‘The Amazing Race Philippines’ contestants meet the press, race with them

TV5 decided there was only one way to introduce the 11 pairs of contestants of “The Amazing Race Philippines” to the media — ask reporters to race with them.

On Thursday afternoon, 11 members of the press, including this contributing writer for InterAksyon, experienced a preview of the Philippine franchise of the world’s most awarded and most successful reality show. Each one of us teamed up with a pair of “TARP” contestants and took part in a mini-adventure race around Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City.



For almost two hours, through the occasional drizzle, we ran from pit start to pit stop, chasing clues and fulfilling tasks along the route filled with detours, road blocks, intersections and obstacles as we vied for the P10,000 jackpot and other prizes (camera, luggage, and hotel accommodations).



In the end, Glenn Sibonga emerged the grand winner, with Kelvin Lamboloto in second and Nerissa Almo in third.

The highlight of the race had “TARP” host Derek Ramsay rappelling down from the top of one of the buildings at the Eastwood Open Park near the giant LED billboard.

Afterwards, the participants and the rest of the media sat down with Derek and the competing pairs at Something Fishy Restaurant to discuss the show, which will premiere on TV5 on October 29 after “Wil Time Bigtime”.




The 11 pairs who will race for glory and the P2-million grand prize are: celebrity best friends LJ Moreno and CJ Jaravata, brothers-in-law Dayal Chowdary, Jr. and Fausto Reyes, gym buddies Marc Dungo and Kat Tan, amigas Jervi Lisaba and Saida Diola, reunited friends Sheena Vera Cruz and Gee “Speedy” Canlas, Alabang housewives Pam Spell and Vanessa Ishitani, father and son Ed and Angel Movido, friends Boom Vergara and Cheng Enriquez, football brothers Armand and Anton del Rosario, bombshells Dani Castano and Mish Van Ruyven, and dating couple Crustel Castro and Mykey Lacson.

They  were chosen from a series of auditions last summer and took part in a cross-country adventure race from late April through June. They all signed  contracts not to reveal the results until the season telecast concludes.



Derek said he envies all the contestants because he and a friend once tried to join “The Amazing Race Asia” but they were not able to submit the necessary papers. Nevertheless, he’s thankful that he was able to join the 11 pairs as they raced around the country in a battle of wits, teamwork, and endurance.

“Kahit na hindi ko na natupad ‘yung dream ko talaga na ako ang makasali sa ‘Amazing Race’, para na rin akong nagre-race, dahil I have to be at the pit stops bago sila makarating there. Minsan lang ako muntik maunahan kasi nasa dagat kami,” he revealed.





Derek said the production team of ActiveTV, the producer of the Asian and Australian franchises of the show and co-producer of “TARP” with TV5, were amazed by the emotional intensity shown by the contestants.

“Ngayon lang daw sila nakakita ng sobrang emotional na version ng program. You will get to see kung ano ang nangyari. Kanina sa teaser, merong namartilyo ang kamay ng partner niya. Aksidente. There’s more. Some of them are really fans of the program kaya more or less, alam nila ang takbo nito,” he said.The Alabang housewives said they joined the premiere season of “TARP” because they were bored with their lives. They quipped that they were willing to buy the show Derek were not the host. The very reason they joined was because they knew Derek would host it.

Jervi, a staff member of “Eat Bulaga”, said he had asked for permission from his executive producer, Malou Choa-Fagar, before joining the show. And his partner Saida, who was once linked to Derek, said she just wanted to take on the challenge posed to her by Jervi.

She also made it clear, “Hindi naging kami ni Derek, We’re friends lang na nagkakilala minsan in a basketball game. Nahiya nga ako. At hindi ako ang dahilan ng anumang nangyari sa kanila ng girlfriend niya. Ang bait-bait kasi ni Derek at ang dali i-approach. But that was the only time na nagkita kami.”

Derek added that when that issue came out, he called Saida to clear things up and to apologize as well. He said he didn’t even know who Saida was when they met.

“Because it was written na sinundo ko raw siya sa ‘Eat…Bulaga!’ studio in a yellow car na hindi tinted. She is attractive and pretty, yes. And let me say this, hindi siya pinagselosan noon ni Angel.”

Real time updates will be provided online via TARP’s official socialmedia accounts @Amazinf_RacePH and hashtag #AmazingRacePH on Twitter and The Amazing Race Philippines fan page on Facebook. Or visit www.theamazingrace.ph for exclusive online contents.

source: interaksyon.com

Katya Santos, Maui Taylor mentor Viva’s new batch of sexy stars

Katya Santos and Maui Taylor are sizzling up the boob tube again. And they have six newcomers with them who are all hoping to follow in their footsteps to become the next “pantasya ng bayan”.

