Amazing Race Philippines 2 unveils 11 competing pairs

Derek Ramsay became emotional during the open forum at the presscon of “Amazing Race Philippines 2” held last Monday at Resorts World Hotel. The embattled TV host-actor said he accepts all the criticisms being hurled at him and considers these part of life’s challenges.

He acknowledged the support of TV5, which has been behind him despite all the problems and intrigues that he has been going through. He vows to give his all and do his best for TV5 in exchange for their unwavering support and love. The Kapatid Network has always been on his side, no matter the brickbats and the pitfalls, and for that he is truly grateful.

What excites him though is the start of the second season of “Amazing Race Philippines Season 2.” The 11 pairs competing for the fabulous prizes of P2 million, 2 houses and lot and 2 SUVs were presented to the media.

Racing for the top prizes are: sexy besties RR Enriquez and Jeck Maierhofer, blonde sisters Tina and Avy Wells, chefs Eji Estillore and Roch Hernandez, dating couple Matt Edwards and Phoebe Walker, Juan Direction hunks Charlie Sutcliffe and Daniel Marsh, father and son tandem AJ and Jody Capili, nerds Vince Aguilar and Ed Chong, travel buddies Zarah Evangelista and Osang Dela Rosa, Mr. Pogi JP Duray and Kelvin Engles, siblings Jet and Yna Cruz, and Pinay world champs Gretchen Albaniel and Luz McClitton.

The show promises more difficult challenges which took the contestants to various destinations in the Philippines. “There are some regions that we visited during the first season but we are showing a different attraction this time around while the contestants are doing their challenges. We can really say that our country is beautiful and it is really more fun in the Philippines,” said Derek.

Derek guarantees that they are presenting a bigger show in Season 2 of Amazing Race Philippines which premieres October 6 on TV5.

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Eight young hopefuls are vying to become the next MTV Philippines VJ. After the MTV auditions that went around the country, the eight finalists have finally been revealed. Tough luck for those who braved the auditions in the provinces, but the finalists all came from Manila. Some of them have had experience hosting events or were involved in the local music scene.

Kito Romualdez is a VIVA recording artist who is trying his luck as a host. After leaving his stable banking career in Canada, Kito moved to the Philippines to join the music industry. He is into singing, songwriting, acting, is a fitness buff, loves food and watching movies.

Chris Schneider is a radio disc jock of RX 93.1. He decided to join the competitive VJ hunt as he wants to take his career into another level. He doesn’t think being a radio jock is an advantage for him. He said it was some kind of a culture shock seeing how everyone watches while he speaks.

Carla Lizardo, the former Mutya ng Pilipinas Intercontinental winner, hosts a show in PTV channel 4. Her interests include playing badminton, going to the gym, listening to music, discovering new restaurants and watching movies. Though her work is somewhat similar to that of an MTV VJ, Carla said the difference lies in the fact that she has access to a teleprompter in the studio while an MTV VJ does it live after memorizing the script for a few minutes.

The other five finalists are newcomers in the industry.

Aryanna Eperson is a student and a blogger. Her interests are music, art, baking, and traveling. She adores cats, loves reading and playing the guitar and ukulele. If she wins the contest, she will do her best to strike a balance between her work as a VJ and her studies.

Erika Westly is a student-athlete. She loves football, reading, playing videogames, painting and gets to practice her singing prowess in the shower.

Sarah Edwards is a student who is so petite (she’s 5’4” and has a lean frame) you’d want to handle her with care. She loves singing, reading books and articles online, traveling and appreciating different cuisines.

Anton Mercado is a management graduate from Ateneo. He has no grand expectations but he believes hard work pays good dividends. He hopes that joining the MTV VJ hunt will be a step towards attaining his dream to be in the entertainment business. He grew up practicing Taekwondo but basketball has been his favorite hobby. He has been studying to be a VJ.

Mickey Regala is a student-athlete and entrepreneur. He loves sports, reading books and videogames. He said he never thought that being a VJ can be so hard, and that the level of competition will be very high. But he believes winning the contest can lead him to the career that will give him growth.

The eight finalists all have their own strengths and weaknesses, which will be tested in different challenges prepared for them. In a three-episode program, MTV Philippines viewers will see how much the young, aspiring personalities are willing to give to become an MTV Philippines VJ.

The first challenge episode of MTV VJ was held last Wednesday, September 17. Their chances of winning will also depend on the text votes aside from passing the challenges.

Find out who among the eight finalists will be joining Yassi Pressman, Josh Padilla, Sam Pinto, Andre Paras and Shy Carlos as an MTV Philippines VJ. The finals night will be held on October 3 at the Le Pavilion and will feature performances from Erik Santos, Spongecola, Matteo Guidicelli, and Sarah Geronimo.

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PLDT Gabay Guro will be giving away a brand new house and lot and vehicle at this year’s Grand Gathering of Filipino teachers at the Mall of Asia Arena on October 5 for the annual culminating event.

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, who recorded the Gabay Guro tribute song “Believing in Me” will join the gathering for the first time, along with Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, child superstar Ryzza Mae Dizon and TV5’s Alice Dixson.

PLDT Gabay Guro Chairman Chaye Cabal-Revilla announced the exciting grand prizes in store for this year’s celebration. For the 2014 gathering, 2G has secured partnership with major sponsors Vista Land for Camella house and lot, AutoItalia for the brand new APE 3-wing van and PR Savings Bank for the motorcycle as grand prizes in the raffle draw. Other prizes up for grabs are livelihood program packages and cash gifts.

Gabay Guro has always enlisted the country’s top performers and brightest celebrities for this event. Most of them have become avid supporters and partners of the Gabay Guro advocacy.

The project is the education arm of the PLDT-Smart Foundation and is run by volunteers composed of executives from the PLDT Managers Club Inc. The core program is defined by its pillars on scholarships, trainings, housing and educational facilities, livelihood, broadbanding and computerization and teachers tribute.

This year’s tribute kicked off with a charity auction gala held last week at the Manila Polo Club in partnership with JCI Ortigas and TOYM Foundation.