At the southern boundary of Thailand lies Koh Tarutao, also known as Devil’s island. It was once a prison camp at the turn of the century and later had a history of pirates lurking in its waters. Its lush greenery and the clear blue sea mask the perils that lurk within.

And this was the island we called home for more than 39 days.

On this island, a komodo dragon-like creature crossing the road isn’t anything unusual. Neither are birds guiding our paths or a squirrel dropping on your foot from the branches above you. This is where beauty is as diverse as its danger.

And these are the creatures in our neighborhood.

The Monkeys and the Night Walkers

What harm would monkeys do? Possibly not much. But the hitch is, they wreak havoc in the neighborhood. On each cottage, a sign hangs to remind us not to leave our belongings lying around. These animals are well-protected in Tarutao. The species are diverse and abundant. No harm should befall them.

They are also – along with the nocturnal musangs – responsible for a number of truck-related injuries.

Trucks are our mode of land transportation.

We have a dump truck, cargo truck, canopy truck, garbage truck, and a water truck (or whatever that’s called). We’re wealthy that way.

But regardless of who our chauffeur is, the sudden appearance of any of these monkeys or musangs would prompt them to make a sudden stop, sending our tribe mates flying and getting squashed. Wounds and orthopedic cases galore. Yay.

In our tribe, the monkey man advises that we can easily overpower these monkeys. However, one encounter with an army of monkeys in our Kapuso tribe became the stuff legends are made of. Sadly, even the thought of kicking them primates escaped the most heroic of men.

The Bangkok Lamok

Humongous mosquitos are what I aptly call Bangkok lamok.

We have observed that some of our tribe mates are mosquito magnets. With the overwhelming number of people susceptible, we did a little research that confirmed some truth to our hypothesis.

However, after 20-something days on this island, those of us who were initially repelling these quitos finally fell victims.

And Bangkok lamok do not just leave you with a small red rash. The wrath of a Bangkok lamok leaves you with an equally big Bangkok pantal or, along with the niniks, leave you peppered with redness.

And for some strange reason, they have quickly become slightly immune to our synthetic insect repellants no matter how much we slather or spray.

Niknik Republic

The beach fondly dubbed Republic of Niknik is just that – a land full of sandmites. These are the second most dreaded encounter for possibly any Survivor MD.

A handful of our niknik victims have sleepless nights and only a dose of anti-histamine will put these people to deep slumber. And the only cream that would relieve them during the day is a cream we experimented successfully (at the Thai nurse’s recommendation) to Pinoy’s Kati which is White Monkey. It’s a life-saver.

Naak

Being surrounded by rangers and snake handlers tell us one thing: Snakes, or naak, thrive this land.

A week without a snake encounter by anyone of us isn’t a complete week.

One particular Sunday night, we didn’t have 1, but 3 snakes on the beams above us in our base camp.

Yeah, we’re thugs that way.

Jarakay

According to our rangers, crocodiles can stay in one place for a long time and just snap ya when you dare enter their territory.

Fortunately, there were no close encounters. But they’re just there. (How comforting.)

Scorpions, Tarantulas, Wild Boars

We have at least one encounter with any of these. Wild boars, we have proven later, roam free on our base camp and on the beach in front of us.

Scorpions and tarantulas were living among us. And yes, one person had encountered them. If only we could concoct a formula to repel these… until that era comes, we can only pray we don’t meet them.

Our not-so friendly neighborhood marine animals

There are at least 6 cases within our tribe where they surfaced these waters with a burning sensation, with or without blisters already.

We were told that manta rays live in the shallow waters, that jelly fish and sea urchins are plenty, and that sea snakes and sharks are there. You just have to know where to look.

At this point, we can only surmise what “bit” them.

And, finally, the daily Multo

It may seem surprising, but multo stories are not to be taken lightly in Tarutao.

We have stories of doppelgangers, those that knock our tribe mates’ doors, and those that make their presence felt in whatever manner.

