Synopsis:

The full cast of 18 were announced, but just as everything was going well, Matt (survivornerd) backed out. The staff consulted with Kolbisha (ThePug) if he's fine to be one of the casts. Kolbisha agrees and therefore, completing the slate.

The premiere started with a tribe division which was different from any other processes. The contestants were first introduced to a classic Survivor word scramble game wherein the first 2 to score a point will win an advantage coming into the next round of the game. Noah scored first with the word "Immunity Idol" (it was a secret word where a hidden immunity idol was hidden; Noah found it) and Brandon with his winning word "blindside". With the two winning the challenge, their advantage was to select who goes into the other tribe. Noah being the first person winning the challenge goes to Tandang by default and Brandon on Kalabaw. Noah chose Armani, Demi, Akash, Track, Jenni, Bryce, Bobby and JT to go to Kalabaw while Brandon chose Jason, DJ, Troy, Red, Rodney, Brett and MC to go to Tandang. Red being the last pick has the chance to choose if he'd like to swap Noah and Brandon but he prefers not. The tribe remains as it is.

Right after that, MC quickly aligned himself with Red, Brett, DJ, and Noah which sealed a strong alliance of 5 for Tandang. Red was as well pleased with who he's working with. Back at Kalabaw camp, Brandon feels very safe alongside Jenni, Demi and Bryce. Brandon believed that with 4 of them in an alliance, they could further themselves in this game.