Main Beach drowning victim identified as Filipino student Karlo Bul-Anon

A Filipino student who died at Main Beach has been remembered as a determined young man who moved to Australia to build a better future for his family.

Filipino student Karlo Bul-Anon, 20, has been identified as the swimmer who died at Main Beach. Picture: Facebook

Filipino student Karlo Bul-Anon, 20, has been identified as the swimmer who died at Main Beach. Picture: Facebook

A swimmer who went missing in waters off the Gold Coast has been identified as an international student from the Philippines.

Karlo Bul-Anon, 20, went for a swim at Main Beach on Tuesday evening before witnesses saw him struggling.

They ran into the surf to help him but lost sight of him.

After a major search, police recovered Mr Bul-Anon’s body from the water on Wednesday afternoon.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help his family bring his body back to Philippines. It has already raised more than $17,000.

Filipino student Karlo Bul-Anon, 20, died at Main Beach on the Gold Coast. Picture: Facebook

Filipino student Karlo Bul-Anon, 20, died at Main Beach on the Gold Coast. Picture: Facebook

Organiser Alfreda Camasura said Mr Bul-Anon came to Australia to create a better future for himself and his family.

“At an age when most young men are still trying to find their way, he already knew his purpose,” she wrote online.

“He carried his family’s hopes in his heart when he boarded a plane to Australia.

“He studied hard. He worked long hours. He endured homesickness in silence.

“There were nights he felt tired and alone, but he never gave up. Whenever he felt weak, he reminded himself why he started — for his parents, for his brother, for the family he loved more than anything.”

Filipino student Karlo Bul-Anon, 20, died at Main Beach on the Gold Coast. Picture: Facebook

Filipino student Karlo Bul-Anon, 20, died at Main Beach on the Gold Coast. Picture: Facebook

Ms Camasura said Mr Bul-Anon’s family were now waiting for his body to be brought back to the Philippines.

“The pain is unbearable,” she said.

“He is loved by relatives, friends and everyone who knew him grieves deeply, remembering his kindness, humility and determination.

“He crossed the ocean chasing his dreams. Now, he must cross it again — to rest at home.”

Emergency services, including water police, specialist divers and surf life savers, searched for Mr Bul-Anon in waters off Main Beach, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.