm. And I conclude that its hard to go against nature. For the residents of the affected areas, I really salute them for preparing themselves for the storm. They evacuated already before the storm struck their place. But what's the problem with them? Different news program already forecast that this storm would be really super strong. And because of its strength, the efforts of the residents became useless. But on the side of the different weather forecasters, they used scientific terms which a play person may not understand fully. So I recommend to them to use terms which can be easily understood by a lay person. Use such terms which are familiar to them like using the term "tsunami-like" instead of "storm surge". I wish that all the survivors are now okay. Hope that we Filipinos should not stop praying and giving our help to them. I would like to thank those who helped those victims specially those countries which lend their help to us. Filipino spirit really arise in times of trouble. And always put into our mind that "Pilipino kami, Bagyo ka lang!" :) Kudos sa mga kababayan nating nakaligtas sa trahedya at sa mga taong walang sawang nagpapa-abot ng kanilang tulong. :)
I think that this tragedy serves as one of the many reminders that there needs to be a drastic change in the Philippines especially with regard to the way we treat our environment. Although, despite all the chaos that has happened, it is delightful to see that the spirit of bayanihan still shines through in helping the people affected by the typhoon. It just goes to show that all Filipinos are in this together and it definitely helps to use all the resources that we have, including social media, to reach out to our brethren in Samar and Leyte. Now, I just hope that the people in those affected areas would recover quickly from this calamity and live on. Moreover, I hope that we would be able to develop technologies and infrastructures to reduce the damages that would be inflicted by calamities in the future so that our fellow Filipinos would not have to go through suffering and loss brought about by these anymore.
Although local governments were warned about the passing of Yolanda, they must not be blamed for inefficiency in preparation of the coming of this disaster. The main reason is that they themselves were greatly affected by the typhoon which obviously is something one cannot control. Also, if other countries see Philippines as a nation slower than Japan when it comes to handling disasters, they must consider first that our country is geographically different than Japan. The latter may handle disasters like this faster because it happens to be an archipelago of fewer and bigger islands so the transportation is way easier, compared to Philippines which is an archipelago with smaller land masses. Also, Japan is a more developed country compared to Philippines. However, with these strong disasters coming, the government must give more importance to equipment needed to handle such.
I think that as much as we regret what typhoon Yolanda has inflicted, it did remind us of how defenseless we are against the wrath of nature. This fear is what keeps us driven to innovate and advance more in the scientific field. The ultimate reason why we strive to master the subject is for us to best wield the elements of nature in order to ensure our survival and achieve societal progress. The destructive event reinforces the idea that although we should aim to break boundaries in our understanding of science, most importantly, we must to put it into application. In conclusion, it is only when our technology provides tangible benefits, e.g. protection by better structured houses and more accurate information by improved weather forecasting, for the people on the ground that science finally achieves its purpose.
In my opinion, this disaster became the worst yet most effective way to test the capability of our country and its population, most importantly the efficacy of its government, to handle events that should have been always expected to happen since the Philippines is at the equator and also beside an ocean.
We should all know that the first twenty four hours after a disaster strikes are the most critical, as it is still possible to save lives and to prevent irreparable damages. But what happened instead was that the locals were unprepared mentally and emotionally since storms usually pass through the upper half of the Philippines to the extent that most of them did not listen to warnings, stayed at their homes, and continued to chain their pets outside. As for the government, its most unforgivable mistake was that it took more than two days for the first major relief efforts to arrive. Yes we have this ‘geographical difficulty’ but if private organizations, even the media, can reach the much more remote towns faster and more frequently, then why can the government, who has authority over more and better resources, specially military, not do it.
Despite the outcome, I think Tacloban City and the other areas hit by typhoon Yolanda did all that they could do to prepare. Yes, the preparations weren't enough to brave the strong winds of the storm, but considering the things they had and their state before the storm, it was all they could do. If anything, this shows how much we need to improve the infrastructure, systems and organization in that area, and in the whole country in order to lessen the effects of such situations.
This needs to be done over time. What can be done now is to spread relief efforts to the hard hit areas and this is what frustrates me the most. Despite all the news about donations coming from different countries and from our own countrymen, it seems that no help is reaching the affected. Instead of everyone getting some form of help, the relief goods are being handled poorly and thus not everyone is getting the share they need. For me, the destruction made can't be blamed on the country, but the slow response can, and should be addressed immediately
Our country has a difficulty on preparing for natural calamities. Obviously, the Philippines was not prepared for Typhoon Yolanda. So even though we knew that Typhoon Yolanda will be very strong, we did not prepare enough and just hope that the casualties will be minimal. After being hit by Typhoon Yolanda, it is also obvious that our government was not prepared of the things to do after the disaster. Despite all this, I hope that the donations/assistance for the victims will be allocated properly and be used to help our affected countrymen.
It's something inevitable with unforeseen consequences. I think, considering the predicted magnitude, we should have prepared more for a speedy and effective reaction. The buildings have already been built with the hope that it followed ordinances that was structured to withstand disasters - at least for the new ones. Some did withstand the disaster although the same can't be said with the old houses.
Sometimes, I think we should have been the ones hit by this disaster only to the thought that we could bear it better than the ones in Tacloban because of our "advanced" infrastructure compared to theirs.
Things happen for a reason and I'd leave it at that. :)
The Typhoon Yolanda tragedy taught us a very important lesson in life, that is, to be prepared at all times and to help each other when in times of need. It is not just in school that we need to learn a lesson (i.e. we need not to be a STS student to learn this) but also in real life situations. I think the victims prepared well for this typhoon and the government, especially PAGASA, do its best to bring the latest update and information about the typhoon for the safety of our fellow Filipinos. However, they just don't expect that the typhoon will be greatly destructive. Therefore, no one is to blame for this tragedy. Distribution of relief goods to the victims is quite difficult though we have a modern technology for transporting those goods. I hope science and technology will be used properly by everyone for the revival of the affected society. Sana makabangon sila at makapagsimulang muli. Naniniwala ako na pagtapos ng unos, may isang bagong umaga.
It's devastating to see what happened in the Visayas region because of the super typhoon Yolanda. It's heart-breaking to see all their hopes and dreams crumbled down in just a matter of hours. But during the times of downfall, what stood out the most is the resiliency of the Filipino people and their nature to help the people in need. And once again Filipinos proved to the whole world that one of our valued traits is unity. It's only disappointing to see that the efforts of national government is not felt and it seems like that the tragedy surprised the government that it took them a while to react. But amidst of the slow actions of the government, what moves me is how the other countries are willing to give their services and some goods to help the Visayas region to somehow get their life back.
Social media plays a very important role in this tragic event. Today, we see a lot of articles, whether it's the truth or just a hoax, circulating the internet. On the good side, we are informed of the different sides of one story. There's an article enumerating the cities that haven't been aided, pictures of the aftermath of the typhoon, pictures and information about lost people, infographs on how we can help, do's and don'ts in donating, news on the government's actions (or lack of action), sentiments and opinions of netizens affected or not by the typhoon. The downside is that we get a lot of versions that we don't know which one to believe anymore. Everyone is so powerful that anyone can just make up stories about the incident. There's one that said the typhoon was just an experiment of the superpower countries, and one that said the Visayan people allowed to be the 53rd state of the United States. It is absurd but because it appeals to people's emotions, it goes viral and appears to be true. I think that we should all be responsible for what we share online. This incident is one of the most devastating tragedies and our actions online can mean more deaths or save more lives. We can't control other people who know less and post just about anything, but we should at least start with ourselves and be critical about what we share, post, or like online.
I think the recent tragedy has emphasized how much of a role technology should play in society, and how the government has a responsibility to invest in research and development. We've always been prone to natural disasters and city planning should always have had that in mind. We're an archipelago and the needs of every city is unique. It's time to start looking into the specific circumstances of a city and plan around that. We need to start thinking in terms of the long-term now, and this is going to take a huge financial commitment by the government.
For me, one of the most striking aspects of the tragedy caused by Typhoon Yolanda was the sheer overflow of local and international support that has been extended towards the victims of the calamity. People all over the world have been brought together by a sense of empathy that is not limited to the personal feelings of any particular volunteer, but rather seems to manifest itself as a broader, collective wave of affinity that is shared by society as a whole, and is as powerful as any natural disaster. I believe that this capacity for collective empathy within human society has been enabled to an enormous extent by the development of science and technology.
After all, the technological developments such as social media have made it easier for us to conduct the multilateral exchanges of experiences and opinions that fuel social empathy. We have to realize that the very idea of empathy is premised on being able to identify with others; in other words, one must be able to see oneself in the position of typhoon victims in order to empathize with them. The recent explosion of social media has changed the way we view the experiences of others, by plunging us into a constant deluge of personal information and opinions from our peers, and thus blurring the lines between what constitutes our experiences and those of others. This means that to a certain extent we are now more involved in other people’s lives due to this new paradigm of over-sharing. This is often problematic, but it does help galvanize public support when it comes to situations such as typhoon Yolanda. After all, media allows us to visualize the victims’ plights in a way that allows us to empathize with them more; we don’t just hear about the damages, we see the victims’ faces on our television screens, we see posts from survivors on Facebook, we see things that force us mentally into the shoes of these people and fill us with the horror and sympathy that sparks support.
Moreover, social media has changed the way we as a society conduct discourse on important issues such as this. Prior to Facebook and Twitter, the extent to which an individual could make his opinions heard, as well as the extent to which he or she could engage with the opinions of others, was always limited by geographical or social factors. Social media acts as a level playing field in which these barriers are broken down, and discourse can happen on a much broader scale. In other words, each individual in society has a larger say in the discussions that often form and inform the overarching values and priorities of society. In the case of typhoon Yolanda, social media has become the avenue for discussions that have actual effects on the way society views natural disasters, such as issues of volunteering and “slacktivism”, government responsibility, and media coverage. What this means is that science and technology have increased the influence each person has over societal mindsets, thus increasing the investment and connection each individual has in collective societal actions, such as support for victims of natural disasters.
I think, to some extent, the people were able to prepare for the super typhoon Yolanda. Many relocated to different evacuation centers and various government agencies prepared relief goods and rescue teams but I think no one expected the intensity of the destruction that Yolanda has caused when it finally unleashed its strength in Visayas, especially in Tacloban City. The preparation still proved to be deficient and the government’s response to the disaster and the needs of those affected can be seen as disappointing.
In this obstacle for the Philippines, we also saw that the advances in science and technology played a big part in society. Through these developments, information was immediately disseminated through TV, radio and social media. Even days before its expected time of entry in the Philippine Area of Responsibility, forecasts, warnings, information about the typhoon's speed, direction and path were all over the news, which urged people to prepare and evacuate. These actions helped save the lives and reduce the number of casualties. Also through these advances, news about Visayas’ devastation spread internationally and different countries were able to send their aid in the form of money, aircrafts, ships, troops, medical supplies and goods. Many people also used the internet or social media to gather help and raise funds for the Filipinos affected by Yolanda.
