Ahron, Aira and Aubrey on surviving "Survivor Philippines"

CEBU, Philippines - The Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown series is now on its eighth week and here’s a quick review of what went down so far: four castaways (Doc Ferdz, Myka, Buwi Meneses, Karen delos Reyes, and Ronaldo “Pretty Trisza” Celso) voted off the island, the perennially losing Magan tribe dissolved, the celebrities shuffled to come up with new Nagar and Sar Mayee tribemates with their respective new tribe leaders, and one wardrobe malfunction in a particularly strenuous challenge. By now, we’ve established our personal favorites and those we’d be happy to see out of the game.

Actor Ahron Villena, formerly of the Magan tribe under the leadership of Jon Hall, is now the Nagar tribe leader. Former Sar Mayee head Aira Bermudez is now sharing camp with Ahron, while her ex-teammate Aubrey Miles is still with Sar Mayee, now led by Brapanese model Akihiro Sato.

Ahron started his career in 2004 with ABS-CBN, after winning a talent search in the defunct noontime program “MTB: Ang Saya Saya.” He was later seen in the shows “Hiram”, “Gulong ng Palad”, “Lobo”, and “Precious Hearts Romances.” He was also seen in Star Cinema films like “You Are The One” and “One More Chance.”

Now, the 22-year-old’s career is experiencing a resurgence of sorts after his participation in the GMA reality show. He just inked a four-year contract with Regal Films, which reportedly guarantees him 16 movies. Plus, he was recently introduced as the latest endorser of a popular underwear brand.

Ahron, a native of Batangas and an HRM graduate, is now being managed by Arnold Vegafria, who also handles the careers of Kapuso stars Carla Abellana and Bianca King.

The so-called “Dancing Warrior”, 27-year-old Aira of the Sexbomb Girls has been a true player of the game. She has displayed physical strength during challenges and leadership skills with her first tribe. Such was her drive to win in a recent immunity challenge dubbed “Unggoy-ungguyan”, that she didn’t notice her bikini top was already exposing her private part on-cam. The image was blurred during broadcast.

In last week’s episode, she also suffered an allergic reaction and had to be brought to a nearby Thailand hospital after having eaten bugs and scorpions during another immunity challenge. As for sexy actress Aubrey, she and partner Troy Montero recently sat down for Showbiz Central’s “Don’t Lie To Me” segment with John Lapus to settle the score, as talks were rife that their relationship was on the edge due to Troy’s jealousy of another castaway, Ervic Vijandre. Aubrey got particularly close to the basketball player and ex-boyfriend of Marian Rivera during their stay in the island. According to her, she was drawn to Ervic because of his uncanny resemblance to her brother.

The Freeman had a chance to throw similar questions to three of the celebrity castaways during a recent promo tour here in Cebu. Here’s what Aira, Ahron and Aubrey had to share:

Why did you join Survivor?

Aira: Ate Joy Cancio (manager) called me around Holy Week. Tinanong niya kung interested ba akong mag-Survivor. Sabi ko agad yes! Alam kasi niya na may na-prove na ako, like sa Extra Challenge and Pinoy Records, nanalo na ako.

Ahron: For the experience. I knew it was very hard to join Survivor. Of course, the three million is there, but I’m more of wanting to try it out for the experience.

Aubrey: I’m a fan. I love the show because I’m really a fan of reality shows. Like, I joined Amazing Race three years ago. Then after Survivor, I’m planning to join another reality show. So now, hindi muna ako more on showbiz, but different level naman.

How did you prepare yourself for the island game?

Aira: Wala talaga akong naging preparation. Ang inisip ko lang, kailangan hindi ko galingan kasi magiging threat ako.

Ahron: Nag-gym ako, then I went swimming. Tapos lahat ng gusto kung pagkain, kinain ko kasi alam kong walang makakain sa island.

Aubrey: I found out I was in two months before the show, so I trained for swimming. I know how to swim naman, but this time I learned how to dive. I always went to the gym even before preparing for Survivor, but this time, I did more intense routines. Tapos, kumain ako ng maraming-marami.

What will you do with the 3 million tax-free cash prize if you do win?

