Betong is new Celebrity Sole Survivor

MANILA, Philippines - After 36 days of severe challenges, comedian-host castaway Albert “Betong” Sumaya Jr. is now P3M richer after he was named Celebrity Sole Survivor last Friday night during the live grand finale of Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Doubles Showdown.

Held live at the GMA Network Studios, Betong emerged as this season’s winner after four out of seven jury members cast their votes in his favor.  He won against Stef Prescott and Mara Yokohama.

Betong was introduced in the recently-concluded season of Survivor Philippines with his partner Maey Bautista. Known as the Comic Duo, their tandem even made it to the final five together with castaways Stef, Mara, and KC Montero. In an unexpected turn of events, Maey and KC were voted off leaving behind Betong, Mara and Stef to compete for the title and the cash prize.

During their last night in the Survivor island, the jury — consisted of Chuckie Dreyfus, Arthur Solinap, John Odulio, Gino dela Peña, Arnold Aninion, Maey and KC — cast their votes in favor of the castaway they think deserving of the title of Celebrity Sole Survivor.

Host Richard Gutierrez read the votes cast by the jury. Betong received four votes while Mara had two votes, and one vote for Stef.

The grand finale of Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Doubles Showdown #SurvivorPHfinale became a trending topic on Twitter.

Also present in the finale were other castaways Geneva Cruz, Jackie Forster, Ellen Adarna, Filo Cucueco, Aifha Medina, Alyssa Alano, Maria Isabel Lopez, Isabel Granada and Carlo Gonzalez.