The Viva Hot Babes headliners are currently hosting “Pantaxa” (pronounced “pantasya”), a new reality show on their home studio’s recently launched cable channel, Viva Channel.

“Pantaxa” follows Katya and Maui as they mentor a bunch of new sexy stars. The twice-weekly series sees the two screen veterans putting the younger girls through various challenges and activities that test their physical, mental, and emotional capabilities to handle the demands of the path that they have chosen to take in showbiz.

“People think it’s easy being a sexy star,” Maui notes. “It’s not. Baring your body in front of the cameras for everyone to see takes a lot of courage, determination, and self-awareness.”

Katya agrees. “Being sexy is not just about disrobing. It’s about making people see that there’s something beyond the flesh. Because it’s what will establish a deeper connection with the audience, which will have them wanting and coming back for more.”

Bringing out the “something beyond the flesh” is what show hopes to achieve with its six screen-seductresses-in-training.

The “Pantaxa” women of the current season are Jade Lopez, Yam Concepcion, Jef Gaitan, Alexis Navarro, Sara Polverini, and Carla Castelo.

The first few episodes saw Katya leading the girls through a lingerie pictorial, a mock TV commercial shoot for a fake brand endorsement, and a sexy music video shoot.

Maui has come in as a mid-season addition, joining the eposodes that were recently shot in Caramoan and the CWC complex in Camarines Sur.

These episodes promise a lot of baring and daring as the girls had to do a topless pictorial and a nude painting session, among a host of activities.

Reports from the set say that some claws have surfaced and there was some heat among some of the girls both on- and off-cam.

“Our ultimate goal, really, is to make these girls totally comfortable in their skin,” Katya says. “We want them to own their bodies. That’s the only way for them to have full control. It’s the best way to make their presence felt in anything that they do, whether it’s a pictorial or a live event or a movie.”

source: interaksyon.com

Two Pinoy acts earn standing ovation on 'Canada's Got Talent'

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos as world-class talents was again showcased in a reality-based talent show, “Canada’s Got Talent,” where two Pinoy acts earned a standing ovation for their performances.

Paul Kelvin Ong, who introduced himself as “a new immigrant from the Philippines although I’m a pure Chinese” and who lived for “just over a year” in Winnipeg, performed “Somewhere” from “The West Side Story.”

“Canada’s Got Talent” judges Martin Short, Stephan Moccio and Measha Brueggergosman were impressed with his performance, as were the audience who lavished him with applause and a standing ovation.

“You have a sweet voice. Bravo, bravo, bravo” said Moccio. “I’m intrigued. I really want to see what’s next from you, Paul,” he added.

“I really like how connected you were to the song. It was a really, really great performance,” Brueggergosman commented.

“I do think you have a really lovely voice,” Short said admiringly.

All three judges gave Paul their “yes,” which helped him advance to the next round.

In his post-performance interview, Paul, who was initially speechless, said, “It’s a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you.”

A Pinoy group that collectively calls themselves Kayumanggi Filipina Performing Arts likewise earned plaudits and standing ovation for their performance.

Before their showcase, one male member shared that, “Being here gives us an opportunity to share our culture. The Philippines in history…we have been incorporated by so many different cultures from Spaniards to Japanese to Chinese.”

He added, “This part that we’re doing in particular is from the Muslim culture. We’re very proud to be Filipinos.”

A female performer, who played the princess, shared the background of their dance, the singkil.

“The story behind it is that the princess escapes from the evil king, from the castle, and everything goes back into harmony,” she said.

After a thunderous applause, the three judges favorably said yes to Kayumanggi.

Brueggergosman, obviously impressed with the group’s performance, said, “I was really, really looking forward to representation from the Filipino community and Winnipeg is, I heard, a very large one. Thank you so much.”

Moccio felt that, “There was a genuine authenticity to your performance. Your costumes are gorgeous. Your smiles are gorgeous.”

Short compared the group’s act to “different beautiful paintings being presented to us.”

In a report posted by ABS-CBNnews.com, it said that Toronto Star had written a favorable review of Kayumanggi’s performance.

“Their performance, acting out a tale about a princess escaping from an evil king in a castle, included boys balancing on bamboo poles held aloft, girls dancing and posing between the poles as the guys brought them together and apart, and dancing with fans. It was very colourful and unlike anything we’ve seen before on the show,” the review noted.

source: mb.com.ph