Board Thread:Survivor: Visayas (Season 18)/@comment-26868592-20160802130718

Good evening, members of the Visayas Jury,

Before I begin, I want to tell everyone that this has been a really fun season. Yes, it might be considered 'boring', but I'd actually argue with that. I had fun, and from my point of view, this season was really fun and exciting. Exciting in my own way...

So when we started this game, the tribes were chosen by a schoolyard pick. I was worried, because no one would choose me. At the end, I was the 8th person to get on Cebu. It was worrying for me, because the pick lasted long enough for tribal alliances to form and it got me into allying with Jimmy, the last person picked. Our first tribal, me, Alex, Luke, Drew and Emile decided to vote together since only the 5 of us worked on the challenge. On the other side I was allied with Gaby and Jimmy, but Jimmy was the target and I had to write his name and break a promise. Turns out,my gut led me the wrong way and I ended up in the minority. That was a huge reality check for me, because I had to up my game and find a way to survive, because clearly my end was coming as well. I got close with Tim who I saw as the leader of the majority alliance at Cebu (which I called Cebu5). So getting close with him, led to me apologizing and getting close to Jimmy as well. Even though I felt safety, I never saw myself long-term with them because I didn't feel trusted to the fullest.

Then comes the swap. Emile, Gaby, Tim switch and we get Alissa and Ben. This was a big oportunity for me and I didn't hesitate at all. I got closer to Alissa and then with Ben by default. No immunity challenge yet, but I knew I had toget close to Alissa and Ben in order to achieve something. Then Tim approached me that he wanted to throw the challenge in order vote out Alissa or Ben. So the story had 3 sides: Throwing the challenge to boot Alissa/Ben Throwing the challenge to boot Ayhan/Luke Seeing Tim's plan (at least what he offered me) I felt like I had to use this little bit of info to get Alissa and Ben on my side, we created the Cabbage Patch Kids alliance (name credit to Luke). Tim was voted out which caused a domino effect of the whole Cebu5 being directly (at NuCebu) or indirectly (at NuLeyte) voted out of the game.

This was really good for me, I knew I could continue forward with this group of 4 and witnessing Leyte's tribals, I figured we might get new additions from there.

Tim kept winning the duels and I was getting mentally ready for him to return, and then Amir returned. Amir and I got to know each other and we talked about random stuff and first (mostly Game of Thrones)

The Cabbage Patch Kids alliance expanded with Amir joining. We had 5 in a tribe of 10, we needed one vote to secure majority for the next tribals and we saw Hieu as that vote. He was close to Amir which made him approachable to me, but things with Hieu never felt perfect.

First tribal, it seemed like everyone was on board with getting Emile out, which benefits my game a lot. I knew I was capable of winning challenges, I knew Amir was really good too, so Emile in the mix would've made it harder for me to win challenges when I wanted to. Speaking of challenges, I didn't play the first 2 merge challenges to win, although I got 2nd in the unicorn game by accident. I also didn't want to do the roast challenge, because I didn't want to ruin something that would've helped me.

It all seemed to good to be true and it was actually, when there was a #votegate. The votes didn't add up and someone was playing 2 sides and directly voting against my alliance. It all came down to Hieu proving me his innocence by sending his parchment, which I sent to the alliance chat and I knew it wasn't mine, I knew it wasn't Alissa's or Amir's. Luke and Ben were left only and the vote was against Luke so it was obvious that Ben was the flipper.

This led to more double agenting with Amir who 100% solidified the rumours of Ben flipping and gave me an idol, which I used on Luke. Amir, then returned to my alliance which was renamed to 'New & Improved'. We targeted what I saw as the strongest player of the minority alliance - Mai, and we succeeded in a 4-3 vote. Then I thought the alliance of 4 would be cool for at least F5 but nooooooo :/

I knew that Amir was dangerous for the endgame with his challenge prowess. Alissa and I talked about it. And when Alissa targeted him at Final 6 I thought it was too soon.

We still had Ben and Dusk in the minority and given the fact that we had a Final 2, that meant we had 3 tribals which I felt would be me being a target. I tried to shift the target to Dusk, but then Amir went after Alissa too and I was in the middle.

I didn't want to choose a side, because I cared about that alliance. Aside from an emotional aspect, game wise I thought it was early, it just didnt feel right at that time.

I tried to force a 2-2-2 tie which I called battle of the A's meaning Alissa Dusk >>>Amir Amir Ben >>> Alissa Ayhan Luke >>> Dusk but Luke voted Ben, Amir had another idol and Alissa had to leave.

After that, I was upset for Alissa to leave, but I also looked around and saw things clear up. One close ally was already out, I could just take one more strong opponent out. Everyone seemed to be on board to vote Amir, and it just happened.

So Final 4, Dusk and Ben go to their side and Luke and I to ours but Dusk leaves, which left me with Ben and Luke and thne here we are.

It was meh to go on an immunity run. Final 6 I won it just because I wanted to have immunity, Final 5 - I had to work hard ot get immmunity so Amir isn't safe and I could vote him out, and then it just felt right to win the remaining challenges.

I am soooo happy that I won the final immunity challenge, the horror story challenge and the SOS challenge, in which I made the gif and won immunity for Cebu. I spent quite some time writing, or creating the flag and the buff and I am really glad it paid off.

Long story short, I think I played a really solid game strategically, socially and physically. I flopped to minority and found my way back to majority and was on the shot caller side the whole game after that. I didn't fight or created drama (unfortunately for Eddie).

I'm really proud of the game I played. In my eyes, Visayas turned our pretty exciting for me. Some might call it boring, I won't be one of them :|

So, now I'll be awaiting for Your speeches and questions. I will be answering all of them the best way I can. Peace out, and good luck to the jury, Luke....and the hosts, too....?

. #Bo$$ayas 