Philippines: Helping flood victims through Plurk and blogs · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

“We have currently raised $185 at PLURK. Every bit of help counts!!” This was written by ChiQ Montes from the Philippines. She and fellow bloggers in Cagayan de Oro (north Mindanao) have organized a Feeding Program Project for the flood victims in their town. The group is asking a $3 paypal donation from everyone which was announced through Plurk and other social networking sites.
Mindanao is located in southern Philippines. Majority of villages in Cagayan de Oro are affected by the flooding disaster. Landslides also hit several villages.
Karendayle learned about the project through Plurk:
“I just want to share to you this one; When i was plurking last night i saw Ms. Chiq Montes announcement on plurk she was launching Feeding Program Project for CDOCITY Flood Victims. With the help of the Cagayan de Oro City Bloggers Group, they would like to ask for as little as $3 paypal donation.”
Miah Laborte recognizes the collective effort of the Plurk community to help the flood victims:
“Anyways, a few good hearted Cagay-anons in Plurk community had been trying to raise funds to help the flood victims there. It was just a small amount but it could help a lot of people who are badly in need right now, especially to the homeless whose houses had been washed away by the flood… Just want to share this to those who wanted to help too… I think a lot have shared a little in the Plurk community and I hope you guys could share your little blessings too.”
Kevin supports the endeavor:
While on my way of shutting down the computer, I came across a post of my fellow blogger friend (here) and I really had to lurk deeper into what has happened and how I could help. I may not have sufficient funds to support the feeding program but I thought that blogging about the feeding program may help somehow, or at least express our concern here at Pinoy Teens in regards to our fellow needy Filipinos.
Just the tip of the iceberg notes that many people have learned about the extent of the flooding through the pictures and videos posted by bloggers on the internet:
“In the political arena, it seems that the flood here in Mindanao is not such a big thing for most of the Philippines, in fact, no one ever hears anything about it in the national news. That's why most Kagay-anons who are living away from home are shocked upon seeing pictures from most bloggers here in CDO.”
The Wandering Observer criticizes the Manila-centric media for not prioritizing the disaster in north Mindanao:
“As a Mindanaoan living in Quezon City, it feels alienating that while my family, relatives (my Uncle Toto, Auntie Bebe, and Joanna also had to evacuate their house at Barra, Opol, Misamis Oriental due to flood waters), and friends are wading through flood waters in the northern part of the Land of Promise, the populace in Imperial Manila couldn’t care less.
“Instead they focus on local events which they think have national significance saddled by their belief that whatever concerns Manila concerns the country. Such is the mentality of the average person in Imperial Manila. They are so full of themselves that they forget about the rest of the country.”
More pictures about the flooding in Mindanao can be viewed through Awatiro’s page.
All pictures in this post courtesy of Awatiro