Survivor Philippines Palau: Season 2

The Republic of Palau was the chosen location for Survivor Philippines Season 2. An island nation lying in the Pacific Ocean, it is located at 500 miles east of the Philippines and 2,000 miles south of Tokyo.

Hosted by Paolo Bediones, Survivor Philippines Season 2 will premiere on August 17.

Pre-game Favorites

Amanda Colley Van Cooll, the lady construction worker, and Maya Segovia, mother, military pilot and mountaineer. Just because these two ladies seem to be cool, with careers in male-dominated fields.

Marvin Kiefer because we have to have an eye candy to make up for those annoying castaways. Instead of throwing a hard object at the TV, just turn your gaze on your eye candy.

Early hate

Louie Ang. Louis calls himself a “chickboy” and “bad boy”. Enough said.

Vlad Nesas. Vlad calls himself an “alpha male”, a dominant guy who always gets what he wants. A man who calls himself an alpha male is a tool. Trust.

Introducing The 16 Castaways

ECHO CACERES
20 YRS. OLD, CALL CENTER AGENT
BICOL

“I’m a real survivor because I am an all-in-one package person who knows my strength and knows when to use it. I am not only physically strong and witty but I know how to deal with different people even in difficult situations and I am able to easily adapt to any environment whether city or island life, making it with full determination.”

LOUIE ANG
24 YRS. OLD, IT TECHNICAL
PASIG

“Survivor ako kasi 5 girlfriends ko at hindi ako nahuhuli.”

Louie Ang is a typical guy-next-door, living his happy–go–lucky life with a constant goofy grin on his face.

His main reason for joining Survivor Philippines Palau could not be any simpler, “Matagal ko nang gustong sumali, para makita ko ang sarili ko sa TV,” Louie said.

When asked to describe himself, Louie declares that he is a “chickboy” and “bad boy”.

JUSTINE FERRER
29 YRS. OLD, BUSINESSWOMAN
KALOOKAN

“Well, I can say that I’m a real Survivor because I have been the breadwinner of my family for 10 years now. Also, I am providing for my nephew’s education and am helping my friends and relatives as much as I can. For me, winning their respect and love made me a real survivor.”

Justine Ferrer worked in Japan as a singer at the age of 19 and since then has become a breadwinner of the family.

As a businesswoman, Justine helped her father in a buy-and-sell business and managed a baby ultrasound company.

SUZUKI SADATSUGU
21 YRS. OLD, STUDENT/MODEL
TONDO

“Survivor ako kasi kahit malayo ako sa parents ko, kaya kong labanan ang lahat ng challenges sa buhay ko… kahit hindi lahat ng tao, naiintindihan ako, sinisigurado ko bago matapos ang araw ay nakilala ko sila at nakilala rin nila ako at naiintindihan ang pagkatao ko.”

Suzuki Sadatsugu lived in Japan for 18 years but still managed to stay true to his Filipino roots.

He usually visits his relatives in Manila, the reason he’s very familiar with the country and knows how to speak Filipino quite well.

Fondly called “Piko” or “Zuki”, he is taking up BS Criminology at Emilio Aguinaldo College in Manila.

TARA MACIAS
19 YRS. OLD, KOREAN ENGLISH TUTOR
CEBU

“I am not afraid to die, to suffer and to get lost, and with that mindset, over-all fear has no place in me as I fear no evil and that makes me a real survivor.”

At the age of 16, when their father passed away and their family business had to be closed down, Tara imposed upon herself to be self–supporting and to help her family get back on its feet. She has been working as an English language tutor to Koreans as well as a call center representative.

CHARLES DE VERA FERNANDEZ
21 YRS. OLD, BUSINESSMAN
DAGUPAN

“Survivor ako sa lahat ng trials sa aking buhay. Nakapagtapos ako ng studying ko through sipag at tiyaga sa iba’t ibang raket and sa direct selling business.”

“Madaldal, malakas ang loob at makapal ang mukha.”

