Survivor Philippines website is now online at Survivorphilippines.net

Survivor Philippines is the upcoming Philippine version of the reality television series Survivor. Veteran TV host Paolo Bediones has been chosen to host the show. At the first audition in Davao, Bediones revealed that the prize money will be the largest in the history of reality shows in the Philippines: in addition to the title of Sole Survivor, the contestant who lasts the longest will also win 3,000,000 pesos (US$70,000).

Auditions were held in six Philippines cities in May 2008. From these interviews, approximately 16 contestants will be selected to participate on the show in June 2008, which will be set in a location outside the Philippines. This location turns out to be Ko Tarutao, the same island where Survivor: Thailand was shot.

A new website has been published about Survivor Philippines which has a lot of features like news, video, photo, blog, forum and chat. You can't simply miss it out.

Choosing the Pinoy Survivors

GMA Network's Survivor Philippines (SP) staged national auditions allegorical to the phrase "survival of the fittest."

More than 40,000 applicants showed up across six audition areas in the country.

They were all vying for the rare opportunity to become part of the first Philippine edition of the worldwide hit reality series.

There was an outright exercise of strategic wit in the neck-to-neck fight among the castaway hopefuls.

Some took the heart to sleep on layers of cartons near audition halls the night before.

Some traveled a three-hour distance to get to audition areas in the provinces.

Veteran TV host Paolo Bediones, who will host this huge Public Affairs offering, said that SP looks for aggressive and assertive personalities who can spell interest for the show.

In one of the auditions, a 59-year-old man outshined his competitors for being a gym buff despite his age. His proportions are deemed fit for the challenges.

There was also a woman in her 40?s, who was perverse enough to still do cartwheels.

But what really makes an applicant a potential survivor? Program Manager Neil Gumban said that they held several levels of interviews, plus a series of psychological and physical exams to arrive at the shortlist.

"We formed a screening committee to handpick the castaways. The final list was formed based on interviews and exams. We also took into consideration the group's personality mix," Gumban said.

The producers know how crucial it is to determine the castaways who will become the main storytellers for SP.

Gumban said SP mix promises an interesting cohort of brains and brawns, and an epithet to play the tricks of this strategy-bound television contest.

The personalities of the first castaways of Pinoy survivors remain yet elusive until SP finally hit the airwaves in September.

Will romance conspire in the fixture of individuals who are total strangers to one another?

Will deceit take precedence over alliance?

Who will be Richard Hatch's Pinoy counterpart?

How will the Pinoy castaways play the ultimate game of survival on national television?

All new uniquely Pinoy elements are expected from this international franchise, as the bulk of challenges and set design are patterned after the Pinoy blueprint.

Survivor Philippines unveils on primetime this September over GMA Network.

Surviving the Survivor Castaways search and beyond

The quest for the Castaways saw me shuttling from one province to the next. I’ve been to Davao, hopped on to Cebu and paused by Iloilo in less than two weeks. I thought, it’s only in movies that I’d see busy bees tapping on their laptops on Wi-Fi zones, tacking notes while waiting for the boarding time, or making last minute instructions on their cellphones.

Funny, I’ve starred in those episodes myself not too long ago. Funny, because I thought it’s something cool, but then again it’s really not. Exhausting will be putting it too kindly. Draining is another.

It was like running my own version of that popular reality show Amazing Race. In this case, I’m competing with myself. No time zones to concern with though, only stubborn pimples that pop whenever stress takes the better of me, not to mention weight gain—but then again, that merits another column.

Of course, I’m talking about the auditions for castaways of Survivor Philippines which will premier at the Kapuso Network.

The auditions were held in various key cities of the country. So you could just imagine the hustle and bustle I’ve kind of entertained and the amount of air traffic I’ve experienced (of course, there’s no traffic up there, I’m referring to the number of hours I’ve spent on the plane vis-à-vis to the time I’ve dealt with in braving the EDSA traffic). Not to mention the number of times I’ve made the airport my breakfast stop-cum-mobile office, as I helped myself to a bussed table setting up my laptop to finish a report before being whisked anew to my next port of duty, so to speak.

It has seen me living my life in a suitcase—literally, only taking time to pause by our house to shake off dirty clothes and pile freshly pressed ones anew. Reports were made while waiting for the boarding call; last minute instructions were texted before the take off.

I guess being part of the media has its pleasant quirks and unexpected oddities that could either tick you off or unleash that adrenaline rush.

