Tonight, August 17, after Adik Sa 'Yo, mapapanood na sa GMA-7 ang pilot episode ng Survivor Philippines: Palau.

"Unpredictable!" That is how Paolo Bediones describes Survivor Philippines: Palau.

Paolo himself could not contain his excitement for this year's most anticipated reality TV experience and he is certain this is because of the individuals who comprise the new batch of castaways.

During the press con of this GMA-7 reality show na ito, naikuwento ni Paolo kung paano napili ang Palau as the next destination ng 16 castaways.  Naging pahulaan nga noon kung totoong sa Australia, sa South America o somewhere in Europe daw gagawin ang second season ng Survivor Philippines. Sagot nga noon ni Paolo, "ang mahal doon, ang laki ng magiging production cost."

"After the season one finale, we didn't have any ideas where the second season would be or if we are going to have another one at all," kuwento ni Paolo.  "Kami ng staff, we had a kind of separation anxiety for one another at gustung-gusto na naming simulan ang next season.  Naniwala kasi kaming dahil naging consistent top rater ang season one, magkakaroon ng season two.

"It was in February this year when Palau was finalized to be the location of Survivor Philippines season two.  It was not even on top of the staff's list, pero nang pumunta na kami roon, alam na naming Palau was the right choice. 

"We were inspied by the things that we saw," dagdag pa ni Paolo.  "It's clear why it was the favorite destination of Jeff Probst, host of Survivor U.S. edition.  Survivor Micronesia (Fans vs. Favorites) was also held in the island nation located in the Pacific Ocean.

But the U.S. production of Survivor was never held at Peleliu Island, the exact location of Survivor Philippines. This posed a great challenge for the SP staff because of the limited wayt to communicate and resources found on the island.

"We initially thought that perhaps we bit off more than we could chew, but what I am most proud of is that when everyone was saying that it is impossible to do what we set out to do there, we did it.  It can be done!"

How would Paolo compare the first and the second batches of castaways?

"If we could put a theme for each season, we can say that the first was about "family and barkada."  This season, it's about personal redemption," Paolo said.  "This season, the castaways are really willing to play the game.  Kung noong first season, the competition was between Naak and Jarakay, this season, the competition and fighting really is within the tribes; it was an individual game for everyone.  For me, the castaways themselves are the best thing to happen this season."

May twists pa rin ba in this season?

"Yes, at may impact ito sa mga castaways.  Every tribal council is full of emotion.  They seem to be almost losing it every time," sabi ni Paolo.  "Napaka-unpredictable at aliw din ang staff dahil hindi nila mabasa kung ano ang susunod na gagawin ng bawat castaway."


Sa edition na ito, ang maglalaban ay ang Tribe Airai at Tribe Kuror, na pangalan ng dalawang sa 16 states ng Palau.

Noong press launch ng reality TV show, ipinakita kung paano sinundo at nagpaalam ang mga castaways sa kani-kanilang pamilya, na kahit ang entertainment press ay napaluha sa tunay na drama sa tunay na buhay na nasaksihan nila.

On the pilot episode of Survivor Philippines: Palau, viewers will see the 16 castaways carrying two heavy ammo crates per tribe as they trek a wild forest area with a distance of 1.4 kilometers.  This will be a test of speed, agility and strength since the castaways will have to race towards the other end of the forest, dragging the crates with them.  A consequence faces the tribe losing the race. 


Which tribe emerged stronger? Will it be Tribe Airai or Tribe Kuror? 

Trapped in an island that once was home to one of the deadliest wars in history, the Filipino castaways found themselves haunted by the ghosts of World War II. Overturned tanks, aging shipwrecks, and sunken planes were a common sight.

The Japanese-American war ruins were juxtaposed with the flawless beauty of the beaches of Palau and its rich marine life.

Will it be Justine Ferrer, the beauty queen? Vlad Nesas, the hefty, competitive swimmer? Maya Segovia, the Philippine Air Force lady pilot? Louie Ang, the chickboy IT analyst? Tara Macias, the snappy English tutor? Suzuki Sadatsugu, the Japinoy ramp model? Carol Gementiza, the strict grade school teacher? Troy Perez, the mentalist out to brace you with magic? Shaun Rodriguez, the sexy daddy? Mika Batchelor, the hot classy chef? Charles de Vera Fernandez, the talky raketista? Amanda Cooley Van Cooll, the Tisay construction worker in Alaska? Cris Bolado, the gentle giant of the hard court? Jef Gaitan, the girl next door? Marvin Kiefer, the ultimate crush? Or will it be Echo Caceres, the spicy Bicolana?


For 39 days, the castaways battled it out in the island of Peleliu, where two U.S. editions (Survivor: Palau and Survivor: Micronesia) took place. Who among the 16 castaways will surpass all the challenges and emerge as the next Pinoy Sole Survivor and take home the prize of P3 million?

And may good news sa mga GMA Pinoy TV subscribers around the world dahil mapapanood nila ang Survivor Philippines: Palau in Europe, Northern America, Middle East, East Asia Pacific, Oceana and the British Indian Ocean Territory.  The first season, Survivor Philippines: Thailand, was not shown internationally.

For more information, visit www.gmapinoytv.com or call your local GMA Pinoy TV.