Savannah Lamsen fails to enter the Fearless Four of Pinoy Fear Factor

Savannah Lamsen, a 23-year-old ledge dancer from Quezon City, didn't make it to the Fearless Four of Pinoy Fear Factor: Argentina, South America. She was eliminated in the Octava Ronda de Eliminaciόn (Elimination Round 8) of the ABS-CBN reality show last night, February 12.

"Ayoko pang umuwi...hindi ko ine-expect na mangyayari yun! It's time for me to go," said Savannah after she failed in the third stunt of Octava Ronda de Eliminaciόn.

In the first challenge of Elimination Round 8, the participantes were required to hold on to a stick at the end of the rope that would be dragged by a horse trotting in circles on a muddy field. Whoever could hold on to the rope the longest in this stunt, called Atrasado Por Un Caballo (Slowed Down by a Horse), would be safe from elimination and would automatically compete in the final round.

Manuel Chua gripped the tow rope the longest with a record time of 1:01. He also holds the record for being the only participante in the history of Fear Factor who tired a horse out with his strength.

On the other hand, Jommy Teotico stayed on the tow line for 54 seconds while Marion dela Cruz hung on for 39 seconds. The women did not perform well in the stunt. Janna Dominguez's time was just five seconds while Savannah's was only three seconds.

The next stunt was called Cinta Transportada de Fruticias (Strawberry Conveyor Belt). Forty strawberries are transported on a tilted conveyor belt. Each participante must catch them one by one with his mouth and place them in the box opposite his spot.

This second challenge seemed easy for the participantes. But since this is Pinoy Fear Factor, a chosen fellow participante could put distractions on the conveyor belt along with the strawberries to make the challenge more difficult. The one who placed the most strawberries in the box would be exempted from competing in the final stunt of Octava Ronda de Eliminaciόn.

Savannah got one strawberry, Marion got six, and Jommy and Janna both had eight strawberries. Manuel, who was present to observe his potential contenders in the final round, was assigned to choose between Jommy and Janna on who would compete in the third stunt of Elimination Round 8. Manuel chose Jommy based on his assessment that Janna caught more strawberries but, unfortunately, these did not reach the box, reducing the total count of her strawberries.

The third stunt was the Pared Giratoria (Rotating Wall). In this stunt, the participantes must scale both sides of a rotating wall in as many revolutions as they can in ten minutes without falling off. The one who performs the least revolutions will go home to the Philippines.

Jommy was the only one able to last the entire ten minutes, pulling off 12 revolutions and thus securing a place in the final round. Both Marion and Savannah fell off the wall. However, Marion was able to complete three revolutions before falling off while Savannah slid off the wall at the onset, making her the 8th eliminado of Pinoy Fear Factor: Argentina, South America.

Savannah was truly sad when she did not make the stunt. "Sad ako...hindi ko akalaing maaalala ako ng mga tao dahil nahulog ako ng mabilis. Ayoko ng ganun ako maalala," she tearfully told host Ryan Agoncillo.

What lessons did she learn in Pinoy Fear Factor?

"Na, yun nga, magkaroon ka ng bilib sa sarili mo, saka yung feeling na makikisama sa lahat ng klase ng tao, kahit ano pa sila."

Was she able to conquer most of her fears?

"Oo, marami saka yung pagri-reach ko ng goal ko, hindi ako hihinto."

Next week, the remaining participantes—Manuel Chua, Jommy Teotico, Marion dela Cruz, and Janna Dominguez—will be facing the ultimate challenge of Pinoy Fear Factor. Find out who will be tagged as El Ultimo Participante and who will win P2 million and a house and lot in Pinoy Fear Factor: Argentina South America.

Watch the last few episodes of Pinoy Fear Factor every night on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida and every Saturday at 7 p.m. on Studio 23.

PFF participantes Son of suburbia

Jose Sarasola, one of the hunky participantes on the ABS-CBN reality show “Pinoy Fear Factor,” isn’t ashamed to admit he’s a bona fide village kid who grew up in the suburbs.

“I’d rather hang out at home,” he says. “I seldom go out on gimiks—only for the birthday parties of friends and other special occasions.”

When there are no dance workshops or mall tours with the PFF crew, 23-year-old Jose spends the day holed up in his room, working out in the gym, biking or rollerblading around the village or shooting hoops.

