Episode 19 - The 4th Immunty Challenge ( Huwag ka na magalit )

OMFG! Last night was really intense. I was physically drained just watching. That’s why I am doing the recap just now and this is how it goes…

The show, as always, starts with a short peek at where the previous episode left off. Nina and JC in medical hassle. JC with a possible snake bite and Nina with a small fracture.

It is Immunitty Challenege day once again and at the Jarakay camp, Marlon found some paint, probably the same way Naak did in the previous episode. They waste no time playfully putting them on, even as the tribe outcast, KIko, looks on. Somehow, Kiko’s composure is admirable during all this time that he is on enemy grounds. He admits, "My thought are always with Naak. I may be here physically but my spirit, my heart, my loyalty naiwan sa Naak."

Speaking of Naak, it rains on that side of the island. Naturally, it washes off most of the paint that the tribe members have put on earlier. They get drenched, yes. But their spirits remain high. They even seem to have forgotten about JC.

The Game.

Both tribes come together for the fifth time to play for immunity. Paolo comments that both tribes had fun with the body paint.

Before the game starts, Paolo points out that both tribes have one missing member each. The castaways acknowledge the fact. Then Paolo calls JC and Nina in. JC walks over to his tribe looking well and good like nothing happened. While Jarakay gets tense, the Naak members clap their hands, relieved that their team mate is ok. It is a different reaction, though, when Nina wobbles toward the group with a cast on her foot. They all give out gasps and worried looks.

Paolo announces, “Si Nina, may gusting sabihin sa Jarakay…at sa Naak na rin.”

Nina breaks down. "As much as I want to stay, yung toe ko ayaw eh. I have a fractured toe. Although maliit lang siya na injury, it requires casting and it cannot bet wet. As explained to me, marami pang challenges na susunod na hindi ko naman puwedeng tatakbo ako dala - dala ko 'to diba. Hindi rin ako puwedeng maglangoy ganoon. So naintindihan ko yun. Pero mahirap din para sakin na magpaalam sa inyo. At least di ba, hindi naman ako na-vote out. Thank you Naak, thank you for the camaraderie. Di ko man kayo lubusang nakilala lahat kayo kasi hindi naman tayo nagkasama. Thank you, you have been very good competitors. All of you."

Although from the other tribe, from a mother to a mother, Zita blurts out. “Magpaalam ka sa akin ha.” She hugs Nina the tightest and weeps with her after Nina is done with the rest of her speech to Jarakay. Cris also takes the opportunity to let Nina know that they have the same birthday – August 5. He then hands out some food for Jarakay to eat.

Paolo also has some words for Nina. “Nina, isang malaking karangalan ang makasama ka dito sa Survivor Philippines. PInatunayan mong isa kang totooong mandirigma, dito sa ating laro. Ingat ka”

Nina’s last words: "Itong experience ko dito sa island, hindi ko makukumpara sa kahit anong experience. Mahirap talaga i-describe. Hindi man ako nakarating sa dulo, hindi man ako naging sole Survivor, it's not the prize, it's not the money. It's the privilege of having been through sauch ano, nag-sacrifice ka, nag-challenge ka, nakisama ka, nakibagay ka. Tsaka legacy ko na yun."

Before they proceed to the game, Paolo hands out whole clumps of bananas for each tribe.

On to the game.

The way I see it, although the balls look like oversized plastic laundry thingies that you toss in the washing machine for a better wash, the mechanics of the game is almost that of soccer – only that players seem miniature beside the balls. The players are to push the giant balls toward their team goals and at the same time try to prevent the other team from scoring a goal. The ratio per team is 2 balls : 3 players.

In round 1, Jarakay's Vern, Charisse, and Nikki take on Naak's Zita, Kaye and Vevh. Jarakay’s blue team chose to put all their power to push one single ball while Naak’s red split into two girls pushing their ball toward the goal and Kaye to stop the blue ball. Naak’s strategy works, earning them the first point.

Naak : 1 , Jarakay : 0

In round two, It is the men’s turn… well, 5 boys and a pair of man boobs. Jarakay copies the Naak method. JC and Cris push Naak's ball while John and Marlon push Jarakay's ball. Both Rob and Jace act as goalies, stopping the opponent from scoring. This time though, Jace’s hard work at the gym again pays off as he is able to block both JC and Cris with their ball. John holds Rob by the waist while Marlon pushes the blue ball to score Jarakay’s first goal.

Naak : 1 , Jarakay : 1

During the excitement, the camera catches John shaking uncontrollably – possibly still due to his lack of potassium.

