Survivor usually starts out with the Castaways riding a boat or something to get to where it all happens. In the case of Survivor Philippines, the castaways were on a big boat thinking they were just going for an interview or VTR. Little did they know that they had to jump into the sea and swim to the island. But if you’re a Survivor fan, you wouldn’t be surprised to see things things. Â Paolo Bediones gave the Castaways 30 seconds to jump into the water. With nothing but their clothes on, the castaways started their journey into the island that they will call home for the next 39 days.Â
During all these, the castaways were being introduced. Nine girls and nine guys with different backgrounds all eyeing the same prize of 3 million pesos tax free. Â
Swimming toward the island would prove to be the first challenge for the castaways. A prize awaits the first person to reach the island. Â The first three to get to the island were Jace, Zita, and JC. After the last castaway arrived, Paolo divided the 18 castaways into two tribes. Jaracay and Naac. Jaracay is composed of the male castaways while the Naac tribe memebrs were the female castaways.Â
After forming the two tribes, Paolo announced the first challenge. The tribes had a reward challenge. The winning tribe bags the bamboo and rope which are suitable materials for a camp. The two tribes had to go through an obstacle course. 8 members from each tribe were chained while one was the key keeper. The eight members had to go through the balance beam. Before the key keeper could unlock the first set of chains. The remaining chains locked the 8 members into four locked pairs. The four locked pairs then had to ride a zip line before the key keeper could unlock the pair. The unchained 8 would then have to go thorugh a web of rope where the puzzle pieces are. After all pieces have been retrieved, the key keeper would then have to solve the puzzle. The first team to solve the puzzle wins the reward. The boys blew their lead as they struggled to solve the puzzle. The women almost caught up with the guys as they were solving the puzzle. In the end, the guys went on to solve the puzzle. The losers of the challenge also had a punsihment, they would have to be chained in pairs, just like in the challenge.Â
It was also announced that the prize for the first person to reach the island was that he was getting the better and bigger part of the island. Since Jace arrived first, the boys would get the bigger and better camp. The boys arrived at their camp with the sun already long gone. They decided not to make camp that night because of the darkness. The girls arrived at their camp, beofre the sunset. They looked around to survey for the best camp site possible. It took them long to finally decide on where to place their camp. It was already getting dark as they started building a shelter. They slept under the rain with only rain coats for shelter.Â
At this point I don’t have a favorite yet. Hopefully, within the next few days we get to see more of the personalities of the 18 castaways.
Again, I’m posting an email from my college batch e-groups. This time, it’s the girls from Survivor Philippines. If you haven’t had a chance to see them and to know a thing or to about them, here’s your chance.
Chevyline “Chev” Macias
Bisayang Palaban
Chev Macias of Survivor Philippines
Life was never easy for Chevyline “Chev” Macias, 26. She always had to fight for herself, especially during her dark days when she worked as a GRO and got addicted to drugs. But every time she falls down, our palabang bisaya makes it a point to start afresh. To escape poverty, she decided to marry a Thai national with whom she had two kids. Chev lived in Thailand for six years but her new life ended when she separated from her husband. After losing the custody battle, she was also separated from her children. Leaving her past behind, Chev put up a second-hand clothes business to make a living. But deep inside her was the burning desire to fight for her children and get them back. This challenges Chev to do everything she can to win 3 million pesos and become the first Pinoy Sole Survivor.
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“Zita” Ortiga
Ang Labandera
Zita Ortiga of Survivor Philippines
Washing clothes for a living seemed far from a ticket to join a reality show. But Zita Ortiga’s strong personality was more than enough to make her qualified for the game. Zita’s strength was the byproduct of a life marred with hardship. Growing up in a poor family, she remembers having to exchange harvested vegetables and wood for pencil and paper she can use in school. Just like her mother, Zita ended up working as a helper from one household to another until she married one of her bosses in 1991. However, after having seven children, Zita discovered she was also her husband’s 7th wife so she decided to leave her family. Although she had multiple jobs, Zita had a financial crisis and incurred many debts. Still she hopes that she’ll earn enough money to give her youngest child the education she never had. With her child’s future on the line, the 46-year old laundrywoman wants to do whatever it takes to win the grand prize.
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Maria Nona “Niña” Ortiz
Sporty Mom
Nina Ortiz of Survivor Philippines
When she’s not managing her design company, you can find sporty mom Niña Ortiz dominating the badminton courts. An active mom to three kids, she also works as a wellness coach to help others have healthier and stress-free lives. Her own life is like one big challenge. Niña finds satisfaction whenever she is competing and makes it a point to engage even in extreme sports like mountain climbing and mountain biking. And now, Niña feels the time has come to raise her competitiveness to the next level: Survivor Philippines .
