Even before their stint on The Amazing Race Asia, a friend already attempted to get Richard Hardin and Richard Herrera on television.
"He said, 'You know what, I'm gonna get you guys on TV. You guys are hilarious.' So, all local channels, ABS-CBN, GMA-7... He wanted to put us on something and it never happened," remembered Hardin, a former player of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Although they roughly made their way to show business at that time, Hardin and Herrera, were lucky to have been included among the 10 teams from different Asian countries which competed in the fourth season of The Amazing Race Asia late last year.
In an interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other media, which was held recently at Dusit Thani Manila Hotel, the former cager recalled how passive he was when Herrera told him that he's going to make an audition video for the adventure reality show.
He related, "A lot of our friends actually were telling us, 'Send in a video. Send in a video.' And I'm like, 'There's no way we can get on the show. There's no way.' Rich Herrera was the person who got all the footage for the video. He got old videos, pictures, and contacted my dad in the States. I didn't know about that. He contacted my dad and got all of his footage and made a video, sent it in, and we got a call back."
Through this race, Hardin and Herrera, or The Riches, made it in local entertainment headlines before the year ended. They became the first Philippine team to win on The Amazing Race Asia (CLICK HERE to read related article)
After their stint on Amazing Race Asia, Hardin said people started approaching them for guest appearances and interviews.
"I don't know. People are talking to us, I'm surprised, you know. I didn't know we would be that big and people are asking," he said with a laugh.
PEP then asked him if they have plans to continue entering showbiz, he looked clueless and answered, "They wanna see us on an adventure show or another Amazing Race. That sounds exciting. Let's see what's gonna happen in 2011."
As of now, while his partner is already doing hosting jobs for TV shows, Hardin said he would like to focus on his profession as a fitness instructor in an international school.
"In the long run, I'm gonna keep teaching. I love teaching kids. I love sports and that's where my heart is.
"But doing a show right now, that's exciting. Rich, of course, is already in the industry. He's a model host. He just recently did an independent movie before the race. I'm excited to see it when that comes out."
As a team, the Fil-American cager said that he and Herrera might continue what they've started before The Amazing Race Asia.
"Me and Rich, from what we promoted before, we've done hostings, we've done events. Now, it seems like a lot of people wants us to host their events. It sounds like fun. Let's see what happens in 2011. I'm not saying no to anything. Anything is possible. But I really think that people want to put me on an adventure show with Rich."
"ME AND RICH NEVER GIVE UP." Winning the race was not really easy, according to Hardin.
It took three seasons before the Philippines finally get the top spot on The Amazing Race Asia. Actress Aubrey Miles and her friend model Jacqueline Yu were the second team to be eliminated on its first season. Then, best buddies Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez finished third in the following season. Celebrity couple Tisha Silang ang Geoff Rodriguez came in second in the third season.
Aside from the challenges, Hardin admitted that the other teams were also tough to beat.
"You know, luck has a lot to do with this race. There are just certain things that never meant to happen," Hardin said.
He continued, "Like, I think the first three teams that got eliminated, they were really strong. Those were the teams that we'd pick and they got eliminated really fast. I think the first team, the car broke down. So, there are times on the race, beyond the fact that physically, me and Rich are really a strong team."
Hardin also credited his and Herrera's experiences in traveling, which greatly helped them during the race.
"I think, out of many of the teams, physically, we'll do well. But that's only half of the show. The other half is mental. So, we studied before the show and we have a lot of experience.
"You gotta remember that me and Richard have been traveling for a long time. I played American football and basketball. I'm used to moving around because I've been to a lot of different places. Rich is a model in different areas in Asia and he's lives in the States. So, I think our experience in travel also helps."
But the most important factor that made The Riches win the race was their teamwork.
"You know, me and Richard have both been playing sports for a long time and it's very important that when you're in situation like that, you really have to think of your teammates.
"I saw a lot of teams put each other down. It's hard to get up from failure and putting you down even more by your teammates. And me and Rich never did that, not even one time."
Hardin did not deny that in one of the legs of the race, they once had a little argument. However, both Richards did not let it ruin their strategy to win. "We learn from our mistakes-never to put each other down, never tell each other what to do. Basically, we talked it out. And with us doing that, it got us to the top. I think teamwork is so important in a race like this."
Overall, The Riches finished 1st in three legs, 2nd in six legs, 4th in one leg, and their worst finish was in 6th place during the third leg.
GIVING BACK. The Riches received a $100,000 for winning the race. The next challenge for them is what they're going to do with it.
Hardin said that he and Herrera talked about using a part of it to rehabilitate a few barangays in different provinces.
Although there's still no clear plan yet, Hardin assured that, "Definitely, we'd like to give back to the community."
"We wanna give back into something in relation to what we are. Me and Rich love sports so, right now, it's in the works. It's more of a renovating a barangay.
"I played basketball here for about seven years and Rich played American football. He's horrible at basketball but he loves sports. Basketball is definitely the number one sport in the Philippines and that's where my heart is. So, we came up with a thought if renovating basketball courts in barangays and run a camp and reaching out to the kids. You know, stuff that they can't do everyday.
"Many provinces here... I lived in Iligan City. I played in Davao, Osamis, I've been to probably more places than most Filipinos have been living in the Philippines their whole life. So, I'd like to go back to those places and do something there in the province.
"We're looking for it, but we haven't got the details yet. Maybe in 2011 something positive is going to happen."
Before the interview ended, PEP asked Hardin if they would be willing to join another adventure game in the future. He answered with confidence, "I'm game for everything. I'm very competitive. We'll see what comes out."