A fisherman stranded at sea for eight days was rescued on Christmas Day in the Philippines.

Romuel Prado, 24, was fishing off the coast of Buruanga town in the idyllic seaside province of Aklan when his boat engine died on December 17.

He reportedly drifted at sea for eight days, surviving on rainwater and his catch of squid, before he was rescued by passing fishermen off Tubbataha Reef in Palawan province around 620 miles (1,000 kilometres) away on December 25.

Footage shows fishermen dragging Romuel's boat toward their tugboat, the MTUG Nelly, as they sailed across the Sulu Sea.

Crew then helped Romuel onboard and gave him food and drink, with the relieved fisherman bursting into tears upon his rescue.

The Philippine Coast Guard District Palawan said in a statement: 'The tugboat MTUG Nelly discovered and immediately rescued the fisherman aboard his vessel, MBCA Juslim, and transported him to the Coast Guard Sub-Station in Riotuba, where he was given all the necessary assistance.

'The CGSS Rio Tuba facilitated his transportation to Quezon, Palawan, where he is now recovering with his relatives.

'The operation concluded safely, with no injuries or further incidents reported.'

Romuel said he was left drifting at sea when the spark plug of his boat engine exploded.

He said: 'I was fishing to help pay for my studies and so we have money for the holidays. While I was at sea, I ate only squid and drank rainwater. When that ran out, I drank only seawater.'

Romuel has been reunited with his family in Buruanga town.