The second season of GMA-7's reality show, Survivor Philippines: Palau, opened last night, August 17, with an impressive 30.8 percent rating to take the fifth spot in the primetime race.

This is based on the latest overnight ratings of AGB Nielsen Philippines among Mega Manila households.

Compared to the first season of Survivor Philippines, however, the second season's pilot rating was slightly lower by one percent. The first season, which was launched on September 15, 2008, scored 31.8 percent and ranked No. 4.

Survivor Philippines: Palau is hosted by Paolo Bediones.

The Kapuso network's fantaserye, Darna, retained its top position with 43.7 percent, followed by other GMA-7 shows 24 Oras (34.4 percent) and Rosalinda (33 percent; its highest rating so far), and ABS-CBN's Tayong Dalawa (31.2 percent).

(When the first season of Survivor Philippines premiered last year, the No. 1 primetime show then was Dyesebel, starring Marian Rivera. The actress now plays Darna, the current leader in the ratings game.)

The rest of the Top 10 was occupied by: Adik Sa 'Yo (29 percent), Only You (27 percent), TV Patrol World (23.7 percent), May Bukas Pa (23.4 percent), and All My Life (21.5 percent).

Meanwhile, Eat Bulaga! remains on top in the daytime race. The longest-running noontime show in the country posted a rating of 27.1 percent.

GMA-7's afternoon soap Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat Sa Akin was a far second with 20.8 percent, followed by Kapuso soaps Ngayon at Kailanman (19.5 percent) and Daisy Siete (18.1 percent), and ABS-CBN's noontime show, Wowowee (16.3 percent).

DARNA'S IMPRESSIVE DEBUT WEEK. Darna also topped the primetime race last Friday, August 14, with 39.2 percent—its lowest rating since its launching last August 10. But, overall, Darna still registered an average rating of 43.5 percent on its pilot week.

Three other GMA-7 shows—Rosalinda, Adik Sa 'Yo, and 24 Oras—took the second to fourth slots. The fifth slot was occupied by ABS-CBN's Tayong Dalawa.

The daytime race was again ruled by Eat Bulaga!, followed by Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat Sa Akin, Ngayon at Kailanman, Wowowee, and Daisy Siete. All these shows, except for Wowowee, are from GMA-7.

WEEKEND RATINGS. Last Saturday, August 15, TV5's Talentadong Pinoy reached its highest rating, so far—30.3 percent—to take the No. 1 spot in the daytime race.

GMA-7's Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho came in second with 29.2 percent, followed by Kapuso shows Imbestigador (26.7 percent), Bitoy's Funniest Videos (21.4 percent), Pinoy Records (18.6 percent), and Are You The Next Big Star? (18.1 percent).

The remaining slots were taken by Kapamilya shows Tiagong Akyat (No. 7) XXX (No. 9), and Vilma: A Woman For All Seasons (No. 10), and TV5's Midnight DJ (No. 8).