Filipinos Tap Social Networks in Dealing with Floods

The more than 300 millimetres of rain that the monsoon dumped on Metro Manila and nearby Philippine provinces failed to dampen the Filipinos' penchant for updating their statuses on social networking sites.

In fact, the inundated Filipinos even used Twitter, Facebook and their mobile phones to seek help, inform friends and relatives of their status or help in the ongoing massive efforts to feed the thousands of evacuees temporarily housed in public school buildings, churches and gymnasia.

The nation, amidst heavy downpour and floods, lives up to its name as the texting capital of the world. People stranded on rooftops or second floors in areas where the inundation are still high brought with them their cell phones and used the device to contact rescue units of local governments or media to seek rescue.

Although power was cut in some parts due to the flooding to avoid electrocution, a large part of the national capital region enjoyed electricity and Internet connection, making it possible for residents to post in Twitter or Facebook. The posts were not just to update their whereabouts but also to seek donations and prayers, warn others of places where water levels remain high and show Filipino resilience amid disasters and catastrophes.

Different organisations such as television networks, school alumni associations and church and civic groups have joined forces to collect monetary donations as well as food, water and other basic needs and deliver these relief goods to flood victims and evacuees.

Despite the wet situation and the loss of lives and properties, humour was not lost on Filipinos who used the country's tourism tagline "It's more fun in the Philippines" to show that local still manage to enjoy amid disaster. The social networking posts include photos of men playing basketball in flooded street courts, tykes using the flooded underpasses in Manila as their swimming pool and even a photoshopped picture of Olympics medal record-holder Michael Phelps swimming in Manila's flood.

U.S.-based Filipino journalist Noel Pangilinan set up the Courage and Heroism in the Philippines Web site to showcase the resiliency of the Filipinos and spirit of sharing during difficult times.

International celebrities such as Ryan Seacrest, Jessica Sanchez and David Cook of American Idol also tweeted their concern for the Philippine situation.

Since the schools are used as temporary shelter to about 300,000 families, the government suspended school in all levels in Metro Manila and nearby provinces until Friday. However, work resumed in government and private office although most of them were barely staffed as many employees still find it difficult to travel to their work.

Although the rains stopped Wednesday night, there was heavy downpour again on Thursday morning, which would likely again flood homes and streets in the flood-prone, but tech savvy nation.