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Ulong​ is a tribe from Survivor: Palau.

Considered one of the worst-performing tribes in Survivor history, Ulong is best remembered for failing to secure any tribal Immunity Challenge victories due to their indecision and communication improprieties, despite their raw physical strength. Their subsequent streak of losses coined the term "Ulonging." Their tribe color is blue.

Members[]

Angie Jakusz
24, New Orleans, LA
Bartender
S10 angie t
Ashlee Ashby
22, Easley, SC
Student
S10 ashlee t
Bobby Jon Drinkard
27, Los Angeles, CA
Waiter
S10 bobbyjon t
Ibrehem Rahman
27, Birmingham, AL
Waiter
S10 ibrehem t
James Miller
33, Mobile, AL
Steelworker
S10 james t
Jeff Wilson
21, Ventura, CA
Personal trainer
S10 jeff t
Jolanda Jones
38, Houston, TX
Lawyer
S10 jolanda t
Kim Mullen
25, Huber Heights, OH
Graduate student
S10 kim t
Stephenie LaGrossa
24, Toms River, NJ
Pharmaceutical sales representative
S10 stephenie t

Tribe History[]

On paper, Ulong started the game with what seemed like an major advantage: of the nine members of the tribe, only two were over thirty, and by comparison, only three of Koror's nine members were in their twenties. The competition, with its harsh conditions and unusually physical challenges, seemed stacked in favor of a younger, more physically fit tribe. However, it was not a lack of physical prowess, but of teamwork, that was Ulong's undoing at the first Immunity Challenge.

When tasked with having to choose which of several heavily weighted crates bearing survival tools to carry to the end, Ulong waffled on the decision and took a long time to decide. The poor challenge performance was compounded by the fact that no one in the tribe seemed to be able to operate an outrigger canoe properly, with their boat completely going off-course. Koror won the challenge by significant margin, and Ulong vowed not to repeat the debacle.

Ulongchallenge

Ulong wins a challenge: a rare occurrence.

Stephenie LaGrossa felt that blame for the defeat should fall on the shoulders of Jolanda Jones, the de facto leader of the tribe and the one who advocated carrying as many of the crates as possible. However, Jolanda and her allies felt that her physical prowess would be an asset later in the game, and that the tribe should attempt to cut its apparent dead weight: Angie Jakusz, who had been chosen last for the tribe and whom Jolanda felt had not yet proven herself physically. In the end, Jolanda's overbearing and assertive personality got her voted out in a 6-3 decision. Ulong's willingness to sacrifice its only viable leader and inability to lead through consensus would become a trademark of the tribe's tenure as a Survivor tribe.

Conscious of being a social outcast, as well as the need to prove herself in challenges, Angie began what would become a series of impressive physical performances, earning the respect of her tribemates. One such performance came at the first Reward Challenge where Ulong won in an 10-3 blowout, earning themselves fishing supplies which were put to good use the minute the tribe returned to camp.

Ulong was unable to organize themselves at the next challenge, however, and suffered another defeat at the hands of the older Koror. Despite Ulong receiving a head start due to Willard's slow swimming, Koror's teamwork allowed them to surge ahead and win. Sentiment had seemingly turned against Kim Mullen, whom many felt had delivered a poor performance at the challenge. However, Kim and Jeff Wilson had struck a romantic bond, and Jeff was thus very inclined to lobby on her behalf. The tribe would instead vote out Ashlee Ashby, who was both growing ill and ill-equipped for the game.

Ulongcamp

Ulong relaxes at camp.

