A double dose of challenges in Biggest Loser

MANILA, Philippines - After its initial Philippine airing in 2011, The Biggest Loser returns to local television, this time with a new host and other personalities involved in the show. The Biggest Loser Doubles, as the title suggests, features participants in pairs. Hosted by Iza Calzado, the show has Matteo Guidicelli and Robi Domingo as challenge masters. Couple Jim and Toni Saret are designated as trainers and fitness coaches.

From the initial 30-day challenge, The Biggest Loser Doubles retained 10 pairs who were asked to check in at the designated house for the live-in contestants. They are required to lose weight and do certain challenges that will help them shed off those excess pounds.

The 10 pairs who are in the house are cousins Lovely Si and Carol Labiladas; siblings Bryan and Ikya Castillo; brothers and business owners Ralph and Christian Du; Cebu-based officemates and best friends Bien Ybañez and Mai Letigio; married couple Carl and Kayen Lazaro; friends from Cavite Tristan Nueva and Jepoy Arcilla, sweethearts Biggie Estrella and Valerie Obena; sisters Dianne and Tin Obsina (first pair to be eliminated).

The Bigateam duo of Osie and Francis was formed after their respective partners left the competition at the end of the 30-day challenge. Osie Nebreja, who is from Nueva Ecija, was originally paired with her daughter Nina. Meanwhile, Francis Asis partnered with teacher Mark Andrew Mavridez, who had to leave to give way to a job offer. Subsequently, Osie and Francis were paired.

Then there’s a pair of Showbiz Royalties. Patricia, eldest daughter of William Martinez and Yayo Aguila, teamed up with Cathy Bautista, youngest daughter of Marlon Bautista and Gigi de la Riva. “Pat and Cathy give 200 percent in everything that they do,” noted trainor Jim. The girls are also “positive” in everything they do. 

The pairs do not use an air-conditioned gym, but an open field where they work out, exercise, sweat it out and get dirty. They are given challenges to help them lose weight.

First challenge was to pull a jeepney for 400 meters at the airport hangar in Angeles, Pampanga. Couple Carl and Kayen were the first to finish the challenge and they won a livelihood reward, followed by siblings Bryan and Ikya who took the health reward and sweethearts Biggie and Valerie, who got the relaxation reward.

Next was the “Hit the Pot” challenge. Then, the pairs had to hold a 12-pound steel bar above their heads for as long as they could. Winners were siblings Bryan and Ikya, who endured one hour and 42 minutes holding their steel bar.

Meanwhile, Tristan had to leave for the US, albeit briefly, to be with his family when his father-in-law died. So Jepoy was left behind on his own inside the camp. However, Tristan was asked to return before the first competitive weigh-in and was instructed to continue losing weight even while he was away. He did both successfully.

After two weeks, the first competitive weigh-in of the contestants was made. Two pairs — Obsina sisters and officemates Bien and Mai — fell below the yellow line, so the remaining teams voted for the one who had to leave. First pair to leave the competition was the team of Obsina sisters (Dianne and Tin).

Fitness coaches Jim and Toni monitor the pairs inside the house or outside when they go out for a challenge. When the teams pigged out for Jepoy’s birthday, they were punished with an intense workout.

Every so often, celebrities and familiar faces visit The Biggest Loser Doubles camp to interact with the live-in participants. To date, viewers have seen volleyball player Gretchen Ho and athlete Rio de la Cruz, as well as The Biggest Loser Season 1 finalists Raffy Tan and Hazel Chua.

Iza is the ideal host for the reality show. She was once a biggie but lost weight and became consistently fit, even sexy. Her life story — from being fat to fit — was even dramatized in Maalaala Mo Kaya recently.

The Biggest Loser Doubles airs Monday to Saturday nights on ABS-CBN.