Status Update
By Janel Bato Hadden
Jose Bato has been found!
We just got the news we were waiting for. Just heard back from my cousin Ed and Auntie Lita – my dad is ALIVE!!!!!! And Auntie Josie is alive too.
Cousin Kuya Boy traveled from Manila to Tacloban. Both my dad and Auntie Josie homes are completely gone with nothing salvageable. I’m grateful my dad was able to take up shelter at a friends house, he had no food or clothes, just literally the clothes on his back. Looting in the streets was bad & people were hurting others stealing food, a very dangerous situation for Kuya Boy. At least 150 dead people just laying there in front of their homes.
We don’t know if dad is well enough to travel back to Manila at this time, but at least we know Kuya Boy will not leave dad alone, they will figure out how to both get back to Manila.
I’m grateful to Kuya Boy for finding him. Praise God! Our prayers were truly answered. I’ve never met Kuya Boy but I’m extremely extremely grateful to him for finding dad.
Thank you Auntie Lita Bato and to Ed for making this happen. We are so grateful.
Family, please spread the word to everyone that dad Joe Bato is found safe and alive. And thank you friends/family who prayed and shared my dad’s picture and name around… we are eternally grateful.