TV Tube: The Amazing Race Asia 4, Rush Ahead

The fourth season of the most awaited and the biggest race in Asia has finally started, The Amazing Race Asia 4. I been a huge follower of this show because not only that I get to discover great places across the continent, I also get to cheer my countrymen who were competing for the grand prize.

There were two Philippine teams who were competing in this season, Richard Hardin and Richard Herrera, basketball teammates playing in the Team Pilipinas who compete in the FIBA basketball tournament and print and media models Jess and Lani who have appeared in advertisements and commercials in the Philippines. I put my bet on
Richard and Richard being a strong and competitive team but I’m also not discounting
Jess and Lani since they seemed vicious in achieving their goal. Oh well, good luck to booth and make us proud! We have not won yet so far and the farthest yet was last year where we end up second.

Like the previous seasons, the show features a large number of media personalities in their respective countries.

Wendy was a finalist in Miss Hong Kong 2006, teamed up with his boyfriend Alan who is also a celebrity.

Nadine was Miss Indonesia Earth 2009 teamed up with a long time friend Yani.
Natasha was Miss South Jakarta 2007 teamed up with her father representing Indonesia.

Dimple is a Hindi soap actress who starred in the serial Aathvaan Vachan while her friend Sunaina is an Indian TV actress, who is currently starring in Dill Mill Gayye, as well as a movie actress who starred in Hindi movie Kyun! Ho Gaya Na....

Manas finished runner-up as a contestant on the Indian reality-dating show Rakhi Ka Swayamwar, similar in format to The Bachelorette of the American series teamed up with his cousin Sahil becoming the second team that represent India.

Claire is the daughter of famous Mandopop singer William Scorpion while Michelle was a reality TV contestant on the Singaporean series S Factor. They are the youngest team to compete in the Amazing Race Asia history.

Non celebrity team contenders includes Ivan, who is from Hungary, races with his Malaysian wife Hilda and friend Ethan and Khairie representing Malaysia. There seemed to be a shortage of celebrities in Malaysia!

Leg 1 was already runned-down with Malaysian team taking the first pit stop, not surprising since it’s their bailiwick, giving them a huge advantage. The production team should have thought of other location to start the show, maybe a non competing country to make it fair to everyone!

Anyways, this is going to be fun and exciting! c”, The show gives me a good reason to watch TV again. Watch this space for updates! GO TEAM PHILIPPINES!

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Last Call For A Tour Of A Lifetime, The Amazing Race Asia 4

Good news for all The Amazing Race Asia (TARA) hopefuls who are trying to make the mad rush for the close of entry submissions! We are extending the deadline from 22 March to 31 March 2010, due to numerous repeated requests from the public for more time to prepare their videos. After a long wait for the arrival of Season 4, viewers are responding overwhelmingly, with over 20,000 application forms downloaded till date.

Interested participants are to submit their applications in teams of two, and must be living and/or working in Asia (excluding Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East). All contestants are required to be aged 21 and above, must speak English, as well as possess both a valid international passport and an international driving licence. Grab this chance to test your mettle and fortitude in conquering the challenges which The Amazing Race Asia 4 will bring!

How to Register?
Entry forms can be downloaded from www.axn-asia.com/tara and need to be sent in together with a 3-minute video to the address stated on the website. All information on the race can be found on www.axn-asia.com/tara, and enquiries can be addressed to Amazing_Race_Asia@axn-asia.com. Remember, all applications must be submitted by 31 March 2010, 6.00pm Singapore time!

I would have want to join this race but it would need lot of preparations like being fit physically and mentally and so I would like to prepare myself as early as today for the next season, anybody cares to team up? c",

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The Amazing Race Asia; Final Pit Stop

A heart breaking news people, team Philippines only finish 2nd in the race.

I have to congratulate the Amazing Race Asia team though for giving us the most exciting and the most fun finale ever. Tasks are the toughest, difficult and excrutiating challenges come forth and luck came in to play.

It was luck that brought Sam and Vince to finish line first, it would have been Geoff and Tisha if they didnt picked the wrong taxi driver. I gues they didnt study the Race well before joining. American teams usually contact a cab long hand before arriving to their final destination, a cab driver that is knowledgable on the place, it would give them the biggest advantage.

Ida and Tania brought up a good fight but it was luck again turn astray that made them finish last. Missing a connecting flight killed their changes.

