Filipina Soul

Survivor Philippines returns this week with Episode 11, which aired on September 29, 2008 in the Philippines:

After the last Tribal Council, Naak went back to their camp. They discussed Emerson’s departure and his failed strategy. The question was asked, “Who voted for Kaye?”

Morning dawned, and the Naak tribe was starting to enjoy their surroundings. Kaye was digging for hints of who gave her that one vote at the last Tribal Council. It seemed that Zita’s choice became quite a controversy in their camp.

Continue reading Survivor Philippines Episode 11: Coconuts and Fish

OK this is all a promotion, but we love HappySlip … and Christine, as we know her, wants to meet you on her live chat, now happening every Friday and Sunday 8pm ET!

The girl’s into a new thing - trivia collection. So if you have cool factoids and experiments (like the egg) you want to share, just email it to her. I wonder if she knows about the Mentos-soda explosion?

She’s giving away her HappySlip family portrait courtesy of Ciesther at the Chat. Oooh, but check out Christine in a “Vanity Fair” pose. She’s totally stunning.

Check out the video after the cut.

Continue reading HappySlip invites to Live Chats, Contests and Trivia

Remember “Raquela” the Filipina transgender who starred in a semi-fictional movie? It has gotten Hollywood’s attention!

“The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela” has won the Best Feature Film at the Berlin Film Fest this year. Now, audiences in the US will get to watch this “honest portrayal” of a transgender when it opens September 26 in the USA via Regent. The Hollywood Reporter saw a preview and remarks that it will find “appreciative audiences in a few big cities” where it will be shown.

The great strength of the film is that it is difficult to know where cinema verite leaves off and fiction begins. De Fleur obviously elicited the trust of Raquela and some of her friends and encouraged them to share their thoughts on camera.

Eventually, Raquela realizes her dream of seeing Paris, but her options are limited there. Through all her adventures, Raquela emerges as a proud, defiant personality, and we enjoy spending time in her company.

If you’re a fan of Survivor Philippines, I created a new page here at Filipina Soul just for you!

If you check the sidebar, you’ll see that there’s a new page called “Survivor Philippines 2008“. All our posts about the Pinoy Survivor reality show will be listed there. So if you missed one, you know where to go to read them. :)

This is the last episode of Survivor Philippines for this week. This was the castaways’ 5th day on the island. With the second immunity challenge over, and Jarakay bringing the immunity idol back to their camp, it only needs to be seen who among the Naak tribe will go home.

The 10th episode aired today Friday, September 26, 2008.

Tribes around the Fire

Around the fire, Kiko nursed his psychological wounds from what Jace did during the first round of the immunity challenge.

Vevh confronted Emerson for his hurtful words.

The Jarakay tribe was also around the fire, but with none of the tension in the other tribe. Patani regaled them with her ambitions of becoming a star, and how she will not change even if she becomes famous. Sasakay pa rin daw siya ng jeep. (She’s still going to ride jeepneys.) Patani was the star of the night, showcasing her dancing and acting talents. It was clearly a fun night for everyone, the first time that they laughed so hard. They were literally rolling around on the sand with laughter.

Continue reading Survivor Philippines Episode 10: Naak Votes Again

If you haven’t caught on to the airing schedule of Survivor Philippines yet, it is shown 5 days a week. The episodes shown on Monday through Thursday are short ones compared to the one on Friday, when the Tribal Council is broadcast.

The 9th episode, which aired on Thursday, September 25, 2008, started with the immunity challenge.

Immunity Challenge #2

The challenge involves bringing back a Thai pillow that’s been buried in the sand. The pillow can be wrestled from the other person. The first pair, Kiko and Jace, cooperated to dig out the pillow together. They then wrestled in the sand, with a break for Jace to fix his shorts. But Jace took advantage of Kiko and ran off with the pillow, to give Jarakay the first point.

Continue reading Survivor Philippines Episode 9: Sand Wrestling

Are you enjoying Survivor Philippines? I am hooked! I love that the original flavor of the hit reality show was retained, yet this Pinoy version is so unique. For one, they’re speaking Tagalog!

We’re now at Episode 8 in our recaps of what’s happened so far. This episode aired on GMA7 on September 24, 2008.

Patani and Nina started the episode, with glimpses of their bonding as they gather food for the tribe.

Food, Glorious Food!

The Jarakay tribe enjoyed their first cooked meal in days. For many, it was probably the best meal they’ve ever had. Gigit said it, “This is life!”.

Continue reading Survivor Philippines Episode 8: Guys Plus One

Carla Martel featured a story about savoring Pinoy comfort food at The Coffee Beanery in Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong. That led me to reminisce what my own comfort foods are.

What do I cook/eat when I’m nostalgic for Filipino cuisine?

It is definitely pork adobo, with hot steamed rice of course. Another favorite is the Visayan stewed fish. I don’t even know the recipe name but it’s a simple dish made with very fresh fish boiled in water, tomatoes and onions. It reminds me of very early childhood memories spent near the waters of Negros Occidental. Another home-cooked favorite is shrimp or bangus Sinigang sa Bayabas (Guava Soursoup). That was a staple at my grandparents’ house in Bataan.

So now it’s your turn. WHAT DO YOU COOK/EAT WHEN YOU’RE NOSTALGIC FOR FILIPINO CUISINE? Let’s reminisce at the comments.

image: personal collection

Survivor Philippines is moving along so quickly! Like the original Survivors shows, the Pinoy version is chockfull of exciting challenges, life stories, schemes and even the occasional love angle.

Episode 7 aired on GMA7 on September 23, 2008. In the last episode, the Jarakay tribe won the reward challenge and a flint for making fire. They were sent back to their tribe. Naak stayed behind to have their chance at winning fire for their own tribe.

Continue reading Survivor Philippines Episode 7: Cooked Clams over Rice

The first week of Survivor Philippines, Episodes 1-5, covered the arrival of the castaways, the locations of the camps, the trials of the first days, the first immunity challenge, and the first tribal council.

Episode 6 aired on September 22, 2008. Here’s what happened at that episode:

Of Strategies and Hunger

The members of Naak discussed the tribal council among themselves. Kiko, Rob and JC made a pact among themselves to watch out for one another. Emerson was emerging as the manipulative member of the tribe. And the others were starting to find out about it.

Continue reading Survivor Philippines Episode 6: A Reward of Fire