“The Daring Dreamer” Reyn Talosig beat 8 other competitors in a series of gruelling physical challenges to become the first ever KIX, R U Tough Enough? (RUTE) champion.
The Poet/Musician also won the title of toughest Pinoy and went home Php250,000 richer.
Talosig describes Toughness as the “relentless pursuit of one’s dreams– your art and your dreams” and his bio says he is zealous about music, film, poetry and art. He makes fitness a priority in life as he toughly pursues his passions and his dream of one day becoming a popular classical musician.
But perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was Lei Villanueva,the only female in the competition, who finished among the top 5.
The final showdown was held yesterday afternoon at the ground floor of Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall. Organizers say the response to RUTE has been overwhelming thanks to its ambassador, reality star and actor Daniel Matsunaga.
The multi-stage obstacle course, which took over the entire ground floor of the Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall, pushed the contestants to their limits with challenges testing their ability to endure. All of the top 10 finalists put their toughest faces on, gritted their teeth, and pushed through to the very end. But at the end of the day, there could only be one winner.
The crowd cheered wildly as Reyn was declared the “Toughest Pinoy”. Speaking after the obstacle course, Mr. Talosig said, “First and foremost, congratulations and all my respect to my fellow competitors. All of them were tough. Just like what the saying ‘iron sharpens iron’ suggests, all of us were definitely honed in the process. Also, this competition only proved that I can do everything with the help of Christ, who strengthens me. So if you ask me if I’m tough enough, I will say no. But He is.”
RUTE ambassador, Daniel Matsunaga shared “I am honoured and blessed to have been selected by KIX to be part of R U Tough Enough? Being tough is about setting a goal, and giving your all to achieve it without ever giving up. That’s what our contestants showed here today.”
RUTE has generated over 300 applications as Filipinos across the nation and all walks of life applied. Shortlisted applicants were invited for a closed-door audition on August 16. It was then narrowed down to ten finalists who demonstrated that they had the physical, mental and emotional strengths to take on the challenges. Those contestants are: “The Courageous Chinito” Markus Lim, “The Charitable Champion” Rhimbo Severino; “The Determined Dabawenyo” Nathaniel Sanchez; “The Independent Idealist” Lei Villanueva; “The Daring Dreamer” Reyn Talosig; “The Mighty Model” Cheann Kubota; “The Ferocious Firefighter” Neil Boclongan; “The Dauntless Daddy” Jaime Completo; “The Fearless Foreignoy” Ribhi Saleh and “The Extraordinary Ex-Rebel” Rocky Ramos
CONTESTANTS’ PROFILE
Reyn Talosig
The Daring Dreamer
Age: 34
Occupation: Poet/Musicianthe ultimate TV destination for action entertainment,
Description: Zealous about music, film, poetry and art, he makes fitness a priority in life as he toughly pursues his passions and his dream of one day becoming a popular classical musician.
Tough Quote: Toughness is the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams– your art and your dreams.
Cheann Kubota
The Mighty Model
Age: 28
Occupation: Model
Description: Raised by a grandmother who instilled in her independence, confidence and strength of will, she works as a model who loves to compete in physical-related competitions to prove how tough she is in a world dominated by men.
Tough Quote: Toughness is being strong in any given situation like having a strong will.
Markus Lim
The Courageous Chinito
Age: 26
Occupation: Senior Customer Representative
Pushed at an early age to forego school to financially support his parents, his toughness has led him to now become a young Senior Customer Representative who continues to be a hero to his family.
Tough Quote: Being tough isn’t just about the physical strength of a person but also about the mental and spiritual being of a person.
Rhimbo Severino
The Charitable Champion
Age: 32
Occupation: Fitness Trainer
Growing up sickly and bullied, he is now a fitness instructor who helps others overcome their toughest battles through free one-on-one trainings in his own gym, and by being a champion of the youth in his church.
Tough Quote: Being tough isn’t just about yourself. It’s about helping, motivating and encouraging other people for them to also overcome their toughest battles in life.
Nathaniel Sanchez
The Determined Dabawenyo
Age: 26
Occupation: Fitness Instructor
Description: Giving up his career as a layout artist to pursue his lifelong passion in fitness, he is now a Cross-fit instructor who finds true purpose in helping others achieve their own toughness.
