I've met a couple of rare species who do not heart Facebook. With all the hype that this social networking site created, there are still some people who a) do not believe in it, b) feel that mainstreaming is too lowly for their taste, or c) just don't care.
I heart FB.
I think that in everything, there are always advantages and disadvantages. FB's new design is quite stalker-friendly, that is if you don't have an inkling that you can modify your Privacy Settings. I'm glad I have good friends who care and taught me to click that hyperlink on the upper right corner and check what I want people to see. There, I've already mentioned tha advantage.
I'm not sure if some of the FB users are aware that they offer unsolicited chismis about them. I mean, okay, you want your "friends" to know what you're up to but, not all of you 200++ friends are your "friends." So you have a tendency to saturate their sanity that will eventually lead them to"hide" you. "Unfriending," I think is a no-no ethics wise but if you're mean, like me, there is nothing really wrong in deleting a person you don't feel deserves your attention. I've hidden a number of friends for varied reasons, most of it is the triviality of their posts and in some, because they are too "intelligent" for my taste (read: conceited). Why don't I just unfriend them? They are network and I know that I may need their connection in the future.
Initially, I was just enjoying FB. I was hooked all day reading posts, status messages, and interacting with long-lost friends and even newfound friends. Lately, I saw the gem in social networking sites. I use it to pursue a cause especially now that my works include advocacies and are socially relevant. I also found that because I'm not a good speaker, it is pretty easy for me to communicate through the written word. I'm able to reveal my true self: humorous. When I was working in the Inquirer, people boxed me into this quiet type of person. With FB, they found that real (not other) side of me and I must say I could make some people laugh one way or the other. That gives me satisfaction and boosts my self-esteem.
You are what you share.
This I read in one status message and true enough, I could tell a person's personality and mood based on her posts. For my part, I love posting links about books, travel, and animals. This way, my friends know what to give as gift for Christmas (ehem). Seriously, they know me better sans face to face interaction.
I know that in some ways, I'm able to make a statement that I'm not stupid as perhaps what others might thought I am. I've proved that even if I was not from this or that school or I don't talk much and I don't know anything, I'm not an airhead. (Modesty aside.)
What I really hate about FB is not FB per se but the people who are just downright irritating. There is this one person who changes status messages every damn minute. I don't mind this tech guy because he shares relevant information but this one girl is just so irritating that I had to hide her.
I now know better posting status messages. I'm not giving some friends any reason to talk behind my back. I share happiness and sadness with motherhood statements and keep them guessing. I tell you, It was DAMN FUN keeping them guessing.
Security is probably one of the biggest issues with social networking sites. And I hope I made the necessary precautions of not revealing too much information. I think, it's all just a matter of being careful. It's just like going outside, you have to be careful and wary. Not because everyone offers unsolicited information, it is okay. I know my limitations and I'm sticking with it.
Another think that keeps me glued on FB are the games. I was not a gaming person. I think the virtual game that I can boast I was good is Diner Dash. But cooking at Cafe World and Restaurant City is so relaxing. Playing with Toybits in Pet Society is fun. With FB, I discovered that game child in me and I like it.
When I resigned from my company of 11 years, I never really thought that I'd lose my friends but I didn't think that I'll be constantly in touch with them. Thanks to social networking sites, it feels like we never really parted. For many of my close friends, we just picked up from where we left of.
Social networking sites are communities, only they're virtual. And I intend to live in this virtual world for as long as I can.
11/23/2009
What if we all think like Efren Penaflorida?
The news that Efren Penaflorida is named CNN’s 2009 Hero of the Year almost broke me to tears. Yes, I was that affected even if I don’t know “Kuya Ef” personally. In my previous blog posts in my other blog, I have always reiterated the importance of education and how disgusted I was (still am) at the Philippine government’s slow action in pushing literacy in this country.
Efren represents the other unsung heroes out there who due the government’s inaction took it into their own hands and acted on the literacy problem. One of them is Bahay Tuluyan which I did a feature on Sunday Inquirer Magazine a few months back. BT is more advanced with a mobile (truck) classroom because it has funding from Australia. Still, Efren’s Dynamic Teen and BT share the same premise.
I must say the government is lucky that there are people and organizations that fill in where they are lacking. But my challenge for the politicians is, why can’t you think life Efren? Why can’t you be selfless for once and think of the Filipino youth?
If we all think and breathe like Efren, where could possible the Philippines lead? We are probably more progressive now. Poverty level could be much lower since it is proved that education is the easiest way out of destitution. We could have an effective government that implements laws.