That’s how Charles of Dagupan city would best describe himself and he was able to make good use of those traits to achieve the things he wants in life.

At the age of 18, Charles decided to become independent and live on his own without asking support from his parents.

He has probably sold everything direct-selling business could offer – from shoes and clothes to cosmetics.

And because of his perseverance, persuasiveness and talkativeness Charles was able to finish studying at the University of Luzon in Dagupan City.

CAROL GEMENTIZA
45 YRS. OLD, PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER
ILOILO

Carol Gementiza, a public school teacher for 20 years, is the oldest among the Castaways of Survivor Philippines: Palau.

She said that it was her children that encouraged and motivated her to audition for Survivor Philippines Palau.

Her experience as a teacher taught her patience and perseverance, which would seem enough to make her fit to become a Castaway.


MARVIN KIEFER
18 YRS. OLD, MODEL
CAGAYAN DE ORO

“I’m a Survivor because at any time of any day with just my backpack in hand, I am ready to go anywhere in the world.”

It seems that this Swiss–Filipino teenager hailing from Cagayan de Oro just has too much time on his hands.

Born in Switzerland and raised in CDO since he was three years old, Marvin Kiefer always had a passion for learning, adventure and experiencing different things.

AMANDA COLLEY VAN COOLL
25 YRS. OLD, CONSTRUCTION WORKER
MINDORO

“Survivor ako dahil bilang isang construction worker sa mundo ng mga lalaki, kinakaya at ginagawa ko ang trabaho, enjoy ko pa!”

Amanda Coolley Van Cooll works as a general labor construction worker in Alaska.

Name a work in construction and she’s done it all – from driving trucks to mixing cement.

“I love building things and working with my hands,” Amanda said when asked why she chose a career considered for men.

Amanda said that she got bored working in a bank, doing the same things everyday.

Amanda grew up a probinsyana and is accustomed to island life. She is confident that her experiences prepared her enough for the game.

CRIS BOLADO
39 YRS. OLD, BASKETBALL CLINIC INSTRUCTOR
QUEZON

“Survivor ako dahil gusto kong maibalik ang mga nawala sa akin before, especially money. It’s sad but I know there will be hope na darating for me to build again all my dreams.”

Cris Bolado retired from professional basketball in 2003 because of injury. Since then, he has kept himself busy coaching in basketball clinics all over the country.

MAYA SEGOVIA
32 YRS. OLD, MILITARY OFFICER
BATANGAS

“I’m a survivor in the truest sense. I survived all life’s challenges. I can accomplish anything inspite of all the personal problems I’m going through. I’m a mom, a military officer, a military pilot and a business woman. I can do multi-tasking and get the work done well.”

Captain Maya Segovia, a military officer and a pilot of the Philippine Air Force has always thought of herself as a man trapped in a woman’s body.

“Kahit na emotional pa rin ako bilang babae, kaya kong makipagsabayan sa mga lalaki,” the mother of two said.

Maya has been a pilot for seven years and she believes that it is her destiny to be a part of the profession ruled by men.

“Flying is really one of the things that make me happy,” she added.

Always competitive and physically active, Maya has been a mountaineer for 16 years and has also participated in triathlons.

She is also a taekwondo black-belter.

Despite all her credentials, Maya prepared herself for Survivor Philippines: Palau by studying people politics through reading books on psychology.

SHAUN RODRIGUEZ
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE
ZAMBALES

“Naranasan ko nang ma-bankrupt dati dahil sa negosyo as in wala natirang pera sa akin tapos ang dami kong utang. Pero hindi ako nawalan ng pag-asa.. namasukan ako sa isang shipping line. 2 months pa lang ako nagte-training, kinuha na kong waiter sa barko ng isang international cruise, hanggang sa unti-unti, nabayaran ko ang utang ko. Ginawa ko lahat ng best ko at hindi ako sumuko. Survivor Ako!”

Shaun works as a Public Relations staff at the City Council’s Office in Manila where he is engaged in dental and medical missions and feeding programs among other public service affairs.

