Introducing the 12 All-Stars teams unknowingly Racing as “Group B”!
First the opening credits for Group B:
First-Time All-Stars
Gladys & Christopher Sommereux
Previous Finish: 3rd in Season 16
These married parents, actors and hosts surprised everyone, including themselves, with their 3rd place finish on season 16. They are back to prove they’ve got what it takes to go all the way.
Betong Sumaya & Maey Bautista
Previous Finish: 2nd in Season 24
These former Survivor castaways, including winner Betong, almost made it to the Finish Line first. But they eventually finished 2nd. Their time on the island helped prepare them for the cutthroat competition on the Race. Will that resolve work against other All-Stars?
LJ Moreno Alapag & CJ Javarata-Aldaba
Previous Finish: WINNERS of REAL Season 1
The first ever winners of the real Amazing Race Philippines return to the Race for the first time in 13 years! Since then, they have started raising their own families. And they will take those years of experience to try and become the first two-time TAR winner in the history of the franchise!
Olivia & Chandler McDaniel
Previous Finish: 3rd in Season 24
These football sisters ran one of the strongest Races ever, but never won a Leg and ended up finishing 3rd at the Finish Line. Will they be able to finally score that ultimate goal against other All-Stars?
Ehra & Michelle Madrigal
Previous Finish: 3rd in Season 23
These fierce and competitive sisters stepped it up with every Leg on their season, finishing strong, and eventually ending up 3rd at the Finish Line. Will they be able to push hard enough to get them higher on the podium and win this time around?
Jeric & Jeron Teng
Previous Finish: 3rd in Season 14
These basketball brothers seemed unstoppable during their season, winning four Legs, but ultimately coming in 3rd at the Finish Line. Will they find the right plays to get them the win this time?
Christian “C13” Saraos & Sam Cafranca
Previous Finish: 5th in Season 23
These P-pop bros finished no lower than 5th during their entire season, including on their last Leg, just missing out on the Final 4. Can they find the right rhythm and vision to get them to the Final Leg this time and ultimately win?
All-Star Veterans
Aubrey Miles & Troy Montero
Previous Finishes: WINNERS of Season 16; 3rd in Season 19 – All-Stars
The season 16 winners came in 3rd place on their first All-Stars and are considered one of the strongest teams to ever Race. Since then. They’ve made it official and tied the knot! Will they be the ones to hold up the two-time champion bouquet in the end?
Sandara & Sanghyun Park
Previous Finishes: 2nd in Season 15; 2nd in Season 19 – All-Stars
These Filipino-at-heart siblings finished as the runners-up in both seasons 15 and All-Stars season 19, running strong Races. Will the third time be the charm for them?
Francine Garcia & Sinon Loresca
Previous Finishes: 5th in Season 16; 8th in Season 19 – All-Stars
Winning three Legs across their two seasons on the Race, these loud and proud besties have run strong Races. But they’ve fallen both times to wrong turns. Will they be able to stay on the right track and get the ultimate win this time?
Michele & Katrina Gumabao
Previous Finishes: Michele – 6th in Season 17 with Katrina; WINNER in Season 21 with Marco
These sisters ran a strong Race together in season 17, winning a total of three Legs including two right before their shocking elimination in the SuperLeg. Michele returned in season 21 with brother Marco and they won that season. Can Katrina get her redemption this time and help make Michele the first two-time TAR winner?
Angie & Joey Mead King
Previous Finishes: 3rd in Season 18; 11th in Season 19 – All-Stars
They won three Legs on season 18 en route to their 3rd place finish after a dominant second half of the Race. But they were the second team eliminated when they returned the next season on All-Stars. Is this finally their chance for redemption?
“Casting Director’s” Commentary
So I had a shortlist of maybe 26 teams. 12 Old Stars and 14 New Stars. And I was hoping to do 6 and 6 for each group. But it didn’t work out that way when finding the good balance.
Then, as always, the teams I “cast” for TARPHDME are any celebrity pair that might have good videos I could use for the opening credits lololol
So I had Assunta & Alessandra de Rossi as one of the Old Stars/third timers. But I really could not find a good photo of them two together. It’s crazy! Lots of nice selfies, but none able to be opening credits worthy, unfortunately. Hehe. I didn’t want to use their old clip which I already used twice. So they sadly had to get cut.
Other alternates that got didn’t make the cut are Arthur & Rochelle (18: WIN, 20:8th), EA & Shaira (18: 5th, 19: 5th), Rachelle & Martin (17: 3rd) and Melanie & Michelle (14: 9th).
I would’ve wanted Melanie and Michelle Marquez, but it’s hard to justify 9th place team as an All-Star.
That’s in comparison to the De Rossi sisters who, while finishing 7th on both seasons, I would imagine would be huge personalities and fan-favorites.
With Arthur & Rochelle, EA & Shaira and Rachelle & Martin, I just had too many couples already. So they were the ones eventually cut from the shortlist. Also in part because there were many more first-timers who I felt deserved a spot in the cast.
Now, the De Rossi sisters were actually in the final 24 right up until just a short time before finishing up the opening credits. I had a clip, but it was not very good especially compared to everyone else’s. So I had to find another team to replace them. And I wanted to find an all female team.
I very much considered Treasuri & Louisa. Of course, TAR Asia legends but also on TARPHDME13. Though I didn’t have a full cast then, I had a list of potential international All-Stars. And I would imagine they did very well on the first TARPH vs The World. Hehe. Unfortunately, I just decided against them.
I then, however, considered Jin Xing & Heinz. TAR China All-Stars and of course a huge star in Jin Xing as well. They were also a TARPHDME13 team. And even if they were a MF couple team, I think Jin Xing deserves that huge consideration as well.
Unfortunately, I also decided against them.
So, I scoured the Results page to see what FF team I could cast to fill the last slot. I wasn’t too keen on Heart & Lovi again. It would also be Heart’s 4th time on the Race lol Other FF teams were a bit lower on the final placements.
But then I saw the Gumabao siblings. I had cast them on season 17 as “Gumabao Siblings” meaning it would be a random combination of Marco, Michele or Katrina. Then when I brought them back for the “new partners” season, I cast Marco & Michele, which means in season 17, it was Michele and Katrina as the team. So I thought, why not! And that’s how Michele & Kat ended up being the last team cast.
So I think these are great casts. But now, it will be hard to see which ones make the Final 12! lolol