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The biggest reality show on television is now here in the country. And GMA did not think twice as to who would be hosting this hit franchise.
The biggest reality show on television is now here in the country. Starting tonight Survivor Philippines will give us a local feel of this world-famous reality franchise. Holding auditions nationwide, GMA Network entertained more than 40,000 applicants to come up with 18 castaways. And hosting the show is none other than reality TV guru, Paolo Bediones. Text by Loretta G. Ramirez, Photos courtesy of GMA Network 18 castaways and 120 production staff in tow, Survivor Philippines went to Koh Tarutao island in Thailand to give us a show that will change the primetime viewing habit of the Filipinos. And who can better lead them than the gregarious host of Philippine reality shows – Paolo Bediones. iGMA has an exclusive interview with this reality TV guru and he has shared with us his experience and his insights about this exciting new show. Preparations to survive Although he is not competing, Paolo deemed it necessary to prepare himself for the trip to Thailand, after all he will be staying there for more than a month. "I just prepared in terms of trying to be as physically fit as possible in terms of trying to have a certain mindset that this is what my day is going to be like. Each and every day I am going to be working. I better not get sick," shares Paolo about his preparations for his biggest project so far. He however adds that nothing will prepare anyone for the kind of experience he and his staff had on this milestone show. "It was storming. We were there during the monsoon season, so very unpredictable 'yung weather, very unforgiving. You have afternoons with rain showers, you have evenings with thunderstorms and if we were having a hard time, can you imagine the castaways who have a very simple tarp or a couple of coconut leaves above their heads to serve as roof," shares the very animated host of Survivor Philippines. Surviving in Thailand Spearheading the team of Filipinos in this groundbreaking experience, Paolo Bediones shared with us how he survived the experience of being cut off from the world on an island for a month and half. "Physically it was tiring, mentally it was a bit exhausting, but it was so worth it," says the Filipino counterpart of Jeff Probst. "We were riding dump trucks every single day, to and fro the challenges, the locations and the camps. We were riding long-tailed boats, para syang maliit na bangka na walang katig. I lost so much weight but I am really thankful that I did not get sick a single day, when I was on the island. Then every Sunday we'd have Bible study, we'd have a prayer group, I'd lead them. It was really very encouraging." He adds that he is so proud of his staff, who all delivered and made the production as smooth as possible."We had a Thai film partner as required by the Thai law, but the work is, for example if you were talking about the art department, Rodel Cruz did a fantastic job in giving the show, the look, the feel of a very survivorish atmosphere. Kung baga each and every aspect is proudly Filipino!" Paolo's feat as well as those of the 120 Filipinos who went to Koh Tarutao Island to put up Survivor Philippines is definitely something to be proud of. Make sure you catch the first episode tonight during the GMA's Primetime Telebabad block right after Ako si Kim Samsoon. "Sa mga fans ng Survivor, even those who aren't fans of Survivor, when you watch Survivor Philippines, you will see kung ano ang pinaghirapan namin dun sa isla. Kung anong pinagdaanan namin, kung gaano kalaki 'yung production talaga. Every single day, Monday thru Friday , starting Sept. 15, and I promise you TV will never ever be the same!" Let us know what you think of GMA’s newest primetime offering. Log on the the iGMA forums!