Yet, Hong Kong “supermen” — Vince Chung and Sam Wu — broke the spell and emerged tops in the highly competitive and gruelling two-month race. Their win also marked a first for the Special Autonomous Region of China.
However, they have a soft spot for Malaysia’s “girl power” team and had any other team won, they would have loved to see Ida Nerina and Tania Khan take home the grand prize of US$100,000 (approximately RM356,000).
Vince said: “Ida and Tania were so cool. They were having a great time all the way and were very positive.”
Sam said: “We’ve been fans of Tara from day one and the teams that have impressed us most are the all-girl Malaysian teams.”
The duo likened the Malaysian teams which made it to the top three — Season One champions Zabrina Fernandez and Tee Joe Jer, runners-up Vanessa and Pamela Chong of Season Two and this year’s second runners-up Ida and Tania, as the “Fa Mulans” of the modern era.
Vince said: “They personify strong and independent Asian women similar to the warrior princess Fa Mulan of the Chinese legend. They personify Malaysia as a nation of multi-coloured brothers and sisters who live in harmony and share the same dreams.”
“Like Ida and Tania, we’d love to do our very own travelogue but it would have a more culinary focus,” said Sam.
The 32-year-olds both started out as college lecturers before Vince went on to become a stand-up comedian.
Vince said: “We met three years ago and became friends due to our passion for acting, hosting, stand-up comedy, and most importantly, partying.”
Sam said: “Vince joined the first ever nationwide stand-up comedy competition, The Funniest Person in Hong Kong, and reached the finals, with my jokes.”
Both of them also possess a strange yet interesting “way with words”.
Vince, as a comedian and television host, is a “wizard of words” while Sam who excels in the online word game Prolific “plays with words”.
Vince said: “It was our common interest in seeking great adventure that brought us into Tara 3. The contest was a fun and challenging way to see the rest of Asia outside of Hong Kong.”
“And it was a great way to keep fit and healthy,” added Sam.
The duo’s “Achilles heels” are Vince’s hot temper (he got mad at Sam twice during the race) and Sam’s fear of needles and bees.
“I was hospitalised after getting stung by a hornet when I was four and since then, if anything flies near or around my head I freeze instantly,” said Sam.
Vince said: “I personify ‘fire’ in the team while Sam personifies ‘water’ drinking lots of it and cooling me down.”
He also sees himself as the more “physical” team member and Sam as the “thinker”. “That’s how we complement each other,” he said, adding that he had participated in various sports such as baseball, softball, football and swimming during his schooldays.
While Sam is far less “sporty” than Vince, he can be equally if not more single-minded in his endeavours.
Back in 2001, he worked hard to lose weight and shed 20kg to become his present 60kg size.
“It was lots of rigorous exercise, dieting and training,” he said.
Vince and Sam are great followers of their local entertainment scene and would be delighted to have a chance to act and sing alongside some of Hong Kong’s most popular stars.
Vince said: “We love Teresa Carpio. She’s one of the finest multilingual vocalists we’ve had. Her daughter T. V. Carpio is also brilliant, in the Beatles-themed film Across The Universe.”
Meanwhile, Tisha Silang failed in her bid to become Miss Philippines/Universe about decade ago due to a technicality — she was a Canadian citizen.
She admitted that Tara 3 was a far greater achievement as she finished second with her boyfriend of 3½ years, model Geoffry Rodriguez.
“Nobody would have thought that we would end up dating. We have very different personalities but have managed to make it work so far,” said Tisha.
Geoffry said it was the second time the couple had auditioned for the show and almost missed the audition deadline.
Despite their frequent squabbling especially in stressful situations coupled with Geoffry’s hot temper, both insist that their relationship has grown stronger.
Geoffry said: “We are honest about our failings and do not hide our feelings. But at the end of the day, we realise that we are all human.
“Tisha and I have had a sound relationship from the time we met.
And we have put it to the test by entering the race, winning second place and getting closer than ever.”
- NST Online
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