Milenyo, Ondoy, Pablo, Yolanda—these are some of the most powerful typhoons that hit the Philippines in different years. In a span of seven years from 2006-2013, natural calamities especially typhoons have been growing stronger, diverting from usual tracks, and devastating hundreds to thousands of people. With this, the administration adapts newer technology (such as the Doppler radar) used by more advanced countries as well as systems (like the rainfall warning system) that let the people understand the weather conditions they are about to face. It is good that all of us seem to be putting more effort as we learn from past tragedies; however, more than two thousand casualties have still been reported due to super typhoon Yolanda. I would like to think that this heartbreaking news is caused by too stubborn citizens plus lack of better technology plus the fact that Yolanda is just too intense that it is one of the world’s strongest typhoons recorded and it simply is not within our control. But now I am hearing this news that the reason for this immense death toll and the slow distribution of relief goods is political rivalry. I am so infuriated upon hearing this. Thousands of Filipinos are living with nothing and are wounding seriously on the loss of many loved ones yet the government are still minding politics! This is so shameful and disgusting! I just pray that for one single moment, they remember to be human beings and fulfill their pledge to the nation.
Milenyo, Ondoy, Pablo, Yolanda—these are some of the most powerful typhoons that hit the Philippines in different years. In a span of seven years from 2006-2013, natural calamities especially typhoons have been growing stronger, diverting from usual tracks, and devastating hundreds to thousands of people. With this, the administration adapts newer technology (such as the Doppler radar) used by more advanced countries as well as systems (like the rainfall warning system) that let the people understand the weather conditions they are about to face. It is good that all of us seem to be putting more effort as we learn from past tragedies; however, more than two thousand casualties have still been reported due to super typhoon Yolanda. I would like to think that this heartbreaking news is caused by too stubborn citizens plus lack of better technology plus the fact that Yolanda is just too intense that it is one of the world’s strongest typhoons recorded and it simply is not within our control. But now I am hearing this news that the reason for this immense death toll and the slow distribution of relief goods is political rivalry. I am so infuriated upon hearing this. Thousands of Filipinos are living with nothing and are wounding seriously on the loss of many loved ones yet the government are still minding politics! This is so shameful and disgusting! I just pray that for one single moment, they remember to be human beings and fulfill their pledge to the nation.
After witnessing the destruction wrought by the typhoon and its impact on Central Visayas, it's easy to see how the utilization of technology, or the lack thereof, has become critical to different aspects of our lives. On one hand, we've seen how social media has played an important role in responding to the event both before and after it occurred. Various forms of communication were used to get the word out in order to advise those who had the means to prepare and/or move out of the area as soon as possible, as well as to alert the rest the world about the need for relief goods and the state of the survivors and victims. Furthermore, advancements in technology allowed the country's scientists to detect the pending arrival of the typhoon, thus spurring the Filipinos' attempts to prepare in whatever ways they can. On the other hand, however, the events of the past week also push us to think about what could have been done in order to improve how the government responded to the calamity. With a clearer plan and system, the situation might not be as grim as it is now. It's probably wishful thinking, but I've a feeling that we could have done so much more with the resources that we had and that we've accumulated since then. In the end, Haiyan's aftermath has proven to be a logistical nightmare, serving as a cautionary tale to the country and to the rest of the world about the need for preparation and urgency in responding to catastrophes.
I am one with everybody in feeling bad because of the casualties and devastation it brought about in the Visayas region. Many thoughts have been said about the lack of the government, the politics, the transport of relief goods, the blame game, but we have to remember, what we're experiencing now is just the beginning. This is just a climate change wake-up call! As a nation, everyone of us should lend a hand in helping our fellow Filipinos. Bangon Pilipinas! “Hanggang saan aabot ang 20 pesos mo?” Hanggang saan nga ba, basta ang alam ko, malayo!
The typhoon Yolanda is one of the worst tragedies that happened in our country. One of the good points of technology is that it was able to transmit information from one location to another. People in the affected areas were informed of the coming storm and were able to prepare. Yes, they were prepared. The storm was just too strong for all of them. It also helped in updating everyone about what was happening in each area, lending a hand to those who are in need.
While being able to transmit information is one of technology's good points, it is also one of its bad points since information can be manipulated one way or another. Some people just can't stand not turning people against each other, spreading false news everywhere. There's also the issue of pointing fingers. It saddens me every time someone randomly says that he/she is disappointed with the "slow work" of the government. Blaming the government just about anything, even to the point of accusing the government of taking the donations for themselves! Maybe they're right, maybe they're wrong. But that's the problem: a big MAYBE. Why bother with something that you're not even sure if it's true? Isn't it better to turn our attention to how we can help? If we solely focus on donating or volunteering for all the victims of Yolanda instead of wasting time badmouthing the government, I truly believe we'll be able to stand back up faster and stronger as one.
Judging by the state of our government right now, I believe that our fund is not enough to support all those who survived Yolanda. The damage done was excruciatingly painful to take-in. Thousands of lives lost, billions worth of properties destroyed, millions of survivors trying to make it through day after day.
A lot of people are already looting and stealing from abandoned establishments and becoming more and more violent. I am not saying what they did was right but we cannot blame them. It is in our nature to find means of survival. Whatever the government is doing, it is clear that it is not enough.
The help from other countries and concerned individuals is really overwhelming and heartwarming. To think, it is not their obligation and yet they are willing to sacrifice to save lives. I just hope that what I've heard about government officials hoarding and stealing relief goods is not true because we are talking about putting millions of lives at stake here. Let us hope that they won't let people die for for their own selfish reasons.
The effects of the typhoon Yolanda on the country has proven that against nature, man can do nothing. With the improvement of technology, the people are able to somehow prepare to a certain degree. However, even if the most advanced technology is used, facing the force of nature head-on can still be fatal. Now that the storm has passed and the aftermaths are slowly being showed through the media, building everything from scratch would be very difficult. Outside help would really be necessary for the damaged places to recover, not just the structure but also the economy and lives of the people there. Despite all the destruction experienced by the people, opportunity presents itself for the people to rebuild their cities with improvement and innovation in mind. If the people themselves will it, not just because of necessity, it is possible for the people to have a future wherein they have better lives and better communities.
As an STS student, I guess the main implication of the recent tragedy is this - we can't forget that our world is natural, having its own pace, own cycles and untouchable factors. Upgrading and development is definitely not wrong, but once we forget how our environment works (meaning not taking it into consideration with our advancement), it will tend to remind us. Everything that transpired is normal for a similarly changing world, and I think it's just us that are overreacting because of our lack of preparation.
I believe that Science and Technology greatly reduced the casualties we would have experienced. The Visayas region is no stranger to super typhoons. It is in recorded history that there was a typhoon back in 1890's ,that was almost as strong as Yolanda, had made a landfall and done casualties of multiple proportions. Thanks to the technology of PAG-ASA, we were able to detect the forming super typhoon kilometers away from land. Comparing the casualties that happened, the typhoon way back did a lot more damage. It is because the information was disseminated in time before the super typhoon made landfall. I think that the government did all in its power to prevent major casualties but still there were shortcomings which the president admitted. And in some cases, the residents had their shortcomings too like not listening to the advice of experts to evacuate immediately. Still I think that we shouldn't blame any one person or institution on all that has happened instead we must help each other out. It was very heart-warming when i see news about other countries helping the Filipino victims. The advance technology of Americans allowed the victims to be transported to better areas and the relief goods were brought to them faster. The Japanese technology on medicine which they implemented here was able to check the bones of survivors using wireless X-ray kits powered by tablet computers etc. thus they were able to detect any illness that needs to be given medical attention. We should be grateful for all their support. I know that the government is pressured right now, I hope that they cope up with the growing needs of the survivors specially in the long run and they would put this country's needs above theirs.
Typhoon Yolanda devastated so many Filipinos and ruined so many places. Many of our countrymen have died because of the typhoon, and some are still missing up to now. Despite all of this, I think it would have been much much worse if there were no technology. Through social media, people who are capable of helping were informed on various relief operations, medical missions, and donations. Social media proved to be a vital role in helping the victims rise above the adversities posed by Yolanda. Also, because of technology, we are constantly updated on what's happening in Tacloban. We are informed on the problems they are facing now, the help they need, and the like. Other counties are informed as well. Because of this, they also have donated a huge amount for the recovery of the Filipino people.
I think that this is a really heartbreaking tragedy, but inspite of this, we are able to do our best and utilize our resoures in helping the victims, and technology had a huge part in that.
As a science, technology, and society student, the devastation that super typhoon Yolanda made me realize is that, prevention is really better than cure. I believe that it is about time we, Filipinos, along with the proper officials, study plan, and move. Given that we live along the Pacific Ring of Fire, we should always expect the worst. We should not wait for another super typhoon, another 7+ magnitude of earthquake, for us to make a move. As early as now, we should improve our disaster programs, localities analysis, and even information dissemination.
As an architecture student, I believe that it's time to start building and rebuilding establishments and open spaces, especially in the provinces. The places that we are in should stand the test of the changing time. We should start shaping what protects us---homes, evacuation centers, and others. Since we can't really control the ever-changing climate, then we must grab what we can control. It's time to start building establishments that will last rain or shine, earthquakes or any other unfortunate event. It's time o rebuild old structures so that it'll be ready to face today's level of nature's wrath.
I believe that preparedness goes a long, long way. People, too, should take seriously fire and earthquake drills. Having a typhoon drill is also an option. In no time, we'll be facing more disasters head on, with our heads held up high, for we are informed and infrastructure-ready.
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 a 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.
Personally, I am disappointed by the reactions of some people towards the relief efforts that have been taking place. For example, a friend of mine who was very active on Facebook posted articles that kept people updated on the situation, as well as links to websites for donations and missing persons information. Eventually he received a comment saying, 'You should be out helping with relief operations or donating instead of sitting around all day sharing links on Facebook. You're not /actually/ trying to help.' This friend had participated in relief operations and donated what he could, yet he was attacked for expressing his helpfulness through social media. This is not the only case, nor the worst case, of such negativity towards social media as a tool for help, but it is certainly a very common scenario.
Technology is a powerful tool that allows us to share information for the benefit of others. For instance, if such articles didn't exist we may have not been as aware on how badly electric power or water was needed in the affected areas. It is a shame that some people use social media as a tool for hypocrisy and criticism, especially in a situation as serious as this, where everyone is simply trying to help in whatever way they can, in whatever way they are best at. Negative and spiteful comments prevent unity within our society, and we cannot effectively help those affected if we are not united in our efforts. Hopefully people will learn to use such technology in a way that is more productive and helpful towards the cause of providing aid and useful information, rather than criticizing people for whatever way they choose to help.
It is sad that this kind of calamity happened to us especially when Christmas season is coming. But we all know that we can't prevent these things from happening so the best way to do is to prepare. People from Leyte were given a warning from the government to evacuate from their homes and proceed to evacuation centers. What they did not see coming was that even the evacuation centers were not spared by the storm surge causing many people's lives. Right now, many donations are coming in from different parts of the world. I just hope our gov't officials do not take this opportunity to steal again.
With the Typhoon Yolanda tragedy, I think anyone can see how poorly prepared we were for this. For a country which is visited monthly (or even a lot more often than that) by various typhoons, the Philippines still isn't that prepared for something that we are already used to. This should be brought to attention because it is critical that even after all these years of the Philippines being visited by typhoons, we still have not learned how to correctly prepare for it.
