Enchong on HK extreme reality TV

MANILA, Philippines — It pays to post your outdoor adventures when you are a celebrity.

Enchong Dee knows that for sure after he was picked to serve as host for a reality TV show shot in Hong Kong and under the watch of its tourism board. The brand-new series called Extreme Ends is featuring four celebrities from neighboring Southeast Asian countries, with him chosen to represent the Philippines. 

It is a project to be shown on action entertainment cable channel KIX starting Oct. 17, 9:30 p.m., aiming to provide viewers a good glimpse of “extreme opposite sides of the vibrant city.”

“I was fortunate enough to be chosen and to my surprise, I was given a material beyond my expectations,” Enchong pointed out. “From playing my first virtual reality game to zip-lining to being on top of the city’s highest building, it gave me new ways of appreciating Hong Kong.”

Enchong spent five nights in Hong Kong for his fifth visit to the famous Asian city. It easily became his most memorable visit yet as he experienced the adventure with his tag-along celebrity-friend Ria Atayde. 

The episode that Enchong will be seen hosting tackles the highs of being in Hong Kong in extraordinary circumstances, from high altitude to high-class cuisine.

Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Raymond Chan related, “The celebrities will definitely bring new insights and inspire the audience to create their very own authentic experiences when they visit Hong Kong.” 

Enchong was easily attracted to the show’s premise as he was looking for something “not in the Philippines” and one that is both “fun and extreme.” He believed his luck to be the one tapped among many other deserving candidates is largely due to his Instagram account being a window to his adventurous personality.

“There was no actual audition. They picked people who are into sports and likes the outdoor scene,” Enchong cleared.

The other celebrities come from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. 

The Kapamilya actor further noted, “Working with a Hong Kong crew is very much like the working environment here. We tried to maximize an entire day and catch the sky before sunset.”

Extreme Ends is produced by Celestial Tiger Entertainment which is hailed as operator of the largest bouquet of pan-Asian channels dedicated to Asian entertainment. The company’s VP for programming Betty Tsui noted, “We are pleased to show audiences the contrasts and duality of Hong Kong.”

Having said that, TV viewers, especially Filipinos who have embraced traveling to Hong Kong as part of their getaway routine, are expected to see the city in a different, say, even more exciting light. The other themes are lows, days and nights. Enchong did not pick his episode’s theme. In fact during shoots, he and Ria were only reminded of the call time and outfit requirement. Everything that happens in front of the camera somewhat happens as it comes, giving the clips an authentic mood and organic feel.

“It was such an experience for me as it gave me a chance to try new and exciting things. If given another chance to do it, I’ll say yes,” he emphasized.

For fans of Enchong, people traveling back and forth to HK, and extreme outdoor hobbyists in general, this one shouldn’t be missed.