by Rev

First of all, kudos to Ion for updating the site. Dotcomers are truly grateful that we still have an official home.

Yesterday's epi was a breath of fresh air after the previous two nights of heartaches and struggles for both CAs and to some viewers who had to watch it. Hopefully, Day 1 exits of CAs will be a thing of the past and new guidelines would be set to avoid this in the future. We can aptly name it the Geneva Protocol if so warranted. Just kidding.

But it didn't mean that current episode would be lacking of any drama and suspense.

The dangers were not only found in camp but in traveling to the challenge site as well. Bulan has been witness to a series of unfortunate events. A tribemate has already quit. Aifha and Alyssa were not in good terms. Even the rice was cooked too salty. But that wasn't as bad as abandoning ship and swimming for your life in the rough seas.

Luckily no one got hurt and some may have just swallowed more water. I guess the zero casualty can be attributed to the preparation and readiness of the CAs and production staff for such events. Hopefully the dotcomer resident expert on zero casualty can blog on this in the future.

My hats off to the Bulan tribe for: 1) having the presence of mind to look out for each other; 2) coping up after the scariest ordeal they have so far as a tribe; 3) for not quitting even though many could have begged off after a traumatizing experience; and 4) turning this experience into something that made the tribe closer. I guess their motto now is, "Whatever doesn't kill (or drown) you, just makes you stronger"

I would assume Doc Ali was again at hand to assist Bulan during the rest period when the challenge was hold off. Its been a busy two days for doc.

I was surprised to see that Bulan was still in high spirits during the start of the challenge. Tala was ready to compete but was a bit caught off guard that Geneva did quit. I wonder if Tala knew what Bulan went through?

I liked the way the challenge was set up. The production team did another great job. The obstacle course did require teamwork. No one could probably climb those six A-frames and pull a crate along the wooden roller coaster like bridge on their own. Wooden plank puzzle pieces were well put together. There was only one way the planks can be arrange to read the message on it.

At stake for this challenge was the immunity idol, roof thatches and rope for a better shelter, and the most important reward of all...a cellphone? What the....ok, one female CA just blurted that out upon seeing Richard holding out some shiny flat thing but it was actually flint. Maybe its one of those high tech flints with a touch screen smart phone. Ms. Maribel was unfazed with the flint since she thinks they can always make fire with bamboo sticks. Uhmm...its been raining like crazy for some time and most of the bamboo are partly wet by now. That flint is gonna be your best friend for now. Then again, losers get their torches lighted in Tribal Council so...

I thought Richard would break into pieces after that "cellphone" blooper but he was really focused. He even completely abandoned his usual back and forth pacing while explaining the challenge.

Bulan's boat accident experience did make them stronger as they were leading the whole time during the challenge. KC gave Bulan a leg up by being the stairs for CA's to climb up the A-frames. Tala had to cover a lot of ground but were not panicking.

But the puzzle solving skills of each tribe "spelled" the difference. Bulan had a good lead but it took time before they realized how to fit the pieces. Tala was just chillin as every wooden plank was being slide across the puzzle board. But then, Ms. Maribel of Bulan was so good that she didn't need the rest of the pieces to solve the puzzle. She proudly blurted the winning phrase.

Unfortunately, you do need to put in the rest of the pieces in order for Richard to declare you the winner. I was amused that during Betong's solo interview he chided about Ms. Maribel being in so much of a rush that she was like trying to call for a taxi.

It proved to be a costly mistake since it gave Tala not only the winning phrase but enough time to complete the puzzle. As Tala eek out a win, Bulan continues to have a string of bad luck.

Forgot to mention that Maey, though she sat out the challenge being the extra member of Tala, was the best cheerleader and prayer leader we've seen since Gef Gaitan of Season 2.

I liked Anglicopter's remark that winning one challenge made her want to win more. KC looked to be the most disappointed guy in Bulan since he didn't want to go to Tribal Council. Ms. Maribel seemed to be the most remorseful because of the number of mistakes she made.

I guess there were no MVPs in this challenge. As the winning phrase said, "Ang tagumpay ng isa ay tagumpay ng lahat". But then, Richard revealed the latest twist in the form of a "temptation reward". Only one pair chosen by the members of the winning tribe could get it. Somehow, alliances may play a part on who would get it. Victory for all does not mean equal share of the spoils.

Well, the episode was way better than the last two. We saw Bulan coping up from a tragic event, become a better tribe from the experience, and almost dominate a challenge. Its a story that you wished had a happy ending. But Tala had already established themselves as a tribe one to two days earlier. The patience they had made the come from behind win possible.

The next episode would focus on the Temptation Reward. Whether they are sent to Temptation Island or get tempted by Richard himself is still not known. If Solenn, Heart, Lovi, Marian, and Ruffa are in that island why go back in the game? :) Lets watch tonight to see who gives in to their desires.