Today CBS announced 15 of the 18 castaways who will compete against each other on "Survivor: Philippines." The Emmy Award-winning series will return for its 25th season with a special 90-minute edition, Wednesday, September 19 (8:00-9:30 PM, ET/PT) on CBS. Three of the 18 castaways, to be revealed later this week, are former players who were medically evacuated from the game and are returning to finish what they started. The 15 new castaways vying to outwit, outplay and outlast one another include former National League MVP Jeff Kent (San Francisco Giants), and '80s television star Lisa Whelchel ("The Facts of Life").

For the first time in eight years, "Survivor: Philippines" will be comprised of three tribes named after animals in the region: Kalabaw ("Water Buffalo"), Tandang ("Rooster") and Matsing ("Monkey"). The tribes feature individuals from different backgrounds competing for the same ultimate goal: to be Sole Survivor.



Surrounded by water, "Survivor: Philippines" will prominently feature marine-based challenges where the three tribes will battle for first and second place in order to be granted immunity, while the third-place tribe will head to Tribal Council and face elimination.

Castaways competing on "Survivor: Philippines" (in alphabetical order):

KALABAW

Sarah Dawson
Age: 28
Silver Spring, Md.
Insurance Sales

Katie Hanson
Age: 22
Newark, Del.
Former Miss Delaware

Jeff Kent
Age: 44
Austin, Texas
Retired MLB Player

Dana Lambert
Age: 32
Winston-Salem, N.C.
Cosmetologist

Carter Williams
Age: 24
Shawnee, Kan.
Track Coach

Former Castaway: ???


TANDANG

Abi-Maria Gomes
Age: 32
Los Angeles
Business Student

Roberta "RC" Saint-Amour
Age: 27
New York
Investment Banker

Artis Silvester
Age: 53
Terry Town, La.
Computer Engineer

Lisa Whelchel
Age: 49
Dallas
Former TV Teen Star

Pete Yurkowski
Age: 24
Holmdel, N.J.
Engineering Graduate

Former Castaway: ???


MATSING

Malcolm Freberg
Age: 25
Hermosa Beach, Calif.
Bartender

Zane Knight
Age: 28
Danville, Va.
Tire Repair

Angie Layton
Age: 20
Provo, Utah
Student

Roxy Morris
Age: 28
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Seminary Student

Denise Stapley
Age: 41
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Sex Therapist

Former Castaway: ???


"Survivor: Philippines" is hosted by Emmy Award winner Jeff Probst and produced by SEG, Inc. Mark Burnett, Jeff Probst and David Burris are executive producers and Leisa Francis is co-executive producer.