by Rev

I had to say it twice.

The first episode of the Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Edition (SPCDE) showed us why this season would be twice better than other current reality shows out there. It promises: 1) double the action; 2) double the drama; and 3) two x-factors no other reality show has or can come close to having be it local or international: Betong and Maey. Amazing!

This time around, SP is being hosted by one of the last beach frontiers found in our native soil located at the West Philippine Sea (also known as South China Sea): San Vicente, Palawan. The place looks (again to borrow Betong's line) ...amazing!. Pristine clear waters. Long stretch of ridiculously powder white sand beach. Exotic flora and fauna. Our deepest thanks for the survivor franchise for allowing SP to showcase the beauty of our own places.

Of course, judging by the first episode, they probably shot this in the rainy season. What's SP without facing the elements? And yes, as beautiful as the place is, the CAs have a lot to "whine" about: rain, lack of a decent shelter, limited choices of food, dangerous creatures, and cameras you wish you could just push away everytime its shoved to your face.

Unfortunately this will not be a recap. Yup, as long as I'll be blogging some of the episodes this season, I'll be doing reviews. Hopefully, there are plenty of recaps out there.

The opening sequence was good. The production staff is probably making good use of the research materials from Amaya. The malagnang ritual was cool though I can't help but notice some CA's treating the mud like war paint. The only thing missing was the big wooden ship to ferry the CAs but putting the guys in a wooden cage in the water was way much better.

I also thought allowing Richard to stand on the side of his sea plane was better compared to his usual pacing back and forth while explaining a challenge.

Although teamwork wasn't necessarily the word of the day, the CAs did a decent job "escaping" the cage enough to make Michael Scofield proud. Early in the challenge, KC looks to be the Rob Sy for this season since he would rather that others do the heavy lifting. I hope he doesn't get labelled as "ampao" considering he has a siopao business. (drum roll please)

I think I saw some CAs not going for the bags and were either thinking of two things: a) "screw the items, I'm going for the immunity bracelet" or b) "Help! Help! Help!" I think the rescue divers will be pretty busy this season.

I like Gino and Steff, not only because one of them is my tukayo, but since they analyze the play by play of the CAs so well. Sadly, they can't find an immunity bracelet even if it was like a Phillipine Cobra ready to bite them in the leg (oops! was that a spoiler?) Gino already shock at first day alliances. Welcome to the game brother!

John and Arnold along with Carlo and Arthur will be workhorses in the challenges. I'm still having a hard time accepting John and Arnold's decision to pass up on Carlo and Arthur as tribemates and set up a "bromance buffet". Just kidding. But yeah, I guess John and Arnold wanted to be set up as the alpha males in their tribe.

Back to KC, he wants to be the silent leader of the tribe and frankly he is doing a great job. Instead of a Rob Sy, he can be more of a John Hall unfortunately without the physical dominance. On a personal note, I am so happy, someone had the common sense of using dried (the yellow or brown) bamboo in starting a fire. I can't stand another season with someone hopping to catch fire using green bamboo.

Geneva seems to be aloof for now. Its probably the shock of being in the island. But poking a stick on the ground and not making friends this early will spell disaster in the long run. She even takes time to notice how little food they would get on the crabs that the girls were chasing. I thought she was a vegetarian and once an endorser for PETA? Just like in the challenge, KC gonna literally and figuratively "carry" Geneva until she gets her bearings.

Chuckie and Isabel are doing fine. Hardwork and luck will get them farther. Isang hirit na lang: Isabel, I'll catch a grenade for you! :)

On Ellen and Filo, not much to say but unlike KC and Geneva, they can work separately to meet their goal as a pair.

Alyssa, Aifa, Jackie, and Angelicopter had their fair share of tv time. Maybe they would wow us in the coming episodes.

I think Ms. Maribel will "outshine" her daughter this season. Sure, she will be a "stage mom" for the most part of her stay in the island, but she will be the most glamorous CA so far in any season. She's already talking about being on a reclining chair and wearing a hat and if they allowed her more time maybe she would also describe that young handsome lifeguard she gazes upon while holding a margarita.

Mara is already earning the respect of John and Arnold. She is the athletic competitor. Hey, if the bromance betwenn J&A fails, will mommy Maribel allow her daughter some island romance?

The tribe names were just fine. I wonder why most Filipino folklore and traditions revolve around the night and celestial sky. Ms. Maribel thought Bulan was masculine and Tala was...well feminine. I wonder if Chuckie overheard this and thought "Naman. Pati sa isla ini intriga pa rin ako?"

I barely talked about the school yard pick but I guess after the passing up of a possible Arthur-Carlo-Arnold-John super tribe, things evened out. Which hopefully translates to equally number of wins per tribe. Gender doesn't seem to be an issue for now.

Back on the sacks that lack things for the pack (or tribe). It was funny that some broke their backs only to find "useless things" such as sand and rocks. Who knew a glass could be a good cutting tool? I thought since some CAs had valuable items in their possession, they would be chosen because of these items. Turns out, each tribe were also given "basic" items like a machete. No, not the character Aljur Abrenica played months ago but a long jungle knife or what Geneva would call a "chop-chop".

If you are wondering if I missed something its because I saved the best for last. What were people thinking picking Betong and Maey as the last pair for the Tala tribe? Mark my words. This. Is. The. Best. Pair. Ever. I felt they could have been the third tribe and would have named them Bakunawa. Based on some research, it is the mythical dragon-like snake that rises from the sea and reaches up to the sky to brazenly swallow the moon, was believed to have swallowed the 6 mythical moons considered to be the cause of eclipses. Take that Bulan and Tala!

Don't get their comedy routine fool you. Sure they'll give us plenty of laughs in their solo interviews and their antics around camp but they are the most underrated CAs this season. This early, the pair are the only ones working on the roof for the shelter. They are the only ones speaking in Filipino constantly although Betong is working on his slang other than the word "amazing". It may have been overlooked but I feel Maey has an IQ double of anyone else for this season. I'd have an alliance with them 1000% of the time. In our book, sikat na kayo!

Since I have to end this review, the first episode gave us a good look on what to expect this season. It has exposed weaknesses and strengths of some pairs. I expect the succeeding challenges to be equally or more difficult than the first challenge. The production team looks more inspired this season (because its in Philippine soil?) The immunity idol with twins seem to have a mystery surrounding it. Before the week ends, I hope we get a better understanding on how the season will be played in terms of twists and turns(mysteryo or purgatoryo), immunity idols (hidden or not), and tribal council (will swearing by the host and whining of the CAs be allowed this season?). Of course, things to look forward to are the several leaks made and the if Betong and Maey will be able to improve their english slang. Let me sum up the episode in one word...AMAZING!