I just hope that this tragedy will finally serve as a lesson not only to the government, but to the rest of the Filipino people. Too many people have been endlessly blaming the government for the delay of relief goods, late actions, and such, but I honestly think this is just making the situation worse. Maybe we should stop focusing so much of our efforts and energy on blaming and instead just lend a helping hand and do as much as we can to help those in need.
The Typhoon Yolanda tragedy reminds as to be prepared at all times. I think our fellow Filipinos in Visayas region prepared well for this typhoon and the government especially PAGASA gave their full efforts to bring the latest information for the safety of everyone. However, there are things that we do not really expect. Therefore, I can say not no one is to be blame for this tragedy. I am hoping that science and technology, e.g. by sending of relief goods to victim and reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, will play a very significant role in the improvement and revitalization of our society.
The Typhoon Yolanda tragedy reminds as to be prepared at all times. I think our fellow Filipinos in Visayas region prepared well for this typhoon and the government especially PAGASA gave their full efforts to bring the latest information for the safety of everyone. However, there are things that we do not really expect. Therefore, I can say not no one is to be blame for this tragedy. I am hoping that science and technology, e.g. by sending of relief goods to victim and reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, will play a very significant role in the improvement and revitalization of our society.
Philippines has always been a pit stop of typhoons. We experienced a lot of devastating typhoons, just like Bagyong Milenyo, Reming, Ondoy, Peping, and the most recent of all, Bagyong Yolanda. Yolanda devastated most of the provinces and towns of the Visayas Region. As one of my friends in Visayas said, "In a matter of 5 hours, I lost my hometown." It left the Philippines stuck in a sorrowful state that until now, after almost 2 weeks of Yolanda's dreadful visit, Visayan people do not have proper nutrition, housing and even clothing. Children of Visayas are forced to stop from going to school, adults lost their jobs, and a lot of migration happened. No doubt Philippine is still on its relief operation, and then rehabilitation process will take place. As a student of STS, a course where we study how we can practically apply Science and Technology to Society, and how it greatly affects the society. First and foremost, from what happened we can see how science and technology affected the society. Imagine if PAG-ASA weren't able to predict that typhoon Yolanda will be a super typhoon and that it will hit Visayas region? Maybe we weren't able to prepare beforehand (though the preparations that happened weren't enough). During the typhoon through the technology of the different networks, we were able to watch the current happenings especially in the area of Visayas. However we also saw the effect of the lack of technology during the typhoon. The lost of telecommunication became a hindrance for the victims to contact their relatives and to ask help from them. This caused the relatives to panic and to think the worst case scenario. The technology of aircraft hindered the victims to escape or even the relatives to go to Visayas because aircraft companies suspended their business for a while due to the unfriendly weather. And during the aftermaths of the typhoon, technology played a role in the relief operation. Different organizations were able to collect donations through the use of technology, specifically through the social media. I think, our country should also improve more the mechanism of distributing the donations. Improve the science and technology of our country so that we will be more prepared in the more typhoons that will hit our country.
As a student of STS, I think what recently happened to our country because of Typhoon Yolanda is something that we should ponder on from a humane perspective. I think efforts were enough to give us sufficient precautionary measures. We did not lack in scientific concepts regarding the typhoon because they were described in full details in weather reports days before the typhoon attacked our country. However, the actual experience of Typhoon Yolanda itself was something really different from the descriptions and warnings that were given. It was like a hundred times worse and more difficult to handle when you’re in the situation already than when you’re just imagining of what the situation could be like. Examining the aftereffects of Yolanda, we may realize that it was actually a life-and-death situation for those who experienced the supertyphoon. That is why for me, there is no room for putting the blame on others, why the LGUs are at fault, why the people did not evacuate and etc. Instead, we should sympathize with those who have lost their loved ones and be grateful to God now that it’s over and also for the technology that we have today, to which we owe a lot because it would not have been possible for us to speed up rescue and relief operations without the use of it. As we stand up from the fall, let us remember that we Filipinos are a cheerful and resilient race ready to face the challenges of tomorrow with faith and hope and a bright smile on our faces to enlighten everyone! :)
For me, the tragedy that typhoon Yolanda caused is a wake up call for all of us. We should realize that proper information and preparation is indeed important whenever this kinds of calamities happen. Days before the storm, the media and PAGASA already warned the cities that would be affected by Yolanda, however, was that enough? No! The weather forecasters did not emphasize how strong and dangerous the upcoming storm was. Because of this, the citizens prepared, prepared for a typical typhoon. What they did not know was that the typhoon that was about to hit them would be one of the strongest typhoons that hit our planet.
From this we can conclude that information dissemination is the first step to preparation. Maybe next time, media and government offices will do their part in protecting the people, not in protecting the government's image.
As much as this event affected all of our lives, we can see that there is much to see and learn from what happened.
We are one of the most typhoon-prone countries in the world and we are actually quite competent in terms of disaster preparedness, in my opinion. Yes, we may not have been able to prevent all damage, but in reality, who on earth would be prepared for the the strongest storm in recorded history? The damage could have been much worse, if we think about it.
But other than the obvious devastation, let us also look at the people-aspect of what happened. People have died and a lot of them are hurt in more way than one, but because of this, we can see that the whole country has united to help the people who are affected. Not only the Filipinos, but almost the whole world started to pitch in. How often can we say that this actually happens?
Also, if we look at the greatest disasters throughout history, we can see that out the ashes would rise a newer and more resilient people. I think that that is what's happening or will happen, because of Typhoon Yolanda.
As a “Science, Technology and Society” student, I believe that the recent tragedy is a reminder that technology is a powerful tool that could save millions of people by predicting catastrophic storms or performing relief operations. Without the help of satellite, people won’t be able to prepare necessary items that would help them survive. Also, media and other means of communication delivered the true scenario, during and after the typhoon, across the nation which initiated them to help the Philippines. Truly, technology is not only a tool that helps us advance but also an instrument key for survival.
On the other hand, the calamity calls for immediate action of the government to develop new ways of lessening the casualties and damages. Whether to improve our weather forecasting devices, to develop buildings specifically made to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, and to create equipment ergonomically designed for disasters; the government must do something to avoid another devastating event. One of which is to eliminate corruption and to make sure every single centavo is not wasted on ghost projects – if not substandard.
Many international figureheads have been relating the recent devastation caused by the super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) to the long-standing issue of global warming. Though a quick internet search could easily disprove this theory, global leaders such as those in the U.N. could not be blamed for doing so. Though global warming is a natural phenomenon, recent human activity is believed to be enhancing its effects. I agree that whether or not global warming was to blame for the damage caused by Yolanda, measures need to be taken in order minimize the effect of our actions on the already speedy progress of climate change.
On a less global scale, certain arguments have been making rounds within social media that had scientists not used the term "storm surges" and instead used terms that the laypeople understood such as "tidal waves" or "tsunami", more people would have evacuated their seaside homes and made for higher ground. This really rubbed me the wrong way since these people are implying that it is the fault of our scientists why the victims of the typhoon suffered. This rubbed me the wrong way since these people are practically asking our scientists to "lie" to the public by technically giving them false information since the waves that devastated Leyte were not caused by seismic nor tidal activity. I have been following a discussion between UP professor Dr. Mahar Lagmay and some twitter users regarding this issue and I agree with Dr. Lagmay that better information dissemination not panic-mongering is the solution. I do hope that the next time we are faced with a similar situation, such devastation can be avoided by being prepared and listening to the recommendations of our experts.
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 strived 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 a 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.
What's done is done. Thousands are dead, and plenty are currently homeless and starving. I think this typhoon Yolanda tragedy serves as a scary reminder that mankind should soon come to the realization that nature should be treasured and taken care of. After all, nothing's more powerful than nature, not even the most advance technology we have in this world. In the blink of an eye, lives could be shattered and everything we have could be turned to shambles. It's scary, really. But then again, as I've mentioned earlier, what's done is done. Tragedy has struck. All that we could do now, is to help. As a nation, let's unite and help our fellow countrymen get back up on their feet.
I think the Typhoon Yolanda Tragedy raised the fear of climate change in the global community. Being said that, more people would be concerned on taking care of our environment.
Tragedies such as Typhoon Yolanda are so devastating. I'm blessed to not have been affected, but just watching the news is already so hard. I wish we could avoid such calamities, because nowadays, these "natural" calamities have been indirectly influenced and caused by man. Acts such as deforestation and excessive carbon emissions have lead to an imbalance in the environment, causing abnormally catastrophic calamities. For example, storms are said to get their energy from the ocean, and because of global warming, more heat energy is stored into the ocean. In the case of Typhoon Yolanda, perhaps it would not have been as strong if not for global warming.
I hope that Typhoon Yolanda serves as an eye-opener for us that we may realize how real the effects of disrupting the environment are. I also hope that in the future, scientists are able to lead advancements in technology that promote maintaining the balance of nature.
Typhoon Yolanda was undeniably catastrophic. It's distressing to see the damage brought about by the typhoon being flashed on the news. Nonetheless, it was a time of unity amidst calamity. People and organizations all over the nation and across the globe reach out to every Filipino affected in Visayas through technology. Technology has made the world smaller and relief within reach. With today’s technology, distance is not a hindrance to doing our part in helping them. **On another note, government agencies might as well perform their duties competently in times of disaster like this recent typhoon.
The typhoon Yolanda ruined hundreds of towns and took thousands of lives as it landed in the Philippine area of responsibility last November 8. Now, reaching the affected areas to bring aids has been a challenge even days after the typhoon had hit certain parts of the country because the communication is down and roads and seas are impassable due to the logs and immense debris blocking the ways. Fellow Filipinos and well-off countries, however, immediately responded to the victims and pledges and donations have been pouring since the news about the destruction broke out. Although people are skeptical on how the government would spend the reported donated billions of pesos, we should just trust them and focus instead on what we can do to help as individuals but I must say though, that this is a chance for the government to show transparency and change. We should’ve learned a lesson or two from this catastrophe. We as STS students, could come up with ideas on how to maximize the use of science and technology in situations like this one, for example sending donations have been made easier since basically anyone with a mobile phone could simply send cash donations to Red Cross thru text. We could also put together ways on how to improve the planning of disaster risk reduction program and think of progressive innovations and advancements as well on how to lessen the effects of climate change as some have been blaming it for the existence of strong massive typhoons like Yolanda.
Being a student of STS, where Science and technology is taught, I believe that the tragedy that struck our country could have been avoided if the government has more funds for advanced geographical and meteorological research and technology. Given our location, we generally know that we are prone to earthquakes and typhoons, thanks to Western studies and ancient knowledge, but then again we tend to not do something about it. Students who specialize in courses that are beneficial to prevent these calamities, work in other countries to provide financial support to their families. Moreover, they work abroad because the technology that they need are found in European countries rather than here in the Philippines.
I know a person who predicted the super typhoon weeks before it had hit the country. The government did something about it, yes, they foolishly underestimated the strength of the typhoon and placed the people in evacuation centers; evacuation centers that are also flooded by the storm surge. If they only relocated the people earlier to other islands by the use of helicopters or airplanes, that would have been more convenient. Most of the people in Samar and Leyte would have been saved, but they weren't.
