Saving race
A retired beauty queen who’s misplaced her crown and an ex-Powerboy you probably had a crush on — like, five years ago.How far do you think a pair like this
would make it if they joined, say, The Amazing Race Asia 3? Representing the Philippines in the latest Race are dating couple Tisha Silang, who had to retire from her ’98 title as Bb. Pilipinas-Universe because of her Canadian passport, and Geoff Rodriguez, who, well, you know. But before you scratch out our chances of bringing it home this time ‘round, it pays to take a closer look.
For one, despite the endless supply of jokes fired at it, showbiz really ain’t easy. We may all gawk and laugh at those Miss Universe docus that show hopefuls air-brushing their behinds, going on nothing-but-water diets, and sleeping in their heels, or raise an eyebrow at all those TV personalities that try to have a personality as they host yet another cheesy show — but, damn, all that really is a lot of work!
In fact, the very same thing that brings these two lovebirds together is what makes them the right stuff for showbiz: the spirit of [not-too-] friendly competition. “It’s a fact that Tisha is the most competitive girl I know,” Geoff shares of the girl of his dreams; “that’s probably why we gel so well together — we push each other to greater heights in whatever we do.” “Now that you mention it,” Tisha amusedly realizes, “we like doing anything that involves saying, ‘hahaha, I beat you!’” Maybe what it takes to be perpetually camera/crown-ready might be exactly what Geoff and Tish will need in what AXN is touting as “the toughest race.” They may not both be as buff as Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez from last season (for obvious, gender-based reasons), but they certainly make up for the lack of testosterone with what Geoff sums up as “raw emotion and intensity.”
‘Course, showbiz may be quick to classify Geoff and Tisha — both of whose time on the local star circuit was as short as Aubrey Miles’ team’s pitiful run in the first Amazing Race Asia — as dead and done has-beens. But it’s all about priorities — and being man (or woman) enough to see things for what they are. “I was a fad, basically,” Geoff states bluntly of the time he spent dancing about in a towel to the Backstreet Boys. “And I enjoyed every minute of it. Looking back on it now, I’m probably blushing a little bit, but I wouldn’t trade those days for anything… it’s made me who I am today.” As hard as it may be to imagine what good came out of the Powerboys besides a renewed public appreciation for deodorant, the guy’s got an honest point.
And, like Geoff, Tisha has put those days behind her, having since “taken on the corporate world, working as a business development manager for the past seven years.” So, as egocentric as the world of glitz and gossip may be — sorry, honeys, they’ve moved on.
That’s why, unlike most TV personalities who would see in The Amazing Race an Amazing Opportunity for Publicity, for Tish and Geoff it’s strictly personal. It’s an opportunity, alright, but an opportunity to ask the tough questions, “like ‘Can we do it?’ says Geoff, “or, ‘Are we good enough to survive?’” Naturally, there are other less-trying but equally-existential offshoots to joining: “I love seeing new places, and we all know that travelling is not by any means cheap,” adds Tisha. “So a chance where you get to travel for free? I’m so there!”
Whether you see them as showbiz castoffs or a grounded couple who’ve moved on to more important things (try life, maybe?), whether they’re trying to prove themselves to the world as more than media-portrayed pieces of meat, all that really matters is what they bring home from the competition — whether it’s the physical trophy or an (almost) better reward: a stronger belief in themselves and each other.
They may not be as celebrated as the other contestants — which include a pair of bona-fide beauty queens, an heiress, and the usual quota of model/actor types. But, the truth is, you don’t need to be a “somebody” to come out first in this Race.