Anyhow congratulations to the three teams and their supporters. See you all in the next season of the most Amazing Race in Asia and the World.

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The Amazing Race Asia; Pit Stop 10

Another Amazing Race Asia Day Friends.

There are many reasons why we should call it an amazing day today. First, we have witness the most exciting and heart stopping episode of the season and Second, Philippines was part of the Top 3 teams who will be given a change to compete for the ultimate price.

The last episode was really crazy, it has the hardest challenges, the most difficult places to find and the most number wrong moves by the players. What keeps me excited was the catch up game of Goeff and Tisha, my team Philippines. I was like you'll get angry on their immature and irrelevant moves at the same time you're hoping that they can make up lost time and praying that other teams get lost or made the same mistakes as they did. Its a roller coaster of emotion, at first you're excited, then on the second part you loose hope and then on the next gearing up again then get disappointed and so forth.

I cant understand why two teams never made it to the last tasks. It looks easy, they'll just have to cross over the canyon gap via Tyrolean traverse, get their clue and then back to their position and they weren't able to do it. This is a big slap in the face of Sam because its a physical task and this should have been easy for him being a man and yet he was overtaken by a woman. I can understand AD not finishing it because of his body weight but Sam? come on!

Anyways here are the rundown of the Final Top 3.
1. Ida and Tania - Again, I'm very impressed by this team, they surely deserve a spot on the top 3 being amazingly strong and competitive.
2. Goeff and Tisha - A classic team performance and character they been doing in the previous episode only this time worse. In this episode, this team really performed the worsiest, there not focus, they rush things up without thinking and they easily loose patients. This is their downfall as I always cite up and if they'll not realize this very soon, they will not win.
3. Sam and Vince - I always cite this team as weak, and it really show up last night. I'm still not going to place my bet on them, Never!

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The Amazing Race Asia; Pit Stop 9

Another great Amazing Race Asia Update Friends. We are now down to the most exciting part of the race, the last 3 legs with 4 remaining teams competing in Asia's most famous race around the world.

Race Battleground: India

Race Tasks:
1. Find the Pune Cricket Stadium and play Cricket. I wonder why finding this place is difficult. Cricket is suppose to be a famous sports in India thus it would mean that people in Pune should know about the location but it seems that its not. Im confused?
2. Navigate Pune using the Nokia 6210 Navigator - The great Navigator phone was featured and its great. I was a bit envy though because India has this service and Philippines dont. It would have been a great help to travelers like me.
3. Road Block - Teams must find the person wearing pheta with the Correct word. This is a systematic task. People who often rush without thinking often feel to the trap called confusion.
4. Find The Joker Challenge - Unusual challenge here and I dont find their joked funny.
5. Detour - Push or Crush. They equate similarly the same although the Crush is more physical than the Push. This is actually the first Detour than I find fare so far.

Team Standing:
1. Sam and Vince - I still couln't believe they made it this far. I hope they'll get eliminated next. I still consider them a weak team.
2. Ida and Tania - Very impressed with this team. Bold and Beautiful Tandem. They've proven themselves many times already, tought and candid.
3. Geoff and Tisha - They should work and improve their navigating skills, its their downfull ever since. They have an edge on doing phsical challenges but when it comes to navigation, they really fall behind.
4. A.D. and Fuzzie - I was excited seeing them trailling behind just to find out that they will not be eliminated. Darn! c", but I rather want them to be on the top 3 than Sam and Vince.

Next weeks episode will be the heart thumping as the race will converge to the final 3. Who will be given a change to compete for the grand price? Stay Tuned for More.

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The Amazing Race Asia; Pit Stop 8

A very Amazing Race Asia 3 day friends. Welcome again to my small blog.

To be honest I really wasn't able to watch episode 8 last night, I was traveling overnight, work and business reasons and I just arrive this morning without sleep. c", Im like floating right now writing this post.

Team Update: 4 Teams Left
1. Goeff and Tisha - I am very surprise with the two, I thought they are not going to make this far in the race because of the difference in their personality. Now they have finish on top for two consecutive times already that made them the strongest contender to win.
2. A.D. and Fuzzie - Another surprising team to rich this far. There a weak team, no question about that and the most lucky being able to choose easy and non physically draining tasks and finish them easily thus giving them the lead agaisnt other teams, I dont know if luck will make them win.
3. Ida and Tania - A very remarkable come back for this two gorgeous women being able to finish last in the last two legs. They truely deserve to remain in the race being able to witness their hardwork and spirit in finishing tasks. There only the other strong team that remained aside from team Philippines.
4. Sam and Vince - Forgetable and weak team, I really dont see them remarkable even if they made it this far.
5. Berni and Henry - Eliminated. I like this team before but when they start picking on Goeff and Tisha, my supports on them slowly faded. I just dont like there attitude of backstabbing team Philippines and the karma did gets on their way by doing so. To bad.

