Three important bulletins:
1) If you have a vacation planned to Boracay and want to know about the condition of the island, read this. (But it's all good news)
2) BE CAREFUL of scams - you may get people "trolling" social media, who see you are missing loved ones and then email you that they have found them, but they need special medical assistance and to be airlifted out. They'll request money to make that happen, but scam you. If you receive such and email and are dubious, ask for distinguishing marks, specific details, questions only they would know, and even a photo with them. Get that person's contact information and contact the local authorities.
3) The island is still without internet, and it may be a while, so the best thing to do is buy a Filipino SMART or GLOBE SIM card and have them put it in your smart phone. That way you can access internet on your phone, or even set up a hotspot for your laptop or iPad.
GREAT news - the electricity came on for most of Boracay late Monday night! There are still some areas down, but most of the island has power. Still no internet or phone lines, but I expect them to be online soon, so all of your loved ones will be able to email, call, and communicate with you soon!
Until then rest assured, there were no reported deaths or even injuries from the typhoon on Boracay Island, so just be patient and keep the faith. I'm here to help no matter what you need!
***
Since my video footage of super typhoon Yolanda and the aftermath here on Boracay Island in the Philippines went out, I’ve been receiving Tweets and Facebook messages from people all over the world. A lot of people have family or friends here on the island but haven’t heard from them, and are concerned. We were very lucky to miss the brunt of the typhoon and damage was minimal on Boracay, with no deaths or even injuries reported, but still, internet and phone lines are down, so communication is sporadic, at best.
*If you haven't heard from your friends or family, please assume all is well and they are enjoying their time on the island, just unable to communicate because of the power outages. I understand people get scared and concerned, but there were NO reported injuries or deaths.*
Here is a list of names of people who were supposedly on Boracay Island during the typhoon, but their family hasn’t heard from them. Please share this list and help me track these people down and let them know to contact their families to let them know they’re ok.
*I am getting hundreds of tweets, messages, and requests every day, so please don't just give me a name. There are 15,000 people on the island and I won't just bump into them. Please include:
Full name
Recent photo
Travel dates on Boracay
Physical description
Hotel
Last contact
Any other helpful information
I am on Boracay so anyone can contact me at hi@NormSchriever, @NormSchriever on Twitter, or Norm Schriever on Facebook. If they need help, food, water, a place to stay, or want to use my local cell phone for internet I am happy to be of service. There are so many people horribly affected on islands around us, so let’s all come together as a world community and do what we can for them.
PLEASE ALSO SHARE THIS POST VIA SOCIAL MEDIA, AND POST THE LINK TO AS MANY SITES, BLOGS, FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ACCTS, ETC. THAT HAVE TO DO WITH BORACAY, THE PHILIPPINES AS POSSIBLE.
Salamat Po (Thanks so much.)
Norm :-)
Updates as of 11/14, 3:00 pm local time:
Internet is out as well, which makes communications so sporadic.
There are no medical or safety emergencies to speak of.
There are no reported injuries or fatalities and damage was minimal on Boracay.
Caticlan airport is now up and running, as well as Kalibo.
*There is no need to cancel your vacation to the island, if you have one planned. Read this.
These tourists/visitors should contact their families:
Danyele Maduka Borsellino, British with an Italian passport. FOUND - AND SHE IS FINE!
Brian Tefft
Susan Newbury, English, 50 years old
Jeremy Devereux Hickman
Tom Hobbs and Abi Swayer
Randall Parker - FOUND HIM AND HE'S FINE!
Monique Brault
Glen Morrissey - FOUND AND HE'S FINE!
Divena Buzzini, a local woman at 0443 Tambifaan 408-353-4391
Aurélien Fournier, 26, French, kiteboard instructor
Jane and Michel from 7Stones in Boracay - FOUND AND THEY'RE FINE!
Dely Gregorio - FOUND AND SHE IS FINE!
Steven Weiley
Ainara Yague Garcia, 26 year-old woman, caucasion, skinny, long straight brunette hair.
Jon Bilbao Rodriguez, 27 year-old man, caucasion and skinny, brown hair. - FOUND AND THEY ARE FINE!
Gabriel Apostol and his friend,
Esther Ang – FOUND HER AND SHE IS FINE!
Brian Rothell – FOUND HIM AND HE IS FINE!
Patrik Olsson – FOUND HIM AND HE IS FINE!