The next day, the tribes competed in a Reward Challenge, which required brute strength and physical confrontation. Ulong's sheer physical prowess was shown to its fullest when they dominated the challenge, winning in a 3-0 blowout and earning themselves a sewing kit. However, their strength did not reflect in the next Immunity Challenge. The extremely physical endurance challenge, in which tribemates would be tethered together and use teamwork to chase the rival team around a circular course in shallow water, seemed tailor-made for Ulong's younger and stronger group of castaways. However, misfortune struck Ulong as Jeff, regarded as one of their strongest members, accidentally injured his ankle on a stray coconut back at camp prior to the challenge. With one of their chief physical resources incapacitated, Ulong entered the following immunity challenge at a disadvantage. Despite a valiant effort, the strain on Ulong's final three members—prophetically, Stephenie, Bobby Jon Drinkard, and Ibrehem Rahman were the last ones standing—proved too much to bear. Koror won its third consecutive immunity. The tribe was torn between disposing of Kim, who was viewed with increasing animosity due to her perceived lack of work ethic and poor challenge performances, and Jeff, who had verbally asked to be voted out of the game. In the end, the tribe honored Jeff's request and he was shown the door in a 4-2-1 vote.

For the next Reward Challenge, Ulong was asked to select a leader in order to create a bathroom at their camp. After each member of the tribe balked at the responsibility, they all opted to go out fishing instead. When host Jeff Probst arrived and the tribe still had not decided on a leader, the host chastised them for their indecision. The tribe ended up choosing James Miller, a steelworker by profession, thus making him the most equipped for the role, as its leader. Despite his decent efforts to do the task, Ulong suffered another defeat. Ulong's losing streak continued at the next Immunity Challenge featuring a series of 1-on-1 matchups where the team suffered a narrow 5-6 defeat. In spite of her attempts to rally the women against the men, Kim was voted out unanimously at the next Tribal Council, 5-1.

On Day 12, the two tribes were surprised by a Double Tribal Council with a twist: both tribes would compete in a Reward Challenge, where the winning tribe would be given a reward of root beer and beef stew, as well as the right to sit in on the opposing tribe's Tribal Council. Ulong went on to lose the challenge, but this time, the tribe felt Ibrehem was to blame, as his inability to dive had wasted time and costed the team a rare lead. However, at Tribal Council, Probst surprised the castaways by announcing that Koror would vote to give one member of Ulong immunity. Thanks to votes from Janu Tornell, Jenn Lyon, and Katie Gallagher, Ibrehem was given immunity, much to the other Ulongs' chagrin. With their original target protected and no opportunity to decide on a replacement, Ulong's votes were confused and scattered, resulting in a 2-2-1 tie between Angie and Bobby Jon, with one throwaway vote for James. In the end, Angie was voted out unanimously after a revote.

On Day 13, Ulong was able to make a brief comeback when they won the next Reward Challenge and were taken on a trip to Jellyfish Lake with the four remaining members hoping this would be the start of a comeback. However, this would be the last challenge that Ulong would ever win, and a lackluster showing by Ibrehem and James at the next Immunity Challenge only accelerated their fate. Sent to Tribal Council for the sixth consecutive time, Stephenie forced a tie between Ibrehem and James. Because of an earlier deal made between herself and Bobby Jon, Stephenie changed her vote during the revote, and James was sent home.

Bjsteph

The final two members of Ulong.

On Day 17, the tribes were tasked to build S.O.S. signals in order to win a reward. Ulong, now dwindled to a paltry group of three, chose to dismantle its old shelter to write their tribe name at the sand. However, Koror's comedic approach to the challenge secured them another win, which was then followed by another Immunity Challenge win. Bobby Jon and Stephenie had formed an alliance, but Bobby Jon began to waver due to his friendship with Ibrehem. Sensing things were not going her way, Stephenie plotted a potential counter-alliance with Ibrehem to vote out Bobby Jon. However, Stephenie's plotting ended up being inconsequential, and Ibrehem was voted out 2-1 on Day 18.

Ulong was now only two-strong and consisted of Stephenie, known for her spirit and tenacity, and Bobby Jon, celebrated for his strong work ethic. At this point, both castaways became increasingly frustrated: Bobby Jon by repeatedly losing to Koror's Tom Westman, and Stephenie by losing in general. The fledgling pair would lose both the Reward Challenge and the final tribal Immunity Challenge. As the first ever tribe-of-two to attend Tribal Council, no vote would be cast at the said event. The next eliminee would be determined by a fire-making challenge. Despite Bobby Jon's status as the camp's fire-builder, Stephenie, who was taught to make fire by Bobby Jon himself, narrowly won the challenge, sending Bobby Jon home in an unusual fashion, as Probst noted, the tribe had "definitely did not speak" that night. As Bobby Jon walked himself out of Tribal Council, Stephenie faced one grim truth: she was the only person left of her tribe and had to return to camp alone.