Stay tuned friends for more of my thoughts on The Amazing Race Asia 3. Good Day! c",

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The Amazing Race Asia; Pit Stop 7

Sorry my dear readers, I haven't really been abe to update my blog lately thats because I have been through the busiest and the worsiest month in my life. Cannot really share with you what happend, all I can say was that Its HORIBBLE. My post right now are pre scheduled and I am hoping to fill those blank Posts very soon.

Anyways today is The Amazing Race Asia Day amd I was just a bit fortunate to be able to watch episode 7 last night. They have several tasks in this episode and It was a long day for the racers. I was a bit disappointed in some of the task being to easy, hopefully excitement will be brought back on the next episode.

Team Standing:
1. Goeff and Tisha - Their very first time to reach the pitstop ahead of the league. I was happy seeing them on top and I hope they can maintain the lead on the remaining leg. They made several good decessions on this episode as they should always do to win.
2. Sam and Vince - They have been on top on the last two legs and I still am not convince on their winability.
3. A.D. and Fuzzie - This team is a big surprise for me since reaching this far in the race sinbe I perceive them as weak. I believe they are next in line to be eliminated since exhaustion have aready climb on their footstep.
4. Berni and Henry - Their audasity disturbs me, they've been very particular with Goeff and Tisha and starts to become annoying themselves. They should keep their focuss on the race rather than maligning others so they can finish first.
5. Ida and Tanya - They just unlucky for the past two episodes, and lucky enough not to be eliinated. They are a strong team, I have no doubt about it.

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The Amazing Race Asia; Pit Stop 6

Team Update: Non Elimination Round!!
1. Sam and Vince
2. Berni and Henry
3. Goeff and Tisha
4. A.D. and Fuzzie
5. Ida and Tania

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The Amazing Race Asia; Pit Stop 5

Team Update:
1. Sam and Vince
2. Berni and Henri
3. A.D. and Fuzzy
4. Ida and Tania
5. Goeff and Tisha
6. Mai and Oliver

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The Amazing Race Asia 3; Episode 4

Its an Amazing Race 3 Day again folks, we are now on the 4th Pit Stop in the race around Asia the world.

Race Battleground: Taiwan
1. Taipie Proper - Navigating this city using a car is gruesome specially if your a first timer and you don't read or speak Mandarin. It has so many right and left turns and many of the racers feel trap to this travesty.
2. Shenkeng, Taipie - Part of the city suburb and part of the challenge. Locating this place is the one of the top challenge in the race as some teams got lost, racers dumber moments.
3. Taipie City Hall - The pit stop of the race.

Race Challenges:
1. Detour - Shoot It or Shape It. The shoot it challenge was the difficult one, in here, they have to shoot something in a miniature museum but they have no idea what it is. The challenge is nothing physical but it takes keen eyes to finish early and most of the team feel short on this. Shape it is the easy one, they only have to figure shapes using tangram, only one team choose this test and made the right choice.
2. The second challenge was braille reading. This is an easy task as well because they only have to read braille to get the next clue, teams here that has no patients and coordination end up finishing late. Its Berni and Henry who hurrays a lot feel into the trap. Teams then afterwards will give a $20,000 to the institute for the blind as a help.
3. Road Block - one man tasked and the main course of the episode, in this task, teams are ask to eat a Taiwanese delicacy called Stinky Tofu. Stinky because it smells very bad as a result if unique combination of spices. Tania and Ida have the most dramatic experience in this tasks with tears falling down all over as Tania grapples the delicacy. Oliver have few throw ups with Mai laughing in the background, so are the the rest of the eams except Niroo and Kapel who refuse to take the challenge.