Tough Quote: Being tough is overcoming the unknown.
Lei Villanueva
The Independent Idealist
Age: 30
Occupation: Admin Officer/ Student
Description: She puts herself through school by working as a gym receptionist in the morning, attends classes in the afternoon, and even finds the time to work out at night because for her toughness is not just how strong you are but also how you handle your personal challenges and responsibilities.
Tough Quote: Being tough is not only how strong you are. It is how you handle all your problems, being independent and to think positive about yourself. It is knowing how to stand again every time you fail.
Neil Boclongan
The Ferocious Firefighter
Age: 31
Occupation: Firefighter
Description: Growing up as an Igorot, Neil left his roots in Tabuk City to pursue a career in Manila as a full-fledged firefighter despite his family’s hesitation, or a past rescue operation that put him through surgery. This is because for him toughness is being a survivor.
Tough Quote: Tough is being a survivor. You come out of your comfort zone and conquer all challenges.
Jaime Completo
The Dauntless Daddy
Age: 35
Occupation: Business Owner/Trainor
Description: Single father of three, Jaime currently balances a water business, an MMA gym that specializes in a Filipino-born martial art that he wants to share with all – Yaw-Yan, and his toughest and most rewarding challenge in life, his job as a father.
Tough Quote: Tough is being physically, mentally and emotionally ready to face the challenges in your life. It is how you overcome your fear and come out as a winner.
Ribhi Saleh
The Fearless Foreignoy
Age: 28
Occupation: Self employed
Description: Half Pinoy half Jordanian Ribhi used to work for the Philippine Embassy in Jordan as a protector of Filipino women against human trafficking and as someone who prioritizes the safety of our OFWs. He came here to the Philippines to start a new life in a country he deeply loves.
Tough Quote: Toughness is having the right mentality, the right attitude and the heart to do what’s good.
Rocky Ramos
Nickname: The Extraordinary Ex-Rebel
Age: 26
Occupation: Freelance model and Entrepreneur
Description: Ex-bad boy Rocky was a rebel and a young father at 16 which made him face the tough challenges of adolescence and fatherhood at the same time. Now a responsible father of four, he just laughs about his past as he toughly forges a better future for himself and his family.
Tough Quote: Being tough is how well you do something, being responsible and well-disciplined.
RUTE is co-sponsored by Fisherman’s Friend, supporting partners SM Megamall, SM City North Edsa, Gold’s Gym, FHM, Mellow 94.7, Men’s Health, Beer Below Zero, Columbia Sportswear, Mountain Hardwear, National Book Store, Pacific Xtreme Combat and Pilipinas 911; official media partners are Skycable, Cablelink, Destiny and Cignal.
KIX is available on Skycable Ch.63, Cablelink Ch.220, Destiny Cable Ch.10 and Cignal Ch 133.
CELESTIAL TIGER ENTERTAINMENT (CTE) is a diversified media company dedicated to entertaining audiences in Asia and beyond. The company focuses on the operation of branded pay television channels, content creation and content distribution targeted at Asian consumers.
CTE operates a powerful bouquet of distinct pay television channels including: CELESTIAL MOVIES, the premier 24-hour first-run Chinese movie service in Asia and beyond; CELESTIAL CLASSIC MOVIES, the gateway to an unparalleled array of Chinese movie masterpieces; cHK, a one-stop channel for cool, chic, and contemporary celebrity-powered Hong Kong entertainment; KIX, the ultimate destination for action entertainment; and THRILL, Asia’s only regional horror and suspense movie channel.
As one of Asia’s largest vertically integrated independent entertainment companies, CTE produces original content which complements its channels business. CTE is also the exclusive sales agent for Hollywood studio Lionsgate in Greater China and Southeast Asia, and represents Lionsgate’s television content and vast feature film library in Japan and Korea as well.
Headquartered in Hong Kong, CTE’s majority shareholders are Saban Capital Group, a leading private investment firm specializing in the media, entertainment and communications industries; Celestial Pictures, a major Asian entertainment company wholly-owned by Astro Overseas Limited; and Lionsgate, the world’s largest independent filmed entertainment studio.
For more information, please visit www.celestialtiger.com.