Returning to camp, Stephenie, the last Ulong member left, found even the most basic aspects of camp life more challenging as it should be. Her suffering would come to an end the next day, Day 22, when Tree Mail informed her that Ulong had officially been conquered, and she would become a member of the Koror tribe. Once Stephenie reached Koror's camp, the individual portion of the game officially commenced.

Challenge History[]

Episode Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out Result Eliminated
(Vote)
Finish
1 Race to Shore Immunity None Jolanda1
Tribe Formed, Day 2
1 Supply Dump Reward/Immunity None Lost Jolanda
(6-3)
1st Voted Out
Day 3
2 The Gauntlet Reward None Won Ashlee
(6-1-1)
2nd Voted Out
Day 6
Heads Up Immunity None Lost
3 By Any Means Necessary Reward None Won Jeff
(4-2-1)
3rd Voted Out
Day 8
Hot Pursuit Immunity None Lost
4 Build a Better Bathroom Reward None Lost Kim
(5-1)
4th Voted Out
Day 11
Sumo at Sea Immunity None Lost
5 Sea Salvage Reward None Lost Angie
(2-2-1;
2-0)3
6th Voted Out
Day 12
[Ibrehem]2
6 Shooting Gallery Reward None Won James
(2-2;
2-0)3
7th Voted Out
Day 15
Build It Up, Break It Down Immunity None Lost
7 S.O.S. Reward None Lost Ibrehem
(2-1)
8th Voted Out
Day 18
Floating Puzzle Immunity None Lost
8 Cool Hand Balut Reward None Lost Bobby Jon
(no vote)4
Eliminated
Day 21
Under Current Immunity None Lost
Tribe Absorbed, Day 22
Notes:
^1 The Day 1 Immunity Challenge was for individual immunity. Jolanda won one of the two Immunity Necklaces, thus earning her the right to be on a tribe and begin the drafting of the members of Ulong.
^2 As part of Koror's win at the Reward Challenge, they voted for one member of Ulong to have individual immunity, in which they chose Ibrehem.
^3 The vote resulted in a tie. Per Survivor rules, a revote would commence.
^4 Because there were only two members left on Ulong, there was no vote. Instead, they partook in a fire-making challenge to determine who went home. Bobby Jon lost the challenge, and was eliminated from the game. Stephenie, the winner of the challenge, was absorbed by Koror the next day, after which the individual portion of the game commenced.

Voting History[]

