Media going ‘trapo’

Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: “Haiyan”) unleashed winds with an average strength of 235 kph and gustiness running up to 275 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. More than 6 million people are said to have been affected, and hundreds of thousands of families have been left homeless and displaced. Thousands of others were killed.

News reports, photos and video footage of the aftermath are excruciatingly heartbreaking. My maternal clan’s ancestral home is now a ghost town. Most of my relatives have been lucky enough to survive the tragedy but some of them are still missing; we are still hoping and praying for some good news about them.

To the major network stations like GMA7, ABS-CBN and TV5, please stop indulging traditional politicians, like telling people about their donations to the typhoon victims; and please refrain from aping them by stamping the packages of the relief goods (solicited from donors) that you are distributing with the names and logos of your foundations.

Stop telling the nation that our government has no system because you are not helping the victims to heal. This is not a time for competition or the blame game. The Korina Sanchez-Anderson Cooper tiff was totally absurd. Let’s keep our focus on the victims; they badly need our help.

On the other hand, I am overwhelmed that people around the world have been extending support and assistance to the victims very generously. Help is coming from everywhere—23 countries, the United Nations, the European Union, etc.

Also, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police were quick to respond; in fact, among the first to send troops to the affected areas for search and rescue, and to restore and keep peace and order. The soldiers and policemen endured the situation when it was at its worst, tirelessly performing their duty even without enough sleep and food to eat. Many of them and their families were themselves victims of the typhoon, they chose to serve their country first.

Together with other professionals—doctors, nurses, social workers, etc., and volunteers—they have shown the benevolent side of their nature.

—ABS MANALO, youth volunteer,

Quezon City, [email protected]