Jose himself built the basketball court on a vacant lot in the Parañaque subdivision. “I borrowed the lot from the owner. I usually play ball with the neighborhood guys—ice-cream vendors, house boys and security guards.”

He’s pretty low-key, unlike most young people his age.

“It’s not that I’m lazy,” he points out. “I just love staying in my room.”

His personal space is pretty self-contained. “For as long as I have my TV, DVD player, PlayStation and laptop within reach, I’ll be fine.”

Special blinds

Jose personally took charge of his room’s renovation. He painted the white walls blue and hand-picked the décor and furniture.

“I usually stay up until 2 a.m., watching movies, so I wake up late.”

For that reason, he had special blinds installed that block out sunlight. “Even if it’s high noon, it feels like nighttime in my room,” he says.

He got the leather chairs from Home Depot and the miniature paintings from a flea market.

The framed PFF T-shirt and blindfold are mementos from his grand adventure in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Also strewn all over the room are other souvenirs from his numerous travels—including framed tarantulas and scorpions (from Thailand) that are mercifully dead.

“I like exotic creatures,” he notes. He once kept a pet scorpion and now takes care of a snapping turtle and four rare fishes.

As an only child, Jose enjoyed all the creature comforts in this house where his parents first moved in 25 years ago.

His three-week stint in Argentina, where he had to rough it in a very basic camp, proved instructive. “I learned how to share a cramped bedroom and one bathroom with six guys I hardly knew.”

Mom Donna confirms that Jose, who is graduating with a degree in Culinary Arts from the College of Saint Benilde this month, is a homebody. Certified.

“He designed his room as preparation for his future bachelor’s pad,” mom explains. “He says that he’ll get his own place one day and when he does, he’ll know how it’s going to look.”

Jose also helped in decorating the minimalist living room. “He chose some of the décor and furniture pieces—like the table from a nearby mall.”

Predominantly Asian, the décor consists mostly of gifts from mom Donna’s Lola Consejo Montinola, as well as her parents.

“My father used to be the head of Unicef (United Nations Children’s Fund) in Thailand and Pakistan. He brought home lots of carpets from Islamabad and Karachi and Buddhas from Bangkok,” Donna relates.

Also displayed prominently are a batik art work from Indonesia, prints from India, three Ivan Acuña paintings and Lola Consejo’s oil portrait by Araceli Limcaco-Dans.

A prized silverware collection is also courtesy of Lola Consejo.

The Sarasolas’ home life clearly revolves around food and entertaining.

Whenever fellow participantes Jommy Teotico and RJ Calipus visit, they play computer games and chow down home-cooked meals all day.

Not that Jose, a chef by training, is fond of whipping up meals in the kitchen.

“He only cooks pasta and rosemary chicken when we ask him to, for our family lunches every Sunday,” mom says.

“I don’t see myself as a chef. I’d rather be the supervisor of a restaurant,” he admits.

A Persian resto in the suburbs, of course, is Jose’s dream business.

Elimination doesn’t mean they’re totally out

Six of the Pinoy Fear Factor (Argentina, South America) participants are back after being eliminated from the Filipinized version of the popular reality TV show.

They may be out but they’re definitely not down.

Eliminados, as they are referred to in Argentine Spanish, Gail Nicolas, Ram Sagad, Phoemela Baranda, Jose Sarasola, Elmer Felix, and LJ Moreno, continue to make waves even after being sent home after their elimination.

Armed with renewed confidence and killer instinct which they developed in Argentina, the eliminated participantes (participants) are dead set to conquer their new goals in their post-Pinoy Fear Factor lives.

Bikini Summit ’07 winner Gail may have left very early in the competition but she never faded into oblivion. With God-given physical attributes, her image has been all over men’s magazines like FHM and Maxim. Just like in Pinoy Fear Factor, the Viva talent is willing to dip into the untested waters, which in her case is now show business.

Ram, on the other hand, is busy undergoing workshops under ABS-CBN. He’s working double time with auditions for TV and movie projects. With his eye on the prize, this former basketball player promises never to give up and let go of his dreams this time. He got eliminated in the second round of elimination, when he was quickest to let go from a wayward helicopter.

Third eliminado Phem is as busy as ever on The Buzz and TV Patrol World. Her Fear Factor experience also gave birth to magazine and newspaper features about her. After proving she can battle it out with the boys, Phem is no longer a mere celebrity. Her passion and determination is now recognized more than ever.