Some people say that I’m living the life—out of town trips, sumptuous food, engaging company and sleepovers at five-star hotels. For an outsider looking at my load, it may seem as such. Methinks we’re just being properly compensated for the kind of work that we do. I’m not complaining though. I think I’m cut-out to traipse the environs where handling pressure is the nature of the job. I cannot see myself being boxed in a routine that clips my wandering spirit and perpetual need to interact with people.

Which made me think, can I actually ‘survive’ a Survivor experience?

To be thrown in a company of strangers in a faraway island—with no provision for food, Internet, mobile phones, television, radio, my Pod? No spare clothes, save for what I’d be wearing? No toiletries, no facials, no pedicure? To be left on my own and search for what will help me tide over to another day? Hmm…tough eh? But I think, if I had the chance to be one of the castaways, I can survive. It’s the mind games that’ll probably stretch anyone’s limit and drive each castaway’s patience up to the wall.

After all, Survivor was dubbed as the greatest human experiment there is. Its following is global, its popularity unparalleled. And a Survivor experience is truly invaluable.

Beyond the rush, the auditions for Survivor Philippines’ castaways made me see how Pinoys are really up for anything that is beyond normal, above-average, and one that’s going to the extreme.

The queues in the venues were simply overwhelming!

People from all walks of life and crossing social strata trooped to the audition site. Unmindful of sore feet, cramping legs and growling tummies, these Survivor Philippines aspirants cramped every available space available just to get their chance to be screened and interviewed.

More than 40,000 applicants showed up across six audition areas in the country. Some aspirants came in as early as the day before! Can you believe that?! For what? For that chance to be chosen as one of the castaways who will vie for the title of being the First Pinoy Sole Survivor.

Being lucky enough to observe and follow the auditions, I had noticed that the auditions itself were already a test of will and fortitude. Some hopefuls traveled a three-hour distance to get to the audition areas in the province. Some packed food to keep hunger at bay. Others we’ve interviewed revealed that they slept on layers of cartons near the audition halls the night before just to secure their places in the queue. Wow! Talk about a tight race!

I remember, when I told several friends that there will be an audition for SURVIVOR PHILIPPINES, my inbox was swamped with queries from friends and acquaintances on how they could join the reality show and what are the qualifications. Is it for men only? Is there an age limit? How about height? Are there any specific skills required? Are gays allowed to join? Is having a nice, well-buffed bod a requirement? The last one had me bawling as I tried to stifle a wave of guffaw.

While truth be told that the castaways will be living in an island and that most of the time they might be showing off some skin (just take a look at the previous seasons of Survivor), having a toned body is not a requirement nor will it merit an outright castaway slot.

Also, Survivor Philippines is not gender specific. Anybody and everybody can join as long as they pass the basic age requirement and that they’re physically fit for the challenges that are in store for them.

But what really makes an applicant a potential survivor? Program Manager Neil Gumban said that they held several levels of interviews, plus a series of psychological and physical exams to arrive at the shortlist. “We formed a screening committee to handpick the castaways. The final list was formed based on interviews and exams. We also took into consideration the group’s personality mix,” Gumban said.

The producers knew how crucial it was to determine the castaways who will become the main storytellers for SP. According to Gumban, SP’s mix promises an interesting cohort of brains and brawns, and an epithet to play the tricks of this strategy-bound TV contest.

We’re excited to take a glimpse at the personalities of the pioneering batch of the castaways cum Pinoy survivors. But Survivor Philippines has been successful in keeping everything hush-hush.

I wonder what kind of stories will the chosen ones, so to speak, have in store for the audience? Will romance unfold in the island? Will it be an all-women team versus an all-male squad? Or will there be in-betweens that will spice up the Pinoy version of the hit series? What will the challenges be? What surprises can the audience expect?

Just like you, I’m tickled to the core on what Survivor Philippines is set to unfurl this September. That’s next month already!!! Gosh…I’ve survived the search for castaways, now it’s time to see what’s beyond! Evening primetime viewing is definitely geared for an ass-kickin’ experience now that Survivor Philippines beckons.

 

- Barbs G. Atienza

Pinoy Survivor auditions

GMA Network’s Survivor Philippines (SP) staged national auditions, which proved allegorical to the phrase “survival of the fittest.”

More than 40,000 applicants showed up across six audition areas in the country.

It will be the first Philippine edition of the worldwide hit reality series. Veteran TV host Paolo Bediones will host this exciting reality show.

In one of the auditions, a 59-year-old man outshined his competitors for being a gym buff despite his age. His proportions were deemed fit for the challenges. There was also a woman in her 40s, who was perverse enough to do cartwheels.

All new uniquely Pinoy elements are expected from this international franchise, as the bulk of challenges and set design are patterned after the Pinoy blueprint. SP will premier in September on GMA 7.