The incidence of these increased steadily, that we started asking the locals about it. They said that the area is known to have supernatural creatures and the only way to repel them is to offer a prayer and some goodies to their altar.

Two of the now-famous ghost stories in Tarutao involve the head of the Filipino production tribe and the head of the Thai production tribe, both women.

Both stories are similar in that they were awakened in their sleep and saw a figure of a man standing by their bed.

The locals said that this was the ancestor of the island and that he was the head of their family.

It was said that he pays respect or would make a courtesy call to the heads of the tribe of any visiting group. It was only appropriate that the heads of our working tribes pay their courtesy call to his shrine.

And true enough, when they visited the shrine, the figure in there was their visitor the night before.

Eventually, we have learned to co exist with them towards the end of our stay at Koh Tarutao.

All these, plus unlimited possible injuries in a remote island, comprise what would be a doctor’s nightmare.

Less than 2 weeks to go till the premiere!

Meet the next 16 castaways.

Cris Bolado, a former PBA player and a gentle giant.

Mika Batchelor, chef from Palawan.

Shaun Rodriguez, fitness buff and dad from Manila.

Maya Segovia, an air force pilot.

Amanda Coolley Van Cooll, from Mindoro but works as a construction worker  in Alaska.

Charles Fernandez, raketista from Dagupan. The guy can sell anything. Kahit siguro ang Luneta mabebenta nya.

Jef Gaitan, a student and part-time model from Laguna (na dating naging kargador… kidding!).

Troy Perez, mentalist magician. Think Criss Angel or David Blaine.

Suzuki Sadatsugu, a Japinoy criminology student. Syemple gwapo sya.

Echo Caceres, a spicy hot call center agent from Bicol. Ay wow.

Vlad Nesas, model and metrosexual.

Carolina Gementiza, school teacher from Iloilo.

Marvin Kiefer, a model from Cagayan de Oro.

Tara Jane Macias, an English tutor for Koreans.

Louie Ang, an IT professional and chickboy. (Yes, pwede sa chick, pwede sa boy).

Justine Ferrer, a business woman and a beauty pageant veteran.

No, they are not mactors. Don’t be fooled by their looks. Watch them play.

Survivor Philippines Palau premieres August 17 on GMA Telebabad.

Learn more about Survivor Philippines Palau and the Castaways.

Visit the official blog site here.

Official twitter account

Official facebook account

Hi Survivor PH fans!

Survivor Philippines Season 2 is near! And the official revelation of this season’s location will be on July 27, Monday, at www.survivorphilippines.tv

In the meantime, we’re showing you this season’s logo. Idea: You may use it as a wallpaper for your phone or computer. If you look closely (and if you are also a fan of the US series), you might be able to get a clue as to where this season’s location is…

…although I’m guessing some of you do not need this clue to figure out where.

This season also has a twitter account which you may follow here.

New season, new look. There is a new batch of castaways whom you will love, hate and look up to. There are shocking twists, tension-filled tribal councils, and a number of unpredictable outcomes.

Hang on. Malapit na!

You may want to review these teasers:

Girls teaser

Boys teaser

Teaser 1

Still need clues?

Capital City, Part 1

Capital City, Part 2

Capital City, Part 3

or, watch here:

Survivor Philippines Season 2 – Boys Teaser

or click here:

It’s been a really toxic month for me (as you may have probably figured out), hence, I haven’t been managing the blog. But I know a lot of you can relate to this – that when you’re so toxic that you spend more time at work that at home and your room reflects that; when the food in your ref is expiring because you haven’t been cooking; when your stores of canned goods have been there for weeks and your cabinet isn’t empty; and when you’re stunned that you already have neighbors, then realize it’s because school has started already or is about to start for your pre-med/medicine/nursing student neighbors. That’s when I took notice that May is about to end. (Garsh! What have I actually accomplished this month?)

May flew by quickly, didn’t it? At least for me it did.

