A Bohol- Based Volunteer Group That Calls Itself B.R.I.D.G.E.S.

Photographer Dennis Saco

Right after a pre- nuptial photo and video shoot that we did for Borgy and Glenda, ace Boholano photographer Dennis Saco organized a ragtag team of volunteers as a response to the call to help fellow Boholanos who have been hit the hardest by a 7.2 killer quake that struck our province last October 15.

The province is still trying to regain its lost footing and hope to rise again and rebuild the badly hit areas particularly in the northwestern area of the province

Dennis never had the slightest inkling that the group would become one of the teams that would get the attention of donors especially when the group started posting in Facebook and Twitter. 

Next came the national and international press like BBC, New York Times, Bloomberg, Time Magazine, ABC CBC News. 

The media were particularly interested to buy the rights to a two minute video that captured the devastation in Dauis minutes after the quake struck

Loon's famous coral steps
Photo Credit: Chrismael Caldo

Maribojoc's Punta Cruz Tower was not spared from the tremorsPhoto Credit: Chrismael Caldo

Tent cities have sprouted in many areas of the provincePhoto Credit: Chrismael Caldo

The response to the call for volunteers has been overwhelming too especially from the youth & student sector and from young professionals like nurses. 

We also have colleagues in the Bohol wedding suppliers sector and scores of Boholano photographers who have extended assistance

The next logical step right after a semblance of order had been established was to have an official name for the group for identity & transparency purposes. 

Potential donors and volunteers have been asking for the name of the group and we couldn’t come up with a name because of other pressing concerns

Anyway, I’m very proud to inform everyone that the private sector based- volunteer group that was organized by Dennis Saco has been aptly named B.R.I.D.G.E.S.  

The acronym B.R.I.D.G.E.S  stands for Bohol Relief Initiatives & Developmental Group Entities

During our brainstorming, we agreed that the word Bridge best describes us for we are the conduit, the channel or the bridges between the private sector of donors & the victims/ affected families

The use of the word Initiatives is perfect also because the group after all was the result of the organizer’s initiative and creativity

We also agreed to use the word Entities because the group is composed of different volunteers/ members who come from various backgrounds yet bound by the same goal: to help Bohol in its relief, rehabilitation & recovery efforts

Please visit my Facebook page as well as that of Dennis Saco so you will be updated with the donations, donors and the scope of services extended already

Finally, a name for our volunteer group

Here's the link to the FB Page of BRIDGES

 B.R.I.D.G.E.S

Thanks also to Youthlead Phil for initiating and arranging the first coordination meeting of the private sector- based relief goods organizations in Bohol.

Here are some photos taken during the meeting

 

2006 Bb Pilipinas World  & 2005 Miss Bohol Anna Maris Igpit shares her experiences

Linton Jake Lim Gregorio raises a valid point during the coordination meeting 

Of course our appreciation to the various relief organizations that joined and expressed solidarity. God bless!

Here’s the message from John Maraguinot who spearheaded the initial meeting last Monday at the San Antonio de Padua Parish Church 

“It's heartwarming and, at the same time, entertaining to sit down and listen to fellow relief workers share about their experiences in the field and the challenges they encountered while doing their various relief activities.  

The mapping activity, though a simple one, conveyed to us all a powerful message - collaboration and coordination.  

I think its high time that our colleagues in the private relief organizations sit down and come up with solid recommendations to strengthen collaboration to make sure that we leave no communities behind.  

We need to do this for Bohol.

And here is the photo from Chrismael Caldo that captures the optimism and resilience of Bohol and its people

Smiles in the midst of adversity

Photo Credits: Copyright infringement not intended

The Good & The Bad After a 7.2 Quake Struck Bohol

THE GOOD NEWS

Tagbilaran City, the capital city of Bohol, is getting back on its feet. Things are starting to get back to normal.

Most of the towns are okay save for a few scratches and bruises

The tourism jewel of the province, Panglao Island where the pristine white sandy beaches and beach resorts are located have been spared from the destructive force of the earthquake

The overwhelming number of people who have responded to the call for help especially the student volunteers

THE BAD NEWS

Photo Credits: Ghen Lumayag

Photo Credits: Janus Lim

Photo Credits: Ghen Lumayag

BUT we do have certain parts particularly the northwestern towns that are still reeling because they have been hit the hardest. 

These towns need bottled water, food and right now medicines also. 

From relief to rehabilation. 

Children & the elderly in particular have been exposed to the elements particularly to the rains and mosquitoes. 

We need help for them ASAP. 

This is a Race Against Time

Let's direct our relief efforts to these towns so we can rebuild Bohol in a Bigger, Better and Bolder Way! c/o Dennis Saco 

On the other hand, it is disheartening and disgusting to know of the isolated cases of people who have taken advantage of the situation at the expense of the victims. 

There has been so much political wrangling especially with the system of distribution 

 Photo Credits: Anna Maris Igpit

During the coordination meeting for all private entities that have been involved with the relief efforts, I was seated with Anna Maris Igpit, the hardworking former Miss Bohol Sandugo and Bb Pilipinas- World who has been tirelessly doing her share of the work. 

FILE PHOTO: Anna Igpit flanked by Myla Rae Bueno and Blogger Raul Gatal

At one point during the meeting, we were told to stick Post It notes on a map of Bohol to give everyone an idea and overview where the relief efforts are concentrated

The yellow Post It Notes indicate the areas that have been reached by Relief Goods Distribution .  

As you can see, it's the other side that has been hit the hardest but the rest of the province is A- okay

Photo Credits: Anna Maris Igpit