Isa sa mga popular na reality television shows ay ang The Amazing Race. Last September, ang U.S. edition ng show na ito ay nakakuha ng 9th Emmy Award nito para sa category na Best Reality series.


Ang TV5 ang siyang nakabili ng rights para gawin ang The Amazing Race Philippines at pinili nila si Derek Ramsey na maging host ng naturang reality show.


Aminado si Derek na dahil fan siya ng The Amazing Race, isa ito sa kanyang mga dahilan kung bakit iniwan niya ang ABS-CBN upang lumipat sa TV5. Halos isang buwan ang ginugol na panahon ni Derek upang i-shoot ang naturang palabas sa iba’t ibang locations sa Pilipinas.


Noong nakaraang Oktubre 18 ay nagkaroong ng press launch para sa reality show na ginanap sa Eastwood City.

Ang 11 teams na naglaban laban para  sa The Amazing Race Philippines ay ang sumusunod: ang celebrity best friends na sina LJ Moreno at CJ Jaravata, magbayaw na Dayal Chowdary Jr. at Fausto Reyes, gym buddies na sina Marc Dungo at Kat Tan, ang mag-amigas na sina Jervi Lisaba at Saida Diola, ang reunited  friends na sina Sheena Vera Cruz at Gee “Speedy” Canlas, ang  Alabang housewives na sina Pam Spella at Vanessa Ishitani, ang mag-amang Ed at Angel Movido, mag-kumpareng Boom  Vergara at Cheng Enriquez, ang football brothers  na sina Armand at Anton Del Rosario, bombshells na sina Dani Castaño at Mish Van Ruyven, at ang magkasintahang sina Crystel Castro at Mykey Lacson.


Lahat sila ay may kasamang isang member of the press na sumali sa mga challenges ng hapon na iyon. Ipinaranas ng Kapatid Network sa 11 registered members of the press ang tension na nararanasan ng participants sa Amazing Race.


Matapos ang mahigit isang oras na pagtutunggali ng mga contestants ay itinanghal sina Glen Sibonga kapartner ang magbayaw na sina Dayal Chowdary at Fausto Reyes bilang grand winner. Pumangalawa naman si Kelvin Lamboloto na kapartner ang celebrity best friends na sina LJ Moreno at CJ Jaravata. Pumangatlo naman ang PEP.ph writer na si Nerisa Almo kasama ang gym buddies na sina Marc Dungo at Kat Tan.

Bago nagsimula ang press conference ay nagpakitang gilas sa rapelling sa napakataas na building ng Eastwood ang host ng The Amazing Race Philippines na si Derek Ramsey. Kasunod nito ang presentation ng 11 pairs na maglalaban laban sa reality competition.  Buong siglang sinagot nina Derek at ng 11 teams ang mga katanungan ng mga press.

Derek, kamusta ang experience mo bilang hosting ng The Amazing Race Philippines?

Derek: “I consider this as the most expensive and hard part of my hosting kasi nga we traveled all over the Philippines for the race. We transfer from one location to the next location kasama yung cameraman.  Yung shot, tuluy-tuloy yun walang break. Almost one month naming ginawa yun all over the Philippines, pag gising diretso to another location, pag check in namin in main stop shoot, baklas then we go to next location, so wala talaga kaming pahinga, we concentrate on our moves. Makikita ninyo sa trailers we hired helicopters, and each team has helicopters at iikot sila around the Makati area that’s why I found this program as the most expensive.”

May talent fee ba ang mga 11 teams na kasali? Binabayaran ba sila per day for the effort?

Derek: “Nope, it’s a competition. They joined because they want to win the prizes. Pero, some teams joined not for the prizes but because they want to experience this Amazing Race. Like for example si CJ, she is a big fan of The Amazing Race, she knows all the rules, she watched every episode of Amazing Race, so she did these not be paid but for the experience and as far as I know, the same with the other teams, they joined not to win the prize money [kundi] para makita nila lahat magagandang lugar sa Pilipinas to be able to compete and get over the task and challenges set for the show. If you ask me if the prize money is enough for all their effort, I think, the whole experienced is more than enough to be in the show.”

Anong Derek Ramsey ang makikita namin sa show na ito since you will be the host of The Amazing Race Philippines?

Derek: “The Amazing Race, I didn’t really prepare for those things kasi hindi po ako ang papanoorin nyo ditto. These guys, these 11 teams ang aabangan n’yo rito. Ako, I’m extra part of the show, I’m here just to check them, give them their task, so hindi talaga ako yung aabangan dito, sila yung aabangan dito, yung drama, challenges at hirap nila ang aabangan dito.”

Matutunghayan na sa TV5 ang The Amazing Race Philippines simula October 29, 2012. Ipapalabas ito sa Kapatid Network mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes pagkatapos ng Wil Time Bigtime at tuwing Sabado naman pagkatapos ng Talentadong Pinoy Worldwide.


MEET THE CONTESTANTS OF THE AMAZING RACE PHILIPPINES.


Celebrity best friends. CJ Jaravata and LJ Moreno have been friends for 10 years. Both are passionate about being on the show and have a "mean" competitive streak.


Reunited friends. Sheena Vera Cruz and Gee "Speedy" Canlas agreed on two things that will help them win the game--to stop overthinking and to never underestimate taxi drivers.


Gym buddies. For Marc Duñgo and Kat Tan, physical tasks are no big deal to them and might be an advantage for them to finish first in every leg of the race.


Amigas. Saida Diola and Jervi Lisaba are not new to TV shows since both of them worked in the noontime show Eat Bulaga! They claim that their dynamic combination is unique, the ultimate mix of beauty and brains in the race.


Alabang housewives. Pam Espella and Vanessa Ishitani are energetic housewives looking for adventure. They are also both admirers of the show's host Derek Ramsay.


Bombshells. Former 2008 Miss World representative Dani Castaño (full name: Danielle Kirsten Muriel Castaño) and entrepreneur Mish Van Ruyven is said to be very secretive about their overall gameplan for the Race. They help motivate one another especially since they took up running as a sport.


Football brothers. Armand and Anton del Rosario are avid fans of The Amazing Race franchise. Both are well-travelled and physically fit, which they can use to make it until the last leg of the race.


Magbayaw. Dayal Chowdry, Jr and Fausto Reyes are brothers-in-law are out to prove the strength of their bond.


Magkumpare. Motorcycle riders Boom Vergara and Cheng Enriquez are single fathers who both ventured overseas to support their families.


Mag-ama. Angel and Ed Movido share the tenacious spirit. While Angel is fond of travelling and exploring the great outdoors, Ed considers himself a free spirit.


Dating couple. Mykey Lacson and Crystel Castro are out to prove the strength of their relationship on the race. They are both determined to beat the odds and win the The Amazing Race Philippines.