Last call for Survivor wannabes

MANILA, Philippines - Almost 5,000 Metro Manila residents auditioned for Survivor Philippines as GMA 7 kicked off its final audition for its second season at the SM San Lazaro last March 29 and 30. Survivor wannabes of all ages, shapes and sizes patiently waited to showcase their talents and came up with all sorts of gimmicks, hoping to become part of the next batch of castaways who will vie for the title second Pinoy Sole Survivor and win the P3-M grand prize.

Many of the aspiring castaways (OFWs, beauticians, students, sea men, a mall show director, musicians, a single mother, construction workers, etc.) who waited for their turn, cited poverty and instant celebrity as the reasons that prompted them to audition.

Host Paolo Bediones and Season 1 castaway Jervy “Patani” Daño joined the screening committee led by program manager Neil Gumban, executive producer Donna Medina, and segment producer Alex Dionisio. “Kung may changes sa mga challenges ganun din sa pag-handle ko sa mga castaways, I will be more of myself and add humor to my hosting when needed. That’s why I’m more excited with the season 2,” Paolo says over lunch at the Aristocrat Restaurant of SM San Lazaro.

”Survivor Philippines Season 2 won’t be held in the same island in Thailand. It will be in another island but I can’t reveal the place at the moment,” Paolo adds.

Aside from Survivor Philippines Paolo also hosts the daily morning GMA show Unang Hirit.