http://inquirerbloggers.net/couchpotatoes/2007/10/07/fire-and-ice/Fire and ice 10/07/07
By Paolo R. Reyes
InquirerMANILA, Philippines'They may have been mistaken as 'Team Africa' by one of the clueless Malaysian contestants, but retired US Navy senior officer Henry Reed, 48, and his strong-willed Filipina wife of 13 years, Terri, 44, are as Pinoy as they come ' minus the modest, passive-aggressive personality, that is.
Super sat down with the outspoken husband-wife tandem and grilled them for a full disclosure. (Well, almost. We don't want them to incur the $5 million penalty that's cemented in their contract.) One thing's for sure, these hard-nosed competitors are bound to generate some seismic shockwaves over the boob tube.
What made you decide to join the race?Terri: It was my idea. I loved watching the show. So I asked Henry if we could. He asked me, 'Give me 10 reasons why we should?' I was up till 3 a.m. thinking. Then I got out of bed, grabbed a piece of paper, and wrote down: 'P5 million. P5 million. P5 million '' There were 5 million reasons!
Did you have any kind of alliance with Marc and Rovi?Terri: NO!!! No, no, no. That's all I can say. And that you're not going to be disappointed with the Philippine teams this season.
Henry: Alliances really don't work. It's such an individual thing. Unlike in 'Survivor,' you don't need anybody else for this game.
Did things get really nasty between the teams?Terri: You'll have to wait and see. But it got real nasty between me and Henry.
Henry: In our normal, everyday life, we fight a lot. That is the reality of it. [laughs]
Do you think you'll be portrayed differently after the final edit?Terri: I really don't think so. You better agree with me, Henry!
Henry: It's real fire, believe me. The only way they could change what really happened, through editing, would be to make us look boring and lovey-dovey.
Terri: I don't think they'll be able to find that kind of footage.
Henry: If they could stretch about 38 to 39 seconds of lovey-dovey moments, then hats off to them. There's too much fire there! [laughs]
What was your edge over the other teams?Henry: I guess being mature and being together for so long. I think we're the oldest team.
Terri: Please. Don't remind them!
Henry: When I was in the military, we traveled around the world. I trusted her to read maps and give me directions. She's pretty industrious. When she's focused, nothing is going to stop her. When we were in New York, she had to get some major dental work. The doctor told her she couldn't eat meat for two weeks and she can't talk for two days. On the way out of the doctor's office, she's already yakking 'take me to Sizzlers to have a steak!' She don't listen to anybody, and she's always right.
How was your marriage after the race?Terri: Same thing. Lucky 13. But we promised each other that after 49 years of marriage, he'll have his 'one minute' ' a minute when he can have his peace and I cannot say a single word.
Henry: For one minute she can just shut the hell up. She can't talk to me. She can't yell at me. She's just going to leave me alone for 60 seconds. I don't think she's going to be able to do it. It ain't gonna happen! [laughs]