Typhoon Enteng ravaged most areas in the Philippines in its wake. Livelihoods were destroyed and lives were lost due to heavy rains and maximum sustained winds – indicative signs of the destructive force of Mother Nature and how Filipinos succumb to her lashes.
Age-old issues of neglected garbage, failed recycling pursuits and rampant quarrying are also brought to light, coming to a point that it almost sounds like a broken record. It’s funny how people only talk about these when a storm signal intensifies, an orange warning beckons, or when the Marikina Dam is near its spilling point.
Hell hath no fury like nature scorned.
And it will only get worse hereon.
Another phenomenon that proliferates especially during typhoons is the spread of insensitive posts and actions from people and companies that clearly need to check their privileges.
How can you avoid being like them? Read on.
Suppress your cravings
One of life’s basic truths is that people crave their comfort food when the temperature drops. The probability of foraging a piping hot bowl lugaw, champorado, ramen (remember that ramen shop during Typhoon Carina?), or anything soupy and hot amplify during the rainy season.
It’s a harsh reality, but not everyone has the means to satisfy their cravings—some don’t even have food to eat. This and the fact that maybe they are affected by the typhoon. Be considerate enough and think of the silent consequences before posting what you want to eat on social media.
Never be that character in Parasite
The scene from the film unfolded like this: Yeon Kyo, the matriarch of the family, was talking to her friend about how the rain from the previous night cleared up the air and made the day beautiful. However, that same rain had devastating consequences for the Kim family when their semi-basement house flooded and destroyed most of their belongings.
If this doesn’t wake you up from the notion that you love the stormy weather because it’s “cuddle weather,” nothing will. You can be a pluviophile but not when there are landslides nearby or save that poetic rain caption and inspirational quote when the weather gets better.
Home-cooked meals over food deliveries
There is nothing more convenient than food deliveries because, let’s face it, if you’re not the cooking type, food preparation takes the fun out of eating.
But imagine your trusty rider braving the storm and the inevitable flood just so you can satisfy your craving. And since you’re insensitive, you might not even tip the rider.
As much as riders want extra work despite the danger of it, it is best to keep it to a minimum. Give them a tip, offer them shelter or just be plain courteous.
The Case of the Clout-Chasers
Taking videos of the incessant rain to raise awareness for possible rescue operations is admirable. But doing it for views, likes and stars, along with horrible commentaries on the side, is downright nasty.
You are just adding to the general dread of the moment is not noteworthy at all. If you feel it’s your civic duty to share snapshots of your current situation with your fanatical followers, please do so with decency.
Rappler’s correspondent Lian Buan said it eloquently: “I’ve said this over and over again — you prefer vloggers and influencers now for your so-called unbiased content, but on our worst days as a nation, it’s the journalists who will show up. Remember that.”
How to not be insensitive? Be an empathetic human being first. Everything else will be easy after that from the get-go.