If this was done earlier... If.... possibly the questions would be: Why would the government fund on helicopters and airplanes, when they have a lot to attend to... such as funds for the seven pillars? Why would they waste their money on technology when they can invest it in the education of our people? As a third world country, the Philippines thinks lowly of advanced research and technology, but I believe that the Philippines has a lot of money. The Philippines is rich in natural resources. It just went to the wrong hands.
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.
Days before the typhoon actually hit our country, news had already been spread everywhere specially to those places that would be directly affected by this to enable us to prepare. Every cities and provinces had made their own preparations and others even recommend class suspension to make sure that everyone would be at home preparing for the so called 'super typhoon' yet the damaged Yolanda has inflicted to us was really of great destruction even causing more than thousands of lives lost. As the local government of each cities affected by this tragic event were interviewed, they said that they did prepare for this the only thing is that they didn't expect it to be that great and destructive. And to add to that, they didn't really expect the occurrence of such storm surges that are some kind of main reason for the great loss of homes and especially lives. But our concern now is not to find someone to blame rather to find help in every way we can to be able to rise from this really tragic event in our country. And as s student of STS this semester, where science & technology and society are its main concern, we should take this opportunity to transform the knowledge we can get from this subject into something of great deed. Since it tackles technology, we should find ways on how technology can be of advantage to us especially in this times and how it can help us build a peaceful and wonderful society even with the great damage we have now.
As an STS student, I think that the Yolanda tragedy is another sign that our world is undergoing the process of change. Like what happened in some of the ancient civilizations, natural disasters wiped away the population of the ancient communities and also destroyed their livelihood (agriculture, etc) and environment. For a very long time, this destruction may cause inhabitability of the affected area but after years it can also become a “redeveloped” place with its environment having new characteristics different from how it used to be before the natural disaster came.
Natural disasters are truly inevitable, that even though today we live in a world wherein there is a rapid advancement in technology, we still won’t be able to fully conquer the massive destruction these can bring. However, if not for technology, then we won’t be aware of the super typhoon from the very start. If not also for technology, we won’t be able to send our responses and aids to the victims of these disasters.
The typhoon Yolanda tragedy was a great reminder that natural disasters cannot be prevented. Whether we live in a stable house, we have enough food, etc., the only thing we can do is to prepare and put our hope in God. We can still make use of the technology to at least save lives and preserve properties. We are also thankful for the support of the Filipinos to our kababayans and the help from other countries too. In fact, we were able to raise so much money that the affected people can start building their houses again, so much relief goods that affected families can survive for month or so. Management is the main problem, if the government can come up with a better system in distributing the food and cleaning the affected areas, then the affected people can start their new life.
faced one of the most largest and powerful typhoons ever recorded in the world. I believed the the local government in Visayas region have tried to be ready for the typhoon days before the disaster struck. I think that it is just the lack of help from the national government that is one of the factors for the unexpectable result. Most of the casualties resulted from people getting hit by falling debris. not from flooding that is why I think the locals have tried their best to be prepared for the disaster.
and now that it happened. let us just stop blaming people and our government, it is the least thing that can help. for now, let us help the visayas stand up once more and recover from one of the most disastrous calamities in the world history.
As the super typhoon Yolanda washed away some parts of the country, it left a mark that is hard to ignore. The impacts brought about by the typhoon is not a minor one. I believe that there was no proper dissemination of the possible effects of the typhoon that is why it appeared as if we were not prepared. The efforts of some sectors such as the PAGASA are commendable but these efforts are useless if the action stopped there. For me, the government had the informations needed so they should've prepared more. They were suppose to lead the relief operations, but what happened was they pointed fingers, no one actually took the initiative to organize things. A lot people suffered because of their shortcomings as leaders. Also, some relief operations were commercialized; other people took advantage of the situation to advertise.
Amidst everything that happened, it is amazing how people manage to smile and share. It is inspiring to hear stories of heroism and selflessness. Though some politicians and the government appeared to be a disgrace, I still have hope for the country. Once we get through this, we can prove that we are one of the toughest countries the world has ever known and not even a super typhoon could shake our faith. I hope for better things for the Philippines and the Filipinos.
“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” -Mahatma Gandhi
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. :)
I agree with all the comments above. Typhoon Yolanda was indeed, one of the biggest and worst tragedy that our country ever had. It tested the strength of every Filipino people, but still I believe that we will be able to prove that our unity will help us gain what we have lost because of this dreadful and destructive typhoon. Let's pray and keep fighting Filipinos!
Many has tried to gave an explanation on why the tragedy happened, why here? why now? why?... Some has blamed the lack of prayers and faith in GOD or religion, some has blamed Global warming while others are quick to debunk the existence of global warming. But one thing I was sure of was we were not prepared. Yes we did have an idea that it would be a strong typhoon but we did not fathom that it would be that devastating. Our technology has advanced in such a way that we know when it will rain or storm, its not as surprising as an earthquake’s appearance. But still the truth remains that we were not prepared. As much warning we have gotten we it was not enough. The devastation is now here and all we can do now is to try and rise again. We have to be prepared for the next calamities and for that we have to rebuild first. More than the immediate relief we need to rebuild the places so people can continue their lives. Before we can advance again we need to fix everything else.
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.
If the preparation for the typhoon is not possible, then there must be preparation for relief instead. Like clearing the roads right after the storm so that the relief goods can be received as soon as possible.
Although there were warnings before the typhoon, people did not have sufficient knowledge on its possible effects, resulting in their refusal to leave the area. However in the dissemination of information regarding the victims' call for aid, media played a significant role. The weight of its impact on the progress of the inflow of donations and other forms of assistance is immeasurable. The progress was a bit slow compared to what had been done in 2011 Japan earthquake because of the lack of organization and planning. Moreover, according to experts, climate change may have had a role in this calamity. While they continue to talk it through, this tragedy should not be another mere addition to the list of devastating catastrophe. It took place in an almost inconvenient time, but what else is left to aim for but the rebuilding of everything that has fallen? Although the technology that we deal with is not as innovative as our neighboring countries', at least one jerk of our hand is all it takes. For whatever it's worth, I think we, media consumers, should mark another generation of movement towards the salvation of the only home we've got.
Well, it's no surprise that Typhoon Yolanda wrecked havoc in the Philippines considering it is said to be the "strongest typhoon to ever make landfall." But we're not new in the business of experiencing strong typhoons, seeing the likes of Milenyo, Ondoy, Pepeng, etc. Having said this, it is quite disappointing that we are not learning from our past experiences with the said typhoons.
Preparedness is one factor that prevents massive damage but in this case, even with preparation, it was not possible because we are the first to experience a storm of this scale. But we could have prevented more damage and chaos by faster relief operations which would have been possible through the use of technology. Yes, we are not that developed nor underdeveloped in this factor, but the problem is, we are not using our knowledge of this technology for the development of new things that are dedicated to natural disaster related events (eg. production of automobiles to use during relief ops, technologies like that made by Japan created exactly for the purpose of disaster relief, etc).
I'm not expecting the Philippines to be at the same level of Japan in a snap of a finger, but I'm hoping that they (the government) would start focusing their attention to disaster preparedness especially for relief operations and not just rely on Filipino bayanihan when we are faced, inevitably, with natural disasters.
Typhoon Yolanda is indeed a tragedy. I do believe that this is a natural phenomenon and that there is no one to blame but nature itself. Still, the government should stop ranting about it and instead just help. If there's one thing that we all need right now, that's cooperation.
As an STS student, I think we are all responsible for this. We are all responsible for helping each other. Not only as but every citizen in the country. Typhoon Yolanda, for sure is no matched for out country's bravery and courage. Yes, we will truly struggle in order to surpass this tragedy but I do believe that in the Filipino spirit, we can survive anything.
Through what happened last week, we could see how much technology has saved lives. Firstly, even though there had been a tremendous amount of people who were affected by the storm, definitely there would have been even more who would have suffered if not for the knowledge that a supertyphoon was coming; because of this, many were able to prepare beforehand. This knowledge of course was taken from scientific instruments (technology). Technology also has played the role in the aftermath of the storm by helping in transportation of relief goods and evacuees. For example, planes were used to bring in food from other cities and was also used to take
ReplyDeletepeople out of Tacloban city. However, I believe that the situation could have been even better if we had improvements in the current technology we have; relief efforts have been reported to still be slow due to the lack of planes, for example. Through this, we could see how important the government must invest in research and technology so that we could save even more lives in the future.
Alfonso Gabriel L. Roces
2013-59404
I think this tragedy really served as a lesson to each and everyone of us because many people died, many became homeless and until now, many people are still starving even though they prepared themselves for the super typhoon. I also think that relief operations are slow because accessibility to the affected areas is also a problem. And since we live in a poor country, kulang tayo sa mga kagamitang pangtulong even though many people even countries are helping us. However, I hope that our government will really do their best to help our kababayans in Visayas para makabangon ulit sila from this tragedy.
ReplyDeleteThe destruction caused by typhoon Yolanda is very devastating. No words will ever be enough to describe what has happened there, what still is happening there, what the people experienced and what they still are experiencing there right now. It might have been days after the typhoon hit the Philippines but, it is known to us that they still need our help. Food, clothing, water, medical assistance—these are just few of the things they need. As individuals, we might not be able to give everything they need just by ourselves but, we should not be hesitant in helping them, no matter how big or small we can offer them. As STS students, I believe that we cannot only help with them with our donations but also by taking advance of the technology we have right now and the services it can offer to us that might be useful in situations like this.
ReplyDelete2010-06190
Typhoon Yolanda was one of the biggest tragedies that has struck our country. Though many calamities have come and gone before, the government still hasn't learned from these past calamities. When the 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Bohol not more than a month ago, the government should have already been able to prevent greater destruction of the structures. They should have already had executed their plan of destruction management even before the massive earthquake occurred. Now that typhoon Yolanda has just ravaged a great part of the Philippines, especially the Eastern Visayas, we are only left to give these people a temporary solution by donating even when it's actually the government's responsibility to find solutions for better structures to prevent greater damage.
ReplyDeleteDuring the height of the typhoon however, people who had access to televisions and the internet were easily informed about the catastrophe going on. The media played an important role in the dissemination of information about the current status of the typhoon. Reporters were able to give live coverage of what was actually going on during the storm. Technology really did do a great deal in making people aware of what was happening while they were happening.
The destruction caused by typhoon Yolanda is very devastating. No words will ever be enough to describe what has happened there, what still is happening there, what the people experienced and what they still are experiencing there right now. It might have been days after the typhoon hit the Philippines but, it is known to us that they still need our help. Food, clothing, water, medical assistance—these are just few of the things they need. As individuals, we might not be able to give everything they need just by ourselves but, we should not be hesitant in helping them, no matter how big or small we can offer them. As STS students, I believe that we cannot only help with them with our donations but also by taking advance of the technology we have right now and the services it can offer to us that might be useful in situations like this.
ReplyDeleteAs a student of Science, Technology and Society, I believe that there are lots of different ways in which we can help the victims the typhoon. With the current technology there are ways in which we can inform the public through the use of social media about the current situation Visayas and what each and everyone can do to help the victims. For example, through the use of the internet, not only were Filipinos able to spread word about the situation in Visayas within the Philippines, but were able to spread word to other countries as well. Because of that, even foreigners are lending help through donations to the victims in the Philippines. As one society, we must set aside all our differences and unite to help the victims in any way we can. If we're not able to help personally by repacking goods, the least we can do is donate what is needed like food, water and clothes which are the things which they need the most.
