The amazing Allan Wu

Curtain-raisers:

• Congratulations to Gary Valenciano (photo) who has been tapped to sing Heart of the Games, anthem and theme song of the Asian Games slated Dec. 1 to 15 in Doha, Qatar. This piece of good news was released by DAGOC (Doha Asian Games Olympic Committee). Gary will also be featured in the official video of the games to be shown in most of the participating countries. Gary is now in the US to guest in this week’s episode of The 700 Club (aired all over the USA) and for a performance on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

• Funfare has just received the hot news that Dr. Vicki Belo’s The Belo Medical Group is adding Angel Locsin (left) and Jennylyn Mercado (right) to its growing roster of A-list endorsers. (Could it also be true that Flawless, the Belo Clinic’s sister company, will enlist the legendary Anna Bayle, the first and so far only Filipina to conquer the international modeling world, as its new endorser?) Well, the Belo Clinic and Flawless are, ehem, in fighting form.

• Visiting (New York-based) singer Ciello (photo) just had a taste of Pinoy "inhospitality" when she was mugged the other night at the Timog-Morato Rotunda while crossing the street (from The Imperial Palace Suites where she and her parents, Amy and Fitzgerald Tuazon are billeted). A snatcher (lots of them in that area, I tell you!) grabbed Ciello’s shoulder bag to which she clung on as if for dear life. Still, Ciello fell and hit her head on the pavement. Fitzgerald did the no-no thing in a situation like that – he chased the snatcher – before he and Amy rushed Ciello to a nearby hospital. Today, Ciello will turn over to Tina Monzon-Palma the $3,000 she has raised in a New York concert she herself organized for the Bantay-Bata Foundation, Inc. That’s what she came here for.

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"I have this Incredible Hulk side. I’m a total risk-taker. But now I’m trying to get my conservative side to get more control over the monster."

That’s Allan Wu speaking, host of AXN’s The Amazing Race Asia (see ad on C-12) which premieres tonight at 9 o’clock. Allan, 34, concedes that he doesn’t look like a movie star even if he is indeed one...an accomplished one in Singapore at that where he’s also a successful commercial model.

A graduate of the University of California Berkeley, Allan changed his mind about becoming a doctor when he realized he didn’t have the patience to spend seven more years in school. The medical world’s loss is showbiz’s gain.

After a brief stint as a Ford Agency model, Allan went to Hong Kong armed only with bravado and some change in his pocket. A classic "rags-to-riches" story. Well, nine years later, he’s one of the most in-demand talents in Asia. His secret? "Make your path to a rewarding career and you could be the star in your own amazing journey," said Allan who is married to Singaporean actress Wong Li Lin with whom he has two kids, adding, "I have grown more patient and has acquired a better grip on things as a result of domesticated life."

That’s what he meant by letting go of his "Incredible Hulk side."

Anyway, Allan’s "amazing journey" has led him to The Amazing Race Asia. Also an MTV veejay in Taiwan, Allan was the first Asian to participate in the US reality series Fear Factor where he ate 21 shots of blended fish eyes, beetles, maggots and worms, a feat he said he’d never dare do again.

Meanwhile, let’s discover more about the "amazing Allan Wu" in the following exclusive Q&A furnished Funfare by AXN:

Why do you think you were chosen as the host of The Amazing Race Asia?

"I think the producers of the show had at the back of their minds a certain image of the host and they saw it in me. They might have felt that I embodied a sense of adventure and that I could withstand the stress and the tenuous schedule of the race."

What did you learn from your experience as host?

"I learned from the show that in this day and age, with technology allowing us to travel far and wide within such a short span of time, it lets us meet various people from all walks of life and experience how different cultures are and the dynamics of interaction when people of various cultures meet. The entire experience so far as host of The Amazing Race Asia has been nothing but inspiring and surreal. It was exhilirating and fun to travel extensively to exotic locations you normally wouldn’t do as a tourist."

How do you feel filling in Phil Keoghan’s shoes?

"I felt a lot of pressures at first and it made me watch more of the show again to learn what Phil did. But once I got into the groove of things and got to know the production team better, I became more confident and things moved smoothly. I’m not sure if I’m as good as Phil but I’ve definitely given it my all."

As the host, what do you think is different about The Amazing Race Asia compared to the US version?

"The show is definitely more diverse for the host of the Asia version as I’m meeting with people from all over the world and not one nationality alone. During the crucial moments in the race, it’s intriguing to see how people from different countries and cultures work under duress. But true to the format, there’s a fine line of difference between the US version and the Asia version."

What was the most challenging part of tthe race and the most rewarding?

"The Amazing Race Asia being a reality show is totally unscripted and very fast-paced. The main challenge of the race is the incredible pace of filming to keep up with. There’s a lot of pressure to get it right the first time around because there are no retakes to make it right like in the movies or a drama series. On top of that, we’re travelling city to city on a tight schedule which makes situations become more dramatic, which is great for television but stressful for the crew and the teams.

"The most rewarding would be to witness the passion of the participants and production people and to see their elation at the end of the day when they recount their challenges, fears and triumphs. It’s their passion that’s contagious and that really encouraged me. Overall, the race is one show of such an enormous scope and significance that we were amazed to see it unfold day by day. The Amazing Race Asia is definitely one show to watch for everyone to witness the incredible passion and drive of people in Asia."

Tell us about your most memorable culinary experience during the race.

"I actually don’t really have a most memorable culinary experience because I didn’t eat much during the race. There simply was no time to stop and eat. I know this sounds like an exaggeration, but I didn’t believe it myself until I was working on the show and eating on the run everywhere. However, I do recall one nice, relaxing Western fusion dinner with the crew under the stars on a tropical island after we finished one leg of the race."

What’s your favorite cuisine? Do you cook?

"I absolutely love Mexican food. I grew up in Southern California, so I’ve been eating delicious Mexican cuisine from an early age. I don’t cook very much mysself, especially since my wife is such a wonderful and talented cook."

Tell us what has been your life’s most memorable culinary experience.

"Definitely the Fear Factor Water! I’d have to rename it more of a ‘culinary nightmare,’ though. It was 21 shots of blended fish eyes, beetles, maggots and worms. I didn’t think it would be that bad. I smelled the shots. It was vile. It was repugnant. It was putrid. But I didn’t think it would be that bad. I was under the impression that I could drink all 57 shots if I had to. But after the two other contestants both threw up, I began to think that ‘maybe this stuff is the real deal.’ I tried to shoot as many of the bottles as I could but there were still 21 left standing. When they brought out the tray of 21 shots of just rancid crap insect filth for me to drink, I was overwhelmed. The stuff was just reeking. They laid it down in front of me and I thought to myself, ‘Thank goodness I only have to drink 21 of these.’ I still don’t know how I did complete it, but I wouldn’t wish that the disgusting liquified horror on my worst enemy."

Would you do it all over again?

"Nope. I would never do it again. But then again, never say ‘never’."

If you were a food, what kind would you be?

"I’ll have to say watermelon because I’d like to consider myself healthy, juicy and bursting with flavor. Also, I’m hard on the outside but soft on the inside just like watermelon."

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