2 Pinoy teams in Amazing Race Asia Season 5

MANILA, Philippines – AXN has revealed the 11 fearless teams who will compete for $100,000 in The Amazing Race Asia Season 5. Pinoy power is strongly represented with two teams: Beauty queens Parul Shah and Maggie Wilson, and married couple Eric Tai (former host of It’s Showtime) and Rona Samson-Tai.

“We were overwhelmed by the response to our casting call for The Amazing Race Asia,” Ang Hui Keng, SVP and general manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, said at the official announcement last July 28. “This season’s audition videos were creative, witty, clever and very surprising, so it was a tough selection process. We’re thrilled with the 11 teams — they embody AXN’s brand personality, which is passionate, determined, unexpected and high-octane. This is not just a show — it’s an adrenaline-fueled adventure for everyone involved, including our viewers.”

Slated to premiere in October, the fifth instalment of the popular reality adventure series will be hosted by Asian-American actor Allan Wu, who was the “face of the race” for AXN’s first four seasons, and most recently the host of The Amazing Race China: Celebrity Edition.

“This season is going to be a huge adrenaline rush and a race like no other. The racers and AXN viewers can expect more thrills, more drama and more twists than ever before,” said Allan. “The teams will be transformed during the race, for better or worse — but one thing is for sure, it will be the ultimate adventure of a lifetime!”

Sharing the pit-stops and co-hosting with Allan during selected legs of the race will be the stunning Indonesian movie star Tara Basro, who in 2015 won a Citra Award at the Indonesian Film Festival for Best Leading Actress for her role in A Copy of My Mind. Tara’s appearance in The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 marks the first time a co-host has been cast in the series.

“I’m excited to join Allan and the racers in The Amazing Race Asia. I have always loved the series, and now I get to be up close and right in the heart of the action. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to introduce the teams to some of my favorite destinations in Indonesia,” said Tara.

The 11 chosen teams hail from seven countries across Asia and represent a true cast of characters with diverse personalities, backgrounds, talents and relationships. They range from popular Singaporean DJs to Filipino beauty queens and promise viewers a highly entertaining and edge-of-your-seat journey.

Production of The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 kicks off next week. Award-winning international production company, Profiles Television, founded by globally renowned producers Bertram Van Munster and Elise Doganieri, is producing the series.

The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 is sponsored by Wonderful Indonesia in partnership with Garuda Indonesia, Grab and Great Eastern.