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Kristina “Kaye” Alipio
The Model
Kaye Alipio of Survivor Philippines
A sexy lingerie model with a solid Christian faith, Kaye Alipio is any guy’s ideal girl. Beyond her good looks and natural allure, Kaye is also considered a role – model by her peers. She is described as a motivator and a counselor. Because of her pioneering work and active spiritual leadership, she was considered one of the youngest elders in their church. Left by her mom in the care of a baby-sitter when she was only 3 months old, Kaye grew up to be an independent girl. She currently supports herself through college where she is an HRM student. After 16 years of separation, Kaye was finally reunited with her mom in 2004. She dreams of buying her mother a new home and giving her a comfortable life. Kaye aspires to become rich so she can have anything she wants and still give to charity.
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Veronica “Vern” Domingo
Taekwondo Champion
Vern Domingo of Survivor Philippines
Vern Domingo is a pretty Taekwondo coach who can kick any man’s ass. She has various international and local titles and awards under her belt to prove it. She takes pride in her strength and athleticism which puts her at par with her male counterparts. As Vern is lucky in her career, she is just as unlucky in love. She hopes to break what she calls “the relationship curse” when she goes to the island. In addition to finding a new love, 29-year old Vern, a Far Eastern University graduate, is confident that her champion moves can beat the guys in the game.
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Anna “Charisse” Yacapin
Smart Babe
Charisse Yacapin of Survivor Philippines
She works as a product officer in a telecom company but she knows she’s pretty and smart enough to be the host of a noontime show. Charisse Yacapin, 26, has always wanted to be a host of Eat Bulaga! After graduating from Ateneo de Manila University, however, she found herself working in the corporate world away from the spotlight. Being a natural kikay and fashionista, Charisse was often seen as a high-maintenance and finicky girl. She wants to prove therefore that more than being pretty, she’s also a smart babe and a focused achiever. Being in Survivor Philippines gives Charisse the ultimate opportunity to prove that she has beauty as well as the brains.
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“Vevherly” Gador
Farmer girl
Vhevherly Gador of Survivor Philippines
Born in Barili, Cebu , Vevherly was brought up in the farm lifestyle. At first, this 20-year old girl will strike you as quiet and timid, but once she warms up to you, she’ll bravely speak her mind. Beneath Vevherly ‘s charming and pretty face, however, hides a painful past. Since both her mother and father had separate families, Vevherly was hidden from relatives and friends for 10 years. By joining Survivor Philippines , Vevherly, a 4th year Criminology student from University of Cebu , wants to bring honor back to her mother and to show her critics that fame can also belong to the farm girl.
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Leona Rica “Nikki” Dacullo
Call Center Cutie
Nikki Dacullo of Survivor Philippines
Nikki Dacullo works as a call center agent in Cebu City . Born and raised in Tacloban, Nikki’s cute smile and pretty face once caught enough hearts to be crowned the hometown queen. She enjoys dancing and is obsessed about having presentable hair. She describes herself as a laidback person who likes to go with the flow. But when Cupid strikes, she claims she will do anything for the sake of love. She also believes she has a strong personality which will help her win the challenges in Survivor Philippines .
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Jervy “Patani” Daño
Ang Yaya
Patani Dano of Survivor Philippines
After failing to qualify in Star Struck, 20-year old Patani believes that joining Survivor Philippines might just be her last ticket to showbiz stardom. Born and raised in Camotes Island , Cebu , Patani has always dreamed of becoming a big star. While working as a baby-sitter in her hometown, she strived to learn Tagalog by watching TV shows and practiced speaking the language whenever she was engaged in conversation. A funny character, Patani loves acting, hosting and modeling.  She said she went to every audition she could just to follow her dream. Now that she has become one of the castaways in Survivor Philippines , Patani believes she’s finally got her chance to be next big thing.
I received an email from my college batch e-groups promoting Survivor Philippines. Apparently, Â a batchmate works for Survivor Philippines. He sent pictures and profiles of the contestants for this much hyped reality show. I’m reposting his email in this site to at least show that his promotional efforts did not fall on deaf ears.
Cesar “Gigit†SulitÂ
The Lone Rider
Gigit Sulit of Survivor Philippines
He treads his life path alone but Gigit Sulit is confident that he can tackle any challenge on his own. With his chiseled abs, you’ll think Gigit is a 48-year old man trapped inside a 28-year old’s body. A freelance web designer and mountaineer, Gigit considers his well-built physique as his biggest asset. He also describes himself as intellectual and free-spirited. With an unquenchable enthusiasm for life, Gigit is driven by his need for achievement and aspires to be forever young. Though he is the oldest castaway, Gigit is determined to prove that he can do just as well, or even more, as the others who are half his age.
