Christopher Lao on his Floating Car in Flood Issues (Video)

Christopher Lao's name has recently trended in news and social networking sites. This is after he drove his car in flood "unknowingly" so it floated. Christopher Lao, a University of the Philippines (UP) student received offensive comments and insults on SNS sites specifically in Twitter and Facebook immediately after GMA aired the incident video on news.

Former UP Dean of Law, Marvic Leonen already gave her statements regarding the incident. As quoted, she said:

"You may be amused by the mistakes or misfortunes of others. But this does not entitle you to degrade their entire character or make conclusions about their whole person. Christopher Lao does not deserve the treatment he is getting from others on Facebook and Twitter. And yes, he is from UP College of Law and we are still proud of him"

Howie Severino, Editor-in-Chief of GMA News online also aired his side regarding the issue. In a GMA news article, as quoted,

"Mr. Lao was already victimized by the flood and a lack of warnings. He shouldn't be victimized again. Many of us could have been in his situation. We are urging the public to stop the insults. We regret that our video, which was meant to provide a lesson for all motorists, was used in any way to make fun of another person."

Christopher Lao already gave his official statement regarding the issue, he said:

"The past few days have been very disheartening for me and my family. As you know I have been a subject of a viral video that showed my helplessness during a trying moment. As it stands right now, I have several hate pages in Facebook and Twitter with hurtful and derogatory messages attacking my person. The reputation that I built the past years has been besmirched. A bad day has now turned into wounded feelings and sleepless nights for me and my family.

I have been silent the past few days as I want this to go away soon but not before saying sorry and thank you to people who matter.

I would like to apologize for my behavior that was seen on nationwide television and now on the internet. It was unfortunate that I was caught on camera immediately after an overwhelmingly stressful mishap.

I would like to again sincerely thank those who braved the flood to help a distraught stranger like me. Their selfless act reminded me of how dependable Filipinos are in times of crisis.

Lastly, I would like to thank my family, friends and all of those who showed empathy, consideration and support throughout these trying times. You have given me strength and courage to rise above and be a better person."

Meanwhile, here is the video of Christopher Lao's floating car in flood.



Video courtesy of leoneil01

Class Suspension August 4, 2011 (Thursday) in Elementary, Highschool and College?

Second Update: DepEd announced that no suspension of classes today. Classes at all levels in NCR will be resumed August 4, 2011.

Fresh from the suspension of classes which were announced by Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday due to heavy rains and floods; students from preschool, elementary, highschool (secondary) and college (tertiary) levels from NCR and other areas are asking if classes will be suspended on August 4, 2011 (Thursday) in different levels.

Quoted from DepEd,

"Superintendents, principals and LGUs may suspend classes if the situation warrants it. Parents can decide whether to send their children to school or not."

As of this writing, the Department of Education (DepEd) is not yet releasing class suspension notices.

Meanwhile, CHED said that the jurisdiction for cancellation of classes on tertiary levels depends on the college or university officials.

Class Suspension August 3, 2011 in Elementary, Highschool and College due to Heavy Rains and Floods

Fifth Update: DepEd announced that preschool, elementary and secondary classes in Dagupan and Pangasinan are also suspended.

Fourth Update: All classes in National Capital Region (NCR) will be suspended starting 12 noon, DepED said. This is after PAGASA predicts that a moderate to heavy rainfall will be experienced throughout the day.

"Taal Batangas Municipal Mayor declared suspension of classes in the afternoon due to heavy rains being experienced at the moment."

"Upon consultation w/ the office of Mayor Aldrin San Pedro of Multinlupa, afternoon classes are suspended due to heavy rains."

Third Update:  Quoted from DepEd,

"Region 1: San Carlos City - due to continuous rainfall, the Provincial Government suspended classes from Kinder to Highschool today, Aug 3."

"CALABARZON: Regular classes resume in all levels today, August 3."

"REGION 3: Regular classes today except for the following still flooded schools in Pampanga: Macabebe West Dist - San Esteban ES, Consuelo ES, Sta.Maria ES, San Rafael ES, Sto Nino ES, Dalayap, Dalan, Baliti ES, Castuli, Sta Lutgarda, SanJuan, Lolu Sapang Malalam, Sitio Mindanao. Macabebe East district - Caduag Tete ES, San Isidro ES, SanGabriel, San Roque, Sta.Rita Telacsan, Masantol San Isidro ES and Sapang Kawayan ES."

Second Update: No Class Suspension. As of 4:00 AM, DepEd announced that classes at all levels (private and public) will be resumed today (August 3, 2011) in National Capital Region (NCR). This is after PAGASA predicted that the amount of rainfall today will only be half of yesterday's rain volume.

Update: Class suspension will be announced by DepEd tomorrow, August 3 2011 (4:00 AM).

Students and parents are asking if classes in elementary, secondary (highschool) and college schools on August 3, 2011 (Wednesday) are still suspended due to rains and scattered floods brought about by the Southwest Monsoon.

As of this writing, the Department of Education (DepEd) is not yet announcing any public or private schools or places where preschool, elementary and secondary classes will be suspended.

On August 2 2011 (Tuesday), the Malacanang Palace suspended National Capital Region (NCR) classes and government work due to heavy rains and scattered floods.

Meanwhile, class suspension for college levels (according to CHED) depends on the school or university officials.