Putting up a good fight

AXN Xtreme Macau is the smaller scale version of The Amazing Race and Fear Factor or even the regional counterpart of our very own and now defunct Extra Challenge.

Whether it is an inspiration from or a fusion of reality TV shows flooding the small screen, AXN Xtreme Macau, which airs every Tuesday night at 9 on AXN, still elicits the same feelings of excitement, awe and competition. Televiewers will not have that deja vu feeling nor lose their appetite for adrenaline-pumping shows. It is one show when a hasty turn or move might work to one’s disadvantage.

Half-American, half-Filipino Michelle Padua is the country’s bet to the AXN original production where $30,000 awaits the winner.

"It’s a bit of Fear Factor and a bit of a Japanese game show," describes Michelle of the show. "There are physical challenges just like what participants of The Amazing Race would hurdle."

It was the adventurous side of Michelle that made the Pinay stunner try her luck in the used to be male domain game.

"I thought it was a lot of fun to join," says Michelle. "It’s not every day one gets to do something like this." Besides, she is a fan of Survivor and The Amazing Race.

In the show, Michelle will go through different challenges that will test her endurance and patience. She will battle it out with seven other Asian contestants from Taiwan, China, Singapore, Macau, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. Four are women including Michelle, and four, men. They do a series of physical and mental exercises either by group or individual.

In the pilot episode, contestants were seen hopping the steps – literally from one step to another – of the Ruin of Church of St. Paul. Surprisingly, a male contestant got exhausted and dehydrated. AXN Xtreme Macau might also challenge some stereotypes on men like they are stronger than women.

Before the first episode wrapped up, two male contestants who were cabled in "mini-biked" on the outer rim of the Macau Tower, the world’s 20th tallest freestanding structure and the eighth tallest in Asia. It stands 399 feet high from the ground.

At the end of the day, the winning team gets pampered, while the losing team does a consequence like jumping from the top of the building with harness.

"No matter how you figure out what you’re going to do, there’s always something additional or a surprise," Michelle shares about her AXN Xtreme experience.

Flashback to several months back. Michelle’s curiosity pushed her to send an application form and somebody from the network requested her video tape. Then she had a phone interview where she made a good impression.

A week before the show kicked off, Michelle received the message that she made it to the list. With that little time, all Michelle could do was to run a lot as a quick preparation for the show.

"It’s one show where I can only give my best," says Michelle. "It doesn’t really matter if you’re the strongest or you are in your best physical condition. I think some challenges require mental alertness – not much of physical strength. I don’t know whether I have the edge or not."

The freelance model and winner of the Century Tuna Superbods Contest says one should not underestimate people.

"You can’t judge them by their looks," says Michelle. "You might think of them one way and they will surprise you the next. It’s either they come out of their shell or they think (better than you do). You can only give a good fight."