Update 9/21/15:
Chris Lao is now a practicing lawyer, he teaches at DLSU College of Law.
Update: Statement from Christopher Lao [according to :
http://www.facebook.com/notes/marlon-cornelio/official-statement-from-christopher-lao/10150263662408468 ]
4 August 2011
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.
Sincerely yours,
Christopher Lao
———–
Christopher Lao, if that is his name, just discovered the power of social web the painful way.
He is trending in twitter, a Facebook page was set up to highlight his folly, he is also the talk in Google +.
If you’re wondering who he is, he figured out in a news report of a local network- His failed effort to cross his car in a flooded area that caused it to float, and the subsequent interview of him.
He appeared arrogant and blames everyone for his wrong judgement. But that should not be an issue, because all of us would have reacted the same way given the same circumstances. That’s human nature.
But it is also not right to gloat over his mistake.
What was captured on the video do not represent who he is, it’s plainly a reaction to a bad judgement call. I do not know the guy (He is now a friend), but he needs some space after what had happened. And what he said sans the arrogance, needs alittle pondering too, from the government and other people.
after this incident, do you find a need for a cyber wellness program?
Now, how do we learn from this incident?
- Personally, to exert an effort to be in control of my emotions.
- If I am working for the media, I will not sensationalise human folly since it does not represent threat to life , property or national security.
- As “miron”, recognize that what was captured on cam may not be the exact representation of the person, neither of the entire situation. And we be entitled to our own opinion but this is not a license to embarrass others.
The reaction of the online community just proved our maturity level in understanding an issue and responsively exercising our freedom. Likewise, media should be more responsible and objective, and not sensationalize human folly.
Certainly, we cannot prevent ourselves from becoming a victim of our own folly. But we can not be a party to someone else’s misery. A line should be drawn between our freedom to express opinion and insulting another/ bullying another person.
What are your thoughts on the issue?
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It is a very common emotion among humans. We think it’s funny when someone slips on a banana peel but it’s a different story when we later see that the person got injured by the fall. There are those who got pi$$ed off by Mr. Lao’s actions but later felt sorry for him when they later learned that he’s getting the bashing of his life. Some people did went too far and still continue to do so. These are simply rude people. Discrimination? Might not be the racial or class type, but more on people expected him to speak wisely… Read more »
Good point @Jess on item #1 above, and I totally agree on “how you act, or react, under pressure says a lot about you”. But some people went too far, a supposed good laugh became something else. There appears to be a racial tone on the turn of events, the strong reaction of the public against his folly and arrogance is worth taking note of. It’s either he is Chinese, or because he represents the “powerful and the rich” at that situation, or both. And the “powerful and rich” one, in the middle of emergency situation, is not even thankful… Read more »