Richard Gutierrez
MANILA, Philippines — Just a thought: Never let the competition define you. Instead, you have to define yourself based on a point of view you care deeply about. – Tom Chappel
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The View: “Survivor” host Richard Gutierrez says the various levels of hardships faced by 10 pairs of castaways while stranded in an island are lessened somewhat by the view when they wake up every morning.
Such a view – powder white sand, clean seawater, lovely beach – did lessen the impact of loneliness and in-house fighting among the Survivor contestants, according to the actor turned TV host.
“In a way, shooting the series on local shores, and in beautiful Palawan at that, made it a little bit lighter experience for all of us,” he continued. That isn’t to say, however, that everything was sunshine and roses during the entire 36-day stay of the cast and crew on location.
From among the many scenic spots around the country, Palawan had been picked by Castaway Productions when GMA applied for permission to shoot the new season locally. Traditionally, all seasons of Survivor franchises are shot in places outside of the home country.
However, Japan broke this rule recently and became one of the first countries to shoot on home shores.
With that as cue, local producer Castaway to consider San Vicente, Palawan as location. After careful study and a trip to the island, international producer Julie Dick immediately approved the request.
Richard recalls that the Palawan setting is far better than the foreign locations, in Thailand, where they taped the previous two seasons. “They were dirty and there was always the problem of language.”
Richard said the new season of “Survivor” is quite intriguing. “Umpisa pa lang, may away-away na agad,” he hinted.
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Danger Everywhere: Danger is being touted as the new handle of “Survivor Celebrity Edition.”
Aspiring actress and FHM cover girl Stephanie Prescott admitted to having been bitten by a snake, a Philippine cobra. There are also reports of a boat capsizing in the middle of the sea while ferrying some of the castaways, among them, the mother and daughter tandem of Maria Isabel Lopez and Mara Yokohama.
Bulletin Entertainment’s very own Kaye Villagomez, who covered the initial stage of the “Survivor” shoot in September, has her own danger stories to recall.
While preparing for the 4-day trip to Palawan, she and two other media persons were instructed to take anti-malaria drugs for two weeks. They had been warned that the place was malaria-infested.
They were also instructed to apply anti-mosquito bites lotion at all times. Their daily wear while on location included socks, long-sleeved shirts, and no sandals.
Nighttime, they were warned not to prowl the island as snakes abound. One of them successfully got to Stephanie.
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Ten Pairs: The 10 pairs of castaways featured in the new season of “Survivor” were chosen on the basis of individual character, according to public affairs AVP Leo Sanchez Matias.
Meet all of them when the show premieres on Nov. 14 over GMA primetime.
They are:
Bitter exes KC Montero and Geneva Cruz, former teen screen sweethearts Chuckie Dreyfus and Isabel Granada, cousins Arthur Solinap and Carlo Gonzales, comics Albert Sumaya and Maey Bautista, mother-daughter Maria Isabel Lopez and Mara Yokohama, girlfriends Angelicopter Schmeing-Cruz and Jackie Forster, Philippine Volcanoes rugby pros Arnold Aninion and John Odulio, dating pair Stef Prescott and Gino dela Peña, boyfriend-girlfriend Filo Cucueco and Ellen Adarna, kikay partners Aifha Medina and Alyssa Alano. -Manila Bulletin
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