ReplyDelete2010-79003
The havoc brought by Yolanda is a tragedy our nation cannot totally be prepared for. Though the typhoon was detected before its landfall and evacuations started, Yolanda still left the Philippines devastated as it is still now observed in Visayas. Relief operations are underway by both the government and private organizations but with a tension between the two because of the government's said lack of action. Instead of focusing one's energy in pointing the flaws of the government in aiding the victims, I think it is for the best that we do whatever we can to help our fellow Filipinos without fighting over who did not do anything. Continuous donations and volunteers waging support through social networks have been abundant from the locals and from other countries which is very heartwarming. However, I think we should not stop in thinking about the now but more of the future for the Yolanda victims. How will they fare when they have nothing left? Relocation of families, financial assistance and job opportunities, among many, are to be provided for the victims for them to start anew. As for the provinces affected, I imagine it will take years to build infrastructures but may the government make the buildings stand against strong typhoons and earthquakes so that if it comes to worse in the future, Filipinos will not again feel the loss they had endured.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think about the tragedy which happened in the Visayas Region is that even we were prepared for the storm or should I say a catastrophe that time, we can not say that we are already safe for we still don't what will happen during the storm. And I conclude that its hard to go against nature.
ReplyDeleteFor the residents of the affected areas, I really salute them for preparing themselves for the storm. They evacuated already before the storm struck their place. But what's the problem with them? Different news program already forecast that this storm would be really super strong. And because of its strength, the efforts of the residents became useless. But on the side of the different weather forecasters, they used scientific terms which a play person may not understand fully. So I recommend to them to use terms which can be easily understood by a lay person. Use such terms which are familiar to them like using the term "tsunami-like" instead of "storm surge".
I wish that all the survivors are now okay. Hope that we Filipinos should not stop praying and giving our help to them. I would like to thank those who helped those victims specially those countries which lend their help to us.
Filipino spirit really arise in times of trouble. And always put into our mind that "Pilipino kami, Bagyo ka lang!" :) Kudos sa mga kababayan nating nakaligtas sa trahedya at sa mga taong walang sawang nagpapa-abot ng kanilang tulong. :)
-John Erick Penetrante (2013-00847)
I think that this tragedy serves as one of the many reminders that there needs to be a drastic change in the Philippines especially with regard to the way we treat our environment. Although, despite all the chaos that has happened, it is delightful to see that the spirit of bayanihan still shines through in helping the people affected by the typhoon. It just goes to show that all Filipinos are in this together and it definitely helps to use all the resources that we have, including social media, to reach out to our brethren in Samar and Leyte. Now, I just hope that the people in those affected areas would recover quickly from this calamity and live on. Moreover, I hope that we would be able to develop technologies and infrastructures to reduce the damages that would be inflicted by calamities in the future so that our fellow Filipinos would not have to go through suffering and loss brought about by these anymore.
ReplyDeleteJeremiah S. Evangelista
2013-05867
Although local governments were warned about the passing of Yolanda, they must not be blamed for inefficiency in preparation of the coming of this disaster. The main reason is that they themselves were greatly affected by the typhoon which obviously is something one cannot control. Also, if other countries see Philippines as a nation slower than Japan when it comes to handling disasters, they must consider first that our country is geographically different than Japan. The latter may handle disasters like this faster because it happens to be an archipelago of fewer and bigger islands so the transportation is way easier, compared to Philippines which is an archipelago with smaller land masses. Also, Japan is a more developed country compared to Philippines. However, with these strong disasters coming, the government must give more importance to equipment needed to handle such.
ReplyDeleteI think that as much as we regret what typhoon Yolanda has inflicted, it did remind us of how defenseless we are against the wrath of nature. This fear is what keeps us driven to innovate and advance more in the scientific field. The ultimate reason why we strive to master the subject is for us to best wield the elements of nature in order to ensure our survival and achieve societal progress. The destructive event reinforces the idea that although we should aim to break boundaries in our understanding of science, most importantly, we must to put it into application.
ReplyDeleteIn conclusion, it is only when our technology provides tangible benefits, e.g. protection by better structured houses and more accurate information by improved weather forecasting, for the people on the ground that science finally achieves its purpose.
John Jason B. Santillan
2013-03535
In my opinion, this disaster became the worst yet most effective way to test the capability of our country and its population, most importantly the efficacy of its government, to handle events that should have been always expected to happen since the Philippines is at the equator and also beside an ocean.
ReplyDeleteWe should all know that the first twenty four hours after a disaster strikes are the most critical, as it is still possible to save lives and to prevent irreparable damages. But what happened instead was that the locals were unprepared mentally and emotionally since storms usually pass through the upper half of the Philippines to the extent that most of them did not listen to warnings, stayed at their homes, and continued to chain their pets outside. As for the government, its most unforgivable mistake was that it took more than two days for the first major relief efforts to arrive. Yes we have this ‘geographical difficulty’ but if private organizations, even the media, can reach the much more remote towns faster and more frequently, then why can the government, who has authority over more and better resources, specially military, not do it.
Richard Lorenz C. Mendoza
2012-59111
Despite the outcome, I think Tacloban City and the other areas hit by typhoon Yolanda did all that they could do to prepare. Yes, the preparations weren't enough to brave the strong winds of the storm, but considering the things they had and their state before the storm, it was all they could do. If anything, this shows how much we need to improve the infrastructure, systems and organization in that area, and in the whole country in order to lessen the effects of such situations.
ReplyDeleteThis needs to be done over time. What can be done now is to spread relief efforts to the hard hit areas and this is what frustrates me the most. Despite all the news about donations coming from different countries and from our own countrymen, it seems that no help is reaching the affected. Instead of everyone getting some form of help, the relief goods are being handled poorly and thus not everyone is getting the share they need. For me, the destruction made can't be blamed on the country, but the slow response can, and should be addressed immediately
SN: 2013-59374
Our country has a difficulty on preparing for natural calamities. Obviously, the Philippines was not prepared for Typhoon Yolanda. So even though we knew that Typhoon Yolanda will be very strong, we did not prepare enough and just hope that the casualties will be minimal. After being hit by Typhoon Yolanda, it is also obvious that our government was not prepared of the things to do after the disaster. Despite all this, I hope that the donations/assistance for the victims will be allocated properly and be used to help our affected countrymen.
ReplyDelete2013-10177
It's something inevitable with unforeseen consequences. I think, considering the predicted magnitude, we should have prepared more for a speedy and effective reaction. The buildings have already been built with the hope that it followed ordinances that was structured to withstand disasters - at least for the new ones. Some did withstand the disaster although the same can't be said with the old houses.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I think we should have been the ones hit by this disaster only to the thought that we could bear it better than the ones in Tacloban because of our "advanced" infrastructure compared to theirs.
Things happen for a reason and I'd leave it at that. :)
The Typhoon Yolanda tragedy taught us a very important lesson in life, that is, to be prepared at all times and to help each other when in times of need. It is not just in school that we need to learn a lesson (i.e. we need not to be a STS student to learn this) but also in real life situations. I think the victims prepared well for this typhoon and the government, especially PAGASA, do its best to bring the latest update and information about the typhoon for the safety of our fellow Filipinos. However, they just don't expect that the typhoon will be greatly destructive. Therefore, no one is to blame for this tragedy. Distribution of relief goods to the victims is quite difficult though we have a modern technology for transporting those goods.
ReplyDeleteI hope science and technology will be used properly by everyone for the revival of the affected society. Sana makabangon sila at makapagsimulang muli. Naniniwala ako na pagtapos ng unos, may isang bagong umaga.
It's devastating to see what happened in the Visayas region because of the super typhoon Yolanda. It's heart-breaking to see all their hopes and dreams crumbled down in just a matter of hours. But during the times of downfall, what stood out the most is the resiliency of the Filipino people and their nature to help the people in need. And once again Filipinos proved to the whole world that one of our valued traits is unity. It's only disappointing to see that the efforts of national government is not felt and it seems like that the tragedy surprised the government that it took them a while to react. But amidst of the slow actions of the government, what moves me is how the other countries are willing to give their services and some goods to help the Visayas region to somehow get their life back.
ReplyDeleteSocial media plays a very important role in this tragic event. Today, we see a lot of articles, whether it's the truth or just a hoax, circulating the internet. On the good side, we are informed of the different sides of one story. There's an article enumerating the cities that haven't been aided, pictures of the aftermath of the typhoon, pictures and information about lost people, infographs on how we can help, do's and don'ts in donating, news on the government's actions (or lack of action), sentiments and opinions of netizens affected or not by the typhoon. The downside is that we get a lot of versions that we don't know which one to believe anymore. Everyone is so powerful that anyone can just make up stories about the incident. There's one that said the typhoon was just an experiment of the superpower countries, and one that said the Visayan people allowed to be the 53rd state of the United States. It is absurd but because it appeals to people's emotions, it goes viral and appears to be true.
ReplyDeleteI think that we should all be responsible for what we share online. This incident is one of the most devastating tragedies and our actions online can mean more deaths or save more lives. We can't control other people who know less and post just about anything, but we should at least start with ourselves and be critical about what we share, post, or like online.
Katreena Mae Constantino
2013-59989
I think the recent tragedy has emphasized how much of a role technology should play in society, and how the government has a responsibility to invest in research and development. We've always been prone to natural disasters and city planning should always have had that in mind. We're an archipelago and the needs of every city is unique. It's time to start looking into the specific circumstances of a city and plan around that. We need to start thinking in terms of the long-term now, and this is going to take a huge financial commitment by the government.
ReplyDeleteFruhlein Econar
08-79382
For me, one of the most striking aspects of the tragedy caused by Typhoon Yolanda was the sheer overflow of local and international support that has been extended towards the victims of the calamity. People all over the world have been brought together by a sense of empathy that is not limited to the personal feelings of any particular volunteer, but rather seems to manifest itself as a broader, collective wave of affinity that is shared by society as a whole, and is as powerful as any natural disaster. I believe that this capacity for collective empathy within human society has been enabled to an enormous extent by the development of science and technology.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, the technological developments such as social media have made it easier for us to conduct the multilateral exchanges of experiences and opinions that fuel social empathy. We have to realize that the very idea of empathy is premised on being able to identify with others; in other words, one must be able to see oneself in the position of typhoon victims in order to empathize with them. The recent explosion of social media has changed the way we view the experiences of others, by plunging us into a constant deluge of personal information and opinions from our peers, and thus blurring the lines between what constitutes our experiences and those of others. This means that to a certain extent we are now more involved in other people’s lives due to this new paradigm of over-sharing. This is often problematic, but it does help galvanize public support when it comes to situations such as typhoon Yolanda. After all, media allows us to visualize the victims’ plights in a way that allows us to empathize with them more; we don’t just hear about the damages, we see the victims’ faces on our television screens, we see posts from survivors on Facebook, we see things that force us mentally into the shoes of these people and fill us with the horror and sympathy that sparks support.