***

I always envisioned that the first time I will see Mt Mayon, I would not have seen it coming. As in, bubulaga na lang sa akin si Mayon. And it actually happened. I didn’t know that upon landing in Legaspi, Mayon will just be in my midst.

***

That was 2 weeks ago.

During that time, I wasn’t in survivor mode yet, as I found myself quite uneasy with the long boat rides, the land travel, the intense heat, the sudden outpouring of rain, and the muddy landscape… although I enjoyed a bit of climbing up a muddy hill cause I found my rock climbing lessons very useful. Apart from that, the only thing that probably made this trip exciting was the unexpected bonding with my bosses… and the wager on who’s going to win Season 2.

***

It all went in a flurry after that – trainings, trips, work, phone calls, a video shoot, accompanying Dok Sam in TV interviews, and visits. One of my trainers saw me yesterday and could tell I was in so much stress. I needed a break. Badly.

***

Then, eto na naman ang bumulaga sa akin (kunwari may naka-insert na photo dito). I knew this was coming, but “this” blew away all that have been bothering me and set me back in survivor mode where I wouldn’t easily become uneasy with anything thrown at me.

Today, I went around checking out hospitals, clinics, stores, and pharmacies. Never mind the rain, or the faulty internet connection. I think bumulaga na lang sa akin the break I needed.

Here’s hoping that this will jump start my blog back to life again!!!

YOU KNOW YOU’RE IN KOH TARUTAO WHEN:

1. Instead of having signs leading to an “EXIT,” you have signs leading to a “TSUNAMI EVACUATION ROUTE.”

2. News from the castaways’ camp is the equivalent to “24 Oras”.
3.  “Pier one” is an actual pier.
4. Liquor is banned, but bar hopping happens almost every night.
5. You consider Beer Chang, Singha Beer, and Leo an official part of your beer vocabulary.
6. Filipinos speak Thai, and Thais speak Filipino. For instance, to tell the driver “Let’s go,” Filipinos say “Pai loi,” and Thais say “Tara na!”
7. Peanut butter gets stolen and a large bottle of cheez wiz is consumed in 10 minutes.
8. You are served with fusion dishes like PININYAHANG SAUSAGE at GINATAANG ITLOG for dinner, or a dish that’s a fusion of tinola-sinigang-nilaga-pininyahang whatever.
9. When omellette is prepared deep fried and served in any meal of the day and even in dishes that seem to look like nilaga.
10. Shopping means scouring the Art Department for Survivor collectibles.
11. You can’t get enough of Lay hot chili squid ridged potato chips and Lay shrimp & curry flavored tortilla chips. Yes, Lay without an “s” but looking like Lay’s.
12. There are crabs in the mess hall – those on your plate, or those visitors from the beach across base camp.
13. You find an excuse to have Milo or Ovaltine or coffee + Milo with your breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and at just about any time of the day – AND you actually have “drinking” buddies who tolerate this newly-acquired addiction (you-know-who-you-are).
14. You think you’ve eaten enough but find yourself returning to the buffet table for seconds and thirds…even fourths.
15. May numero ang etiketa ng mga damit mo. In our case, we’re Ms. 17, Mr. 20, Ms. 36, Ms. 77, Ms. 80, Dr. 100, Ms. 101, Ms. 102.
16. You squat in the toilets.
17. The bushes or the poncho is your toilet.
18. Head lamps are in fashion.
19. So are those arm warmers.
20. And those dry ocean bags.
21. Most bikes have defects, e.g. walang upuan.
22. Nag-kakarera ang mga long tail boats.
23. Addict ka sa white monkey balm pampa-relieve ng insect bites.
24. Amoy white flower/insect repellant/white monkey at hawaiian tropic all at the same time ang kasama mo…heck, ikaw rin pala!
25. A cheeseburger is a piece of heaven kaya maaring magka-giyera dahil sa iisang cheeseburger.
26. Your work clothes and pambahay are one and the same.
27. You’re neighbors are up till 2am.
28. Ang alarm mo ay palakpak ng hepe ng area ninyo.
29. The mess hall is a: mess hall, conference hall, internet cafe, at barber shop!
30. Ang tanging libangan mo lang ay…

