In what is perhaps the biggest reality show ever on local television, 18 from among thousands who went to the auditions for the first edition of Survivor Philippines had been flown to Thailand and took a boat to Koh Tarutao island, otherwise known as Devil’s Island.
The island is paradise for nature lovers with its untamed wildlife in an unspoiled wilderness.
It is, however, hell to citified individuals used to the comforts of modern amenities.
Beginning tonight, on GMA-7, we follow how the 18 chosen as castaways will cope with living away from home, their loved ones, and among strangers. And who will finally come out alive and become the ultimate survivor after 39 days in the island is what will keep us glued on our television set, weeknights (after Ako Si Kim Samsoon).
We were allowed to have a peek on the first episodes’ first two gaps, and we saw how the 18 castaways struggled not to be sent home when, with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, they were ordered to swim to the shore from the boat moored a kilometer away.
Paolo Bediones returns to the reality show format after a long break when Extra Challenge (which was actually an amalgamation of The Amazing Race and Survivor) was taken off the air after ruling the ratings for a couple of years.
“It is a one-of-a-kind experience for me,” he told us over lunch last week. “I am so glad I survived it.”
Bediones, like the castaways, lived on the island (along with the television crew) for more than 40 days and 40 nights, enduring the isolation from everything he has gotten used to in the city. “But it was a very enlightening and emotionally rewarding experience,” he added.
It took GMA-7 more than a year of planning and production to bring Survivor Philippines to our screens.
Now, who are these 18 individuals who had the guts and gumption to try and grab the chance to win P3 million as ultimate survivor.
The women
Life was never easy for Chevyline “Chev” Macias, known as Bisayang Palaban. The 26-year-old former guest relations officer or GRO was at one time a user of prohibited substance. She lived in Thailand for six years after becoming wife to a Thai. They have two kids. Chev and her Thai husband had parted ways. She came home and put up an ukay-ukay shop to make both ends meet.
For Zita Ortiga, washing clothes for a living couldn’t even get her near to being on a reality show. The mother of seven by a man who has had six other women (she says she was his seventh and they are now separated) is trying to raise all her children singlehandedly. And this opportunity to win P3 million is something she couldn’t just take for granted.
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. Niña finds satisfaction whenever she is competing and makes it a point to engage even in extreme sports like mountain climbing and mountain biking.
A sexy lingerie model with a solid Christian faith, Kaye Alipio is any guy’s ideal girl. Beyond her good looks, she is actually a motivator and a counselor, active in spiritual leadership.
Left by her mom in the care of a baby-sitter when she was only three 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.
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.
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.
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.
Born in Bariles, Cebu, Vevherly was brought up in a farm. The 20-year old is on the surface a quiet and timid girl, yet very outspoken when given the chance.
After her parents’ separation, she was hidden from her relatives and friends for 10 years. Now on her senior year as Criminology student at University of Cebu, she wants to show her critics that a farm girl has also the right to be happy… and famous, God willing.
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 with having nice hair.
After failing to land a spot 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 in conversations with friends.
The men
He treads his life path alone but Gigit Sulit is confident that he can tackle any challenge on his own. With his six-pack abs, you’d think Gigit is a 48-year-old man trapped in a 28-year-old man’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.
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.
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 who’s earned a black belt in judo, Emerson believes he has an edge over the other castaways.
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.
Separated from his wife, Cris believes he has failed to meet his father’s expectations of him.
He hopes to make his father proud by joining Survivor Philippines and striving to win the grand prize.
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 hard court. 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.
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.
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.”
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, who is a Bicolano, can be seen strutting his stuff on the runway. 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. If he wins the grand prize, John plans to build a bigger business and boost his modeling career.
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.
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.
Who stays, who goes
Tonight’s episode will introduce audiences to these 18 determined men and women. There is no text voting here, so you can’t prop up anyone of them. How long will they stay in the island will be determined by their own instincts to survive.
Survivor Philippines premieres tonight on GMA-7 after Ako si Kim Samsoon.
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