While Bayani Fernando’s answer to Efren’s question of how to become a hero is disgusting, I haven’t given up on the Philippines yet.
Goodness is a virus as evidenced by the recent typhoons which affected hundreds of thousands. Efren is right that there is a hero within us. Actually, we don’t have to do big things just to become a hero. Shying away from corruption is a heroic deed. You don’t have to be a boxing legend to be a hero. Following laws and rules can be considered a heroic act.
What if we all think like Efren?
What if all government officials think like Efren? Do you think they can save the country from the mire of corruption?
What if we all think like Efren? Do you think we can give much better education on children at no cost?
What if we all think like Efren? Do you think there’ll be no more of the scandals and controversies?
I hope, even if we don’t think like Efren, we can still think of ways to save this country. I still dream of the day when I can live without fear and disgust.
11/10/2009
Give hope
When the person I’m reporting to in the NGO I just joined told me we were going to visit the relocation site of typhoon victims in Laguna, I had mixed feelings. I was a bit apprehensive because I heard the atmosphere was depressing…and I try to stay away from anything that would damage my spirit in any way.
But, I had no choice. I was just hired to write stories about the works of the NGO and it means going around to areas where it extends help to less fortunate people. Off I went trying to separate my emotions from work. “It’s just work. It’s just work. Focus on the work. Interview people. Take pictures. And that’s it.”
I’m glad I went.
The experience was more than just an eye-opener but a learning one. I guess, the most memorable (for the lack of a proper word) is meeting and knowing two young social workers who know that serving people is how they want to spend their lives.
Jerry and Mau are just two of the twenty-something social workers of Operation Compassion International (OC). Jerry has been pulled out from one of OC’s major projects in Bicol (that deserves another story) not only because he is a cum laude from Bicol University but Pastor Dong Cucio, OC’s executive director, believes that he is the perfect person to put things in order at the relocation site in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Indeed, as soon as we arrived, Jerry diligently went to work: gathered data, talked to families, administered first aid to one of the sick children, went to a wake, and tried to come to terms that this would be his home for the next months or so.
Mau, on the other hand, is very focused. She is assigned to look after the families relocated in Binan, Laguna. Her list of things to do is endless but Mau knows what her priorities are. She did not leave until she met with the team leaders of the families who had just arrived, regardless if it was way past lunchtime and we were all starving. Such is her dedication to her chosen vocation.
OC has been in charge to help 1,000 displaced families from Marikina to build their lives anew. OC is one of the very first groups to respond during and right after Typhoon Ondoy. The NGO has been considered an expert in disaster response. Immediately after the first day assessment, the group went to work: coordinated with the social welfare department, Natural Disaster Coordinating Council, barangay officials, packed relief goods which contain among other things personal hygiene needs, gathered more resources and donations, etc.
However, the greatest challenge OC faces is helping rebuild the lives of the families. Pastor Dong met with Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando together with one of OC’s faith-based partners. They offered help and upon learning of OC’s skills in community development, Mayor Fernando assigned the relocated families to OC.
Agony never ends
When I, Pastor Dong, and Jerry arrived in Binan, throngs arrived at the doorstep of Nanay Evangeline, one of the team leaders. Stories of their nightmares poured in. Four families were asked by someone not connected with the Marikina Health Office (tasked to assign families to take to Laguna) to join the other families who were to be transported to Laguna. Sadly, because they were not in the infamous Master List, they remained homeless.
Some people related how they were herded like cattle to a truck at 2 a.m. They brought whatever they could carry. Others told of how their homes were demolished right before their eyes without further notice and asked them to look for their names in the Master List. There are mothers, with infants and toddlers, who were still in evacuation centers before they were brought to the site who complained of one-day notice of relocation: no briefing, no preparation both mentally and emotionally.
My heart broke when a mother cried helplessly remembering her old mother she left in Marikina. I never imagined I would be in that situation when I need to get data and remain calm. I think it was the hardest, and I mean hardest, task I ever did so far.
The kids who, perhaps, have no idea of their fate played outside their new homes. But the pain of the tragedy and being uprooted in their familiar neighborhood showed.
Most of the families are separated from their livelihood in Marikina. Most of the men opted to stay behind because their work is in the city.
But majority of the displaced families are very hopeful of their new life. “I’ll never go back there; it’s better here,” said one mother.
Still, the fact remains that rebuilding a new life is a humongous task. That is why OC is trying to assist them. They are trying to integrate the families to the existing community. It is essential to communicate, not just coordinate, with the local government units, barangay officials, barangay health workers, local social welfare department, and the police.
