06/22/2008 | 04:17 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The four survivors of the ill-fated MV Princess of Stars on Sunday granted interview with media and relayed how they survived the mishap off Sibuyan Island amid the rage of typhoon "Frank" (Fengshen).
The four, who were interviewed by a radio station, were initially identified as Jesus Gica of Mandaue City, Oliver Amorin of Lapu-Lapu City, Jessie Buot of Siquijor, and Renato Lanorio of Bantayan Island in Cebu.
According to crew member Lanorio, the ship did not malfunction, but only slowed down its speed as it encountered big waves off the Romblon coast. He said the ferry reached Sibuyan at about 7 a.m., Saturday. Fifteen minutes before noon, Lanorio said the captain told them to abandon ship.
"Yong dalawa kong kasama di ko na nakita ( I was not able to find my two companions)," Lanorio said.
Gica confirmed Lanorio's story, and said the passengers, many wearing life vests, jumped off the ferry.
"Marami kaming tumalon. Malaki ang alon, malakas ang ulan (There were many of us who jumped. The waves were big. The rains were strong)," Gica said, adding that he heard a member of the ship crew shouting only once to passengers to wear their vests.
He said he saw some of the passengers who passed out, and also children and the elderly who failed to wear life vests because they could no longer move to save themselves while the ship was turning upside down.
"Naiwan sa ilalim ang matatanda (Old people were left underneath)," he said.
Gica also said some of the passengers rode "life crafts," but he thought they failed to make it because of the big waves that battered the small vessels.
The ferry reportedly carried 702 passengers and 121 crew members. Of the 823 people, 45 passengers were reportedly minors.
Gica told his family not to worry anymore. "Dito ako, buhay ako. Di ako pinabayaan ng Diyos... (I'm here, I'm alive. God took care of me)." - GMANews.TV
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