Use technology responsibly. PLEASE.

I'm disappointed with how technology is used now to promote panic, wrong information and sometimes anger. when it's not the best time to do so.

2 days after Ondoy, several friends in FB had wall posts sharing that people near the Marikina Dam must evacuate as water will soon be released from it. Just several hours after that, it was clarified in Inquirer.net that there's no need to panic as there's no such thing as "Marikina Dam" to begin with.

The next day, I read wall posts also from FB that several crocodiles escaped from Pasig Nature park due to flood. Later that evening, in TV patrol, it was clarified that it's not true. Then there was a follow up the next day: YES, ONE crocodile was found, but it's not from the said park.

Last night, forwarded YM messages and wall posts from FB (again) shared that a typhoon is coming and that brownout will start by 9pm. True there is a coming typhoon, but there's no brownout, which was clarified as early as last night (before 9pm) that Meralco will not shut the electricity unless an area is flooded.

Then this morning, when I opened the TV, I saw Kris Aquino clarifying how efforts are being made now by ABS-CBN to help the victims. Apparently some text message now is going around that the release of goods in ABS-CBN is slow, that ABS-CBN is not cooperating with the government, and that "nagpapaantay" kapamilya stars are delaying the release.

Kris said it's not true, the release is slow because they don't have enough trucks. She (and other stars) even had to use their personal vans to bring goods. They also are working hand in hand with the government, in fact Mayor Ilagan of Cainta is with them now to coordinate, and some Army soldiers are also in ABS-CBN to help. Lastly, she said, ABS-CBN stars do not delay the release. She for example have been there as early as 7:45 am, then saw Toni Gonzaga waiting for an hour already. Most stars, she stressed out, have been working day and night, but still have to help in the relief center early the next day, so why do people have to make such negative remarks? I liked one of her lines "si [ganito] nag donate ng isang milyon. si [ganito] nagbigay ng two hundred thousand [and so on]. asawa ko tingnan mo buong araw na nandito namimigay ng pagkain, basang basa sa pawis. ikaw, ano na ba natulong mo?"

I agree with Kris Aquino, "sa halip na na gamitin sa pagpapakalat ng text ang piso, idonate mo nalang." and as for the online stuff, I guess the best thing to do is to get information from reliable sources. Don't just keep on forwarding and posting if you're not sure about it. better post links from official sites rather than reposting N-hand information. I know posting and forwarding messages intend to help or to show concern, but look, irresponsible use can lead to panic and misunderstanding. which we certainly don't need at the moment.