Philippines Archives - Anders Orsander

Headlines fade – the need for help remains

Relief goods is distributed in Daanbantayan, April 2014. Photo: Cherie Mae Canoday and Heart Divine Lisondra

Six months have passed since super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda in the Philippines) struck Visayas. Disaster relief and hard work has made improvements in the affected areas, but much still remains to be done.

“I felt so sad because opening of classes will resume by June and yet I did not see anything that’s going on in that school to have it ready for the next school year… I am a teacher myself and it pains me so much seeing that school left to ruins. What will happen to the children?” Continue reading Headlines fade – the need for help remains →

Support Visayas

Maria Lopez Elementary School suffered damaged. Photo: Used with permission from Sagay City Information and Tourism Office

I left Sagay City, Negros Occidental, only two days before typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda hit the central region of the Philippines. My family there has been fortunate, no one was injured and the house wasn’t damaged. We were also able to talk to them the day after the typhoon. After one week electricity was restored.
Coming back to Sweden I was asked by the United Bible Societies if I could assist their fundraising efforts with photos and accounts. Thanks to mobile phones and social media I’ve been able to communicate through mainly Facebook and Viber and providing the Bible Societies with more than 100 photos 300 photos (updated November 18) and several accounts of the experience. Continue reading Support Visayas →

Why I care about E B Magalona

On the road between Bacolod and Sagay

I follow the development of the flooding in Metro Manila, Philippines, on the ABS-CBN website. It’s just a blurb in Swedish media. I also read about the flooding in E B Magalona on Negros, where over 100 homes where swept away. This isn’t mentioned at all in Swedish media. A few years ago I might’ve missed the blurb altogether. A few years ago I hadn’t heard about E B Magalona or Negros. The difference then and now is social media and the effects it’s had in my life.

Through social media I have got to know people from all over the world. Once far off places are now the home of friends. The once unknown Philippine island of Negros is now, because I met my Filipina wife on Facebook, a second home to me.

I’ve seen theories that social media makes us care less. I believe it’s the other way around, it makes us care more by bringing people together.