Dulcinea Mendiola, who was with her son Jake Noel, 14, also recalled that in panic, some passengers grabbed the vests supposedly for her and her son. Holding on to schoolbagBut when the ferry began to sink, Jake Noel reportedly held on to his bag which contained his school ID and his uniform, said his aunt, Yolanda Ayuma, Mendiola’s sister. Her only Christmas wish is for his body to be returned home. Traumatized survivors were also plucked from the waters and taken to a village hall near the port. Another survivor, Ester Jinayon, meanwhile, prayed for one Christmas wish: For her son, Sunday, to still be alive.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 25, 2017 21:11 UTC