Original Tribes
Episode 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Voted Out S10 jolanda t
Jolanda
S10 ashlee t
Ashlee
S10 jeff t
Jeff
S10 kim t
Kim
Tie S10 angie t
Angie
Tie S10 james t
James
S10 ibrehem t
Ibrehem
S10 bobbyjon t
Bobby Jon
Conquered
By Koror
Vote 6-3 6-1-1 4-2-1 5-1 2-2-11 3-0 2-21 2-0 2-1 No Vote2
Stephenie Jolanda Ashlee Jeff Kim Bobby Jon Angie Ibrehem James Ibrehem
Bobby Jon Angie Ashlee Kim Kim Angie None James James Ibrehem Eliminated
Ibrehem Angie Kim Jeff Kim James Angie James None Stephenie
James Jolanda Ashlee Kim Kim Angie Angie Ibrehem None
Angie Jolanda Ashlee Jeff Kim Bobby Jon None
Kim Jolanda Ashlee Jeff James
Jeff Jolanda Ashlee James
Ashlee Jolanda Jeff
Jolanda Angie
Notes:
^1 The vote resulted in a tie. Per Survivor rules, a revote was held where the castaways involved in the tie would not vote and the remaining castaways could only vote for those involved in the tie.
^2 Because there were only two members left on Ulong, there was no vote. Instead, they partook in a fire-making challenge to determine who went home. Bobby Jon lost the challenge and was eliminated from the game. Stephenie, the winner of the challenge, was absorbed by Koror the next day, after which the individual portion of the game commenced.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Ulong currently holds the record for the most trips to Tribal Council for a pre-merge tribe, with eight.
  • In the opening credits of the show, Jonathan Libby is included as a member of Ulong. This is most likely because had the Schoolyard Pick continued, Ulong's final choice would have been Jonathan, the final unpicked male.
  • Ulong's seeming misnomer is easily explained. When the tribes were named, both tribes lived on the island Mecherchar. The winner of the Immunity Challenge, Koror, was given the opportunity to inhabit the island Ulong. The Koror tribe chose to do so, and so became the inhabitants of Ulong island, while the Ulong tribe remained on Mecherchar.
  • Ulong's former campsite would eventually be reused for the Malakal tribe camp in Micronesia, which was also shot in Palau. Coincidentally, after the Tribe Switch in Micronesia, the new Malakal tribe never won an Immunity Challenge, only managing to keep up in numbers because of Airai's misfortunes.
  • Ulong is the second tribe to be absorbed, following Saboga. It was later followed by Matsing, 15 seasons later in Philippines.
  • Ulong has been ranked as the most dysfunctional tribe in Survivor history by Survivor Oz.[1]
  • Ulong currently ties with Solana from Cagayan for being the earliest tribe to be extinct in a 39-day format, having its final remaining member eliminated on Day 30 in 7th place.

References[]

Survivor (U.S.) Tribes
Borneo The Australian Outback Africa Marquesas
Pagong Tagi Kucha Ogakor Boran Samburu Maraamu Rotu
Rattana Barramundi Moto Maji Soliantu
Thailand The Amazon Pearl Islands All-Stars
Chuay Gahn Sook Jai Jaburu Tambaqui Drake Morgan The Outcasts Chapera Mogo Mogo Saboga
Chuay Jai Jacaré Balboa Chaboga Mogo
Vanuatu Palau Guatemala Panama
Lopevi Yasur Koror Ulong Nakúm Yaxhá Bayoneta Casaya La Mina Viveros
Alinta Xhakúm Gitanos
Cook Islands Fiji China Micronesia
Aitutaki Manihiki Puka Puka Rarotonga Moto Ravu Fei Long Zhan Hu Airai Malakal
Aitutonga Bula Bula Hae Da Fung Dabu
Gabon Tocantins Samoa Heroes vs. Villains
Fang Kota Jalapao Timbira Foa Foa Galu Heroes Villains
Nobag Forza Aiga Yin Yang
Nicaragua Redemption Island South Pacific One World
Espada La Flor Ometepe Zapatera Savaii Upolu Manono Salani
Libertad Murlonio Te Tuna Tikiano
Philippines Caramoan Blood vs. Water Cagayan
Kalabaw Matsing Tandang Bikal Gota Galang Tadhana Aparri Luzon Solana
Dangrayne Enil Edam Kasama Solarrion
San Juan del Sur Worlds Apart Cambodia Kaôh Rōng
Coyopa Hunahpu Escameca Masaya Nagarote Bayon Ta Keo Angkor Chan Loh Gondol To Tang
Huyopa Merica Orkun Dara
Millennials vs. Gen X Game Changers Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers Ghost Island
Takali Vanua Ikabula Mana Nuku Tavua Levu Soko Yawa Malolo Naviti Yanuya
Vinaka Maku Maku Solewa Lavita
David vs. Goliath Edge of Extinction Island of the Idols Winners at War
Jabeni Vuku Tiva Kama Manu Lesu Lairo Vokai Dakal Sele Yara
Kalokalo Vata Lumuwaku Koru
Survivor 41 Survivor 42 Survivor 43 Survivor 44
Luvu Ua Yase Ika Taku Vati Baka Coco Vesi Ratu Soka Tika
Viakana Kula Kula Gaia Va Va
Survivor 45 Survivor 46
Belo Lulu Reba Nami Siga Yanu
Dakuwaqa
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