A series of unfortunate events, 2

On Facebook, there were some who posted shoulda-woulda-couldas—many of them never to be heard from again, while truly concerned people kept information about who, what, how to help streaming. On Facebook and Twitter, insensitive comments incensed the online community. There was the alleged comment of an OFW in Dubai, Jacque Bermejo, which was quickly posted and reposted until she became the victim of a hate campaign. She has since surfaced and said that her Facebook account was hacked some time ago. She is legally pursuing this case of stolen identity.

There were also rumors of a crocodile having escaped a zoo—it has been denied in a major daily, while confirmed in a network news website. Some other photos that went viral: the President’s son and Cong. Mikey Arroyo buying liquor at the height of the typhoon (he has since denied doing so at the time, since the supposed store he was seen in was flooded) and a styrofoam pack bearing the name of a senator who’s running for president (no word about that yet).

All these notwithstanding, relief efforts are incredibly overwhelming. What the national government lacked—in manpower, in resources, in organization—volunteers from different groups have been quick to provide. Still, with the sheer number of victims and the lack of information to reach all of them, more help is needed.

Some names of showbiz personalities have also emerged as their efforts to help were recognized, first on Facebook and Twitter before hitting mainstream media: Gerald Anderson swam in the flood to check on his neighbors; Raymart Santiago and Jericho Rosales used their water sports equipment to help people in their village; and Richard Gutierrez used a jet ski to rescue, well, Cristine Reyes.

We first saw the resurgence of the Filipino spirit during the funeral of former Pres. Cory Aquino. Now, we’re seeing a resurgence of the bayanihan spirit. Companies and individuals alike have mobilized forces to assist in whatever way they can. I’ve been hearing of supermarkets running out of bottled water and easy-to-open canned goods. Friends organizing soup kitchens actually worry about finding enough supplies.