On going shooting of Survivor US in Caramoan, Camarines Sur
By my_january
@my_january (967)
Philippines
March 31, 2012 6:25am CST
The euphoria I had thinking that I was going to see the beauty of Caramoan, turned into disappointment, upon reading that 7 Islands were inaccessible because of the on going shoot of Survivor US from Feb to August 2012. 
And this inlcudes, Matukad, Lahos and Sabitang-Laya, which, according to my research are the must-see islands of Caramoan.
I understand that they have paid for it. That these guys can afford to pay big amount of money (which will make the local govergment there very happy) to seclude the most beautiful islands in Caramoan. It's good for the country's tourism and for the locals out there because it opens business opportunities for them but what about other people? What about those who had planned their trips and had reserved accommodations months ago only to find out now that they won't be able to fully explore the place? I think they had made it confidential and write ups about the shoot were known to public only this last weeks of March.
I think that the local government should also consider that there are people, most importantly, citizen's of the country, who had planned to go there during long holidays like this. I just think that they can have an arrangement not to close the entire area, even just for the month of March or April as these are summer months. Better yet, set a time frame when people can go to these islands so everyone can be happy! Summer months is the season when people scheduled trips to the beach. Especially when going to CamSur, knowing that the area is mostly visited by thypoons, best time to go is during summer.
I just feel like I am being deprived of my own country's beauty.
And this inlcudes, Matukad, Lahos and Sabitang-Laya, which, according to my research are the must-see islands of Caramoan.
I understand that they have paid for it. That these guys can afford to pay big amount of money (which will make the local govergment there very happy) to seclude the most beautiful islands in Caramoan. It's good for the country's tourism and for the locals out there because it opens business opportunities for them but what about other people? What about those who had planned their trips and had reserved accommodations months ago only to find out now that they won't be able to fully explore the place? I think they had made it confidential and write ups about the shoot were known to public only this last weeks of March.
I think that the local government should also consider that there are people, most importantly, citizen's of the country, who had planned to go there during long holidays like this. I just think that they can have an arrangement not to close the entire area, even just for the month of March or April as these are summer months. Better yet, set a time frame when people can go to these islands so everyone can be happy! Summer months is the season when people scheduled trips to the beach. Especially when going to CamSur, knowing that the area is mostly visited by thypoons, best time to go is during summer.
I just feel like I am being deprived of my own country's beauty. 4 responses
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
1 Apr 12
hi my_january.
i had caramoan listed in my vacation spots exactly because of this reason. if it was chosen by the people behind the popular show 'survivor', then the place must really be a must-visit and must-see.
now, i do feel your sentiments. something planned like this should have made the rounds publicly so others wouldn't set their vacations and trips during the shoot of 'survivor'. i guess the producers of the show requested from the local government to keep things hush hush so as to build excitement for the show's upcoming seasons. anyway, don't fret, the caramoan isalands will still be there after the 'survivor' taping and you'll have more than enough time to visit and explore the place.
happy mylotting!!!!
@my_january (967)
• Philippines
11 Apr 12
Hi allen, thanks for commenting on my discussion. I will check your discussion too. 
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
1 Apr 12
by the way, here is the discussion i started a couple of days ago, http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2644289.aspx.
feel free to chime in.
cheers!!!
@CaptAlbertWhisker (32507)
• Calgary, Alberta
1 Apr 12
they wont let people to get in cos the producers wants to keep the vents in the island secret, wanna know why? few seasons ago an obessed survivor fan go to the location where the season is being filmed and this fan just leaked who gets voted off from first week top last and this fan also leaked who are the final 2. after that incident, CBS became strict, they never let tourists gets near those island, the hotel near the island, is also off limits, cos there is an incident when a tourist inside the hotel notice people with survivor buffs gets in to the hotel every 3 days, those are the people who got voted off, the hotels were used as loser's lodge, this where voted off contestants lives. Basically the tourist remembered the appearance of every contestants sent to the loser's lodge, with that this tourist figured out who is voted off from first week to last and leaked the info.
anyway they originally planned to use caramoan 2 years ago but a tsunami alert happens.
@mensab (4200)
• Philippines
31 Mar 12
i fully agree with you that the local governments could have done a better job in informing people especially local tourists about the planned closure of several islands. this is not helping local tourism. of course, the provincial and municipal governments can always dictate the terms of the rent by US survivor series. caramoan is still in the philippines, it should be open to public.
@my_january (967)
• Philippines
11 Apr 12
I certainly agree with you on this. Camsur Local government still has rights on the terms. But we have learned this from our host during our 3 days stay in the islands, contract of Survivor to use the island is for 5 years. (Imagine, a 5 year contract has been settled). According to the blogs I have read, the jump off for island hopping is Paniman beach, but our host said that Paniman is close because of Survivor as they are using it too, so we have to use Bikal port. Our bangkero brought us to a hidden cove called "Tinago Island" and he said it is restricted, there are speedboats on its shores, and really nice huts were made on its grounds. They called it Tinago, because it really looks hidden. And it it solely use for the crews/production team of Survivor. Just a thought: soon they'll own the islands... 
Lots of areas are really restricted for local tourists because of them. So sad...
Lots of areas are really restricted for local tourists because of them. So sad... 
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
31 Mar 12
Hello My_January, well, that is one of the bad things that the local government did there, should have been early and nice enough for them to inform the locals or future tourist through mail, posters or internet announcement of some sort. but it's nice that some American shows are now putting a good site on our country..
@my_january (967)
• Philippines
11 Apr 12
I understand that it is good for local business, to help our fellow countrymen earn their living considering that they are really far from the city, but there should be balance. According to our host during our stay, Survivor has a 5 year contract to use the island. So I guess, one should not really visit the island when there is an ongoing season shoot. I have experienced it last week. Most islands are really restricted.
