Press: Paolo is a 'Survivor'

Paolo Bediones felt he had reached the peak of his career as a TV host.

That was his state of mind a few months ago.

Today, Paolo — the veteran host of numerous shows — is back in the loop.

The model-turned-TV host is no stranger to hosting reality shows. He was the face of "Extra Challenge" which went off the air when it was at the top of the ratings game.

Paolo holds corporate seminars on hostings and teaches taught GMA Artist Center talents on hosting for quite some time now.

Paolo is again back in the game as the country’s top reality show host. He has been chosen to host GMA 7’s newest and biggest project to date — "Survivor Philippines."

Deemed to be the grandest franchise ever purchased by GMA Network and by any local TV network so far for Philippine TV,

"Survivor Philippines" is a huge challenge for Paolo.

Paolo would live with the chosen 16 castaways for "Survivor Philippines," the staff and crew for 39 days in a remote island.

So far Paolo Bediones has started prepping for his new show by watching old episodes of "Survivor." He is even learning the show’s production bible by heart and has been undergoing physical training to be his fittest for "Survivor Philippines."

So where is this island?

Paolo said that it is an island outside of the Philippines since the host country cannot hold it in its own territory. Part of the franchise agreement stipulates that the location should be outside of your own territory. This is to ensure that all the 16 castaways would experience the "unfamiliar territory" atmosphere and surroundings. And since it would only be the first season of "Survivor Philippines," the island would only be in Asia.

Paolo Bediones explains that what he could only share about "Survivor Philippines" (because they are strictly bound by a Confidentiality Contract), what he is doing to survive and his fears among others.

Did you audition for the job or how did you end up with it?

Last December,2007, I’ve already heard rumors that GMA Network will be buying a "Survivor" franchise. When I heard that

I was already hoping and praying that they would consider me for the role. And my hopes were kinda dashed when they said there was a shortlist of about 20.

But I guess it is my experience with that particular format with "Extra Challenge" way back and then I guess also the credibility of having worked with the News and Public Affairs already as well as having done these challenges already probably got me the role. Because what Castaway Productions, the owner of the franchise, were looking for, I guess was credibility and certain bearings or stature to be able to act particular tasks and at the same time pakikinggan siya. To be able to join tribal council and bring out certain elements of the game that normally it would be hard for people to open up. I think that’s what really got me the role yung experience ko.

Were you expecting the part to be given to you?

Like what I said, I wasn’t that confident that it would go to me. Actually I even felt that okay I guess I hit my peak and that’s it. And it’s time to take it easy and take whatever comes na lang. And I wasn’t hoping for any big break or what.

When the call came around 11pm about two months ago, that’s when I said "Wow!" it’s not over.

Have you been to the island?

No there were advance parties and they arrived a few days ago and their report is not favorable for either one of the castaways or the production staff. It’s really Spartan conditions, meron din kaming rice shortage doon pag kumakain. It’s going to be tough for all of us. We’ll be away from our love ones for a long time.

So how about your girlfriend Abby Cruz?

She is excited because she knows that I’ve been waiting for another break or another show. So finally when this came along we were just so excited...now we’re on that stage of planning of what we’re gonna do since we can’t communicate.

Describe the pressure.

The pressure in terms of the format is simply multiplying "Extra Challenge" by seven! Because the longest we’ve been shooting for "Extra Challenge" straight is six days. So in terms of the duration it is times seven. In terms of the challenges, I’m part of the "dream team" the group that tests the challenges out to make sure that they are safe and they’re also a fair gauge of their kakayahan ng mga castaways...I’m excited and at the same time nervous because I don’t know if I can last in the island.

What are the other pressures you are feeling?

A production this big does put a big pressure on us. And since we haven’t done anything at this scale there’s always this pressure of what if, what if. But we’re headed to the challenge with the mindset that we’re making history and we’re going to pull this off. And it’s not going to be easy well nothing good ever came easy, but we’re going to take on each and every challenge.

Do you think you will survive?

Honesty we all don’t know if we can. None of us have been away that long. Ang advice sa amin is we should put on a few pounds so we have a couple of excess energy that we can tap into every now and then...We were joking na sana we won’t get in each other’s nerves but I’m sure we will kasi ganun katagal, gutom ka rin, pagod ka rin sa init ng araw ng mga shoot, anything can happen.

(Although Paolo will be working with the same group as "Extra Challenge" it’s the first time talaga that they have a production manual that is so intricate and so specific that their rules can’t be broken. Paolo revealed that they will undergo Survival Training, swimming seminars and group dynamics session to make sure that their group is bonded.)