In the TV5 reality show “The Amazing Race,” dealing with one’s own teammate could be a challenge in itself.
Prior to joining the second season of the program’s Philippine edition, RR Enriquez and Jeck Maierhofer—friends, show biz personalities and basketball WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends)—
had not gotten themselves into anything more than petty bickering through text.
But pitted against 10 other fiercely competitive teams in a playing field purposely designed to cause stress and tension, the pair dubbed “Sexy Besties” said they could not help getting under each other’s skin.
“We were arguing right from the start,” Maierhofer said in a recent visit to the Inquirer. Also present in the interview were partner Enriquez, “The Amazing Race: Philippines” host Derek Ramsay and Kelvin Engles and John Paul “JP” Duray of Team Mr. Pogi.
In the second leg of the race, Enriquez said she and Maierhofer had one of their most heated arguments, after the latter—crying in pain—quit the wall-climbing Roadblock challenge. They received a four-hour penalty as a result.
“I’m very open and vocal about my feelings—when I’m mad, I’m mad. For the first time, I screamed at her,” Enriquez, the team’s feistier half, said. “I told her that it wasn’t the place to make pa-cute.”
Duray and Engles, meanwhile, were finalists in “Eat Bulaga!’s” Mr. Pogi contest in 2012. And just like Enriquez and Maierhofer, the boys admitted they were not immune to clashes either. “It was bound to happen,” Duray said.
Engles, the more talkative of the two, said he and Duray usually quarrelled about which Detour challenge to tackle, or who would perform a specific Roadblock. “One time, JP got so agitated and touchy because he said I was yelling at him,” Engles said.
But at the end of the day, they all agreed that misunderstandings should be settled at once or they would risk being eliminated from the race and losing their shot at winning P2 million, two houses and lots and two brand-new Kia Sportage cars. “You have to learn how to trust each other,” Engles said.
While they could not divulge the rest of their adventures—that was shot for a month—the four racers said the experience was something they would not soon forget. “We became even closer after the race,” Engles said.
AMAZING racers (from left): Jeck Maierhofer, RR Enriquez, host Derek Ramsay, Kelvin Engles and John Paul “JP” Duray. Alexis Corpuz
Excerpts from the interview:
How did you guys meet?
Jeck Maierhoffer: I was part of 26K in “Deal or No Deal,” while RR worked for “Wowowee.” We met through Willie Revillame. We’re also in relationships with Ginebra basketball players. I married Rico Maierhoffer last year; RR’s longtime boyfriend is JJ Helterbrand.
Kelvin Engles: JP and I became friends after Mr. Pogi. He was third runnerup; I finished in the Top 5. We just gelled and we now know each other very well.
Are you all sporty? Have you traveled together prior to the contest?
JM: I box and go to the gym regularly. RR is more adventurous and usually goes mountain hiking. We’ve both flown to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia together.
JP Duray: We have yet to go out of the country, but we go on road trips. This helped us in the race since we usually went to the places the show required us to visit such as Tagaytay City.
What motivates you to do well in the race?
RR Enriquez: Our dyowas (partners)! They always tease us that we’ll be the first team to get eliminated. We want to prove them wrong! And, of course…the money is our motivation!
JD: My mom inspires me. I want to give her nice things.
KE: My family, too. I also want to prove that I’m not just pogi (handsome); that I’m also capable of doing other things.
Who has the stronger personality?
RE: We’re both strong-willed, but I think I’m more physically fit. I’m louder—she shuts up once I start ranting!
KE: I’m usually the aggressive one. But I underestimated JP. As the contest went along, I saw his growth as a person.
Would you consider pursuing show biz again?
JM: I’m a mom now, so my kid is my priority. But if there’s a good offer, why not? But no kissing scenes please. My husband might get jealous!
RE: Probably not because I now have a business. I started out as a comic relief in “Wowowee,” as someone sexy but dumb. If the offer is something similar, I’ll probably pass. I need to grow up. I’m turning 31.
I often ask myself how I ended up in show biz. It’s really just because of my good looks.
JD: I love acting and I want to continue doing it. I plan to audition for theater productions.
KE: I’m actually starting to get a few offers for roles, guest appearances, etc.
How did you change after being in the race?
KE: I became more confident.
JM: I learned the value of patience and humility. Everyone was equal in the contest—no one received any special treatment for being rich or popular. We all had to wade in floodwaters.
RE: I think I’ve mellowed a lot and became more considerate of other people.
I now wake up at 4:30 a.m. to make breakfast for my boyfriend. I became more hard-working. I no longer rely on our maids to do the dishes.
Funny thing was, I cooked and washed dishes recently, while the maids watched “Amazing Race” in an air-conditioned room. I told them, “You should be thankful I’ve changed!”
JD: That my feet could actually get as stinky as they were during the race!
(“The Amazing Race: Philippines” airs at 7 p.m., Monday-Friday; and 9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, on TV5.)