Among all the eliminados, it’s Jose who had a movie-like experience. Even before the show started, he was rumored to have a sex video, which was later proven a hoax. While in the show he was bitten by a snake, had a love team with Savanah, as well as a rivalry with Manuel whom he claimed had a different and meaner personality off camera. Now the aspiring chef is back focusing on his cooking but he’s game to taste a little bit of show business.

Although veterinarian Elmer was often sick, he still went on with every stunt and challenge, ready to be the first Filipino veterinarian to conquer the world’s greatest fears. Swallowing a cockroach didn’t stop him but LJ did, when she outdid him in the last stunt of the fifth round of elimination. Back to saving animals, Elmer is determined to never ever again choke.

LJ’s early departure after the sixth round was a shock, being the strongest and most athletic of all chicas. However, her loss can also be her gain, as she can focus now on her brewing romance with Argentine crew Maxi. Still, the erstwhile heartbroken LJ must figure out what weighs more, her newfound love or a revived career?

While the eliminados chase their dreams, the SAISTIG (Sais na Astig) continue their fight in Argentina. Now serious and hungrier more than ever, SuperManuel, “Scorpion King” Jommy, “El Gato de Parola” RJ, Janna “Bonana,” Marion and Savanah are bound to face greater danger in the next rounds for the P2-million prize, house and lot and the title El Ultimo Participante.

Pinoy Fear Factor with host Ryan Agoncillo airs Monday to Friday after Eva Fonda on ABS-CBN. Catch the weekly highlights every Saturday at 7 p.m. on Studio 23, Kabarkada Mo!

 

- by Isah V. Red

RJ Calipus eliminated in septima ronda de eliminacion of Pinoy Fear Factor

Wharf porter Bernabe "RJ" Calipus from Tondo was the 7th participante eliminated in Pinoy Fear Factor: Argentina, South America. The culmination of the séptima Ronda de eliminación (Elimination Round 7) was aired last Friday, January 30. 

In this round, six participantes labeled as the Saistig (Sais na Astig) vied to survive the challenges in the seventh round to determine who will take home the cash prize, a house and lot, and the title of El Ultimo Participante. 

THE FIRST CHALLENGE. The participantes had to lie down inside a transparent glass coffin being submerged underwater in a stunt called Cofre en el Agua (Coffin in Water). At the signal of a pilot light, the participante must open the lock of the glass coffin using one of three keys tied to their hands to release themselves from the glass coffin and swim toward the edge of the pool marked with the logo. The fastest participante to finish the stunt will be exempted from the next round.

Marion Cruz and Jommy Teotico were exempted from the succeeding rounds of séptima ronda de eliminación, finishing the stunt at 19 and 20 seconds, respectively. Marion was shocked after hearing the result because he didn't even expect to finish the stunt himself. Even though Marion has always done a great job at the stunts, he panicked this time and he felt tense in frightful stunts, so PFF host Ryan Agoncillo branded him "Quintin Tarantahin."

Manuel Chua and Savannah Lamsen clocked in identical times of 26 seconds each, but Savannah was penalized with five additional seconds for holding the lock and keys before the pilot light's signal was given.

Janna Dominguez finished the challenge in 42 seconds while RJ was the only one unable to finish the stunt since he quit after 24 seconds.

Four of them had to move to the second challenge of séptima ronda de eliminación.

THE SECOND CHALLENGE. Caja del Terror (Box of Terror) was the name of the challenge that the four participantes had to face. They had to lie inside a box that is divided into three sections, one at the head, one surrounding the feet and the middle section, each to be filled with either rats, snakes, or frogs. The challenge was to transfer a number of animals placed in the middle section into a fish tank next to the box in a span of three minutes. The fastest person to accomplish the stunt would be exempted from competing in the third stunt.

All of them were tasked to transfer 15 frogs. Savannah was able to transfer 12 frogs in three minutes. RJ was able to transfer 15 frogs in 39 seconds, but one frog landed out of the fish tank and another ended up in another compartment of the box, thus putting the official count at 13.

Both Manuel and Janna were able to completely transfer 15 frogs, but Janna did it two seconds faster than Manuel having 1 minute and 45 seconds versus 1 minute and 47 seconds, thus saving her from the third round.

