CEBU CITY, Philippines, Oct. 17, 2013 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- In efforts spearheaded by the World Mind Network, Friends Beyond Borders, and Batangas Varsitarian, young people from around the world used Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Skype, Friendster, and SMS tracking sites to help rescuers locate and aid victims of the recent earthquake in the central Philippines. The 7.2 magnitude quake struck the region of Bohol Island and Cebu just after 8 a.m. local time on October 15, 2013.
So far 161 have been confirmed dead, with hundreds injured, 19,000 homes severely damaged, and major losses to roads and infrastructure. According to Sarah Mendel and John Toomey of the World Mind Network, students from Stanford, Harvard, Emory, Utah, the University of Batangas, Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, and several others participated.
"It's becoming more and more obvious that the power people possess in the palm of their hand, namely their Smart phone or tablet, has enormous power to help people instantly," said Toomey. "Disasters like this are the most self-evident example, but the same principle applies to every kind of humanitarian, public health, and educational assistance."
Every month the Adelina Award is presented by BatangasVarsitarian.net to someone who has performed heroically on behalf of Batangas or the Philippines in the fields of Humanitarian aid, Education, Public Health, Disaster Relief, or Economic Improvement.
This week five Adelina Awards are being announced, all for people and organizations who have rendered service far beyond the call of duty in helping the victims of the Bohol earthquake:
Robert Michael Poole: Mr. Poole traveled all over Bohol on the day of the quake, taking photos which documented the destruction. Many were useful in helping rescuers locate and save victims. You can see his photos here:
http://twitchy.com/2013/10/15/major-earthquake-strikes-the-philippines-photos/ .
Mae of Natura Vista resort in Bohol, who is offering free lodging packages to those who donate to earthquake relief:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=481326218631357&set=a.150384555058860.30245.137800462983936&type=1&theater .
Bangon Bohol, a group of Boholanos from throughout the Philippines who have devoted thousands of hours to helping victims:
https://www.facebook.com/OplanBangonBohol .
Narcisa Barbanida has been awarded the honor posthumously. She died saving her daughter. See:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/10/17/13/mom-dies-saving-daughter-during-bohol-quake .
Philippine Airlines (PAL), which has activated its Humanitarian Cargo Grant program. PAL will accept donations to be transported for free to Tagbiliran City in Bohol and Cebu. Certified volunteer doctors and medical specialists who will be participating in the ongoing relief efforts may also receive free air transportation via PAL.
Help is still needed, and resources and information on how to assist are listed on the group's site at http://philippineearthquakerelief.org/ as well as at batangasvarsitarian.net. For more information, or to make suggestions contact theworldmindnetwork@gmail.com.
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NEWS SOURCE World Mind Network :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2013 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.