The time has come for “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition's” local candidates Lara Pearl Alvarez and Louie Sangalang to represent their country, as the much-awaited reality show starts airing in the Philippines this Saturday, 20 March, onTV5.
Sangalang and Alvarez will finally meet ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong alongside 14 other candidates from around the world, and they’ll look to make a good impression in the first episode, which also airs on One Sports next Monday at 9 p.m.
For Sangalang, a former URCC Champion and the first cancer survivor to finish the North Pole Marathon, it’s all about seeking new challenges in life, particularly one that involves being part of The Home Of Martial Arts.
“I think anyone who gets selected will feel ecstatic. First of all, it’s not just any organization. It’s a huge and a very young and powerful company. Second, ONE Championship is a big name in the martial arts scene. There’s a duopoly between ONE Championship and the UFC, globally, and ONE occupies a huge space in the market, especially in Asia,” Sangalang said.
“Another thing that excites me is that it’s going to be a tough competition, all driven by challenges. It’s what really motivates me. It’s something that aligns with my willingness to take on challenges in my life.”
At the end of the day, Sangalang can only promise a few things when the reel starts rolling –and that’s authenticity.
“Despite all your skill sets, you have to fit into the culture you’re joining. You can be the best in the show, but still not be hired for a job for whatever reason. You’re just not going to get in, and that’s just the reality of it,” Sangalang said.
“The reality of getting a job has a lot to do with the culture fit. You have to be real, authentic. On the TV screen, everything is magnified, so if you’re real, it will help you build your personal brand.”
Alvarez, on the other hand, admits to being in a mixed bag of emotions – and that’s to be expected given that she’s stepping out of her comfort zone.
“Flying to Singapore, it’s my first time leaving the Philippines, my first time getting on a plane to fly out of the country. And to be joining a globally acclaimed TV show, I can say I’m pretty mesmerized by the whole ordeal,” she said. “It’s a little overwhelming, but I’m excited.”
Still, she believes this opportunity will open a lot of doors for her, and like Sangalang, she’s excited to showcase her skills to the Philippines – and the world.
“I can’t wait for people to watch [the first episode]. Many of my friends have shown their support for me. Since the trailer aired, there has been a lot of excitement,” Alvarez said.
“I know fans of both ONE and ‘The Apprentice’ are going to love it.”
In the meantime, catch the previously recorded ONE: FISTS OF FURY III this Friday, March 19, on One Sports and One Sports+ at 8:30 p.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT). It will also simultaneously air on the ONE Super App.
Also, TV5 will air an encore presentation of the event at 12 a.m. PHT on Sunday, March 21.