Tonight the 25th season of Survivor debuts. This season was filmed in the Caramoan Islands of the Philippines, about 300 miles away from Metro Manila. Located in Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region of Luzon, the national park with its coastline of ocean, bay, and swamps served as the setting of the American version of the reality show.

The Caramoan Islands has already been featured as the location for several of the other international versions of the show. The Bulgarian and Swedish franchises have shot a season each in the islands. The Serbian franchise filmed two consecutive seasons in the islands and the Israeli franchise filmed three consecutive seasons. The French version of Survivor, Koh-Lanta filmed their seventh season in Palawan and their eighth season in the Caramoan Islands. Director Corinne Vaillant says, "The powdery sands, the coconuts on Gota beach and the neighboring islets are a 'dream' for the French people. We chose Caramoan because it's really wild. It's necessary that contestants don't see anything other than nature for them to believe that they're really lost in the wild."

Survivor in the American format premiered in 2000 and has since become a cultural phenomenon. Centered around physical and mental challenges, contestants are split up into tribes that compete against each other until eventually there is only one standing. The winner of the competition is given one million dollars. This season will feature students, a sex therapist, an investment banker, baseball MVP Jeff Kent, and Lisa Whelchel from the 80s sitcom Facts of Life.

The 26th season has already begun filming a few months ago in the Caramoan Islands and will premiere in February 2013. Filipinos worldwide are excited to have the beauty of the Philippines on display for the world to see.

(source: AsianJournal)

Make sure to tune in and watch Survivor: Philippines on Tuesdays on CBS at 8/7c. Check your local listings and the Survivor website for more info!