MANILA, Philippines - Relatives of passengers of the ill-fated ferry immediately flocked to the Philippine Coast Guard headquarters in Manila where the survivors from MB Catalyn–B where taken by a PCG vessel.

MV Catalyn B, a wooden hull motorized vessel with 14 crew members and 59 passengers, left Pier 2 of North Harbor, Manila Wednesday night.

The vessel, which was bound for Tilik, Lubang Island in Mindoro, collided with the fishing vessel FV Nathalia and sank some 2.8 nautical miles northwest of Limbones Island at 2:25 a.m. Thursday.

A total of 46 people have been rescued, including 33 passengers and 13 crew members.

PCG cpokesman Commander Armand Balilo announced the recovery of a fourth body in mid-afternoon but gave no other details.

At least 23 of the 73 on board MV Catalyn B are still missing.

The survivors were brought by PCG vessel BRP Pampanga to the Coast Guard headquarters in Manila.

Immediately flooded

KC Cajayon was brought down from the PCG vessel on a stretcher. She bore bruises on her arms.

His father, Arnel, immediately found her and cried as he hugged her daughter.

In a few moments her other daughter Myranel who also survived the tragedy came.

Myranel narrated, while continuously sobbing, the terrible ordeal that she and the other survivors suffered.

She said that they were startled by a loud sound. She said that the floor of the boat broke and sea water immediately flooded the ferry.

“Iyong ibaba po ng barko nabiyak. Kaya iyong tubig po bigla pong pumasok,” said Myranel.

When asked how long it took, she said: “Wala pa pong… segundo, lubog na agad ang barko, nawasak po kaagad ang barko, iyong ilalim,” she narrated.

Myranel said she was lucky to escape after people helped her pass through a window.

She said, however, that she saw that there were a lot of people still inside the boat as it sank.

“Doon sa paglubog ng barko, nandoon iyong maraming tao. Buti na lang sa side namin, di masyado,” she said.

KC and Myranel were set to spend the Christmas holidays in Mindoro.

Their grandfather, Ben Cajayon, said he was thankful her grandchildren are alive.

“Pasalamat ako sa panginoong Diyos at buhay aking mga apo,” said Ben.

Life jacket

Another survivor, Ronniejay Lavilla, said he was with 4 other relatives onboard the boat.

Lavilla said however that one of his cousins is still missing.

Lavilla said he survived after he held on to a lifejacket that was worn by a body which floated towards him.

“Papasalamat ako sa Diyos, lahat ng tumulong, lalong lalo na doon sa lumulutang na patay na,” said Lavilla.

The 46 survivors were taken for a medical check-up immediately upon disembarkation from the PCG vessel. They were also debriefed by the PCG on the incident.

A thanksgiving mass was also held at the PCG headquarters and was attended by the survivors. With a report from Maan Macapagal