While jokes do little in preventing calamities, Filipinos have always chosen to look at the brighter side, time and time again. As Typhoon Tisoy cuts its way through the country, Filipinos are not letting the typhoon’s destructive threat dampen their vibes.
Thanks to the collective efforts of the country’s working force and college students who are still going to work and attending classes despite the typhoon, “#WeSwimAsOne” trended on Twitter today, Dec. 3.
One netizen @maroontito wished the “Philippine Company Employee Team” good luck as they brave the storm just to reach their workplaces.
“Best of luck to the members of the Philippine Company Employee Team as they compete in their aquatics event today papasok sa (going to the) office. Bring home the Golden Hazard Pay! #TeamMayPasok #SEAGames2019 #WeSwimAsOne,” he wrote.
Best of luck to the members of the Philippine Company Employee Team as they compete in their aquatics event today papasok sa office. Bring home the Golden Hazard Pay! #TeamMayPasok#SEAGames2019#WeSwimAsOne
— Ralph (@heyralphhey) December 3, 2019
The hashtag, a pun on the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games slogan “We win as one,” now has almost 2,000 tweets, as of writing.
Some netizens meanwhile are reminding their fellow employees to stay safe amid the typhoon.
“Stay safe to all the warriors este employees #TyphoonTisoy #WeSwimAsOne,” one @HalloHallo_Job tweeted, accompanied by a GIF that pretty much represents the “warriors.”
Stay safe to all the warriors este employees 🌧️ #TyphoonTisoy #WeSwimAsOne pic.twitter.com/BcZ7Na7F5M
— Hallo Hallo Job (@HalloHallo_Job) December 3, 2019
Some were even kind enough to create the “official poster” for the country’s “team,” and with the most fitting slogan: “Ulan ka lang, empleyado kami (You are just rain, and we are employees).”
Following Dory’s wise words from the film “Finding Nemo”, one @_sshantal stated, accompanying the poster: “Just keep swimming swimming swimming. #WeSwimAsOne.”
Just keep swimming swimming swimming #WeSwimAsOne pic.twitter.com/41OUt03ias
— Shantal🌱 (@_sshantal) December 3, 2019
Some highlighted the difference between how other countries treat typhoons versus how Filipinos greet theirs.
“Other countries during typhoons: Stay indoors! Stay safe! Stock up on food & emergency supplies! Philippines during typhoons: #WeSwimAsOne,” @ssiral said.
https://twitter.com/ssiral_/status/1201702411896668162
“#WeSwimAsOne is really trending at #2 in PH Trends. Some college students and employees started this hashtag due to no cancellation of school/work on their level. What a (sic) witty Pilipinos!” one @GFRD_Global_twt meanwhile tweeted.
#WeSwimAsOne is really trending at #2 in PH Trends
Some college students and employees started this hashtag due to no cancellation of school/work on their level. What a witty Pilipinos! #SEAGames2019 slogan inspired "We Win As One" pic.twitter.com/26UeYyW6YD
— itsMae (@itsmaeharlene) December 3, 2019
Some netizens announced that college “athletes” triumphed in the “swimming relay” competition.
“IN: College Students won the GOLD medal in BAHA’s (flood’s) Stadium Swimming Relay #WeSwimAsOne #MayPasok #WalangPake,” another Twitter user, @YTleekenshin “reported.”
https://twitter.com/YTleekenshin/status/1201640529907208192
Joking aside, some netizens took pride of the real reason why Filipinos can still find humor in such dire circumstances: resilience.
“I love how Filipinos are always so positive despite calamities,” @juanitoscarmela said. “Ingat tayong lahat (Let us all take care). Praying for everyone’s safety. #WeSwimAsOne #TisoyPH #TyphoonTisoy.”
I love how Filipinos are always so positive despite calamities. Ingat tayong lahat. Praying for everyone’s safety. #WeSwimAsOne #TisoyPH #TyphoonTisoy
— Mira 💖 (@miracle11235) December 3, 2019
Referring to this tweet, @tsareees praised how Filipinos always tend to see the brighter side of things: “Filipinos can literally find humor at everything hahaha love my people.”
https://twitter.com/tsareees/status/1201673303477243904
In true Filipino fashion, many are asking for prayers and reminding everyone to be careful from the strong winds and heavy rainfall that Typhoon Tisoy has brought to the country.
“Curious about this hashtag #WeSwimAsOne but found out, it’s just a proof how [resilient] Filipinos are. Let’s pray as one everyone,” said @berealjaige.
https://twitter.com/berealjaige/status/1201693963746340866
One @RealMREAccount meanwhile also lauded the resilience of Filipinos in facing calamities and also asked for prayers.
https://twitter.com/RealMREAccount/status/1201662749140324352
While humor does not really change the reality that Typhoon Tisoy has brought destruction upon our people, it seems that Filipinos refuse to just let it be. Some may argue that this romanticizes calamities, while some may say that this is necessary.
One thing is for sure, though, and it is that Filipinos can find something to relate to with each other even in sad, stormy times — and Twitter can attest to that. JB
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