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“Emerson” Dino
The TechnicianÂ
Emerson Dino of Survivor Philippines
Emerson Dino knew he needed to fix his life if he wanted to provide a better future for his family. When he learned about the Survivor auditions, he knew it was his one shot to do just that. Bent on landing a spot as a castaway, Emerson went back and forth to the audition venue for three days and waited diligently in line. The 31-year old technician’s efforts paid off when he qualified to be one of the castaways. A home grown Tondo boy and a judo blackbelter, he believes he has an edge over the other castaways. With his experience in Survivor Philippines , Emerson hopes he can finally fulfill his dream of becoming a celebrity and providing a comfortable life for his family.
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Crisanto “Cris†Cartagenas
The Driver
Cris Cartagenas of Survivor Philippines
Cris Cartagenas drives through life with the swagger of a bad boy and the humor of a comedian. He is a Robin Padilla wannabe but is often likened to the late comedian Rene Requiestas. He currently works as a company driver and part-time taxi driver to provide for his three children. Cris believes he has failed to meet his father’s expectations of him and he hopes to make his father proud by joining Survivor Philippines and striving to win the grand prize.Â
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John Carlo “JC†Tiuseco
The Hardcourt Heartthrob
JC Tiuseco of Survivor Philippines
JC Tiuseco, 23, is a hunky basketball heartthrob of San Sebastian University . When he was younger, he was very passionate about basketball and dreamed of becoming a professional player. But as he grew older, JC discovered that he has a lot more potential to make it beyond the hardcourt. Banking on his athleticism and good looks, JC is sure that he has a good chance to capture the ladies’ hearts and to bag the coveted title of Sole Survivor.
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Robert Vincent “Rob†Sy
The Loverboy
Rob Sy of Survivor Philippines
With his lover boy sex appeal, Rob Sy claims he can make any woman fall in love with him. Being a sales officer and businessman, Rob knows he does not only have good looks but also the wits to win the game. Among his family members, he considers his older brother as his greatest influence. Being the right hand in his brother’s business, Rob says he owes all he has to him. However, Rob doesn’t want to stay in his brother’s shadow and aspires to be successful on his own. By joining Survivor Philippines , Rob wants to prove that he can make it as a castaway using his own skills relying only on his own strength.
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Raymund Francis “Kiko†Rustia
Free Spirit
Kiko Rustia of Survivor Philippines
With his rugged good looks and eye-catching dreadlocks, Kiko Rustia is a total head-turner. In fact, he was featured as one of the hottest bachelors in a local women’s magazine. Although he was born and raised in the city, Kiko fell in love with the island life and lived in Boracay for three years. He is a Bob Marley fan and calls himself the ” Rasta Man. “ Kiko is described as a playful character but within him lies the toughness of a warrior.
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“John” Anthony Lopez
Ang Mekaniko
John Lopez of Survivor Philippines
When you see John Lopez, you’ll know he is not your typical auto mechanic. When not tinkering with nuts and bolts, 27-year old John, a native of Bicol Province , can be seen strutting his stuff on the ramp. When his father left the country to work in Saudi Arabia , John automatically assumed the role of the man of the house. While supporting his family, John became business-oriented and put up his own auto mechanic garage. He prides in his ability to adapt in any situation which he believes is his strength to last in Survivor Philippines . If he wins the grand prize, John plans to build a bigger a business and boost his modeling career.
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“Marlon” Carmen
The Waiter
Marlon Carmen of Survivor Philippines
A waiter who will not wait for success to come to his table, Marlon Carmen, 30, is a determined go-getter. He knows his strengths and how to use them to get what he wants. Full of ambition, Marlon works very hard to achieve his goal at the risk of appearing ruthless. Despite his overconfident exterior, Marlon is described as insecure, sensitive and afraid. But he uses these weaknesses to motivate him to win in Survivor Philippines . He plans to use his cooking skills to be in everyone’s favor.  Only then will he trap the other castaways into his wily schemes to work for his favor.
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Reynaldo “Jace†Chanco Flores, Jr.
The Hunk
Jace Flores of Survivor Philippines
Although he is the youngest among the castaways, 19-year old Jace Flores is confident that he has every edge to become the Pinoy Sole Survivor. He grew up with a well-rounded view of life having lived in Hawaii and the Palace in Brunei . His mom was a personal trainer for Brunei ‘s royal family. Jace followed in his mother’s footsteps and became a gym instructor and mixed martial artist. He also dreams of becoming a professional basketball player. He plans to use his discipline and strength to outplay the other castaways.
