Pandan, Antique Mayor Jonathan Tan swam for two hours to rescue Bianca Manalo, Ehra Madrigal and company.

Pandan, Antique Mayor Jonathan Tan swam for two hours to rescue Bianca Manalo, Ehra Madrigal and company.

It was supposed to be a getaway vacation from the city during the Holy Week for Antique Mayor Jonathan Tan and his girlfriend, Kapamilya star Bianca Manalo together with their friends Ehra Madrigal and her husband Tony Leung.

It turned to be a boat accident for them who were supposed to be headed to Mararison Island on Maundy Thursday.

Mayor Tan told ABS-CBN that he and and a companion had swam for hours in the open water to seek help after their boat flipped by a huge wave on March 29.

"Napakabilis lang ng pangyayari, 10 to 15 seconds, tumaob na kami. Nagpanic na ang lahat. I had to do something. Kung hindi ko gagawin yung, malulunod kaming lahat," said Mayor Jonathan.

He also stated that after several efforts to call for help, he and his relative, Torrebeo Barrientos, decided to swim and get some help from the locals.

"Nagpe-pray ako, sabi ko, 'Lord, ayoko maging selfish; please save me so I can save them," he said.

The mayor and his friend swam for approximately 2 hours before local fishermen caught their attention in Sebaste town.

The fishermen immediately went to where the other victims are located and rescue them.

"Napaiyak talaga ako. While we were on our way pabalik sa kanila, sabi ko, 'Makikita ko pa ba sila? Are they still there?' Grabe talaga, parang pelikula yung pangyayari," he said.

The survivors immediately received medical assistance from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management.

Mayor Jonathan's cousin and bodyguard, Bennie Dable, did not make it.

All survivors are still recovering from the incident.