Rundown of teams who made it to the fourth round.
1. Tania and Ida (Malaysia) - I told you before that I was wrong to call them weak because they are indeed very competitive and being the overall champ in this episodes proves everything. They got the best price also being the first team to arrive, they booth win the very sleek and feature packed flagship device from Nokia, N96, the omnipotent device.
2. Sam and Vince (Hongkong) - I'm still not beating on them. They will be eliminated soon.
3. Mai and Oliver (Thailand) - There starting to recognize each others strenght and weakness and that made them up par with the other groups.
4. Berni and Henry (Malaysia) - They tumble down in navigation and braille test, they must calm down once in awhile and think. Being in a hurry all the time is always the best thing to do in this Race. They must think!
5. A.D. and Fuzzie (Singapore) - Lucky enough to stay in the race.
6. Jeoff and Tisha (Philippines) - Same problem with Berni and Henry. Hope they learn from their mistakes.
7. Niroo and Kapel (India) - Eliminated. Their problem was with driving automatic cars, its a shame for this team being very much well known in their country yet cant figure out automatic cars. They must have been to dependent on their drivers that they don't know how to drive such cars. Lesson learned.

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The Amazing Race 3; Pit Stop 3

Its an Amazing Race day friends, just an update, teams are now down to 7. One team was eliminated last night on I believe the longest race episode in the history of The Amazing Race Asia.

The race was still in Vietnam, a culture riched country which started with a grueling 25 hours bus trip to Hue. It was part of the test to hurdle a whole day trip in the bus with no air condition, it means they have to be static for a day and sleep in the bus which i know was a draining experience being able to experience overnight travel myself. You cant really sleep well in this condition and you will end up drooling the next day.

The Hue tasks were long rather, the first one was to fix a jeep, change tire and do some change oil, this was an easy task for men being used to cars than women and it did made a difference being teams with men finish early than all women team. The next task was a brainier, they have to study the history of Vietnam and all its dynasties. They were asked to collect symbols for each dynasty with no additional clue given, there were information's provided where the symbols were place and this made a difference, other teams didn't mind this info's thus giving them a hard time on the next task, to arrange this symbols in accordance to its reign. The team of Pailin and Natalie gave up on this tasks, which I think was the dumbest thing to do since they will incur 4 hour penalty.

Some other tasks, make enssence and pad a rice, then drive a bicycle which was difficult to maneuver to the Pit Stop.

Some of the remarkable highlights, team Malaysia's unfortunate accident with Berni falling down from a bike, loosing consciousness for a while, flat front on the pavement, teams frustrations and attitudes coming out from the racers among others. This was the most entertaining episode so far and I believe there were more to come.

Anyways here is the rundown of the top teams that made it in the third round.
1. Berni and Henry (Malaysia) - I'm liking this team every episode, they're really trying the best they can and it paid off.
2. Sam and Vince (Hongkong) - Good Team but I'm not taking beat on them.
3. Tania and Ida (Malaysia) - I was wrong calling them not remarkable before, there a strong team.
4. A.D. and Fuzzie (Singapore) - A weak team, just lucky enough to stay in the race.
5. Jeoff and Tisha (Philippines) - Strong team but Jeoff is rude and gaining enemies which I think will backfire on them soon.
6. Mai and Oliver (Thailand) - Mai is now adjusting, keeping up to other teams.
7. Niroo and Kapel (India) - Another weak team, waiting for elimination.
8. Natalie and Pailin (Thailand) - Eliminated, Natalie losing interest to continue.

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Nokia N82 and Amazing Race Asia

The amazing Nokia N82 Silver Edition have a brief appearance in the most amazing show in Asia, The Amazing Race Asia Season 3.

Part of the task they need to accomplish was to finish an N-Gage Game, System Rush Evolution using Nokia N82 connected to a television via TV out. Its fun watching racers play their hearts out specially the ladies who doesn't really play much video games like men do. Every racers needs to finished at least one round to be able to received their next clue. Talking about advertising to the highest level as the show is being watch all over Asia.








This how the game looks like on the big screen. I haven't really tried it yet, but i think its fun.














This is Bernie Chan of Team Malaysia seriously pitting the very sexy Nokia N82, original version. She also have a hard time finishing the game like most of the women racers. Something to do with genetic make up maybe. c",






Watch out for more of The Amazing Race Asia, Nokia N82 and N-Gage on this blog.

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The Amazing Race Pit Stop 1 and 2

The Amazing Race Season 3 have already started last week and this post is a rundown of episode 1 and 2.

