A 20-year-old international student from the Philippines has died after drowning at Main Beach on the Gold Coast, Queensland, just over a year after arriving in Australia to pursue his studies.
Karlo Bul-Anon was reported missing in the water on Tuesday afternoon, with emergency services recovering his body around 1.40pm on Wednesday. Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances of the drowning.
Bul-Anon’s family and friends have described him as a determined and hardworking young man, committed to supporting his family while adapting to life in a new country.
A family friend, Alfreda Camasura, said he had endured homesickness and long hours of work while studying, driven by the hope of building a better future for his parents and younger brother.
“He studied hard. He worked long hours. He endured homesickness in silence,” Camasura wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to help repatriate his remains.
“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.”
Friends and colleagues have also paid tribute to Bul-Anon’s character. A flatmate described the shock of losing someone he considered a close companion. “He even said ‘God bless and take care’ when I left home that day before the tragedy,” he wrote on social media.
“I will miss you, and the house won’t be the same without hearing your voice while you played computer games all day.”
Bul-Anon also worked at a local business, which posted a tribute online, saying the team was mourning the loss of “a beloved crew member”.
The statement described him as “a kind soul, a hardworking crew, and a friend who brought smiles and positivity to everyone around him.”
Bul-Anon’s family is now attempting to bring his body back to the Philippines, with the GoFundMe page highlighting the financial burden of repatriation. Camasura said any support would be deeply appreciated to help the family lay him to rest in his home country.
Karlo Bul-Anon arrived in Australia in late 2024 with aspirations to study and work while supporting his family financially.
Friends emphasised that, despite the perception that international study is a path to easy opportunities, Bul-Anon’s family had made considerable sacrifices to make his education abroad possible.
The tragic drowning has prompted an outpouring of grief across Bul-Anon’s local community, with many remembering him for his kindness, humility, and determination.
Queensland Police have not disclosed further details about the incident but have confirmed their involvement in the recovery of Bul-Anon’s body.
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