Filipino franchise of hit reality show begins October 29
In its bid to change the landscape of primetime soap opera viewing in the Philippines, TV5 is all set for the premiere of The Amazing Race (TARP). The program is the Filipino version of the world’s most awarded and most successful reality show.

Hosted by actor-sportsman Derek Ramsay, TARP is part of TV5’s series of new shows for the last quarter of 2012. It premieres on October 29, and will air weekdays after game show Wil Time Bigtime, as well as on Saturday after Talentadong Pinoy Worldwide.

The Kapatid Network stunned mall-goers and office folk in Eastwood, Libis, when it launched TARP with a series of challenges all around the vicinity on Friday. Members of the press, along with TARP contestants participated in a race of exhilarating challenges.

All the same, Derek got most of the attention from both the spectators and participants, who was gracious as always for photo ops and quick chats.

Perhaps one of the most hardworking actors today, Derek is back on TARP after hosting the London 2012 Olympics in July for TV5 and AKTV.

Unknown to the public, Derek and the TARP team secretly shot in different parts of the country for a full month. A self-confessed TAR fanatic himself, he related. “If there’s anything I can take away from this experience, it’s that I know firsthand what the teams had to do to win the P2 million. There were also times while filming that I could not help but stop and appreciate just how amazing the Philippines is. No wonder everything is more fun here.”

TARP is co-produced with ActiveTV, the same production company behind the Emmy-nominated and two-time Asian TV Awards winner, TAR Asia. The local production sees the collaboration of TV5’s devotion to quality programming and the expertise of the franchise’s executive producer and director, Michael McKay. Having led the TAR franchise to Emmy victory, McKay was commissioned by TV5 to helm the Filipino version’s production, to ensure the same adrenalin rush from start to finish.

TARP is indeed TV’5 most ambitious reality show to date. At the heart of the show are the 11 spirited teams vying to be the first to hit the mat at the finish line.

The has an interesting mix of characters that are sure to charm their way into Filipino hearts and homes. They are celebrity best friends LJ Moreno and CJ Jarabata; brothers-in-law Dayal Chowdary Jr. and Fausto Reyes; gym buddies Marc Duñgo and Kat Tan; amigas Jervi Lisaba and Saida Diola; reunited friends Sheena Vera Cruz and Gee “Speedy” Canlas; Alabang housewives Pam Spella and Vanessa Ishitani; father and daughter Ed and Angel Movido; mag-kumpare Boom Vergara and Cheng Enriquez; football brothers Armand and Anton del Rosario; bombshells Dani Castano and Mish Van Ruyven; and dating couple Crystel Castro and Mykey Lacson.

Get real-time updates online via TARP’s official social media accounts: @Amazing_RacePH and hashtag #AmazingRacePH on Twitter and The Amazing Race Philippines fan page on Facebook. You may also visit www.theamazingrace.ph for exclusive online contents about the show.