Buwi's rough days in Survivor

MANILA, Philippines - While Buhawi “Buwi” Meneses is used to going outdoors for rough adventures, he never thought joining GMA 7’s Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown is synonymous to getting into a real tough situation. This, he shares after he had recently been voted off by his tribe mates in Magan, where two other booted out castaways — Doc Ferdz Recio and Myka Flores — belong.

Buwi became lighter by 30 pounds because he hardly ate. His skin got a few shades darker. He, too, was sleep-deprived due to the mosquitoes that thrive in Ranong Island in Thailand. All of them were literally sleeping under the rain, barely getting protection in the improvised shelter.

 “Sobrang hirap. I mean the hardest part for me was getting to the (game) site from our camp. We have to walk three kilometers carrying our flag, torches and pawid because when it is low tide, hindi kami masundo kaya lakad talaga. We also have to endure the rain and the heat of the sun.”

Still, the former Magan leader showed his strength and was determined to do everything for his team until Elma Muros, Mico Aytona and Solenn Heussaff “conspired” to kick him out of the competition. It instantly banished Buwi’s chance of pocketing the P3-M grand prize and being named as this season’s Sole Survivor.

Buwi knows his tribe mates voted him off because they felt he made a wrong move when he chose Doc Ferdz to be removed from the game instead of Myka who decided to quit.

“Alam kong gumapang si Miko tapos si Elma nag-instigate din, pinagtulungan na nila ’ko. But we were all okay during our first day in the camp. We had our own task — the girls were assigned to cook, Mico in fire, while Doc Ferdz and I will build our shelter,” Buwi recounts. “Tapos nakagat si Doc ng langgam. Hindi na makakilos, malaki rin yung langgam. Sa loob-loob ko nahihirapan ako sa paggawa ng shelter.Wala akong katulong sa shelter. Hindi na s’ya kumilos naiiwan na n’ya yung bolo kung saan-saan. Supposedly, mapapakita yun pero ’di napakita.”

“Then nagkaroon na kami ng sama ng loob, ako sa sarili ko, nung nag-pray kami which is pinakita rin naman sabi ko, ‘I had my own prayer.’ Medyo inano n’ya na ‘Kaya na ni Lord yan.’ Parang medyo nasumbatan na ba ko sa personal prayer ko parang ganun so nagkaroon ako ng ano sa kanya, that’s why,” he continues airing his side.

 Doc Ferdz was a no-show during the pocket interview. He was on location taping an episode for his show. Thus, his comment wasn’t heard.

But no hard feelings. Buwi knows everything that happened was just part of the game where everyone aims to outwit, outplay and outlast one another.

“It’s good that my band mates understand me. They’re supportive in my every adventure. It was in 2000 when I climbed Mt. Fuji for breast cancer awareness and topped the Marlboro adventure challenge in 2006. In return, I make sure I finish any commitment with the band before I leave,” the bassist of Parokya ni Edgar and Franco shares.

Buddy Zabala of Eraserheads took over Buwi’s place while he was away in the music scene for four weeks.

Does he feel time has been wasted when he joined Survivor?

“No. Actually, I auditioned in the first season and it was my friend Kiko Rustia who got in. I received an allowance which compensated for my absence.”

Are there other changes in him after being stranded in the island and he slept with people he cannot really trust due to competition?

“I have proven to myself that I could do something aside from music. I welcome the opportunity of guesting in shows.”

And when it comes to acting, Buwi has no qualms about giving it a try.

 “Idol din natin si Bembol Roco and Mark Gil,” he explains.