“I have really become sympathetic to the plight of the less fortunate,” Shaun said. “Masarap tumulong sa mahihirap lalo na pag na-a-appreciate nila ang kahit kaunting tulong na naibigay mo sa kanila.”

To prepare himself for Survivor Philippines: Palau, Shaun focused on improving his endurance by running for hours from the Quirino Grandstand to Roxas Boulevard.

TROY PEREZ
27 YRS. OLD, MENTALIST MAGICIAN
MANILA

“Since my childhood, it’s been my obsession to be different from my playmates, classmates and friends through magic and real life adventures. In joining this game, it will further bolster my longing for more adventure. It will open a wider horizon for the fulfillment of my dreams.”

It is second nature for Troy Perez to entertain people, the very reason why he got into performing as a magician or, as he prefers to be called, a mentalist.

After taking up BS Biology in Manila, he landed a job in a bank and his mentalist tricks came in handy as he usually got invited to corporate shows.

“Bago pa man ‘yung show, I practiced remote viewing or visualization,” Troy said. “I already imagined the situations I could possibly face and my reaction to those situations,” he added.

JEF GAITAN
22 YRS. OLD, PRINT AND COMMERCIAL MODEL
LAGUNA

“I’m a real Survivor because I survived on my own in real life. I took the risk to be independent at a very young age. I survived growing up in the city alone. I became a parent to myself and a teenager at the same time.”

Jef Gaitan may be sweet, friendly and approachable but her charming demeanor and her stunning looks should not be construed as signs of weakness.

VLAD NESAS
24 YRS. OLD, PROFESSIONAL MODEL
LAS PINAS

“I consider myself a real survivor because I have been through a lot of challenges in my life. Growing up, I always felt insecure. Pakiramdam ko ang pangi-pangit ko. This is the reason why I improved my body, my looks, pati na ang dating ko sa mga tao.Tingnan mo naman ngayon, hindi lang ako nag-improve, model pa ako ngayon.”

Vlad Nesas calls himself an “alpha male”, a dominant guy who always gets what he wants. He is confident that this is going to be his ace in winning the title of Pinoy Sole Survivor.

Vlad is a graduate of Industrial Design, Major in Fine Arts at the University of Sto. Tomas where he was also a varsity swimmer.

He considers Joining Survivor Philippines: Palau as his major test of character.

“Kapag nakayanan ko itong Survivor, made na made na talaga ako” Vlad said smugly. “To prepare, talagang pinaganda ko ang katawan ko… sinanay ko ang sarili ko sa hirap. Grabe, six times a week na nga ang pagwo-work out ko. Kaya ba ng iba yun?”

He also knows that the cash prize and the title would drastically change his life, that’s why he is giving his all in the game.

“Hindi ako nagpapatalo. Hindi ako madaling mauto o mapaikot. Hindi rin ako takot manggago. Kung nabilib sila kay Marlon noon… well, hindi pa nila nakikilala si Vlad!” he said.

MIKA BATCHELOR
25 YRS. OLD, CHEF AND RESTAURANT OWNER
PALAWAN

“I consider myself a Survivor because I am not afraid to meet life head-on and I never back away from a challenge as what does not kill me makes me stronger.”

Mika Batchelor is a 25-year old chef and restaurateur from Palawan.

Although she is representing the beautiful islands of Coron, Mika grew up in Boracay.

The beauty of these two beautiful Philippine beaches made her fell in love with the ocean and the outdoors.

Among her adventurous hobbies include surfing, sailing and rock–climbing.

But she faces challenges everyday as she takes charge of her restaurant by herself.

“Being a restaurant owner, I really learned leadership by dealing and socializing with people,” Mika said.

To prepare herself for Survivor Philippines Palau, Mika ate lots of high–protein food, fruits and vegetables.

“We have a hill in Coron with a cross at the top; it’s about seven hundred steps. I run there back and forth every day for my endurance,” Mika added.