He is 26 and he is with his 23 year old little brother Loïc Tarridec.
James Weaver
Scott Crist, Seattle, Wa - FOUND HIM AND HE'S FINE!
Charmaine Delgado and Henry. Charmaine works at Mandala Spa
Andrew Doran and daughter Mia. He's a DJ
Emer Lowe (Irish) and her boyfriend Gus Lambert - FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE FINE!
Any Chinese University of Hong Kong foreign exchange students should contact the student advisor Daniel Chan at 852 3943 4002, [email protected]
My 20 year old daughter Bianca Chelu-Penalagan should let Daniel know where she (and other students) is/are staying, contact information ASAP.
Stuart Gammie -FOUND HIM AND HE'S FINE!
Jeff Benjoya
Alex, Isabel and Tino
Glen Morrissey
Mark Rice and Tracy Tsui
Dely Gregorio and family. FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE FINE!
Jerry Martin, 71, caucasian
Clayton Watene, a big maori fella. With his wife and 2 kids. FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE FINE!
Al Robbinson, ex-firefighter, 66 years old, Vancouver
Scott Crist - FOUND HIM AND HE'S FINE!
Rodila (Dely) Gregorio, Union Village
Jane and Michel, managers of 7Stones resort on Bulabog Beach.
Minsun Ji, Korean, works in a tourist office
Maureal Julieta from Bontoc. Southern Leyte, Philippines.. age 28, just came back from Kuwait City.
Ilsa Hildebrand from Victoria bc Canada
Kate Martyn and Giles Williams, Australian
Ty Reckling, US - FOUND AND HE'S FINE!
Valerie sanchez & Rey and Rosa Dominguez
David Halliday, English Dive Instructor at Shangrila. FOUND - AND HE'S FINE!
Phil Skeels and Michelle Perry, Canadians - FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE FINE!
Gregg R. Tadeo Jr., currently working as a Duty Manager in Crown Regency
Flo, owner of a beachfront resort called Eclipse
Vener Yunarov, Staying at Turtle island hotel
Caner Ercosman - FOUND HIM AND HE'S FINE!
Dan Efergan and his wife and son Huxley. - FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE FINE!
Eric Goropse
Gary Saidler - FOUND HIM AND HE'S FINE!
Franz Gonzales and girlfriend Katherine, Singapore
Clayton Watene and his family - FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE FINE!
Kate Martyn and Giles Williams, Australian
David Halliday, working out of the Shangri-La Resort - FOUND HIM AND HE'S FINE!
Thomas Kunnath from Perth - FOUND AND HE'S FINE!
Lenart Nuon from Melbourne
Wayne Jeffries, Leah Jeffries, and son AJ, St Vincents Cottages - FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE OK!
YING ZHAO, age: 24, 5feet3 tall, Chinese.Last location:Kalibo.
Meagen Blake and Chris - FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE FINE!
Jeanne Borderie (mother, 80) and Didier Borderie (son, balding, 45 years, athletic)
John Hilton, Bamboo House
Moa Narving - FOUND HER AND SHE'S FINE!
Senastian Magnusson - FOUND HIM AND HE'S FINE!
Claire and Luke from New Zealand
Phil (6’3” 250 lbs) and girlfriend from Canada
Jess Aitken
Ted and Ginny, Isla Gecko
Jason Philiipe, Chad Wilson, Cameron Langeberg, Australians staying on east of isle. - FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE FINE!
Aurelie Forget-Renaud - FOUND HER AND SHE'S FINE!
Matt Rose
Marie-Lise
Georgina Nefiodovas and Jeremy Kay - FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE FINE!
Roy Laing - FOUND HIM AND HE'S FINE!
Jai Manzano - FOUND HER AND SHE'S FINE!
Jack Lingwood and Theresa - FOUND THEM AND THEY'RE FINE!
Sarah Jane Patterson - FOUND HER AND SHE'S FINE!
Fred Crocker, Paradise Bay Resort - FOUND HIM AND HE'S FINE!
Waleria Kolczina
Jessie Ewin - FOUND HER AND SHE'S FINE!
Chise Ovidiu from Romania
Bee Wiliamson (Lil-Miss Bee), from New Zeland. - FOUND HER AND SHE'S FINE!
Bryan Buffington, Tulubahn beach
Maureal Julieta, Bontoc, Southern Leyte