Get set and goBy Rubin Khoo
Tuesday November 7, 2006
EACH time The Amazing Race comes on air, diehard fans probably envision themselves taking part in that race around the world. But the experience always seemed so remote. Well, not any longer. The reality show, which sees teams battling it out to make it to the finishing line, comes our way with The Amazing Race Asia.
The prize may be smaller at US$100,000 (RM368,000) and only 10 teams will compete, but the formula remains the same. Teams will have to get through various challenges at locations all over the world.
Will we have a team as conniving as Survivor veterans Rob and Amber (Amazing Race 7)? Will there be one as controversial as Jonathan and Victoria on Amazing Race 6? Would there be anyone as TV-friendly as the “clowns” Jon and Al (Amazing Race 4)?
Here’s a peek at the chosen ones who triumphed over a thousand applicants to become contestants of The Amazing Race Asia. Who are likely to be our favourites and which two, the most annoying?
The 10 teams from The Amazing Race Asia hosted by Allan Wu (second row, third from left).Andrew and Syeon: Even before the race began, the dating couple from Kuala Lumpur, were working on numerous bold strategies. Andrew is Malaysian, born and bred, while Syeon is Australian and of Korean descent. They describe their team as being “level-headed and result-oriented”. The couple who met while snowboarding in Australia have been together for 18 months.
The 10 teams from The Amazing Race Asia hosted by Allan Wu (second row, third from left).
They enter the race with a strong belief system and intend to support each other. Their goal is to be in the top three in each leg because “you have to stay in it to win it”. Despite this gung-ho attitude, Andrew and Syeon are not willing to play dirty, hoping to rely on their extensive travel experience instead.
“You can’t put a price on a lifetime chance to race around the world with a loved one,” says Andrew.
Aubrey and Jacqueline: Best friends from Manila, the Philippines, Aubrey and Jacqueline intend to be spontaneous and fun-loving. While they have an easy and casual demeanour, Aubrey and Jacqueline also have a strong competitive streak, which they developed from their careers as a model and actress, respectively.
Though they liken themselves to Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, they are eager to prove themselves as more than just pretty faces.
“Our passion, being adventurous, that’s our strength,” says Jacqueline. Aubrey, meanwhile, adds: “We are really skinny, we don’t look so athletic, but it is all about what’s inside you.”
Life, they say, is not just about taking things easy but also finding new challenges. They are always looking forward to sharing new experiences and visiting new places.
Ernesto and Jill: This married couple also from Manila, the Philippines, describes themselves as fun and boisterous. Ernie and Jeena (as they prefer to be called) constantly tease each other but beneath the playfulness, is a strong relationship.
“We’ve survived 10 years of married life, so I hope that speaks for how well we’ll do as a team,” says the mother-of-three. Their years of marriage has given them an insight into each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Also, having travelled extensively, and adding the fact that they are both very sporty and fit, this experience will give them that edge over the younger teams.
They may have what it takes to make it all the way. However, they aren’t planning ahead. Instead, they want to take each day as it comes and to have fun.
“We know that this will give us more challenges,” says Jeena, “But we hope to keep up the lighter side of things.”
Laura and Andy: The couple and business partners see their close working and living relationship as a big plus. Having been together for the past seven years, they see being stuck together for the duration of the race as nothing to contend with.
Laura and Andy who live in Koh Samui, Thailand, have travelled through 14 countries. They are approaching the race without a strategy as it might impair their ability to react to situations as they go along. Their objective is to be as dynamic as possible.
Laura and Andy are ready to take on any challenge the Race can throw at them, particularly in stressful situations. “When the stress hits the other teams, we plan to still be laughing!” says Andy.
Mardy and Marsio: The brothers from Jakarta, Indonesia, have become quite distant in recent years. The solution to that? To be contestants on The Amazing Race Asia. That’s one sure way to spend quality time and become reunited in the process.
Mardy is the more outgoing one while Marsio regards himself as being more down-to-earth and “down and dirty”.
“Our biggest strength is our brain, and our perseverance,” says Marsio.
Their motivation is simple.
“We want to win The Amazing Race Asia for our children and our wives,” both enthuse.
But also share a taste for the finer things in life – cars, watches and electronics.
“Hopefully our being brothers will keep us strong and keep us going through the Race,” Marsio says. “We can cover for each other,” Mardy agrees.
Prashant and Sahi: The models from Mumbai, India, have been close buddies for the past three years. Their looks may lead one to dismiss them as Bollywood hunks but they’re not to be underestimated. Both hold regular jobs and find time to work out at the gym.
While both acknowledge having similar traits and characteristics, there are also some differences in their personalities.
Sahil is more outgoing and spontaneous, which is a trait much admired by Prashant. Prashant, on the other hand, is more laidback and patient. He would rather see things through before making a decision. Sahil describes Prashant as being “more accommodating”, and sees that trait as a good thing.
They believe their compatibility and mutual understanding developed as close buddies will take them far during the Race.
Although they haven’t caught the show very often, they think it may work to their advantage.
“We don’t have anything to lose, we’re just going to give it everything we’ve got,” says Sahil. “We’re not over or under-analysing the situation, we’re just doing what it takes.”
Sandy and Francesca: The dating couple from Hong Kong are still in the early stage of their relationship, but Sandy and Francesca are taking the brave step in participating in The Amazing Race Asia. They are eager to discover if they have what it takes to stand up to pressure in front of the camera.
The couple plan to have a really good time. Their strategy is to play the best that they can, utilise their strengths and take things as they come.
“What drives me is the experience I am going to have. I have always wanted to travel for free. To see how I handle pressure, to see if I don’t lose the plot. That drive to experience new things – the Race will be the experience of a lifetime,” says Sandy.
Sharon and Melody: The former schoolmates from Singapore describes one as “exuberant and excited”, and the other as more structured and corporate. They may appear as poles apart, but they are connected through a unified faith and single-minded focus, which is to win The Amazing Race Asia and have fun along the way.
Their greatest strengths, they say, lies in their faith and close friendship. Their strategy is to focus on themselves rather than on the other teams. Their primary aim is to do the best they can and come out with a stronger friendship, stronger mindsets and better people.
“Taking part in The Amazing Race Asia will give me the chance to experience things that I’ve never tried, to push the envelope a little and move out of my comfort zone,” declares Sharon.
Sahran and Howard: The best friends from Colombo, Sri Lanka, have known each other for 10 years. They met through a series of coincidences that they swear is too complicated to explain.
The quest for new experiences is really what motivates Howard.
“What drives me in life is a new day, every day – new experiences, new people, new places – and I’m fortunate to have a job that allows me to have that,” says Howard, a tour agency manager.
Sahran’s motivation is slightly different. “I’m motivated by one thing – excitement!”
The biggest challenge these guys expect to face is missing the comforts of home. Howard gets grumpy if he doesn’t have regular meals, and Sahran prefers having a shower every day but they still intend to come out on top.
“We would very much like to be there at the end of the race. We definitely want to see the whole thing through,” says Howard.
Zabrina and Joe Jer: The ex-colleagues from Kuala Lumpur met while working for a TV station. When Zabrina first joined the company, Joe Jer was one of the first friendly faces that she encountered. Their friendship blossomed when they discovered that they both shared a mutual love for TV shows.
They also share similar traits – quick-witted, spontaneous, and more than a little gutsy. While they are confident that their friendship will survive The Amazing Race Asia, they acknowledge their shortcomings, which is their physical stature. But they are confident their passion for reality TV will bring them a long way in their adventure.
“We know the game,” says Zabrina. “We really know it. We watch it all the time. We take note of all the things that go wrong and right in the game.”
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