Scent of survival–no bathrooms

MUD, smoke and soot stuck on castaways’ clothes and bodies, the finalists admit.

ALL the remaining nine finalists agreed that one of the biggest trials on the island was the lack of a decent bathroom.

“After a while, you start appreciating the little things in life,” explained John Odulio of the rugby team Philippine Volcanoes.

They missed the ordinary things they used to take for granted, related John.

The camp was located between a lagoon and the beach, but such everyday necessities as shampoo, soap and deodorant (not to mention, a fresh change of clothes) were a no-no for the castaways in the GMA 7 reality show “Survivor Philippines Celebrity Doubles Showdown.”

“According to the staff, we started smelling like soot and smoke as the show progressed,” recalled TV host Gino de la Paz. “It’s because we were always hunched around the bonfire. To be fair, no one had body odor.”

Their unusual scent stuck on the van they rode back to Puerto Princesa from San Vicente in Palawan, recounted actor Arthur Solinap, who tried to wash his shirt on the island, to no avail. “I couldn’t get rid of the smell on the shirt.”

Radio DJ KC Montero related that several castaways had wardrobe malfunctions during the challenges as well. “I had to fasten my shorts with a safety pin so it wouldn’t fall off,” said KC.

Gino said that he had lost so much weight that his Speedos threatened to slip off anytime.

Actress Stef Prescott lost 10 to 15 pounds on the island. Surfer-actress Mara Yokohama shed roughly 12 pounds as well.

“We barely had enough to eat,” recalled Mara.

Another good thing about the deprivation (aside from the sexier figure), Mara picked up an invaluable skill. “The boys taught me how to climb a coconut tree,” Mara recounted.

For his part, John learned to make do with such exotic fare as sea worms, crabs and shellfish. “We had to dig for the tamilok (wood worm) in the trees and crabs that hide in the sand. When we were given salt, I considered it more precious than diamonds.”

According to most of the castaways, the Volcanoes’ Arnold Aninion and John, along with KC, were the biggest threats on the island.

Comic Betong Sumaya pointed out: “Physically, the Volcanoes were the strongest.”

Gino picked KC as the toughest rival. “Luckily, KC was a loyal ally. We really hit it off on the island.”

Former child star Chuckie Dreyfus, who was in the top 10 but was eventually voted off the island, agreed with Gino: “KC understood the mental aspects of the game.”

John admitted that he had to go easy on his athleticism so as not to be perceived as a threat.

Comedienne Maey Bautista confessed that she’s aware that she’s dead-weight when it came to the physical challenges. She compensated on other areas of the game. “I became observant, always analyzing people.”

Betong, for his part, relished playing the island’s gofer, to make himself useful and endear himself with the others. “I would gather firewood, start the fire and cook food for the castaways.”

Different strokes for different folks.

“There’ll be more surprises in store,” said Maey.

Will longtime friends Maey and Betong betray each other?

Abangan.