G L A N C E S
August 2003: The Rev Challenge
Photos By Ulysses Ang and Jason Ang
Footage Courtesy of Studio 23

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Fifteen Minutes
By Jason Ang

At one time or another, we've all watched game shows and fallen prey to their alluring mix of potentially embarrassing challenges and the promise of instant fortune. We've all thought, yeah I can do just as well as that guy.  I know what the capital of Liberia is, or, given today's lower-brow offerings, I can eat those bugs with the same gusto.  When Rev Challenge creator Vernon B. Sarne offered us the chance to join the media episode of the show, we were raring to go. The Rev Challenge is a unique game show, the first motoring quiz show.  It's geared particularly for those who can spend the good part of an afternoon arguing over the merits of a double-wishbone versus MacPherson strut suspension.

Waking up early on a rainy Wednesday, we made our way to the Studio at Riverbranks, showing up at the prescribed call time.  We snickered as our fellow journalists and contestants were subjected to make-up and wardrobe changes.  We pored over Vernon's collection of books, everything from Encyclopedia of Car Terms to Classic Cars.  Cramming as we flipped the pages, we learned the different nuances of crankshafts and camshafts.     

First-episode blues plagued the day's shooting.  The high-tech podiums, with built-in computer monitors, took some time to assemble and mount onto the stage.  Rev Challenge host Paolo Abrera, a veteran of TV shoots, was smart enough to nap during the afternoon and thus, when shooting time came, was as fresh as a daisy.  The rest of us spent the afternoon quizzing each other about the origin of the name Isuzu, or the identity of the only Grand Prix champion to take both motorcycle and car titles.  Or thinking about going for a round of karting at the nearby Speedzone; there were no takers, though. 

Vernon kept us sedated by feeding us and host Gaby de la Merced with sugar-high foods like beer and doughnuts.  The inevitable chicharon and cornic followed.  C! Magazine editor Tito Hermoso tried to catch some sleep by chatting up one of his fellow participants, but it was in vain.   He stayed awake till the shooting began in the early evening.

Manila Bulletin's Anjo Perez was studious enough to research days before the actual contest. He brought his special notebook filled with important people, dates and even acronyms--talk about taking it seriously.

motioncars.com's Jason Ang (representing Manila Bulletin's Overdrive section for the contest) finds time to flip through the llustrated Guide to Cars as the make-up artist puts on some power.

The wonder of special lighting effects--pain to set-up though. Just ask the technicians.

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