Buhawi "Buwi" Meneses, bassist of Pinoy bands Parokya ni Edgar and Franco, is a big fan of the reality-show franchise Survivor. This was why he did not hesitate to say yes when the staff of Survivor Philippines asked him if he wanted to join the current celebrity season.

In an interview with Buwi during the press launch of Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Showdown last August 23 at GMA-7, the musician told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) he actually auditioned to join the first season, which aired two years ago.

He said he even met first season castaway Kiko Rustia in that audition. Kiko made it, but Buhawi was barred from the audition because he's a well-known musician.

"The first season pa lang, kaibigan ko si Kiko Rustia. Nagkita lang kami doon, nag-audition kami. And then, yun nga, nakilala nila ako na nasa entertainment field. 'A, hindi ka puwede.' So, wala na 'kong pag-asa," the 34-year-old musician said.

Fortunately, the show's producers saved his audition and called him up for the third season.

"Hindi na 'ko nag-audition," he said. "The thing is 'Celebrity,' they told us, sabi nila, hindi na nagpa-audition. Namimili na lang sila. So, nag-count yung audition ko nung first season."

DIRTY STRATEGIES. Buwi told PEP he had watched both the two previous seasons of Survivor Philippines, and some seasons of the U.S. versions. He was even able to emulate the example of the reality show's notable tribe leaders, including Kiko himself.

"Sobrang fan ako ng Survivor. I watched every episode. Si Kiko, parehas kami ng background niyan. UP Mountaineers kaming dalawa, so we really know nature. Pero ang hirap talaga masabi kung paano ka hindi matatanggal. Do I know that na magiging leader ako? Yun siguro yung nakita nila, and ginampanan ko nang mabuti. Wala akong tinapakan. I did not lead but I took care of the castaways," he explained.

One lesson he did not carry, however, are the dirty strategies that can be used in the game, like backstabbing and turning back on alliances.

"Actually, there came a point na the biggest payo ng lahat, even from the U.S. castaways, is to fix your alliance. E, ako, akala ko, I did not believe in alliance. But, yun pala, parang nasa season one. Pero kaya...yun talaga. Kita mo naman sa TV, e, so gamitan na. Gamitan talaga," Buwi said.

But the musician said that he was able to deal with his fellow castaways well because he was used to facing a crowd from his countless gigs and concerts as a member of two bands.

"Siguro yung facing the audience, nakatulong na rin. Kasi as a musician, you face people rin. Yun yung ginagawa mo. Hindi nakatulong sa music, but facing different kinds of people," he explained.

FAMILY SUPPORT. During the competition, Buwi said he knew that his family and friends continued supporting him.

"From the management, from the two bands I have, Franco and Parokya, and then my family, my parents and my Church, they told me to be myself, they believe in me. So, yun pala, ang dami ko nang baon sa loob ko, e."

That's why he would like to help them if ever he gets the P3-million prize.