How I got hooked with Survivor

Survivor is back! On it’s 25th season, Survivor goes to Caramoan, Camarines Sur, Philippines. Isn’t it amazing?

“This place is a tropical paradise!” On it’s 4th episode, ”Create a Little Chaos”, Jonathan Penner; a returnee from Survivor Cook Islands and Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs Favorites; blurted that this is the most beautiful place he’s ever seen. Indeed! 18 castaways were divided into three tribes: Matsing (monkey), Kalabaw (Carabao or water Buffalo) and Tandang (rooster) who will vie for the most coveted title as the sole survivor.

I’m not a Survivor fan. I haven’t even watched a full season ever. But in one of my conversations with an American customer, he mentioned how beautiful the Philippines is and he asked me if I was Pinoy because he’s been watching the most recent Survivor. I was aghast! I didn’t know what to answer so all I could come up was: “Yes. I’m glad you’re watching it too.” He even knew where the exact location is and I was like, oh no! So when I came home from work, I decided to give a shot at watching the show. And that started it all. I take pride watching the show because it truly uncovered the beauty of  the Philippines. This is also a great way to advertise why the country boost beauty like no other. Survivor showed snippets of  unspoiled beaches and awesome marine life, splendid mountains, amazing lowlands and a sanctuary to amazing variety of exotic flora and fauna that are found nowhere else. I am so proud. After watching the first episode, I’m already hooked! Not only because it features my beloved country, but also the show has everything I love about reality TV. It’s not scripted nor fabricated. It shows real emotion and the complexity of  living a life out in an island for 39 days. I enjoy the action, melancholy and comic relief that the “game” offers. The challenges are astounding and unexpected twists are unbelievable. I just can’t get enough. No wonder, Survivor is one of the most successful and most watched reality TV show to date.

Who would have guessed that I would end up being an avid fan?  I started watching previous seasons of Survivor and got fixated with it. Seriously. I’ve researched for the best Survivor seasons so that I know which ones to watch first. According to several surveys and reviews, Survivor Cook Islands, Fans vs Favorites and Survivor Heroes vs Villains are the top 3 by far. I began watching Cook Islands and then Micronesia: Fans vs Favorites and then Heroes vs Villains and in no time, I finished 3 seasons in less than a week! I just started watching Pearl Islands and still have a long list of seasons to watch one after another. I am a certified Survivor fanatic! And I am proud of it. The three seasons that I’ve seen are extremely superb. The contestants were brilliant. Blindsides, flips, twists and alliances are just a few things that add to the excitement of the game. My personal favorite is Micronesia where my ultimate idol Parvati Shallow won as sole survivor. I was sure she’d win Heroes vs Villains but then again, being allied with the worst villain in Survivor History, Russel Hantz, will not get you more votes, I guess. Outlast. Outwit. Outplay. That’s Survivor’s motto.

I love Survivor and I will keep watching now that I’m so hooked with it.
Survivor airs on CBS, Wednesdays 8/7c