An extra explosive ‘Extra Challenge’ awaits fans in 2013

2012 has been an unforgettable year for “Extra Challenge.”

With its new hosts and extra-exciting new format, the GMA hit reality show "Extra Challenge" was warmly welcomed by viewers when it hit the airwaves again last October. On its first airing day, the show generated a lot of buzz on Facebook and became a trending topic on Twitter. In a recent survey conducted by trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, “Extra Challenge” and several other Kapuso shows were among the nation’s 30 top-rated weekend programs.

Every week, “Extra Challenge” surprises viewers by testing the limits of four celebrity challengers. The candid interactions between the shows’s challengers and hosts are a regular source of hilarious soundbites.

To welcome the new year with a bang, the “Extra Challenge” team has prepared a very special #ExtraPasabog episode that will air this December 29 and 30 on GMA Network. This episode was shot in Tumana, Marikina last December 4.  

As a holiday gift to some of the show’s most loyal fans, “Extra Challenge” also launched an online art contest. The staff asked fans to submit artwork related to “Extra Challenge,” like sketches and posters, and post them on the show’s Facebook Page.

From among the entries, two lucky winners were chosen based on creativity and relevance to the show. The winners, Marlon Olbara and Darwin Dalisay, got to visit the “Extra Challenge” set last December 4, where they met the show's hosts, staff, and celebrity challengers!

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos from the shoot:   



Kapuso host Luane Dy, Mr. Manhunt International June Macasaet, comedienne Patricia Ismael, and magician Bearwin Meiley (featured above, from left to right) will be the challengers for the New Year’s episode of “Extra Challenge.”



“Extra Challenge” hosts Richard Gutierrez and Marian Rivera share rapport both onscreen and offscreen.



Boobay had the "Extra Challenge" hosts and challengers laughing out loud with his crazy antics.




It’s easy enough to drive a jeep around a race track, but the producers of “Extra Challenge” wanted to give this episode's challengers an extra difficult mission. The challengers had to drive an owner-type jeep around a race track lined with fire and other explosives.



This extra explosive obstacle course will test not only the challengers’ stamina, but also their tolerance for the nauseating smell coming from a pool filled with rotten fish!



The “Extra Challenge” set may look sleek and polished on television, but can be time-consuming and difficult to set up, especially when there are unexpected problems! Good thing, the “Extra Challenge” staff and crew are dedicated to their craft and excited to amaze viewers with bigger and better sets every week.



Graphic designer, photographer, and “Extra Challenge” fan Marlon Olbara submitted this poster above) to the show's Facebook contest, and won the chance to visit the set.



Marlon (center, left) says he has been an avid fan of “Extra Challenge” since the show first aired in 1999. “Nung binalik ang Extra Challenge, natuwa talaga ako. Tapos si Marian at Richard pa ang host, at dinagdagan pa ni Boobay kaya riot talaga ang show!,” Marlon said.

Marlon was more than happy to the day off from his job for this once-in-a-lifetime experience: “Most unforgettable part [ng set visit] ay nung pinakilala na kami sa mga host at nag-pa-picture. Umuwi ako ng nakangiti, ‘di ko naramdaman ‘yung pagod,” he added.

 

Call center professional Darwin Dalisay also submitted the drawing above to the “Extra Challenge” art contest and won the chance to visit the set.



When asked what motivated him to join the “Extra Challenge” Facebook contest, Darwin (center, left) says: “[Gusto kong] makita ang buong set ng show na nagpapaligaya sa weekend nights ko. Sobrang saya ang naramdaman ko [nung nanalo ako] dahil isang katuparan ‘yun sa mga pangarap ko.”



Excited residents of Brgy. Tumana, Marikina City line up to watch the “Extra Challenge” shoot. Watch out for their special participation in the episode!



The “Extra Challenge” family gathers for one last group photo before calling it a day. Rest assured, viewers can look forward to even more explosive challenges and shocking twists on “Extra Challenge” this 2013!

Follow “Extra Challenge” on Facebook and Twitter for updates on the show.  “Extra Challenge” airs every Saturday at 5:45 PM and every Sunday at 6:00 PM on GMA 7

—PF, GMA News