Family of missing Filipino doctor in Nepal awaits news from authorities

The family of Filipino doctor Juan Carlos Manalo, who went missing following the massive flash flood at the Nepal-China border, said Friday they are awaiting official government confirmation of his whereabouts or status.

Manalo's sister, Chiara Manalo, said the family remains hopeful that the 30-year-old physician survived the disaster.

"We're all hoping," Chiara said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

The family learned that Manalo and his group were at an immigration office in Nepal when the flash flood occurred. They received information from a contact in the Philippines connected to the group.

Chiara said the family has been able to reach the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi, which represents the Philippines in Nepal.

"They asked for details about my brother, but no updates were given," Chiara said.

An official log by Nepal's Department of Tourism listed Juan Carlos Manalo of the Philippines as a missing person in the wake of Wednesday's flooding. He was said to be part of a "trekkers society."

Chiara said their family is aware of the same list released by Nepal.

She added that Juan Carlos' friends have also reached out to the Red Cross and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in an effort to help expedite the search.

"If they could, (hopefully they) expedite the search for my kuya (my older brother)," Chiara appealed.

Waiting

Chiara said the family's last direct communication with Manalo was on August 25, when he sent a "good morning" message to their family group chat at about 1:21 p.m. Philippine time.

She said, however, that a friend later told her that Manalo may have sent him a message at around 10 a.m. on August 26.

The family is seeking to independently confirm that communication, Chiara said.

She also said the family only learned on August 27 that Manalo and his group had been at the immigration office when the flash flood hit.

Who is Juan Carlos Manalo, the Filipino doctor missing in Nepal flash flood?

The family is now trying to establish more contacts with authorities and obtain updates on the search.

On a pilgrimage

Chiara said Juan Carlos traveled to India in May for a retreat with the Isha Sadhguru group and later joined its pilgrimage tour in Nepal in August.

According to her, Manalo had also traveled to Nepal with the group last year and had told his family that he planned to undertake a long retreat that could last a year or more.

The group's activities included trekking in mountainous areas, she said.

It was composed mostly of foreigners, including Indians and Americans. Chiara expressed belief that her brother was the only Filipino in the group.

Across global borders

The family is considering traveling to Nepal but has yet to make concrete plans, Chiara said.

For now, they are focused on reaching authorities and other organizations that could provide information about Manalo or assist in the search.

"We do want to go," Chiara said, but added that the family does not yet know what would be practical given the situation on the ground.

"Realistically, we don't know what's going to happen... so we're hoping for news and now we're focusing on getting as much reach as possible, as much contacts, and if there are updates. We reach out to authorities," she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Earlier in the day, the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi confirmed that a Filipino was included in Nepal's list of missing persons following the disaster.

Philippine Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio said the Filipino was not a resident of Nepal, based on information from Nepalese authorities and the Nepal Tourism Board.

Ignacio said Philippine authorities were coordinating with Nepalese counterparts and were awaiting official information concerning the missing Filipino.

"Sa kababayan natin, wala pa po tayong nakukuha na official, I’m emphasizing, ang hinihintay po natin, official confirmation," he said.

(As for our countryman, we have yet to receive official, I'm emphasizing, official confirmation. We are waiting for this.)

Manalo is a 30-year-old general physician from Tarlac City.

He graduated from the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health in 2021. He previously worked as a physician-on-duty at the dialysis center of Tarlac Provincial Hospital.

Chiara said her brother is still a general physician and has not yet pursued a medical specialization. He is single and the third of four siblings. — VDV, GMA News