A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines
particularly in the Visayas area. The epicenter of the earthquake was in Bohol
and it also affected the islands nearby like Cebu. Most of the churches in
these areas suffered a massive damage. There were reports that in Bohol,
Philippines, they are really in need of the basic necessities like water, food
and shelter.
Just a short trivia, Bohol is very famous of their rich culture
and heritage sites. Many people of different parts of the globe do go there and
see the cute tarsiers, delicious delicacy which is the famous “calamay,” many
old churches and their famous floating restaurant.
Someone made a move for these people to be given their
needs. Former Bb. Pilipinas – World 2006 (now called as Miss World –
Philippines), Anna Maris Igpit spearheaded a group which gives aid to the
people in Bohol who needs assistance and who needs the basic necessities.
Anna Maris Igpit is a native of Bohol which was the
epicenter of the earthquake and when the earthquake struck she finds ways for
her fellow “Boholanos.”
Her group is named as “Oplan Bangon Bohol” it’s a group that
helps Bohol to rise again after the said tragedy. They are organizing a team of
people for rescue and relief operations in Bohol. Her group has reached many
people of different places and it even reached in a major media network, BBC
with the help of the social networking sites and technology.
The beauty queen shared to us how she formulated the group. She said,
"When I got a call from my mom
about the earthquake, I checked my twitter and facebook right away on some news
about it. There I saw devastating photos. I got messages from people asking for
help so I created the hashtag #rescuebohol, hooked up with a rescue unit in
Bohol, to make it easier for people to send their concerns. I served like a
"bridge". It started as a one woman effort. When more messages of
needed rescue, relief goods and donations flooded in, that's when I started to
message my Boholano friends on FB. I told them about the idea of forming a team
and everything just fell into place. I immediately got calls from different
establishments, organizations and individuals willing to work with us. And the
rest is history."
"Our organization Oplan Bangon
Bohol is a team that basically gather donations then we turn them over to our
partner foundation, the Kapuso Foundation. They now do the repacking and
distribution. People can help by donating goods, use ther influence and
connections to gather donations, volunteer in the relief areas or on ground or
simply by helping us monitor reports and concerns online. Each one of you can
help in any way possible." she shared to us about her group.
She told us that the people need drinking water and food which she said are the 2 most important aids they need. They also need medicine, electricity, tents, sanitary kits, blankets etc.
Here are some of the posts of Anna Maris Igpit as she
strives to help the people in Bohol:
Let's help her and the Philippines in this tragedy. You can go to her group page:
"OPLAN BANGON BOHOL" Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OplanBangonBohol
All the updates and information about the situation in Bohol, Philippines is there. We hope that you would help the people who are suffering in this tragedy.
