Technology and the Bayanihan spirit

During the long nights and days, many Filipinos stranded in their flooded homes and streets around Metro Manila remain connected with their families and friends through the Internet, specifically, mobile technology.

And within the 12 hours when Typhoon Ondoy pounded the metropolis with the heaviest rain in 42 years, people remain connected through their mobile phones and the Internet. Many of us probably don't recall Typhoon Yoling?

Calls for help and rescue were posted around the web. Many bloggers posted contact details of rescue groups, media organizations, schools and other groups helping out. All these Filipinos were responding to the cries of help of many Filipinos, stranded, specifically, in the high-priority areas like Marikina, Pasig and Cainta.

Through sms, am sure thousands of messages crossed the Smart, Globe and Sun networks. People were asking and updating their friends and family of their status. Sending photos of flooded areas. Buzzing news media for “on the spot” reports of flooding and rescue operations.

Facebook users updated friends, family and followers of their status. Many who were stuck in traffic and in school used Facebook to inform others of their status. Users shared stories of heroism and courage.

Hundreds of Thomasians, which included my friend, Noelle el Farol, were stranded inside UST during that weekend. Being stranded didn’t really cut you off from the outside world. Micro-blogging sites like Twitter and Plurk brought out news and updates in a few words. And authorities learned of other places like Pinagbuhatan, Pasig that remained flooded days after the weekend.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of stories to share about how technology worked during these recent days. And many of these stories have been aired by ABS-CBN and GMA, and published in the online editions of major newpapers like the Inquirer. Kudos for being quick to report and bring the news in real-time!

Maybe, during times of crisis and emergencies, mobile phone companies can provide extra services like free real time news updates and even, give free airtime to prepaid subscribers?

Yes, it helped many to be connected even amidst the floods and let people we cared for know how we were doing, if we were safe or needed rescue.

Yes, it helped us identify flooded streets and avoid these streets. With our mobile phones, technology helped keep us company for hours as traffic didn't move in many streets. Many sent tweets while on the road.

Yes, it gave information on which numbers to call to volunteer our time and energy and know where to send our donations. Hundreds of volunteers responded to these calls for help and went to schools, homes and even warehouses to help pack relief goods.

But most of all, through technology, the bayanihan spirit of Filipinos worked in many amazing ways that helped saved lives.