Author: Shane

Mai & Oliver
Friends

Visa Sarasas (Mai)
Actress & Model
24
Thailand

Oliver Faivre
Model & Student
26
Thailand

AXN Bio
Oliver started out as a friend of her brother, and Mai first got to know him when she was dating one of his friends. Fate threw them together, but not in any romantic way, but as best friends.

In a way, actress and model Visa Sarasas, or Mai, as she is known to her friends, is the one person that Oliver Faivre can behave naturally in front of.

“She is the only girl friend that I have who I can talk normally to,” says the 26 year old model and student, adding, “She is someone I don’t necessarily have to be polite to.”

Such honestly is the culmination of seven years of friendship and the friends have decided to celebrate by taking part in the race simply because Mai asked and Oliver agreed.

“I picked him because I think he has the most potential to go on this race and be able to cope with all the situations that will happen,” describes the actress, who has made a name of herself starring in movies and television shows in Thailand.

In case you think of her as a celebrity who is more used to assistants and an entourage of helpers, think again. For her audition video, Mai simply tied up her hair (sans make up!) to speak to the camera, and in fact, her real life persona is nothing like her sultry on-screen roles on TV and magazine covers.

She proclaims, “I joined The Amazing Race Asia because I want to travel around the world and compete with myself.”

Given the history of male/female pairings in race history that have led to explosive confrontations during the competition, Mai is thankful that her team does not fall within the usual stereotypes of such pair ups.

“The fact that my teammate is a guy, and we’re not in a relationship so I don’t think we’re going to fight like lovers do,” she says as a matter of fact.

“I have a very strong teammate and I think I’m a very strong girl as well. Our weakness would probably have to be the fact that we have never worked together as a team so I cannot predict what’s going to happen when we do.”

Assure Oliver, “You don’t have to worry about the fighting. We fight a lot, but it’s for fun. We will make the show interesting.”

Not that it matter to Oliver, who is looking at the race as more of a chance to meet new people, and maybe do something for a good cause.

Geoff & Tisha
Dating Couple

Geoff Rodriguez
Model
26
Philippines

Tisha Silang
Business Development Manager
32
Philippines

AXN Bio
You can call this her second chance. A technicality led to her resignation as Miss Philippines Universe 10 years ago and Tisha Silang is making sure that history does not repeat itself.

In 1998, Tisha won the Miss Philippines Universe crown but had to give it up because of her Canadian citizenship. While that win has remained the proudest moment of her life, she’s hoping that taking part in The Amazing Race Asia will trump that.

Joining her is her boyfriend of three and a half years, Geoff, and by all accounts, participating, much less winning the race will be an uphill battle says the couple. For one thing, their relationship is the classic definition of opposites attract.

“Nobody would have thought that we would end up dating. We have very different personalities but have managed to make it work so far,” notes Tisha.

Quips Geoff on the first time they were introduced by a mutual friend,” I was interested in Tisha for obvious reasons. And Tisha wasn’t interested, for obvious reasons.”

This is also the second time that the couple has auditioned for the show and the couple almost missed the deadline too. “We were in such a rush to submit the video I can’t say we did anything really spectacular,” Tisha admits.

The last and most important reason against them has to do with their horrible track record when it comes to traveling. While on vacation in Boracay, the couple missed not once, two but three consecutive flights back home to Manila. And by that time, they were broke as well. Tisha says with a laugh, “And now we want to race together…should be interesting.” Fingers are crossed but hopefully, the two won’t be making the same mistake again, especially on the show.

“Missing a flight, I think that is the most embarrassing thing you can do while traveling,” admits Geoff. But rather than to lay blame, the couple made the best of their situation. “Tisha was shooting for FHM and we were supposed to be there only for the weekend. By then we had spent all out money in re-booking and extension fees. But time flies when you’re in love and having a ball.”

And the other reason for wanting to be in the race is of course, to counter the loss of Team Philippines from the previous season, jokes Geoff. Marc and Rovilson came in third in the last show. He says, “We have huge shoes to fill after the stint that Marc and Rovilson pulled off.”

Nonetheless, the couple is certain that they will bring to the race the love and respect that has been the foundation of their relationship. Geoff says, “Tisha and I have had a sound relationship, from the time we have met. And now we are testing our relationship, by entering the race.”

Henry & Bernie
Brother and Sister

Bernie Chan
TV Host, Actress
39
Malaysia

Henry Chan
Chef
43
Malaysia

AXN Bio
Fans of Asian reality television might recognize model and host Bernie Chan – she was the face of Project Runway Malaysia last year. But few would recognize her race teammate and elder brother, Henry Chan.

It is not because the 43 year old isn’t famous, but rather because the chef and restaurant owner has had reconstructive surgery done in late 2006. “In Aug 2006, I fell over and broke my jaw very badly. I’ve had reconstructive surgery on my face and mouth, but I’m all fixed up now,” says Henry Chan with a gleaming smile that shows no record of his accident.

But it is what’s inside that counts and the siblings are hoping that their 39 year old relationship will give them an edge. Says Bernie, 39, “Finding the right partner to do it with is half the race won and Hen is the only person who understands what I’m trying to say half the time.”

Hen, of course, is her nickname for her brother, in response to the name Bernie he coined, since he could not pronounce her actual name, Bernadette, as a child.

“I thought it would be fun, stressful but fun. I love traveling and I thought, if I get in, it would be the biggest challenge of my life,” she adds.

Sums up Henry on the natural choice of picking each other as teammate, “We don’t really fight, we think alike and we get on crazily well.”

But if there is one thing the siblings do not share, is their behavior. Henry is the more contemplative of the two, preferring to sit back and analyze the situation while his sister leaps at every available opportunity. Like Henry says, “I tend to think about things too much, while she tends to just act and think about things later.”

Explains Bernie, “I’m too impulsive! If I want to do something, it has to be done now,” and adds, “My strategy is to try and stay calm but with have a sense of urgency and just go with our instinct. Luck plays a big part too which to me comes with being positive and happy, which Hen and I are.”

As for preparing, one thing Henry did have to pick up was learning how to drive a manual transmission. Naturally, his coach was his baby sister and given their hectic schedule, it wasn’t the best of lessons. Groans Henry, “Bernie gave me a crash-course in the pouring rain, at night, in peak hour Kuala Lumpur traffic.

But learn he did and the driving lessons show the extent that the duo has worked together. Admits Bernie, “Even though I shout at Hen, he will know it’s not personal and in the next second we will be buddies again. And he won’t quit on me.”

Quitting is the last thing on Henry’s mind though, as he had already mapped out a plan on how to celebrate if they win. “We go back to one of the favourite countries we visited in the race but this time round, we do it in five-star style.”