By Giel Eduard Acot Orillosa
Every time I watch videos of bloggers like Jay Jaboneta, Ninong Ry, The Hungry Syrian Wanderer and Indai Allyn, I feel both happy and sad. Happy because these people are using their talents and platforms to help others. Sad because I wonder — why are ordinary citizens doing what our government should be doing?
Jay Jaboneta started by sharing a story. But his story became a movement. He helped children from remote places who had to swim just to go to school. He gave them hope through yellow boats. Ninong Ry, a famous cooking vlogger, used his time and money to cook for more than 300 inmates. The Hungry Syrian Wanderer helped many victims of natural disasters in the Philippines. He gave blankets, tents, and food. Indai Allyn, a simple woman from Iligan, feeds more than 100 children every week using her YouTube income. These people are not politicians. But they act like leaders — leaders with a heart.
Why do some officials ignore the poor, the sick, and the hungry? Why do we pay taxes if these taxes do not truly help the people? Without taxes, a country cannot stand. But when taxes are not used properly, the people continue to suffer.
In Thailand, where I live, I rarely see bloggers doing these types of charity work. Why? Because the government already provides many services to its people. They don’t need to wait for help from online influencers. The government is active. They care. They serve.
In the Philippines, we often see bloggers helping, and that’s a good thing. But should we really depend on bloggers and private people to fix the problems in our country? Isn’t this the job of our leaders? Politicians are elected by the people. They are paid by the people. They must go to the streets, to the mountains, to the far barangays. They must listen to the cries of the people. Just like how these bloggers are doing it — with compassion and action.
Do we need more bloggers just to make our leaders move? Do we need more viral videos so that the government will finally notice the needs of its citizens?
I hope this becomes an eye-opener. If bloggers can help with their small earnings, how much more can a senator or mayor do with millions in their budget?