Episode 61: A well-deserved victory
Paolo explained that the last Immunity Challenge would test the Castaways' endurance and willpower to win.

The Castaways would have to lie down on a parallel plank while holding on to a wooden handle. A barrel filled with water attached on one end would pour water continuously on the plank.

For one hour, the plank would be inclined in slanting angles every 15 minutes until it is almost upright.

The Castaway who can hold on to the plank the longest would win Immunity.

Paolo then asked the Castaways to look at the vast sand behind them.

"Iyan ang nilangoy ninyo noong day one. Diyan nagsimula lahat ng paghihirap niyo dito sa isla. at lahat ng paghihirap na 'yan, ngayong araw na 'to, magtatapos," Paolo said.

Paolo also reminded them that they stand to win not only Immunity but also the game.

"Tandaan ang halaga ng Immunity ngayon. Kapag nanalo kayo,kayo ang pipili kung sino ang makakasama ninyo sa Final 2," Paolo said.

Charisse was teary - eyed as she listened to Paolo's instructions.

"Charisse, parang emotional ka Charisse," Paolo said.

"I want it so badly," Charisse said.

"You made it to the Final Three Charisse. Akala ng pamilya mo hindi ka aabot. Final Three. Wala kang kailangang patunayan," Paolo assured her.

Surrendering to her fate

JC, Rob and Charisse positioned themselves on their planks and laid under the scorching heat of the sun.

"Kung tutuusin napakasuwerte natin dito sa Thailand. Kapag kailangan ng ulan, may ulan. Kapag kailangan ng araw, may araw. Ngayong araw para sa challenge na ito, kailangan na mainit na mainit at mukhang 'yun nga ang nangyari," Paolo said.

For the first 15 minutes, all three Castaways held on to their platforms without flinching.

At the third level, they managed to stay still.

But just before the fourth level, the Castaways started struggling.

Charisse was slipping on her plank while JC tried hard to hold on to his handle.

After Paolo adjusted the planks to the fourth level, Charisse and JC started to slip.

Finally, Charisse gave up.

"I can't. I'm letting go," Charisse said as she slid down her plank.

A good match

With Rob and JC still hanging on, Paolo said, "Come on guys. Final Immunity, make it a good match."

But JC was weakening his grip, "Nangangawit na ko."

Meanwhile, Rob and JC comforted Charisse who was crying on the sand as they both said, "Love you Cha."

JC used his remaining strength to anchor his arm through the handle.

Rob struggled on his plank and shifted his position. JC tried to do the same.

"Uy, guys, we had a good breakfast. You finished the fish," Charisse said, as if to remind them to use all their strength.

Then, Rob and JC shook hands.

After 55 minutes, JC said, "Bro, malapit na ko."

He slipped on his plank but he managed to hold on still.

Rob also slipped a few minutes later.

"Bro, hindi ko na kaya," JC suddenly said. Then he extended his hand to Rob and slipped down his plank.

Rob won the Final Immunity.

JC felt he did everything he could to outlast Rob, "Parang lahat ng puwedeng possible position ng kamay ko ginawa ko na e. Parang nilagay ko sa right ko, sa left ko. Naramdaman ko sobrang sakit na, pati 'yung kamay ko sobrang sakit na."

At the same time, JC was happy that Rob won the challenge fair and square, "Masaya rin ako na siya nanalo ng Immunity kasi 'yun nga, 'yun yung dream niya e. Dream niya na manalo ng Immunity kahit isang beses lang. At least nabigyan ko siya ng magandang laban."

Final celebration

After they arrived at camp, the three remaining Castaways rejoiced at their victory.

"Pinag-uusapan namin, we made it guys, we made it. Tapos si JC, (sabi niya) 'Natupad ko 'yung promise sa 'yo Cha.' Saya - saya niya. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam," Charisse said.

They watched one of the last sunsets they'll ever see in the island while Rob raised his Immunity necklace toward the sun.

"It was the best ever sunset. Obviously because I won the Immunity. Obviously because assured na ko sa final two," Rob said.

Rob, JC and Charisse decided to go on their last swim in the beach of Koh Tarutao.

For the three Castaways, the sunset experience was extra meaningful.

Rob said, "'Yun ang kahuli-hulihang sunset na magkasama kaming tatlo na para kaming mga bata na nagtatalunan, nagtatakbuhan papunta sa beach. At , wow! Pinakamasarap na paligo ko sa dagat. Pinakamasarap na nakita ko 'yung sunset dito sa island na ito. 'Yun ang hindi ko makakalimutan."

JC felt his hardships and sacrifices had paid off.

JC said, "Nag-enjoy lang kami dito, nag-swimming kami sa beach. Pinag-usapan namin na sobrang suwerte kami sa lahat ng Castaways, kami pa 'yung umabot sa top three tapos'yung mga nagki-keep ng promises nga , nag-trust kami sa isa't isa. Kaya kami umabot doon sa dulo."

For Charisse, simply surviving in the island for 38 days was a big accomplishment.

"Ang sarap ng pakiramdam na nakayanan mo siya. Tapos patapos na siya. Tapos ang ganda - ganda pa ng sunset. Masarap magsisigaw."

She was also thankful to her two allies who had helped her reach the end.

"Love you, love you," Charisse told Rob and JC.

Then she exclaimed, "Best experience ever!"

The best prize

That evening the three Castaways made a pact.

"Pinasalamatan namin ang isa't isa. We wished each other good luck also. And we promised ourselves na kung ano 'yung friendhsip na nabuo namin dito sa isla 'yun ang dadalhin namin sa Pilipinas pag - uwi namin," Rob said.

Until the evening, Charisse was still overwhelmed by her self-proclaimed victory.

"Survivor ako! Survivor ako!" Charisse shouted. "38 days, akala niyo hanggang day 3 lang ako. 38 days. Talo ko kayo! Oh my God! I survived 38 days. Survivor ako! Hindi ako maarte. Akala niyo hindi ako tatagal dito."

Looking back on her experience, Charisse felt she had made the right choices after all.

Charisse explained to JC, "Iniisip ko nga ikaw, one of your basis kung bakit feeling mo trustworthy ako was because nag - stick ako ng Jarakay. E 'di ba sobra talaga akong tempted to vote Jace out. At the end of the day, nakita ko rin naman na well, tama rin na binoto ko si Kiko that time. Ang reason ko kasi noon, I did not want to disappoint those who relied on me."

"'Yun din ang reason ko kung bakit ko binoto si Jace kahit okay kami ni Jace. Tsaka 'yun nga hindi ko na rin siya mapagkatiwalaan dahil sa ginawa niya," JC said.

Rob felt he had won more the greatest prize of all. "Basta more than the prize, more than the three million whatsoever, the best prize I received ever, the best ever prize is you guys, all of you. 18 of you guys, especially kayong naiwan. The cash prize dito bonus na lang 'to., Ang pera mauubos at mauubos. Pero 'yung kaibigan dito na na-meet mo, ('yun ang pinakamagandang prize.)"

Then he joked, "At sinong mag-aakala na ang brief na to ay magtatagal ng 39 days. Anong klaseng brief 'to. Umabot ng 38 days at aabot siya bukas ng 39 days!"

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