Moreover, social media has changed the way we as a society conduct discourse on important issues such as this. Prior to Facebook and Twitter, the extent to which an individual could make his opinions heard, as well as the extent to which he or she could engage with the opinions of others, was always limited by geographical or social factors. Social media acts as a level playing field in which these barriers are broken down, and discourse can happen on a much broader scale. In other words, each individual in society has a larger say in the discussions that often form and inform the overarching values and priorities of society. In the case of typhoon Yolanda, social media has become the avenue for discussions that have actual effects on the way society views natural disasters, such as issues of volunteering and “slacktivism”, government responsibility, and media coverage. What this means is that science and technology have increased the influence each person has over societal mindsets, thus increasing the investment and connection each individual has in collective societal actions, such as support for victims of natural disasters.
I think, to some extent, the people were able to prepare for the super typhoon Yolanda. Many relocated to different evacuation centers and various government agencies prepared relief goods and rescue teams but I think no one expected the intensity of the destruction that Yolanda has caused when it finally unleashed its strength in Visayas, especially in Tacloban City. The preparation still proved to be deficient and the government’s response to the disaster and the needs of those affected can be seen as disappointing.
ReplyDeleteIn this obstacle for the Philippines, we also saw that the advances in science and technology played a big part in society. Through these developments, information was immediately disseminated through TV, radio and social media. Even days before its expected time of entry in the Philippine Area of Responsibility, forecasts, warnings, information about the typhoon's speed, direction and path were all over the news, which urged people to prepare and evacuate. These actions helped save the lives and reduce the number of casualties. Also through these advances, news about Visayas’ devastation spread internationally and different countries were able to send their aid in the form of money, aircrafts, ships, troops, medical supplies and goods. Many people also used the internet or social media to gather help and raise funds for the Filipinos affected by Yolanda.
Jay Anne Bacayo - 2013-44153
Milenyo, Ondoy, Pablo, Yolanda—these are some of the most powerful typhoons that hit the Philippines in different years. In a span of seven years from 2006-2013, natural calamities especially typhoons have been growing stronger, diverting from usual tracks, and devastating hundreds to thousands of people. With this, the administration adapts newer technology (such as the Doppler radar) used by more advanced countries as well as systems (like the rainfall warning system) that let the people understand the weather conditions they are about to face. It is good that all of us seem to be putting more effort as we learn from past tragedies; however, more than two thousand casualties have still been reported due to super typhoon Yolanda.
ReplyDeleteI would like to think that this heartbreaking news is caused by too stubborn citizens plus lack of better technology plus the fact that Yolanda is just too intense that it is one of the world’s strongest typhoons recorded and it simply is not within our control. But now I am hearing this news that the reason for this immense death toll and the slow distribution of relief goods is political rivalry. I am so infuriated upon hearing this. Thousands of Filipinos are living with nothing and are wounding seriously on the loss of many loved ones yet the government are still minding politics! This is so shameful and disgusting! I just pray that for one single moment, they remember to be human beings and fulfill their pledge to the nation.
Milenyo, Ondoy, Pablo, Yolanda—these are some of the most powerful typhoons that hit the Philippines in different years. In a span of seven years from 2006-2013, natural calamities especially typhoons have been growing stronger, diverting from usual tracks, and devastating hundreds to thousands of people. With this, the administration adapts newer technology (such as the Doppler radar) used by more advanced countries as well as systems (like the rainfall warning system) that let the people understand the weather conditions they are about to face. It is good that all of us seem to be putting more effort as we learn from past tragedies; however, more than two thousand casualties have still been reported due to super typhoon Yolanda.
ReplyDeleteI would like to think that this heartbreaking news is caused by too stubborn citizens plus lack of better technology plus the fact that Yolanda is just too intense that it is one of the world’s strongest typhoons recorded and it simply is not within our control. But now I am hearing this news that the reason for this immense death toll and the slow distribution of relief goods is political rivalry. I am so infuriated upon hearing this. Thousands of Filipinos are living with nothing and are wounding seriously on the loss of many loved ones yet the government are still minding politics! This is so shameful and disgusting! I just pray that for one single moment, they remember to be human beings and fulfill their pledge to the nation.
After witnessing the destruction wrought by the typhoon and its impact on Central Visayas, it's easy to see how the utilization of technology, or the lack thereof, has become critical to different aspects of our lives. On one hand, we've seen how social media has played an important role in responding to the event both before and after it occurred. Various forms of communication were used to get the word out in order to advise those who had the means to prepare and/or move out of the area as soon as possible, as well as to alert the rest the world about the need for relief goods and the state of the survivors and victims. Furthermore, advancements in technology allowed the country's scientists to detect the pending arrival of the typhoon, thus spurring the Filipinos' attempts to prepare in whatever ways they can. On the other hand, however, the events of the past week also push us to think about what could have been done in order to improve how the government responded to the calamity. With a clearer plan and system, the situation might not be as grim as it is now. It's probably wishful thinking, but I've a feeling that we could have done so much more with the resources that we had and that we've accumulated since then. In the end, Haiyan's aftermath has proven to be a logistical nightmare, serving as a cautionary tale to the country and to the rest of the world about the need for preparation and urgency in responding to catastrophes.
ReplyDeleteRillo, 2013-14388
I am one with everybody in feeling bad because of the casualties and devastation it brought about in the Visayas region. Many thoughts have been said about the lack of the government, the politics, the transport of relief goods, the blame game, but we have to remember, what we're experiencing now is just the beginning. This is just a climate change wake-up call! As a nation, everyone of us should lend a hand in helping our fellow Filipinos. Bangon Pilipinas!
ReplyDelete“Hanggang saan aabot ang 20 pesos mo?” Hanggang saan nga ba, basta ang alam ko, malayo!
John Michael C. Marquez
2013-19628
The typhoon Yolanda is one of the worst tragedies that happened in our country. One of the good points of technology is that it was able to transmit information from one location to another. People in the affected areas were informed of the coming storm and were able to prepare. Yes, they were prepared. The storm was just too strong for all of them. It also helped in updating everyone about what was happening in each area, lending a hand to those who are in need.
ReplyDeleteWhile being able to transmit information is one of technology's good points, it is also one of its bad points since information can be manipulated one way or another. Some people just can't stand not turning people against each other, spreading false news everywhere. There's also the issue of pointing fingers. It saddens me every time someone randomly says that he/she is disappointed with the "slow work" of the government. Blaming the government just about anything, even to the point of accusing the government of taking the donations for themselves! Maybe they're right, maybe they're wrong. But that's the problem: a big MAYBE. Why bother with something that you're not even sure if it's true? Isn't it better to turn our attention to how we can help? If we solely focus on donating or volunteering for all the victims of Yolanda instead of wasting time badmouthing the government, I truly believe we'll be able to stand back up faster and stronger as one.
Catherine S. Balignasa
2013-19732
Judging by the state of our government right now, I believe that our fund is not enough to support all those who survived Yolanda. The damage done was excruciatingly painful to take-in. Thousands of lives lost, billions worth of properties destroyed, millions of survivors trying to make it through day after day.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people are already looting and stealing from abandoned establishments and becoming more and more violent. I am not saying what they did was right but we cannot blame them. It is in our nature to find means of survival. Whatever the government is doing, it is clear that it is not enough.
The help from other countries and concerned individuals is really overwhelming and heartwarming. To think, it is not their obligation and yet they are willing to sacrifice to save lives. I just hope that what I've heard about government officials hoarding and stealing relief goods is not true because we are talking about putting millions of lives at stake here. Let us hope that they won't let people die for for their own selfish reasons.
The effects of the typhoon Yolanda on the country has proven that against nature, man can do nothing. With the improvement of technology, the people are able to somehow prepare to a certain degree. However, even if the most advanced technology is used, facing the force of nature head-on can still be fatal. Now that the storm has passed and the aftermaths are slowly being showed through the media, building everything from scratch would be very difficult. Outside help would really be necessary for the damaged places to recover, not just the structure but also the economy and lives of the people there. Despite all the destruction experienced by the people, opportunity presents itself for the people to rebuild their cities with improvement and innovation in mind. If the people themselves will it, not just because of necessity, it is possible for the people to have a future wherein they have better lives and better communities.
ReplyDeleteAs an STS student, I guess the main implication of the recent tragedy is this - we can't forget that our world is natural, having its own pace, own cycles and untouchable factors. Upgrading and development is definitely not wrong, but once we forget how our environment works (meaning not taking it into consideration with our advancement), it will tend to remind us. Everything that transpired is normal for a similarly changing world, and I think it's just us that are overreacting because of our lack of preparation.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Science and Technology greatly reduced the casualties we would have experienced. The Visayas region is no stranger to super typhoons. It is in recorded history that there was a typhoon back in 1890's ,that was almost as strong as Yolanda, had made a landfall and done casualties of multiple proportions. Thanks to the technology of PAG-ASA, we were able to detect the forming super typhoon kilometers away from land. Comparing the casualties that happened, the typhoon way back did a lot more damage. It is because the information was disseminated in time before the super typhoon made landfall. I think that the government did all in its power to prevent major casualties but still there were shortcomings which the president admitted. And in some cases, the residents had their shortcomings too like not listening to the advice of experts to evacuate immediately. Still I think that we shouldn't blame any one person or institution on all that has happened instead we must help each other out. It was very heart-warming when i see news about other countries helping the Filipino victims. The advance technology of Americans allowed the victims to be transported to better areas and the relief goods were brought to them faster. The Japanese technology on medicine which they implemented here was able to check the bones of survivors using wireless X-ray kits powered by tablet computers etc. thus they were able to detect any illness that needs to be given medical attention. We should be grateful for all their support. I know that the government is pressured right now, I hope that they cope up with the growing needs of the survivors specially in the long run and they would put this country's needs above theirs.
ReplyDeleteAnna Isabelle R. Lejano
ReplyDelete2013-14235
Typhoon Yolanda devastated so many Filipinos and ruined so many places. Many of our countrymen have died because of the typhoon, and some are still missing up to now. Despite all of this, I think it would have been much much worse if there were no technology. Through social media, people who are capable of helping were informed on various relief operations, medical missions, and donations. Social media proved to be a vital role in helping the victims rise above the adversities posed by Yolanda. Also, because of technology, we are constantly updated on what's happening in Tacloban. We are informed on the problems they are facing now, the help they need, and the like. Other counties are informed as well. Because of this, they also have donated a huge amount for the recovery of the Filipino people.
I think that this is a really heartbreaking tragedy, but inspite of this, we are able to do our best and utilize our resoures in helping the victims, and technology had a huge part in that.
As a science, technology, and society student, the devastation that super typhoon Yolanda made me realize is that, prevention is really better than cure. I believe that it is about time we, Filipinos, along with the proper officials, study plan, and move. Given that we live along the Pacific Ring of Fire, we should always expect the worst. We should not wait for another super typhoon, another 7+ magnitude of earthquake, for us to make a move. As early as now, we should improve our disaster programs, localities analysis, and even information dissemination.
ReplyDeleteAs an architecture student, I believe that it's time to start building and rebuilding establishments and open spaces, especially in the provinces. The places that we are in should stand the test of the changing time. We should start shaping what protects us---homes, evacuation centers, and others. Since we can't really control the ever-changing climate, then we must grab what we can control. It's time to start building establishments that will last rain or shine, earthquakes or any other unfortunate event. It's time o rebuild old structures so that it'll be ready to face today's level of nature's wrath.