THE THIRD CHALLENGE. In preparation of the third stunt, a test explosion triggered by the PFF staff caught the attention of the local police. So as to avoid troubles with the police force, all production was suspended until the next day in a different location.

For the third stunt, Manuel, Savannah and RJ tried out a giant wire loop game in Circuito con Explosiones (Circuit with Explosions). The stunt was a real heart-stopping feat because if the wire touches the giant electrical hoop, it will trigger a fiery explosion behind the participante.

Manuel was the first one to try the stunt after being chosen by his co-participante, Savannah. He initially felt unwanted by the group but it turned that he was the only to complete the stunt with a time of 1:28.

Since both RJ and Savannah set off explosions, the distance achieved became the basis for the decision of the judges. Savannah managed to loop 2.97 meters of the wire, while RJ crossed only 2.6 meters, making him the seventh person to fly back home to the Philippines.

As Pinoy Fear Factor nears its conclusion, the challenges are also getting more intense. Next week, the remaining five participantes would be competing in Octava Ronda de Eliminación (Elimination Round 8) where they will be facing other extreme stunts.

 

by Ilene May Buitizon

Pinoy Fear Factor 'eliminados' wish to join showbiz

Eliminated contestants from "Pinoy Fear Factor: Argentina, South America"- Gail Nicolas, Ram Sagad, Jose Sarasola and Elmer Felix are one in saying that they want to join the world of showbusiness.

The "eliminados" who failed to win the P2 million prize, the house and lot and be named as the show’s “Ultimo Participante” are now back in the country.

“Before I joined Fear Factor, medyo nag-start na din ako, so napakagandang opportunity ang dumating at napasama ako sa Pinoy Fear Factor na alam kong magiging malaking daan na makapasok ako sa showbiz,” Nicolas said.

Nicolas, the Bikini Summit ’07 winner, is now more than willing to join showbiz as her image has been all over men’s magazines. She also had a part in ABS-CBN’s popular show ‘Dyosa.’

For Ram Sagad, who is an ex-cager and now undergoing workshops under ABS-CBN, he said that if the opportunity comes, he is open to doing showbiz projects. Sagad is also into modeling.

Jose Sarasola, the aspiring chef, is now busy finishing his studies and dreams of having his own business.

But when it comes to entertainment, he said, “I joined Pinoy Fear Factor kasi I want to try something new. So parang if every showbiz opportunity comes up it’s something new again. So why won’t I try it as well?”

Sarasola, a Filipino-Spanish eliminado is afraid of deep water.

Dr. Elmer Felix is ready to embark on a different life if showbiz calls his name.

“Patuloy pa din ang panggagamot ko sa mga hayop pero kung may opportunity sa showbiz why not po? Para ibang kind work po naman,” the veterinary doctor from Pampanga said.

Dr. Felix has a fear of deep water, drowning and unusual edibles.

Now, while the eliminados are out facing new fears and weaving their dreams, the “Saistig (Sais Na Astig)” continue their journey in Argentina.

Participantes Manuel, Jommy, RJ, Janna, Marion and Savanna are about to face greater danger in the next rounds of Fear Factor for them to take home the P2 million prize, house and lot and the title “El Ultimo Participante.”

See who among the six ‘participantes’ gains momentum through winning this week’s thriller non-elimination round.

by Reyma Buan-Deveza, abs-cbnNEWS.com

LJ Moreno is sixth person eliminated from "Pinoy Fear Factor"

Pinoy Fear Factor: Argentina, South America lost another contender when LJ Moreno was eliminated during the sexta ronda de eliminacion.

In the first stunt, the participantes had to climb up one log and then balance themselves on top of five other logs before they could grab the yellow flag from each log. The fastest to do the stunt will get iwas-peligro (immunity) from the elimination, while the biggest loser will suffer a serious consequence. Savanah Lamsen was unable to climb up the first log so she was automatically placed in the bottom three contestants.

The second stunt had a PFF candy store but instead of serving chocolate or candy, there were insects, rodents and various creatures served to the participantes. Manuel Chua had to eat one mouse, two cockroaches, five maggots, five scorpions, as well as earthworms. Jommy Teotico of the Pump Squad suffered from a swollen lip when a scorpion stung him.  Still, he was able to consume 20 scorpions. LJ Moreno could barely swallow the 20 cockroaches that she was assigned to eat. Meanwhile, Janna Dominguez was tasked to eat 20 worms.