a) tong-its
b) pusoy dos
c) videoke with our Thai friends
d) mag-sunset
e) maglaro ng games sa PC like Zuma or Ravenhearst

f) makipaglaro sa monkeys

g) panoorin ang fishes o mamingwit ng fishes

h) mag-abang ng dolphins

i) mag-participate sa dry run

j) isipan kung sinong Pilipinong artista ang kamukha ng Thai crew

k) manood o picturan ang snakes

o ALL OF THE ABOVE

Special shout-outs to the following who have contributed to this list: Donna Medina, Alex Dionisio, Niña Ortiz, Nessa Valdellon, Leah Borlongan, Luz Balingit, Pat Del Castillo, Japs Rayos & Sheqs Torres. Ngayon ko napatunayan na may hangover pa rin talaga kayo. Buti na lang may Facebook.

Hi guys!

I apologize for not being able to update this at all. It has been toxic the past days.

Right now, everything is quiet but I’m not done with stuff that needs to be done. So it will take a few more days before I can write anything substantial.

Until then, have a meaningful holy week, guys!

Hi guys!

The auditions have been going on for almost a month now and we are nearing the regional auditions for Manila. I thought it would be fitting to give y’all a heads up on how (I think) you can become a castaway without revealing much.

First off, the long lines are daunting and it is expected that the regional auditions in Manila will have the longest lines. The way I see it is – long lines are a test of one’s determination. You either persevere, or quit while early. The long lines are not the most difficult hurdle a potential castaway will encounter. So if you can’t stand the lines, then you can’t stand the hunger, the psychological war, the politics and the challenges. Personally, I won’t take it against some auditionees if they quit at this level because it’s better to have castaways who came determined and who came voluntarily than those who will later on quit during the game. We don’t want castaways bawling and complaining they were “forced” to be a castaway, do we?

You can also look on the bright side: you meet a lot of different personalities during the wait! I enjoy the auditions because it is a tapestry of personalities and I really do see myself befriending these people in the real world. (So to those who cried and broke down last year when they met me, I apologize. Was just doing my work).

Or, look at it as a first step to learning how to strategize. Practice “reading” people and determine which ones you can form an alliance with; befriend them so that the going to the bathroom/getting food will be easier; or fish for info so that you can best present yourself when you get to the screening area. Remember: 30 seconds is probably all you will get to win a screener.

(On a personal note, the long lines remind me of my college years in UP when we had to wait in line to register for a subject. There are certain subjects wherein we were in line 16 hours before registration, and that I have managed to have a place in those lines for some 6 other subjects I had to take without actually being in that line. It’s all strategy, hard work, and being friendly. Holler if you were a UP student from the 90′s!!!)

With that said, here are some tips for y’all planning to experience the hardship of that audition line:

-    Thousands join auditions for Survivor Philippines – A GMA News TV article which gives you an idea on what SP producers are looking for and a look at potential competition.

-    Producer Brian Gelli gives you a crash course on the Survivor auditions and what they (as screeners) are looking for.

-    Survivor Nina gives tips on how to prepare for the auditions.

-    Survivor Marlon answers questions as to how he became a castaway. You know how obnoxious he can get, but he really gives you sound advice and substantial tips.

-    Again, Survivor Nina goes myth busting on Survivor Philippines. Includes her answer to that question on whether you have to be a swimmer to qualify.

-    Nanay Zita gives you her criteria for aspiring castaways.

-    Paolo Bediones says the right combination of castaways is key.

This has hopefully equipped you for the auditions!

See you at the following:

March 26 – 28: SM North EDSA
March 29 – 30: SM San Lazaro