Philippine ferry survivor swam for his life

Jessie Buot swam for five hours through heaving seas and lashing rain to stay alive.

"I tried to be brave because I knew if I had succumbed to my fears, I would have died," the 24-year old farm worker told Reuters yesterday.

Mr Buot did not think twice about jumping off the MV Princess of Stars when it started to capsize with over 800 people on board during a typhoon three kilometres off Sibuyan island in the central Philippines on Saturday afternoon.

"I held on to my lifevest very tight so I wouldn't lose it and I did not try to swim with others because I was afraid they might cling to me and we might all drown," he told Reuters.

His determination paid off.

Mr Buot is one of only 33 people so far known to have survived the ferry's sinking, which could be one of the worst shipping disasters in the Philippines in over 20 years.

Despite his terrifying experience, Mr Buot, who works on a mango farm in the central Philippines, said he would have to brave ferry travel again.

"I have no choice, that is the only means of transportation going to our home."