OC has also assigned a chaplain to help the families in their spiritual needs. It has a feeding program especially for the children held regularly at certain times of the week.
Right now, OC focuses on the children: proper nutrition, vitamins, medicines, new school supplies, new uniforms, books, and most especially, new toys. Stuffed toys, some say, help children cope with the trauma. Maybe because, they can hug the stuffed toys?
I have to admit, I am not much of a kids-person but every time I look into their eyes, I feel a sense of responsibility to do something for them.
But, I had no choice. I was just hired to write stories about the works of the NGO and it means going around to areas where it extends help to less fortunate people. Off I went trying to separate my emotions from work. “It’s just work. It’s just work. Focus on the work. Interview people. Take pictures. And that’s it.”
I’m glad I went.
The experience was more than just an eye-opener but a learning one. I guess, the most memorable (for the lack of a proper word) is meeting and knowing two young social workers who know that serving people is how they want to spend their lives.
Jerry and Mau are just two of the twenty-something social workers of Operation Compassion International (OC). Jerry has been pulled out from one of OC’s major projects in Bicol (that deserves another story) not only because he is a cum laude from Bicol University but Pastor Dong Cucio, OC’s executive director, believes that he is the perfect person to put things in order at the relocation site in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Indeed, as soon as we arrived, Jerry diligently went to work: gathered data, talked to families, administered first aid to one of the sick children, went to a wake, and tried to come to terms that this would be his home for the next months or so.
Mau, on the other hand, is very focused. She is assigned to look after the families relocated in Binan, Laguna. Her list of things to do is endless but Mau knows what her priorities are. She did not leave until she met with the team leaders of the families who had just arrived, regardless if it was way past lunchtime and we were all starving. Such is her dedication to her chosen vocation.
OC has been in charge to help 1,000 displaced families from Marikina to build their lives anew. OC is one of the very first groups to respond during and right after Typhoon Ondoy. The NGO has been considered an expert in disaster response. Immediately after the first day assessment, the group went to work: coordinated with the social welfare department, Natural Disaster Coordinating Council, barangay officials, packed relief goods which contain among other things personal hygiene needs, gathered more resources and donations, etc.
However, the greatest challenge OC faces is helping rebuild the lives of the families. Pastor Dong met with Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando together with one of OC’s faith-based partners. They offered help and upon learning of OC’s skills in community development, Mayor Fernando assigned the relocated families to OC.
Agony never ends
When I, Pastor Dong, and Jerry arrived in Binan, throngs arrived at the doorstep of Nanay Evangeline, one of the team leaders. Stories of their nightmares poured in. Four families were asked by someone not connected with the Marikina Health Office (tasked to assign families to take to Laguna) to join the other families who were to be transported to Laguna. Sadly, because they were not in the infamous Master List, they remained homeless.
Some people related how they were herded like cattle to a truck at 2 a.m. They brought whatever they could carry. Others told of how their homes were demolished right before their eyes without further notice and asked them to look for their names in the Master List. There are mothers, with infants and toddlers, who were still in evacuation centers before they were brought to the site who complained of one-day notice of relocation: no briefing, no preparation both mentally and emotionally.
My heart broke when a mother cried helplessly remembering her old mother she left in Marikina. I never imagined I would be in that situation when I need to get data and remain calm. I think it was the hardest, and I mean hardest, task I ever did so far.
The kids who, perhaps, have no idea of their fate played outside their new homes. But the pain of the tragedy and being uprooted in their familiar neighborhood showed.
Most of the families are separated from their livelihood in Marikina. Most of the men opted to stay behind because their work is in the city.
But majority of the displaced families are very hopeful of their new life. “I’ll never go back there; it’s better here,” said one mother.
Still, the fact remains that rebuilding a new life is a humongous task. That is why OC is trying to assist them. They are trying to integrate the families to the existing community. It is essential to communicate, not just coordinate, with the local government units, barangay officials, barangay health workers, local social welfare department, and the police.
OC has also assigned a chaplain to help the families in their spiritual needs. It has a feeding program especially for the children held regularly at certain times of the week.
Right now, OC focuses on the children: proper nutrition, vitamins, medicines, new school supplies, new uniforms, books, and most especially, new toys. Stuffed toys, some say, help children cope with the trauma. Maybe because, they can hug the stuffed toys?
I have to admit, I am not much of a kids-person but every time I look into their eyes, I feel a sense of responsibility to do something for them.
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