Social media behaviors during calamities....

Hindi ako social media guru or an ethics teacher or an expert regarding the behaviors of people on the internet.

Sa nagdaang Typhoon Yolanda, at kahit pa sa mga nagdaang kalamidad, marami akong nakita na screencap ng iba't-ibang social media accounts ng mga kapwa Pinoy at 'yung iba namang mga dayuhan na nagpapakita ng simpatya, habag, pakikiramay at ang masaklap, magpanlalait at paninisi. Iba't-iba nga talaga ang ugali sa mundo. May katanggap-tanggap, may kaya pang tiisin at may kapatul-patol talaga.

Ilang araw akong nanahimik kasi as much as possible, ayokong makisawsaw sa issues lalo na't sa palagay ko'y hindi naman makakabuti na patulan pa. All I know is to continue what I am doing - informing the people what's happening in those areas via social media, my blogs, help repacking of goods here in Manila if mayroong pwede and pray.

Hindi ko masabing normal pero ito ay isa na sa mga nagiging takbo ng social media tuwing may dumarating na kalamidad o delubyo. Katulad ng ilang mga pulitiko, hindi maiiwasan ang mga nagpapapansin. Para sa mga papansin tulad ng mga ilang gumawa ng paraan para sa sandaling kasikatan, we'll just hope that someday they will not suffer the same crisis the Philippine suffered. I believed that the law of karma is real. God bless them.

Para naman sa mga public figures and celebrities, especially those on TV, are in the best position to spread information and sympathy. Please, as much as possible, if hindi naman promotion ng events or shows ninyo, please refrain from posting insensitive photos like selfies and something that shows irritation especially sa mga mata ng mga sensitive na tao. Think critically before reacting to any post. During calamities, there are plenty of statuses/ posts/ shares of people laughing and mocking at the victims. Chances are, those are fake accounts done by "haters or trolls" make people look bad and take advantage of public anger. People forget to use their brains when emotions run high.

Stop acting like an almighty saint and call/ guilt trip into donating and helping. Chances are, individuals help and donate without the need to be noticed online. Self glorifying charity posts are far worse than mere selfies or gadget posts. Stop acting like internet experts. Every calamity or crisis, our social media news feed consisting of internet bums become overnight keyboard experts in disaster management, public governance, criminology.....etc. Shut up and help offline. Whatever you post there will not and never help.

Use your social media accounts - facebook, twitter, instagram, etc. to encourage people/friends to help! Use it properly and wisely!