Actions Speak Louder

For humanity’s sake, speak up

The Skinny

1. Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda)hit the Philippines on November 8th, 2013. It might be the worst natural disaster ever to hit the country. More than 10,000 people are feared dead.
2. Many aid organisations are scrambling to bring aid to the displaced. Here’s how you can help.

The Fat

Prior to this very devastating calamity, there was a build-up of anti-Pinoy sentiment in Singapore. When Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee opened in Singapore, there were calls to boycott it.

To our shame, there are many, many more links like the ones above.

When all those anti-Pinoy statements were splashed all over local websites and hundreds upon hundreds piled on in their comments sections, very few people voiced out against them.

A few days ago, before news of Typhoon Haiyan, I saw a group of Filipinos gather at my neighbourhood community centre. I walked over, petulant that this community centre — made for Singaporeans! — had now been overtaken by this group of foreigners, playing their loud hip-hop/techno mix. I saw that they had set up a table with an assortment of knick-knacks: an oddball collection of items such as unused basketball sneakers and computer speakers. In front of the table stood a handwritten sign:

“Auction for Earthquake Relief in Bohol”

I felt bad for being so uppity about being Singaporean; so selfish simply because I was born here and they weren’t.

I didn’t realise how lousy I’d feel a few days later when the typhoon struck and destroyed so many Filipino families and homes.

You wouldn’t wish this on your worst enemy. Over the last few days, thousands of Filipinos in Singapore, many of whom live and serve in our homes as domestic helpers, in our hospitals as doctors and nursing aides, in our eating places as managers and service staff, have been frantically trying to contact their loved ones. Many have spent years working to save up for the day they’d return home to their sons, their daughters, their parents and spouses.

Everything now in limbo. Gone in a gust of wind.

In Singapore there’s talk about the silent majority, and how this silent majority possesses the common sense to see beyond the sensationalistic, destructive rhetoric.

It’s time for that majority — if it exists — to shake off its apathy. This is one of those times we can put aside our differences and agree that the people of Philippines need our help. This is where we define what Singapore is through our actions.

Again, here’s how you can help. The better ones among us have already gotten started.