In the final stunt, they had to complete the inverted bungee stunt, which involved holding one's breath underwater while hanging upside down and holding a weight. Former actress LJ had to face her fear of depths twice in this stunt because of miscommunication problems.

LJ insisted that she wasn't offered a nose clip on her first try, when she had a time of 12 seconds. The stunt team, however, said they offered her but she refused. The nose clip proved beneficial to the other contenders.

After reviewing the video and seeing no offer was made, Pinoy Fear Factor host Ryan Agoncillo allowed her to do it again to be fair. A teary-eyed Savanah was initially against giving friend LJ another crack at the stunt, knowing she would be eliminated if LJ did better. However, Ryan assured Savanah that she can also repeat the stunt if she wanted to. She didn't have to. LJ could only go breathless for 11 seconds on her second try.

Her co-participantes Manuel clocked in 1:18, Janna stayed for 39 seconds, and Savanah was submerged for 19 seconds before she let go of the huge weight.

The actress turned preschool teacher is the sixth eliminado after veterinarian Elmer, aspiring chef Jose Sarasola, model-TV host Phoemela Baranda, basketball hunk Ram Sagad, and sexy model Gail Nicolas.

"I can go home able to say that I gave my all in every stunt. I was able to face all my fears, and that alone is a big achievement for me," said LJ.

With her physical strength, confidence and competitive spirit, LJ was one of the participantes favored to be the first El Ultimo Participante who will take home P2 million and a house and lot. However, the former "pump squad killer" couldn't pull off another breathtaking performance in a stunt that left her gasping for breath.

Moving on in the competition are the "SAISTIG" (Sais na Astig) composed of struggling businessman Manuel Chua, balikbayan Marion Cruz, model Jommy Teotico, kargador RJ Lapus, stand-up comedienne Janna Dominguez, and ledge dancer Savanah.

One of them will break a "Fear Factor" world record this week, while another will undergo an accident that will change the tone of the contest.

Watch the remaining six participantes take on more terrifying and gut wrenching stunts in the name of pride and for the sake of their loved ones on Pinoy Fear Factor with host Ryan Agoncillo from Monday to Friday after Eva Fonda. Highlights of the competition are aired on PFF: Special Edition every Saturday, 7 p.m. on Studio 23.

 

by Jocelyn Dimaculangan

Who will be the 4th Pinoy Fear Factor eliminado?

Who among Jommy, Jose and LJ will be the 4th Eliminado in 'Pinoy Fear Factor'?

Wounded and worn-out, participantes Jommy, Jose and LJ will have to give all that they've got, as they face elimination in the cuarta ronda de eliminacion of "Pinoy Fear Factor: Argentina, South America" tonight, December 8, only on ABS-CBN.

Straight from the cockroach stunt, the endangered participantes prepare for what could be their last stunt in the contest. Wearing an iron man-like armor, Jommy, Jose and LJ will be dragged by a zooming vehicle to pass through several explosions and then let go from the vehicle to land on the bullseye--the "Fear Factor" logo.

The participante who stops farthest from the target will be the fourth eliminado of "Pinoy Fear Factor," following model-TV host Phoemela Baranda, basketball hunk Ram Sagad, and sexy model Gail Nicolas.

With the dawn breaking and the weather reaching 2 degrees, the three mull their chances in their most heart-thumping challenge to date.

"Pump squad" members Jommy and Jose are third stunt veterans, having been in the brink of losing three times already. However, their crunch time experience also means lack of rest as they have been competing almost non-stop in their twenty-something days in Argentina.

Jose, who was nicknamed "Tuklaw" (bite) by host Ryan Agoncillo, is also still nursing the snake bite he sustained last week.

LJ, meanwhile, will try to do what friend Phem failed to do and that is to send one "Pump Squad" member home.

Who among the three is the most determined to conquer their fears and join co-participantes Marion, Savanah, Janna, Manuel, Elmer and RJ in the fifth round of elimination?

Pride and the chance to win P2 million cash, a house and lot, and the title of El Ultimo Participante are at stake tonight on "Pinoy Fear Factor." Follow the action and the drama every Monday to Friday on ABS-CBN, after "Eva Fonda" and the "PFF Special Edition" on Studio 23 every Saturday on 7:30 p.m.