Aira: My mom kasi has a heart problem, kaya gagamitin ko sana for her maintenance. Yung condition niya hindi talaga maganda. At tsaka family business like a computer or coffee shop. Kaya ko naman mabuhay on my own so the amount talaga, plano ko sana for my mom at for a family business.

Ahron: Ipapaayos ko yung bahay namin sa Batangas kasi medyo luma na siya. The rest, I’ll save and invest in a business.

Aubrey: The other reason I joined Survivor, kasi I need the money. I can’t say for what, I have to keep it a secret. It’s something I need for my kids.

What’s the first thing you ate upon arriving in the Philippines?

Aira: Hot pot sa David’s. Tapos pag-uwi ko sa bahay, nagpaluto ako ng bulalo at tocino. Sobrang nagke-crave ako doon. Noong nasa isla kasi kami, nag-uusap kami lagi about food, dessert.

Ahron: Kasama ko sina Aubrey at Ervic. Kumain kami sa Dencio’s Grill. Kumain kami ng mga Filipino food like chicken and pinakbet. Nagkataon kasi na medyo yun yung malapit sa area ng GMA kasi sa GMA kami binaba lahat.

Aubrey: Chocolate cake! Kinabukasan, kare-kare, adobo...kung anong lahat ng pinagkwentuhan namin sa island. Kasi I lost a lot of weight. Walang food talaga, rice lang. Tapos kung gusto mong kumuha ng crabs or clams, you have to walk 30-45 minutes away.

If you could have brought one personal luxury item in the island, what would it be?

Aira: A big scarf kasi useful siya. Pwedeng gawing sarong, tapis or kumot.

Ahron: A watch.

Aubrey: Lip balm, kasi laging nagda-dry yung lips ko, especially na walang water. Yung skin ko, I don’t care kasi merong mga coconut dun na pwedeng gamitin.

Aside from yourself, who are you rooting for to win?

Aira: Jon Hall. He deserves to win kasi siya yung klaseng tao na survivor talaga. Magaling siya sa lahat eh -- sa shelter, sa camp life, at sa paghuhuli ng food. Nasa kanya na lahat, physical strength and mind games. Over-all, he’s a survivor.

Ahron: Lagi kong sinasabi sa mga interviews, I want Moi Bien to win. Not because we became close sa camp, pero siya kasi ang nakita kong flexible. Nagsisibak siya ng kahoy kahit gawaing lalaki yun, tsaka nagsasaing. Sa challenges hindi siya ganoon kagaling, pero makikita mo yung determination niya. She deserves to win.

Aubrey: Si Mama Elma.

What was your motivation not to quit despite the harsh living conditions?

Aira: My family syempre. Sumali ako ng Survivor for them. I was planning to quit on the second day. Inisip ko na lang na lumaki naman ako sa hirap. Yung mga kasama ko nga mga artista, hindi nag-quit, so ako pa kaya.

Ahron: Kasi sabi ko, I joined Survivor so why should I quit. Kahit gaano kahirap, kailangan kayanin ko. Sobrang determined na ako. Ayokong masabi sa sarili ko that I joined then I’ll just quit after. Kahit gutom, kinakagat ng lamok at palaging umuulan, I motivated myself by thinking na yung mga babae nga, kinakaya nila, what more ako.

Aubrey: I think everyone had a moment that they wanted to give up. Pero sayang kasi especially if you’re in the middle of the game. And I really wanted to win. At yung money syempre, kailangan ko.

What did you discover about yourself after the whole experience?

Aira: Pag nag-mindset ka, lahat ng kinakakatukan mo, makakaya mo pala. Nasa showbiz kami kaya nasanay na palaging may PA na tumutulong. Kaya pala namin mabuhay on our own.

Aubrey: Naku, ang dami kong realizations. From the shallow stuff like clothes, kasi ako shoppping ako ng shopping so may mga damit ako na until now, may mga price tags pa. For 36 days, isa lang ang damit namin. I was probably the luckiest because I had two sets of clothes. Tapos sa food, maarte ako. Gusto ko palaging may stock kahit minsan nabubulok na, so nasasayang. On the physical side naman, akala ko sobrang fit ako. Ang yabang ko. Pero hindi pala. But there were challenges na I found out I was stronger than the others.