I believe that preparedness goes a long, long way. People, too, should take seriously fire and earthquake drills. Having a typhoon drill is also an option. In no time, we'll be facing more disasters head on, with our heads held up high, for we are informed and infrastructure-ready.
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 a 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.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I am disappointed by the reactions of some people towards the relief efforts that have been taking place. For example, a friend of mine who was very active on Facebook posted articles that kept people updated on the situation, as well as links to websites for donations and missing persons information. Eventually he received a comment saying, 'You should be out helping with relief operations or donating instead of sitting around all day sharing links on Facebook. You're not /actually/ trying to help.' This friend had participated in relief operations and donated what he could, yet he was attacked for expressing his helpfulness through social media. This is not the only case, nor the worst case, of such negativity towards social media as a tool for help, but it is certainly a very common scenario.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is a powerful tool that allows us to share information for the benefit of others. For instance, if such articles didn't exist we may have not been as aware on how badly electric power or water was needed in the affected areas. It is a shame that some people use social media as a tool for hypocrisy and criticism, especially in a situation as serious as this, where everyone is simply trying to help in whatever way they can, in whatever way they are best at. Negative and spiteful comments prevent unity within our society, and we cannot effectively help those affected if we are not united in our efforts. Hopefully people will learn to use such technology in a way that is more productive and helpful towards the cause of providing aid and useful information, rather than criticizing people for whatever way they choose to help.
Ana Micaela Labrador
2011-02178
It is sad that this kind of calamity happened to us especially when Christmas season is coming. But we all know that we can't prevent these things from happening so the best way to do is to prepare. People from Leyte were given a warning from the government to evacuate from their homes and proceed to evacuation centers. What they did not see coming was that even the evacuation centers were not spared by the storm surge causing many people's lives. Right now, many donations are coming in from different parts of the world. I just hope our gov't officials do not take this opportunity to steal again.
ReplyDeleteWith the Typhoon Yolanda tragedy, I think anyone can see how poorly prepared we were for this. For a country which is visited monthly (or even a lot more often than that) by various typhoons, the Philippines still isn't that prepared for something that we are already used to. This should be brought to attention because it is critical that even after all these years of the Philippines being visited by typhoons, we still have not learned how to correctly prepare for it.
ReplyDeleteI just hope that this tragedy will finally serve as a lesson not only to the government, but to the rest of the Filipino people. Too many people have been endlessly blaming the government for the delay of relief goods, late actions, and such, but I honestly think this is just making the situation worse. Maybe we should stop focusing so much of our efforts and energy on blaming and instead just lend a helping hand and do as much as we can to help those in need.
Joanne Marie Mabanta
2013-37529
The Typhoon Yolanda tragedy reminds as to be prepared at all times. I think our fellow Filipinos in Visayas region prepared well for this typhoon and the government especially PAGASA gave their full efforts to bring the latest information for the safety of everyone. However, there are things that we do not really expect. Therefore, I can say not no one is to be blame for this tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that science and technology, e.g. by sending of relief goods to victim and reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, will play a very significant role in the improvement and revitalization of our society.
Roi Solomon B. Labay
2013-32160
The Typhoon Yolanda tragedy reminds as to be prepared at all times. I think our fellow Filipinos in Visayas region prepared well for this typhoon and the government especially PAGASA gave their full efforts to bring the latest information for the safety of everyone. However, there are things that we do not really expect. Therefore, I can say not no one is to be blame for this tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that science and technology, e.g. by sending of relief goods to victim and reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure, will play a very significant role in the improvement and revitalization of our society.
Roi Solomon B. Labay
2013-32160
Philippines has always been a pit stop of typhoons. We experienced a lot of devastating typhoons, just like Bagyong Milenyo, Reming, Ondoy, Peping, and the most recent of all, Bagyong Yolanda. Yolanda devastated most of the provinces and towns of the Visayas Region. As one of my friends in Visayas said, "In a matter of 5 hours, I lost my hometown." It left the Philippines stuck in a sorrowful state that until now, after almost 2 weeks of Yolanda's dreadful visit, Visayan people do not have proper nutrition, housing and even clothing. Children of Visayas are forced to stop from going to school, adults lost their jobs, and a lot of migration happened. No doubt Philippine is still on its relief operation, and then rehabilitation process will take place.
ReplyDeleteAs a student of STS, a course where we study how we can practically apply Science and Technology to Society, and how it greatly affects the society. First and foremost, from what happened we can see how science and technology affected the society. Imagine if PAG-ASA weren't able to predict that typhoon Yolanda will be a super typhoon and that it will hit Visayas region? Maybe we weren't able to prepare beforehand (though the preparations that happened weren't enough). During the typhoon through the technology of the different networks, we were able to watch the current happenings especially in the area of Visayas. However we also saw the effect of the lack of technology during the typhoon. The lost of telecommunication became a hindrance for the victims to contact their relatives and to ask help from them. This caused the relatives to panic and to think the worst case scenario. The technology of aircraft hindered the victims to escape or even the relatives to go to Visayas because aircraft companies suspended their business for a while due to the unfriendly weather. And during the aftermaths of the typhoon, technology played a role in the relief operation. Different organizations were able to collect donations through the use of technology, specifically through the social media.
I think, our country should also improve more the mechanism of distributing the donations. Improve the science and technology of our country so that we will be more prepared in the more typhoons that will hit our country.
As a student of STS, I think what recently happened to our country because of Typhoon Yolanda is something that we should ponder on from a humane perspective. I think efforts were enough to give us sufficient precautionary measures. We did not lack in scientific concepts regarding the typhoon because they were described in full details in weather reports days before the typhoon attacked our country. However, the actual experience of Typhoon Yolanda itself was something really different from the descriptions and warnings that were given. It was like a hundred times worse and more difficult to handle when you’re in the situation already than when you’re just imagining of what the situation could be like. Examining the aftereffects of Yolanda, we may realize that it was actually a life-and-death situation for those who experienced the supertyphoon. That is why for me, there is no room for putting the blame on others, why the LGUs are at fault, why the people did not evacuate and etc. Instead, we should sympathize with those who have lost their loved ones and be grateful to God now that it’s over and also for the technology that we have today, to which we owe a lot because it would not have been possible for us to speed up rescue and relief operations without the use of it. As we stand up from the fall, let us remember that we Filipinos are a cheerful and resilient race ready to face the challenges of tomorrow with faith and hope and a bright smile on our faces to enlighten everyone! :)
ReplyDeleteMalijan, Maria Micaela B.
2013 - 02368
Group 9
For me, the tragedy that typhoon Yolanda caused is a wake up call for all of us. We should realize that proper information and preparation is indeed important whenever this kinds of calamities happen. Days before the storm, the media and PAGASA already warned the cities that would be affected by Yolanda, however, was that enough? No! The weather forecasters did not emphasize how strong and dangerous the upcoming storm was. Because of this, the citizens prepared, prepared for a typical typhoon. What they did not know was that the typhoon that was about to hit them would be one of the strongest typhoons that hit our planet.
ReplyDeleteFrom this we can conclude that information dissemination is the first step to preparation. Maybe next time, media and government offices will do their part in protecting the people, not in protecting the government's image.
As much as this event affected all of our lives, we can see that there is much to see and learn from what happened.
ReplyDeleteWe are one of the most typhoon-prone countries in the world and we are actually quite competent in terms of disaster preparedness, in my opinion. Yes, we may not have been able to prevent all damage, but in reality, who on earth would be prepared for the the strongest storm in recorded history? The damage could have been much worse, if we think about it.
But other than the obvious devastation, let us also look at the people-aspect of what happened. People have died and a lot of them are hurt in more way than one, but because of this, we can see that the whole country has united to help the people who are affected. Not only the Filipinos, but almost the whole world started to pitch in. How often can we say that this actually happens?
Also, if we look at the greatest disasters throughout history, we can see that out the ashes would rise a newer and more resilient people. I think that that is what's happening or will happen, because of Typhoon Yolanda.
Czarina Ysabel O. Bernardo
2013-46191
As a “Science, Technology and Society” student, I believe that the recent tragedy is a reminder that technology is a powerful tool that could save millions of people by predicting catastrophic storms or performing relief operations. Without the help of satellite, people won’t be able to prepare necessary items that would help them survive. Also, media and other means of communication delivered the true scenario, during and after the typhoon, across the nation which initiated them to help the Philippines. Truly, technology is not only a tool that helps us advance but also an instrument key for survival.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, the calamity calls for immediate action of the government to develop new ways of lessening the casualties and damages. Whether to improve our weather forecasting devices, to develop buildings specifically made to withstand earthquakes and typhoons, and to create equipment ergonomically designed for disasters; the government must do something to avoid another devastating event. One of which is to eliminate corruption and to make sure every single centavo is not wasted on ghost projects – if not substandard.
2013-10197
Many international figureheads have been relating the recent devastation caused by the super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) to the long-standing issue of global warming. Though a quick internet search could easily disprove this theory, global leaders such as those in the U.N. could not be blamed for doing so. Though global warming is a natural phenomenon, recent human activity is believed to be enhancing its effects. I agree that whether or not global warming was to blame for the damage caused by Yolanda, measures need to be taken in order minimize the effect of our actions on the already speedy progress of climate change.
ReplyDeleteOn a less global scale, certain arguments have been making rounds within social media that had scientists not used the term "storm surges" and instead used terms that the laypeople understood such as "tidal waves" or "tsunami", more people would have evacuated their seaside homes and made for higher ground. This really rubbed me the wrong way since these people are implying that it is the fault of our scientists why the victims of the typhoon suffered. This rubbed me the wrong way since these people are practically asking our scientists to "lie" to the public by technically giving them false information since the waves that devastated Leyte were not caused by seismic nor tidal activity. I have been following a discussion between UP professor Dr. Mahar Lagmay and some twitter users regarding this issue and I agree with Dr. Lagmay that better information dissemination not panic-mongering is the solution. I do hope that the next time we are faced with a similar situation, such devastation can be avoided by being prepared and listening to the recommendations of our experts.
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 strived 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 a 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.
ReplyDeleteWhat's done is done. Thousands are dead, and plenty are currently homeless and starving. I think this typhoon Yolanda tragedy serves as a scary reminder that mankind should soon come to the realization that nature should be treasured and taken care of. After all, nothing's more powerful than nature, not even the most advance technology we have in this world. In the blink of an eye, lives could be shattered and everything we have could be turned to shambles. It's scary, really. But then again, as I've mentioned earlier, what's done is done. Tragedy has struck. All that we could do now, is to help. As a nation, let's unite and help our fellow countrymen get back up on their feet.
ReplyDelete2013-64970
I think the Typhoon Yolanda Tragedy raised the fear of climate change in the global community. Being said that, more people would be concerned on taking care of our environment.
ReplyDeleteTragedies such as Typhoon Yolanda are so devastating. I'm blessed to not have been affected, but just watching the news is already so hard. I wish we could avoid such calamities, because nowadays, these "natural" calamities have been indirectly influenced and caused by man. Acts such as deforestation and excessive carbon emissions have lead to an imbalance in the environment, causing abnormally catastrophic calamities. For example, storms are said to get their energy from the ocean, and because of global warming, more heat energy is stored into the ocean. In the case of Typhoon Yolanda, perhaps it would not have been as strong if not for global warming.
