THE Philippines has been put into the spotlight, but not in an idealistic way, but as a streak of merciless typhoons have ravaged the country in recent weeks, wreaking havoc on various Northern Luzon provinces.
Six typhoons — Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito — have hit the country in less than a month. Pepito, designated as a super typhoon, was the last to cause damage across the country.
NASA satellite photos have captivated global attention, revealing the parade of the last four typhoons that built over the Pacific Ocean, posing concerns for millions of Filipino citizens.
Photo Courtesy: NASA Earth | Facebook
With what the US space agency NASA called as an “unusual” occurrence, republicasia instantly asked a few Generation Zs about their experiences throughout the typhoon streak and what they’ve learned thus far.
A total devastation
Weather specialist Chris Perez of PAGASA identified the ridge of a high pressure area stationed north of the country as a role in the recent spate of tropical cyclones that affected Northern Luzon.
In an interview with republicasia, Ian Capati, a 23-year-old Nueva Ecija native, stated that the last two weeks have been extremely challenging for them and the other people of their neighborhood.
“Seeing homes torn apart and fields submerged in water was heartbreaking, especially since many of us rely on farming to make a living. Without power, it felt like we were cut off from the world, making an already tough situation even harder,” Capati said.
“What really stood out was the resilience of our community, neighbors checking in on each other, sharing food, and lending a hand where it was needed. It was a humbling reminder of how fragile life can be in the face of nature’s power,” he added.
PH needs preparedness
Kaitlin Kibtiani, a 22-year-old Psychology student at Far Eastern University, revealed that while she was safe during the storms, she had several realizations about the country’s current situation.
“There is so much we need to do. When typhoon season begins, many people, despite receiving warnings, still end up devastated—losing their homes and, in some cases, their lives,” Kibtiani said.
“We remain largely unprepared, and it seems there has been little progress in improving how we handle and respond to these recurring disasters.”
“This unpreparedness causes people their lives and there needs to be a significant systematic change. There needs to be a long-term solution because, geographically, the Philippines is undeniably vulnerable to typhoons,” she added.
Moreover, the fourth year student suggested that there must be a long-term solution to the the country’s annual catastrophes. If not, Filipinos may just have to live through it every year.
“Growing more mangroves and trees could be an effective way to reduce their impact, lessen human activities that hurt our environment, and really just care more about the environment,” she said.
“Because if no long-term solution is implemented, we will continue to face the challenges brought by typhoons,” Kibtiani went on to explain.
Speak up, Gen Zs
As discussions regarding the safety and effects of these typhoons on Filipinos’ livelihoods continue, both Capati and Kibtiani believe that Gen Zs can contribute, even in little ways, by speaking up about it.
“As a Gen Z, I believe we have the tools and platforms to make a difference. Social media can be a powerful way to amplify stories from the ground, highlighting the gaps in relief efforts or showing the struggles of farmers who’ve lost everything,” Capati said.
“Beyond that, I think we need to push for real change, like advocating for better climate policies or more sustainable farming practices. Even small steps, like talking about these issues with friends and family, can spark awareness and action,” he added.
Meanwhile for Kibtiani, “Continue being a voice of reason and help put things into perspective. With the power of social media, we can also spread awareness about the challenges our community has been facing by sharing data and other informative content.”
“As Gen Zs, we have always been strong advocates for our country’s betterment, with this in mind, we should actively participate in tree planting initiatives or other community projects that benefit the environment.”
For both of these Gen Zs, shedding light on crucial issues like these through social media should not be the sole option. The next step should be to get active and do acts that can encourage others.
