The Amazing Race Philippines, Leg 1 and Premiere Week Wrap-up

The Amazing Race Philippines, Leg 1 and Premiere Week Wrap-up

Well, it took a little getting used to, but I think the first leg and the first week of The Amazing Race Philippines was overall a success.  By no means was it perfect, but it managed to accomplish a lot of things including presenting an excellent cast and being fun and hilarious.

First off, the tasks themselves weren’t all that exciting, but they proved to be catalysts for teams to show off their personalities.  I think one of the advantages of the 5/6 episodes of a week is that we get to see more of the teams than we would have if it were only an hour a week show and as we do on other TARs.

The editing was iffy at times, but when they were on point, the show was exciting and fun.  There was good competition and some great performances from teams, which I think is the show’s strongest asset.

This is a great group.  So many different personalities, all given a chance for their moment on the show.  They were all generally likeable, rootable, and fun to watch.

Derek Ramsay is probably one of the few hosts in the Philippines who would be a good fit for TAR.  While he did alright overall, there were some iffy moments, particularly when he delivered the awkwardly written Tagalog descriptions of tasks and Route Info and his forced suspense pauses at the Pit Stop.  I think, or hope, he can get better in the next legs of course.

I was really against the daily format for TAR, if only because we’ve never seen it before.  But I think there’s both pros and cons.  Cons, it stretches legs maybe a little too long.  There were times when the episodes were moving too slowly.  But I think the pros outweigh the cons.  We get to see more of the teams and actually having teams do more than just Road Blocks and Detours is something I’ve been wanting more of on TARUS.  So I definitely welcome that.

Overall, a solid first week.

My Subjective Team Rankings for Leg 1

Pamela & Vanessa Pamela & Vanessa – What can you say about the Alabang Housewives.  It was a slowburn, but Episode 5 was their breakout episode.  They stole the show as they’ve done in the first four episodes by merely stealing scenes.  They are absolutely and effortlessly hilarious.  They might lack the Racing skills that they might need to go far, but I definitely hope they have plenty of luck because they are fun to watch.  After TAR, they need to get their own reality show. lol
Saida & Jervi Saida & Jervi – Jervi is hilarious and if it wasn’t for the Alabang housewives, he’d be the comedic star of the show.  His funniness isn’t the kind of forced fun that is usually associated with a gay personality in Philippine entertainment.  Instead he and Saida are a fun pair that actually Races very well.  That’s a great combination to have on the Race; strong competitors and a sense of fun.  I see them doing well on the Race.
Anton & Armand >Anton & Armand – They are big goofballs I think.  Anton seems very aloof most of the time with Armand being the more levelheaded one. Their Northern California-ness definitely comes out too (they’re from the Bay Area).  And I think their personalities make them more endearing and rootable.  They aren’t the typical meathead jocks or athletes that go on TAR.  So it should be interesting to see how well they do in the Race.
Dani & Mish >Dani & Mish – Their North American personalities definitely shown through.  They were fierce and feisty and definitely tough competitors.  They were able to get out in front and stay there.  They might have been a little rattled by the roller coaster, but they did everything else on the leg very well.  They remind me a lot of Jamie & Cara from TARUS.  They aren’t afraid to not be your friend on the Race.  
Ed & Angel Ed & Angel – I always root for the parent-child teams.  I want to root for Ed & Angel too.  In one of the early previews TV5 uploaded to YouTube, it included Angel talking about something horrible that happened to her that she and her father went through together and now are stronger because of it.  They had an okay leg, were sort of trailing most of it, but did solid work. I’d like to see them go far in the Race.
Boom & Cheng Boom & Cheng – They’re definitely positioning themselves to be the jokesters of the Race.  But aside from that, they’re also pretty good Racers.  They did very well this first leg and so far have shown they are capable of keeping up with the younger, maybe more fit teams.  That’s all while having fun and cracking jokes too.  That’s a good combination to have on the Race.
Sheena & Gee Sheena & Gee – Definitely fierce and feisty.  I see them going up against Dani & Mish in that department.  They had a solid leg and are also the kind of all-female team that I see can go far in the Race.  They too have fun while also being good competitors.  
LJ & CJ LJ & CJ – It was an okay leg for them.  I appreciate  CJ being a big TAR fan herself.  They seem to be the kind of all-female team that has what it takes to make it far in the Race.  And LJ being a vet of Pinoy Fear Factor, I have high expectations that they can more than handle the tasks and challenges on TARPh.  It was an overall solid leg for them.
Marc & Kat Marc & Kat – The alpha team.  I mean, what other team member could’ve had a 10 foot drop to the ground or a big fall on the docks and still come in first.  That’s big.  They have the physical strength and judging from their alma maters, they have the brains too.  So they might be one of the biggest contenders this Race.  While I hope they don’t dominate, it’s good to see a competitive team.
Mykey & Crystel Mykey & Crystel – Before their stumble at the Detour and getting a slower taxi, they had an okay leg.  They were staying with the pack and  at this early point in the Race, that can be enough.  But their missteps at the Detour definitely cost them.  It shouldn’t have come down to a taxi since Pamela & Vanessa were way behind.
Fausto & Dayal Fausto & Dayal – I was pretty indifferent to them most of the leg… until the Pit Stop.  They seemed like an okay, middling all-male team which is alright.  But I was shocked at them being shocked that they were 9th.  I mean, they were trailing the entire leg.  I don’t even think they saw any other teams during the leg since the yachts other than Pamela & Vanessa.  And they thought they were 4th or 5th!?  That’s absolutely crazy and makes me think they have no sense of their placement in the Race, which would be dangerous in the future if they don’t have a sense of urgency when they need it.

STARTING LINE
Paco Park
Manila

ROUTE MARKERS
Manila Yacht Club
Manila

Midas Hotel and Casino
Pasay City

ROAD BLOCK
Cuneta Astrodome
Pasay City

ROUTE MARKERS
Plaza Miranda, Quiapo
Manila

DETOUR
Star City
Pasay City

PIT STOP
University of Santo Tomas
Manila

PINDOT
Boom & Cheng
Dani & Mish
Sheena & Gee
Ed & Angel
Anton & Armand
LJ & CJ
Fausto & Dayal
Crystel & Mykey* <
Pamela & Vanessa*

IKOT
Marc & Kat
> Saida & Jervi

In order of completion
> or < indicates team switched Detours.
* Mykey & Crystel and Pamela & Vanessa could not complete the Detour due to rain.

Who did the Road Block?
Sino ang pwedeng mag-shoot? / Who can shoot?

In order of completion; Italics indicate who did the Road Block
0 Saida  Jervi 1
1 Marc Kat 0
0 Cheng Boom 1
0 Dani Mish 1
0 Mykey Crystel 1
1 Anton Armand 0


Not yet completed
1 Sheena Gee 0
1 LJ CJ 0
0 Angel Ed 1
0 Vanessa Pamela 0
0 Fausto Dayal 0

PIT STOP
University of Santo Tomas
Manila

1st Marc & Kat =
2nd Boom & Cheng =
3rd Dani & Mish =
4th Saida & Jervi =
5th Sheena & Gee =
6th Anton & Armand =
7th LJ &CJ =
8th Ed & Angel =
9th Fausto & Dayal =
10th Pamela & Vanessa =
Eliminated Mykey & Crystel =

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