Akihiro is 1st Celebrity Sole Survivor

MANILA, Philippines -  “I’m excited and scared. I think I have a 50 percent chance. I prayed and I hope the jury will support me tonight.”

Those were the thoughts of Akihiro Sato minutes before GMA 7’s Survivor Philippines Celebrity Showdown aired its live finale and hours prior he was declared the first Celebrity Sole Survivor.

Akihiro known as Mr. Nice Guy, beat Ervic Vijandre and Solenn Heussaff in a close 3-2-2 voting. Earlier Akihiro won in a voting challenge edging out Aubrey Miles after the Top 4 tied in the first voting. Aubrey became the seventh jury member.

In the Survivor franchise history, it was the first time castaways had a live voting not just once but twice.

“I plan to put up a Brazilian restaurant,” shares Akihiro of his plans with the P3-M grand prize. “I want to buy a car. I want to bring my family here.” Akihiro has a Japanese father and a Brazilian mother.

This was the second time Akihiro joined a TV competition. He was the sixth contestant eliminated in Celebrity Duets Season 3.

What are the island lessons Akihiro is bringing with him in the city?

Top Three (from left) Akihiro, Ervic and Solenn Heussaff

“A lot of things I learned in the island,” he answers. “By myself, sometimes I am too kind, too good. I have to change my personality to be stronger. I appreciate life more. In the island, we didn’t have everything. Here, we have everything and we must appreciate it every minute.”

Asked about the most challenging part of living in the island in Ranong, Thailand and off the coast of Myanmar, he replies, “The toughest was the time when I was tired and was betrayed by a friend. (But) okay na. Wala ng problema.”

To paraphrase host Richard Gutierrez’s signature statement bumraksa (may the good spirit protect you), the good spirit, indeed, protected Akihiro till the end.

It’s true nice guys finish last. But this time around, Mr. Nice Guy Akihiro Sato brought home the bacon.