The first two episode as expected was full of excitement, adventure and fun, it was actually the first time that the race started in Thailand as the earlier first two seasons started in Singapore. I like all the task they did as a salvo, players have to eat a plate of cockroach, scorpions, worms and crickets before being handed with the next clue, it requires a lot of guts and courage to be able to swallow those creepy creatures and the players willingly eat it in the spirit competition and I salute them for that.

Second task is cleaning a huge bus which I think is lame, yet fun also since most of this players are celebrities and not use to those kinds of chores. 3rd task was the easiest, they only need to find the clue that were scattered all over beneath the Budda statue, but with time constrain, they have to find the clue before the bus leaves and if they cant, tney need to wait for the next bus to leave and so forth.

The last task a road block, a bit easier also, padding rice or carting are the option and most of the players went to rice challenge
.
Heres a rundown of the top teams that made it on the first round.
1. Mai and Oliver (Thailand)
2. Jeoff and Tisha (Philippines)
3. Berni and Henry (Malaysia)
4. Natalie and Pailin (Thailand)
5. Tania and Ida (Malaysia)
6. William ans Isaac (South Korea)
7. Sam and Vince (Hongkong)
8. A.D. and Fuzzie (Singapore)
9. Niroo and Kapel (India)
10. Nene and Amit (India) Eliminated

The second episode was even tougher than the first and drama starts to evade the players. Very remarkable was the word fight of Mai and Oliver of Team Thailand during episode one, while the crying scene of Pailin at the airport was heart breaker, seeing a lovely lady cry because she would be sleeping in an airport was something I would not allow to happen. Jeoff of team Philippines started to loose his patient and thus starting to become a blonder for them. He is like a school boy who nags Tisha instead of giving her support so she can do the task easily without preassure.

Anyways here is the rundown of the top teams that made it in the second round.
1. Berni and Henry (Malaysia) - I like there strong perseverance.
2. A.D. and Fuzzie (Singapore) - A weak team, just lucky enough to stay in the race.
3. Sam and Vince (Hongkong) - Good Team but not winable
4. Niroo and Kapel (India) - Another weak team, wating for elimination.
5. Jeoff and Tisha (Philippines) - Strong team but easily loose patients in tasks.
6. Tania and Ida (Malaysia) - Not remarkable
7. Natalie and Pailin (Thailand) - Lethal combination of beauty and charm.
8. Mai and Oliver (Thailand) - The brat and the hopeful, Oliver likes Mai and Mai doesn't care.
9. Sam and Vince (Hongkong) - Eliminated

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The Amazing Race 3

My most favorite television show in Asia is back again on AXN, The Amazing Race Asia. I've been a big fan of the show ever since it aired 2 years ago, and will be an enthusiast for the rest of my life, maybe. hehehe

Its because of the adventure, travel and excitement that made me hook up to this show, I love to travel, going to places, I love adventure and I love the idea of pitting up contestants from different Asian countries to compete, it ushers nationality and team spirit to viewers. I like the original Amazing Race too but I just cant relate to them being Americans.

There are 10 teams competing this season, 2 teams from Thailand, India and Malaysia while 1 team for Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong and my team Philippines. What I notice with this seasons teams was that majority of the participants are celebrities from their own country.

Teams Thailand have a Miss Universe 2005 and Miss Earth Thailand 2006, hot and sexy tandem. Second team is an Actress and Model tandem, pretty interesting team up here as the actress got attitude.

Teams Malaysia have TV host, actress and a chef, a strong sibling team while the other team has an actress, producer, an all girl tandem.

Teams India have an Actor with it, sort of a father and son tandem while the second team has a model with it.

Team South Korea has a sports TV host on it, an all male tag team.

Hong Kong have a comedian and host, also and all male tandem.

Singapore have a director and a free lance writer on the team, an all girl tandem and weak I believe, producers intended to cast a weak team from Singapore to give chances for other countries to win as well, Season 1 and 2 was won by Singaporeans.

Finally, my team Philippines (left inset picture) has Geoff Rodriguez, a Model, and Tisha Silang, former Miss Philippines Universe, a strong and competitive couple. Well this be the team who will bring the beacon for the country? Hope so!

Amazing Race Asia have already become a big hit in the region that celebrities are now opting to join, it not about the price anymore as the main reason for joining the race, its about international exposure that this celebrities will get upon joining that might help their respective carrier.

You can access the Amazing Race Asia on AXN and stay tuned for more of The Amazing Race updates on this Blog.

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