The 'Amazing' brother-sister tandem

The Amazing Race Season 13, aired on Studio 23, sent 11 teams (each comprised of two people who have pre-existing relationship with each other) on a trek around the world for around 30 days. At every destination, each couple had to compete in a series of challenges, some mental and the others physical, and only when the tasks were completed did they learn their next destination.

And the winners are...

The brother and sister team of Nick Spangler, 22, and Starr Spangler, 21. Nick is an actor who lives in New York while Starr, who is a former NFL cheerleader, lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

Second placer were “Separated Couple” Ken and Tina Greene; and third-placer were “Fraternity Brothers” Andrew Lappitt and Dan Honig.

Nick and Starr bagged the $1-M grand prize.

“But more than the money,” said Nick in an exclusive phone interview with Funfare (he and Starr were calling from New York), “more than being the winners of The Amazing Race, I love the experiences that I’ve gone through with Starr.”

Excerpts:

Did you have any idea that you would win?

Nick: Well, we actually had different opinions on it. From the beginning, I never thought that we would come in first place or even as finalists. But Starr was always very confident. During the audition, she told me, “I guarantee you that we will end up with the Final 3.” Positive thinking does help.

It’s important for partners in the race to be well-coordinated. As siblings, have you always been close to each other?

Nick: No. Actually, we didn’t like each other when we were younger.

Starr: We didn’t get along in high school; we hated each other because we were so close in age. But once Nick got to college and was 3,000 miles from me, we started missing each other and that’s when we became good friends.

How were you raised? To be independent, I suppose.

Starr: Absolutely! We were brought up not only to be independent but also to be adventurous. We are very driven. You know, our parents saw to that. Nick and I have another brother and a little sister, and each one of us is very independent. Our parents encourage us to, you know, pursue your dream, find the goal that you want to achieve, go out into the world...anything is possible in this world.

How did you prepare for the race — physically, mentally and emotionally?

Nick: I was unemployed at the time, so I had all the time to go to the gym. I would run and by the end of my training I was running three miles in 19 minutes. That was a record for me. Unfortunately, Starr had an injury that prevented her from working out.

Starr: I wasn’t able to physically prepare for the race but I did, mentally and emotionally. Nick and I didn’t really have to prepare so much on that aspect because we have always been mentally and emotionally okay. Whenever we got in tense situation, we acted naturally in keeping ourselves in control.

Of course, the whole Amazing Race was very challenging. But what do you think was “the most” challenging part of it?

Nick: For Starr and me, it was the airline arrangements. We didn’t travel around that often, just the two of us, so whenever we went to the airport to buy international airline tickets we always kind of had difficulty getting the best flight. That was one of the reasons why we teamed up with Ken and Tina who really helped make things easy for us.

But you don’t have a fear of flying, do you?

Nick: Oh no, no fear of flying...just the trouble of fixing the travel arrangements.

During the race, you traveled to several countries, including the USA, Brazil, Bolivia, New Zealand, Cambodia, India, Kazakhstan and Russia. Briefly now, what are your fond memories of these countries?

Nick: Good question. My favorite place was, by all means, Cambodia.

Of all the places that we visited, it was the most different. You see places like that and cultures like that and you...well, it was just oh-so-amazing! It was very strange to be dropped in a place like that and see a way of life so very different from what you are used to.

Starr: Yes, Cambodia. The culture is different. The people are happy and contented with what they have. How Nick and I live our lives back in the US is in total contrast to the Cambodians’ way of life. Many Americans are forever working so they can pay for their cars and their houses but in Cambodia, the people have nothing and yet they are happy.

You were in the race for 30 days. What sacrifices did you have to make for the race?

Nick: Not much, really. Other racers talked about losing a lot of weight but I don’t think Starr and I did.

What did you give up for the race?

Starr: My graduation.

Nick: We had to give up a lot of sleep.

What was the first thing that you did after you won (aside from catching up on sleep)?

Nick: Hmmmm. I had to travel to Texas for the play that I was in.

I spent time with my girlfriend. She’s working in New York. While I was in the race, she took care of our apartment.

Starr: I slept for a good 38 hours!

So what will you do with the money?

Nick: Well, we haven’t gotten the money yet. What will we do with it? Down payment on the apartment here in New York.

Starr: I still don’t know yet.

What was the best lesson that you learned from Amazing Race?

Starr: Things are not always what they seem to be. The thing is just to go with the flow.

Nick: I’ve learned to treat everybody that I come in contact with with respect. As Starr and I and the other racers traveled to different countries, we realized that if you are good to people, if you are nice to them, they will be good and nice to you.

Any tips for future racers?

Nick: Make sure you have a partner that you get along with.

Starr: Stick to each other whatever happens.

Briefly noted

• Up to now, BBC World News’ Rico Hizon can’t get over the excitement of having had a conversation with former US Pres. Bill Clinton during the recent Clinton Global Initiative Asia Meeting held at the Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong. “It was a dream come true,” said Rico, the only Filipino broadcaster in BBC. Rico was personally invited by Clinton to moderate a session on Energy and Climate Change owing to, as Clinton told Rico in his letter of invitation, “your global leadership...your participation is invaluable to the Initiative’s ongoing success...” Rico talked to Clinton during the gala dinner and Clinton thanked him for being a vital part of the two-day meeting. “He said that he was looking forward to another trip to the Philippines,” said Rico.

• Retired Judge Lorenzo “Lore” B. Veneracion of the Manila RTC Branch 47 is busy with his duties as charter president of the RC of Quezon City North, D-3780, and as president and executive trustee of the Soup Kitchen/Lighthouse Center for Children Foundations, Inc. whose main thrust is to empower the disadvantaged children of Payatas through health and nutrition (feeding), literacy (children’s sponsorship) and operation of pre-school in Payatas and Praise Emerald Int’l. School at MRB Complex, National Government Center Housing Project, Pilot area in Bgy. Commonwealth.”

His group is conducting a huge fund-raising project called Christmas for Payatas with a goal of $100,000 to benefit some 25,000 Payatas kids.

Said Judge Veneracion, “We are blessed that the owners of Fusion Excel Int’l. (international distributor of Quantum Pendant, Quantum Bracelet, Quantum Watch, Water Flask) in the persons of Mr. Paul Ting, CEO and Mr. KS Lee, Int’l. Marketing Director, were touched when we brought them to Payatas that they decided to sponsor this fundraising campaign through the Internet (visit www.fusionexcel.com linked to www.christmasforpayatas, www.lighthouseforchildren.com, www.fusionexcelmanila.com and www.punladbuhay).

(Note: Those who want to donate may call Judge Lore at landline 939-8288 or celfon 0917-525-2068.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])