‘Hindi pa ako nakakahawak ng ganyang kalaking pera sa buong buhay ko,’ Betong quips on the possibility of taking home the P3 million cash prize on 'Survivor Philippines'

MANILA, Philippines – More than earning the title Sole Survivor on "Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Doubles Showdown," castaway Albert “Betong” Sumaya, Jr. envisions a better life for his family should he triumph on the reality show.

He may be a funnyman on TV but Betong, a breadwinner, is seriously bent on helping pay their family debts.

"Nandiyan ang bahay namin, ‘yung kotse na hinuhulugan ko, at mga monthly na babayaran sa credit card. Kasama na rin ‘yung araw-araw na panggastos mo at ng mga kasama mo sa bahay,” he said in a recent PEP report.

If, for others, the P3 million grand cash prize won’t cover a lot, “para sa tulad ko, it’s a big blessing,” said the Kapuso host.

"Hindi naman tayo ipinanganak na mayaman... Hindi pa ako nakakahawak ng ganyang kalaking pera sa buong buhay ko,” he added.

Betong assumed breadwinner status since his father’s passing. Every cent he earns from hard work goes directly to his family, he said.

"May dalawa pa akong mga kapatid at tulung-tulong kami para mairaos namin ang araw-araw na pamumuhay namin. Nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord kasi hindi niya kami pinababayaan.

"Lalo sa akin, hindi ako nawawalan ng trabaho. Patuloy ang pagdating ng blessing sa amin kaya kahit papa'no, okay ang buhay namin,” said he.

Betong—whose stints include “Ang Pinaka” on GMA News TV and “Unang Hirit” on GMA-7—doesn’t mind looking silly in front of the camera since “pinagkakakitaan ko naman iyon eh!”

"Kapag natatawa na sila sa mga ginagawa ko o sa mukha ko, ibig sabihin ay successful ako sa raket na iyon. Kaya tanggap lang ako nang tanggap habang kinatutuwaan pa ako,” he added.

Being part of the top three finalists, along with “StarStruck” alumna Stef Prescott and professional surfer Mara Yokohama, was an unexpected experience for Betong. He deemed that TV and radio host KC Montero, a strong contender on the show, would make it to the finale. The latter was the last castaway voted off “Survivor.”

"Deserving si KC to be in the Top 3. Simula pa lang ng competition na ito, isa siya sa mga nasabi ko na tatagal at baka siya pa ang manalo, eh.

“Pero dahil sa pagkakataong ito, feeling ko na baka nga mas deserving ako sa kinalalagyan ko ngayon. Thank you Lord sa chance na ito,” he related.

The “Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Doubles Showdown” finale will take place on Feb. 10.