In the third and final round, whoever scores two goals first, wins immunity. This time Rob, Vhev and Zita take on Charise, Vern and Jace.

John is again caught by the camera shaking. This could also be due exhaustion and the chilly weather.

For immunity!

Naak splits immediately. Jarakay's Charisse and Vern push the ball while Jace does the defense not leaving Zita alone. Vern takes on Vhev. Charise moves from ball to ball to confuse and exhaust Rob. Rob tries to keep up but Charise seems to be more nimble in the shallow water. Rob occasionally leaves Cha to help Zita push the ball against Jace. This gives Charise time to push the blue balls even just a few feet towards the home goal.

At one point Jace tries to stop both Naak balls so Vern can push one unattended blue ball since Rob and Charise are busy contending over another ball. Rob again notices this and takes on Vern to push the blue ball back, then runs over to Vhev to help push a red Naak ball. Vern leaves her blue ball to stop Rob and resume contending with Vhev. All this time, Charise iss left free for a few seconds to move a Jarakay ball. Rob quickly runs over to stop her. Paolo points out that interestingly, no one is employing a mental strategy. Instead, it has been a physical game from the start.” Kailangan mag-sugal”.

Hmm sino kaya ang maapektoohan sa comment na ito ni Paolo?

Marlon coaches Charise to get on the ball. An irritated Rob retorts that it is illegal and shoots Marlon an angry look. Paolo agrees with Rob on the ball. Not intimidated one bit, Marlon takes the opportunity to tease Rob.

“Huwag ka na magalit… Huwag ka na magalit… Huwag ka na magalit… Huwag ka na magalit”

Rob roars back, “HINDI AKO NAGAGALIT!”

Kiko who has been silent during this time chides Marlon. “Huwag mo na kasing gatungan.”

Marlon, undaunted, snaps back “Bakit? Bawal ba yun?... Bawal ba yun?”

"Mind on the game Rob. Hayaan mo na." Kiko encourages his team mate.

“Hello!.. Hello!” Marlon won’t stop.

Rob just raises an open palm at Marlon.

“Yeah. Talking the hand” Man Boobs replies.

Pwede magrequest, Marlon? Pwede Tagalugin mo na lang?”Kausapin mo ang kamay. Ayan. Diba ang dali lang?

As everyone’s attention briefly shifted to the brewing fight, Vhev grabs the opportunity to free herself and push the Naak ball to the goal. But Vern is quick to play defense on Vhev. She then complains that Vhev is blocking with her foot. Vhev replies “Anong nakaharang? Siyempre pipigilan ko!” A silent Paolo means that there is no violation. Rob runs to her aid. Charise follows and holds him by the waist.

The players switch. Man to man. Girl on girl.

A stronger Jace proves too much for Rob and Jace scores 1 goal – 1 more goal away from immunity. Hmmm, so Zita was Jace’s equal match, not Rob???

The game continues.

Charise take on the remaining blue ball. A tiring Rob walks over to her. Zita pushes a red ball close to the Naak goal. Vern blocks her just in time. Rob and jace now take on the blue ball while the girls wrestle with each other on the remaining balls. The red balls are only a few feet from the goal. The last blue ball in the middle of the field. The players struggle.

Rob makes a judgment call.

Paolo screams. “Rob! Tumakbo!”

Rob leaves Jace in the middle of the field to help push the two balls into the goal before Jace freely pushes the blue ball into theirs.

“Si Jace! Hinayaan si Jace!”

Then time spins in a slow motion and I go numb. What I have feared has happened. Sumugal si Rob.

The blue ball starts to roll quickly. Rob gets to Zita and Vern.

But the red ball won’t budge. Vern is holding up.

Jace’s team mates yell words of encouragement. The blue ball is now just a few feet from the goal and is unstoppable.

1 Naak ball goes in.

“One all!”

“HINAYAAN SI JACE! SI JACE UNTI-UNTI!” Paolo is at the top of his lungs.

Jarakay can already smell victory.

Naak’s 3 versus Jarakay 2 can’t seem to muster enough strength to move the red ball.

Jace hauls the blue ball in and…

“JARAKAY WINS THE CHALLENGE! IMMUNITY FOR JARAKAY”

The blue team rejoices. The red team couldn’t believe it. My legs and hands are shaking and my stomach has cramped a few times. My palms are wet with cold sweat.

Naak will go to Tribal council… but not without a twist. Read: A predetermined one.

Kiko will also be back with Naak. Although with immunity from a vote out, he has no voting powers either. No that is not the twist. The twist is the guests or visitors joining the Tribal Council to observe Naak.

We’ll see. We’ll see.

.