Basketball heartthrob JC Tiuseco was declared the first-ever Pinoy Sole Survivor in the finale of Survivor Philippines held last Friday, December 12, at GMA Network Studios. JC bested 17 other castaways who joined the Philippine franchise of the mother of all reality shows.
Uploaded: December 15, 2008
23-year-old baskteball heartthrob JC Tiuseco shows his P3-million check and the gold pearl, which symbolizes his being the first-ever Pinoy Sole Survivor.
The stage where the finale of Survivor Philippines was held at Studio 7 of GMA Network Center. The production team brought the sets used in the actual Tribal Council in Koh Tarutao island, Thailand.
Survivor Philippines host Paolo Bediones carries the urn containing the votes of the Jury at the start of the finale episode. Paolo is wearing the same clothes he wore during the final Tribal Council in Koh Tarutao.
Paolo talks to the Jury and the two finalists, JC Tiuseco and Rob Sy, during a commercial break. The first few segments of Survivor Philippines: The Finale were pre-taped, although the actual counting of the votes and the awarding were shown live.
JC is considered as one of the strongest players in the game, therefore a threat to most of the other castaways. But his alliance with Rob and Kiko Rustia and, of course, his superiority during challenges, brought him to the Final 2.
Rob, a sales analyst, was accused by other castaways of riding on JC's back. But he reasoned out that Survivor Philippines is not just a physical game, but also a mental game.
The eight Jury members of Survivor Philippines: (first row, from left) Marlon Carmen, Kaye Alipio, Charisse Yacapin, and Jace Flores; (second row, from left) Cris Cartagenas, Zita Ortiga, Kiko Rustia, and Veronica Domingo.
"I've been a fan ever since,"
says Paolo about Survivor. "Lalong-lalo na when I found out I got this job, kasi parang ito
yung dream role mo, e, ito yung dream job mo, e. After Extra Challenge, where
else will you go, di ba? Here's something that was given to me that's much,
much bigger than that. So much bigger talaga."
JC and Rob had already an alliance since Day 1 and Rob fulfilled his promise until the end when he picked JC over Charisse to sit beside him in the Final Two.
In an interview before the airing of Survivor Philippines, Paolo said that he took on a different disposition for Survivor. "For me, the hardest was yung disposition ko, na hindi tulad
sa Extra Challenge, sa Tok! Tok! Tok! na lagi akong naka-smile. Dito, bilang
ang beses na ngumiti ako. If ever ngumiti man ako, it's for sarcastic reason.
Suplado. Kasi pati ako, maiinis ako sa sarili ko, e."
JC has won a total of three Immunity challenges, but he gave one to Rob after choosing a car as a reward in exchange of his Immunity from the Tribal Council. JC's decision proved to be right since he was not voted out.
Nineteen-year-old Jace Flores is the youngest castaway of Survivor Philippines. Although he made it until the merging of the tribe, he was the first to be voted out and became the first member of the Jury. He voted for JC.
Young businessman Kiko Rustia became popular for his integrity while playing a game as cruel as Survivor Philippines. Kiko became the second mamber of the Jury. He also voted for JC.
Taekwondo expert Vern Domingo was voted off by her Chalam tribemates because she was considered as a threat. She was the third member of the Jury and she voted for Rob, whom she is dating now.
Jace plays around while lingerie model Kaye Alipio poses for this shot. Kaye became a target for elimination when she and Cris blindsided Kiko. She was the fifth member of the Jury and she voted for JC.
Former laundrywoman Zita Ortiga may be the oldest castaway, but she has proven that she can compete, physically, with the younger castaways. In fact, she was the first one to win Individual Immunity. She was the sixth member of the Jury and she voted for Rob.
Product office Charisse Yacapin became the last woman standing and the last member of the former Jarakay tribe. She was able to reach the Top 3, a feat that surprised many, including herself. She was the last member of the Jury and she voted for JC.
JC's girlfriend Alou made a special appearance in one of the episodes of Survivor Philippines when the loved ones of the remaining five castaways participated in one of the challenges.
Since JC has plans of entering showbiz, PEP asked JC if his girlfriend woudn't mind linking him to actresses. JC said, "Yung girlfriend ko naman, understanding naman siya sa mga
mangyayari. Like ngayon, sa Survivor, alam naman niya na after this, kilala na
kami ng mga tao. Hindi naman siya nagseselos sa mga fans, okay naman."
Love also bloomed in Survivor Philippines when Vern and Rob developed feelings for each other while on the island for 39 days. The two former castaways are now dating and seem to be inseperable.
Rob whispers something to JC a few minutes before the counting of the votes. The two are wearing the same t-shirts that they used while they were still on the island.
The Final 2 were often seen holding hands during the taping of the first few segments of the finale, probably reassuring each other whatever the outcome may be.
Paolo shows a vote for JC. Beside him are GMA-7 Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman Felipe Gozon and Chief Operation Officer Jimmy Duavit.
The members of the Jury celebrate JC's victory. JC got a total of six votes from the Jury and another one from the viewers, while Rob got two votes from the Jury.
Rob and Jury member Cris Cartagenas give each other a hug after the announcement of the winner while the other castaways congratulate JC. Rob and Cris had a misunderstanding while they were still on the island, but eventually kissed and made up upon their return in the Philippines.
Paolo shows the P3-million cheque that JC won as the first-ever Pinoy Sole Survivor. The said cash prize is the biggest amount given in the history of Filipino reality shows.
Paolo presents JC Tiuseco, the first-ever Pinoy Sole Survivor. Aside from the title of Pinoy Sole Survivor and P3-million cash prize, JC also won a car in exchange of one of his Immunity necklaces.