ReplyDeleteI hope that Typhoon Yolanda serves as an eye-opener for us that we may realize how real the effects of disrupting the environment are. I also hope that in the future, scientists are able to lead advancements in technology that promote maintaining the balance of nature.
Rivera, Monica Tricia L.
2013-14349
Typhoon Yolanda was undeniably catastrophic. It's distressing to see the damage brought about by the typhoon being flashed on the news. Nonetheless, it was a time of unity amidst calamity. People and organizations all over the nation and across the globe reach out to every Filipino affected in Visayas through technology. Technology has made the world smaller and relief within reach. With today’s technology, distance is not a hindrance to doing our part in helping them.
ReplyDelete**On another note, government agencies might as well perform their duties competently in times of disaster like this recent typhoon.
Cortel, Eleangel Dawn S.
2013-59991
The typhoon Yolanda ruined hundreds of towns and took thousands of lives as it landed in the Philippine area of responsibility last November 8. Now, reaching the affected areas to bring aids has been a challenge even days after the typhoon had hit certain parts of the country because the communication is down and roads and seas are impassable due to the logs and immense debris blocking the ways. Fellow Filipinos and well-off countries, however, immediately responded to the victims and pledges and donations have been pouring since the news about the destruction broke out. Although people are skeptical on how the government would spend the reported donated billions of pesos, we should just trust them and focus instead on what we can do to help as individuals but I must say though, that this is a chance for the government to show transparency and change.
ReplyDeleteWe should’ve learned a lesson or two from this catastrophe. We as STS students, could come up with ideas on how to maximize the use of science and technology in situations like this one, for example sending donations have been made easier since basically anyone with a mobile phone could simply send cash donations to Red Cross thru text. We could also put together ways on how to improve the planning of disaster risk reduction program and think of progressive innovations and advancements as well on how to lessen the effects of climate change as some have been blaming it for the existence of strong massive typhoons like Yolanda.
201178776
Being a student of STS, where Science and technology is taught, I believe that the tragedy that struck our country could have been avoided if the government has more funds for advanced geographical and meteorological research and technology. Given our location, we generally know that we are prone to earthquakes and typhoons, thanks to Western studies and ancient knowledge, but then again we tend to not do something about it. Students who specialize in courses that are beneficial to prevent these calamities, work in other countries to provide financial support to their families. Moreover, they work abroad because the technology that they need are found in European countries rather than here in the Philippines.
ReplyDeleteI know a person who predicted the super typhoon weeks before it had hit the country. The government did something about it, yes, they foolishly underestimated the strength of the typhoon and placed the people in evacuation centers; evacuation centers that are also flooded by the storm surge. If they only relocated the people earlier to other islands by the use of helicopters or airplanes, that would have been more convenient. Most of the people in Samar and Leyte would have been saved, but they weren't.
If this was done earlier... If....
possibly the questions would be: Why would the government fund on helicopters and airplanes, when they have a lot to attend to... such as funds for the seven pillars? Why would they waste their money on technology when they can invest it in the education of our people? As a third world country, the Philippines thinks lowly of advanced research and technology, but I believe that the Philippines has a lot of money. The Philippines is rich in natural resources. It just went to the wrong hands.
Hesed Faith J. Marasigan
2013-15042
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.
ReplyDeleteAs 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.
Jennylyn Cancejo
2013-45570
Days before the typhoon actually hit our country, news had already been spread everywhere specially to those places that would be directly affected by this to enable us to prepare. Every cities and provinces had made their own preparations and others even recommend class suspension to make sure that everyone would be at home preparing for the so called 'super typhoon' yet the damaged Yolanda has inflicted to us was really of great destruction even causing more than thousands of lives lost.
ReplyDeleteAs the local government of each cities affected by this tragic event were interviewed, they said that they did prepare for this the only thing is that they didn't expect it to be that great and destructive. And to add to that, they didn't really expect the occurrence of such storm surges that are some kind of main reason for the great loss of homes and especially lives.
But our concern now is not to find someone to blame rather to find help in every way we can to be able to rise from this really tragic event in our country. And as s student of STS this semester, where science & technology and society are its main concern, we should take this opportunity to transform the knowledge we can get from this subject into something of great deed. Since it tackles technology, we should find ways on how technology can be of advantage to us especially in this times and how it can help us build a peaceful and wonderful society even with the great damage we have now.
As an STS student, I think that the Yolanda tragedy is another sign that our world is undergoing the process of change. Like what happened in some of the ancient civilizations, natural disasters wiped away the population of the ancient communities and also destroyed their livelihood (agriculture, etc) and environment. For a very long time, this destruction may cause inhabitability of the affected area but after years it can also become a “redeveloped” place with its environment having new characteristics different from how it used to be before the natural disaster came.
ReplyDeleteNatural disasters are truly inevitable, that even though today we live in a world wherein there is a rapid advancement in technology, we still won’t be able to fully conquer the massive destruction these can bring. However, if not for technology, then we won’t be aware of the super typhoon from the very start. If not also for technology, we won’t be able to send our responses and aids to the victims of these disasters.
The typhoon Yolanda tragedy was a great reminder that natural disasters cannot be prevented. Whether we live in a stable house, we have enough food, etc., the only thing we can do is to prepare and put our hope in God. We can still make use of the technology to at least save lives and preserve properties.
ReplyDeleteWe are also thankful for the support of the Filipinos to our kababayans and the help from other countries too. In fact, we were able to raise so much money that the affected people can start building their houses again, so much relief goods that affected families can survive for month or so. Management is the main problem, if the government can come up with a better system in distributing the food and cleaning the affected areas, then the affected people can start their new life.
faced one of the most largest and powerful typhoons ever recorded in the world.
ReplyDeleteI believed the the local government in Visayas region have tried to be ready for the typhoon days before the disaster struck. I think that it is just the lack of help from the national government that is one of the factors for the unexpectable result. Most of the casualties resulted from people getting hit by falling debris. not from flooding that is why I think the locals have tried their best to be prepared for the disaster.
and now that it happened. let us just stop blaming people and our government, it is the least thing that can help. for now, let us help the visayas stand up once more and recover from one of the most disastrous calamities in the world history.
2013-70864
Jason Cuachin
As the super typhoon Yolanda washed away some parts of the country, it left a mark that is hard to ignore. The impacts brought about by the typhoon is not a minor one. I believe that there was no proper dissemination of the possible effects of the typhoon that is why it appeared as if we were not prepared. The efforts of some sectors such as the PAGASA are commendable but these efforts are useless if the action stopped there. For me, the government had the informations needed so they should've prepared more. They were suppose to lead the relief operations, but what happened was they pointed fingers, no one actually took the initiative to organize things. A lot people suffered because of their shortcomings as leaders. Also, some relief operations were commercialized; other people took advantage of the situation to advertise.
ReplyDeleteAmidst everything that happened, it is amazing how people manage to smile and share. It is inspiring to hear stories of heroism and selflessness. Though some politicians and the government appeared to be a disgrace, I still have hope for the country. Once we get through this, we can prove that we are one of the toughest countries the world has ever known and not even a super typhoon could shake our faith. I hope for better things for the Philippines and the Filipinos.
“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” -Mahatma Gandhi
Marquez, Vanessa T.
2013-44126
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.
ReplyDeleteNowadays, 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
STS THX
I agree with all the comments above. Typhoon Yolanda was indeed, one of the biggest and worst tragedy that our country ever had. It tested the strength of every Filipino people, but still I believe that we will be able to prove that our unity will help us gain what we have lost because of this dreadful and destructive typhoon. Let's pray and keep fighting Filipinos!
ReplyDeleteMany has tried to gave an explanation on why the tragedy happened, why here? why now? why?... Some has blamed the lack of prayers and faith in GOD or religion, some has blamed Global warming while others are quick to debunk the existence of global warming. But one thing I was sure of was we were not prepared. Yes we did have an idea that it would be a strong typhoon but we did not fathom that it would be that devastating. Our technology has advanced in such a way that we know when it will rain or storm, its not as surprising as an earthquake’s appearance. But still the truth remains that we were not prepared. As much warning we have gotten we it was not enough. The devastation is now here and all we can do now is to try and rise again. We have to be prepared for the next calamities and for that we have to rebuild first. More than the immediate relief we need to rebuild the places so people can continue their lives. Before we can advance again we need to fix everything else.
ReplyDeleteMaria Angelica Pinon
200927411
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.
ReplyDelete2013-19392
If the preparation for the typhoon is not possible, then there must be preparation for relief instead. Like clearing the roads right after the storm so that the relief goods can be received as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteAlthough there were warnings before the typhoon, people did not have sufficient knowledge on its possible effects, resulting in their refusal to leave the area. However in the dissemination of information regarding the victims' call for aid, media played a significant role. The weight of its impact on the progress of the inflow of donations and other forms of assistance is immeasurable. The progress was a bit slow compared to what had been done in 2011 Japan earthquake because of the lack of organization and planning. Moreover, according to experts, climate change may have had a role in this calamity. While they continue to talk it through, this tragedy should not be another mere addition to the list of devastating catastrophe. It took place in an almost inconvenient time, but what else is left to aim for but the rebuilding of everything that has fallen? Although the technology that we deal with is not as innovative as our neighboring countries', at least one jerk of our hand is all it takes. For whatever it's worth, I think we, media consumers, should mark another generation of movement towards the salvation of the only home we've got.
ReplyDeleteWell, it's no surprise that Typhoon Yolanda wrecked havoc in the Philippines considering it is said to be the "strongest typhoon to ever make landfall." But we're not new in the business of experiencing strong typhoons, seeing the likes of Milenyo, Ondoy, Pepeng, etc. Having said this, it is quite disappointing that we are not learning from our past experiences with the said typhoons.
ReplyDeletePreparedness is one factor that prevents massive damage but in this case, even with preparation, it was not possible because we are the first to experience a storm of this scale. But we could have prevented more damage and chaos by faster relief operations which would have been possible through the use of technology. Yes, we are not that developed nor underdeveloped in this factor, but the problem is, we are not using our knowledge of this technology for the development of new things that are dedicated to natural disaster related events (eg. production of automobiles to use during relief ops, technologies like that made by Japan created exactly for the purpose of disaster relief, etc).
I'm not expecting the Philippines to be at the same level of Japan in a snap of a finger, but I'm hoping that they (the government) would start focusing their attention to disaster preparedness especially for relief operations and not just rely on Filipino bayanihan when we are faced, inevitably, with natural disasters.
Typhoon Yolanda is indeed a tragedy. I do believe that this is a natural phenomenon and that there is no one to blame but nature itself. Still, the government should stop ranting about it and instead just help. If there's one thing that we all need right now, that's cooperation.
ReplyDeleteAs an STS student, I think we are all responsible for this. We are all responsible for helping each other. Not only as but every citizen in the country. Typhoon Yolanda, for sure is no matched for out country's bravery and courage. Yes, we will truly struggle in order to surpass this tragedy but I do believe that in the Filipino spirit, we can survive anything.
Joana Marie Garcia
2013-16420
STS THX