The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition (yeah I admitt I was a fan of this reality show)

The Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition is a reality show that centers on overweight contestants accomplishing the same goal of losing the highest percentage of weight to become the Biggest Loser.


The contestants came from across the country (Philippines) and faced temptations and challenges, weigh-ins and eliminations until one contestant remained to claim the title of "Philippines Biggest Loser."

The contestants had an amazing journey of transforming their bodies, health and ultimately, their lives and was aired over sixteen weeks in ABS-CBN. I was a fan of that reality show, even if I'm living and working here in Singapore, I tried my best to watch each episode in TFC (The Filipino Channel) or video streaming over the internet. 


Each contestant works out under the supervision and guidance of professional trainers Jim Saet and Chinggay Andrada. A nutritionist, Nadine Tengco and psychologist Randy Dellosa also monitored the progress in the camp.


The season starts with a weight-in to determine the contestants' starting weights, which serve as the baseline for determining the overall winner. 


The contestants are separated into two teams of six contestants, each wearing separate colored t-shirts. The trainers are responsible (in conjunction with medical personnel retained by the show) for designing comprehensive workout and nutrition plans and teaching them to the contestants. However, the contestants are individually responsible for implementing the principles taught.

During an episode, various challenges and temptations are featured. Those who win a particular challenge are given special privileges, such as a weight advantage for the next weigh-in or even full immunity from being voted off the show. Each week culminates in another weigh-in to determine which team has lost the most weight for that week, in percentage of total weight lost. The team that has lost the least percentage during that week (known as "falling below the yellow line", which refers to a line featured on a video screen showing the cutoff between safety and being at-risk) will have one member voted off (unless the team consists of only one remaining member, in which case there is no vote). The vote is usually made by the other teams, though some episodes feature one team making the decision alone. Some episodes feature a second, "red line"; if a contestant falls below the red line the contestant is automatically off the show with no vote. Other episodes allow for the contestants, if successfully meeting a goal at the weigh-in, to all receive immunity for the week.


When the number of contestants has shrunk to a predetermined smaller number (unknown to the contestants), the teams are dissolved and the contestants compete one-on-one against each other.

The camp in which the contestants stayed during the duration of their game is located at the previous Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club in General Trias, Cavite. It was renovated for the production of the series. The gym of the camp is courtesy of Fitness First, while the emergency health rooms are courtesy of St. Luke's Medical Center.


Larry Martin was the grand winner of the Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition. Martin, a policeman from Camarines Sur, was declared the first grand winner of the Biggest Loser Philippine franchise. As the grand winner, Martin took home the grand prize which includes P1 million, a condo unit from DMCI Homes, a Vespa scooter, a lifetime membership at Fitness First, a 40” Sony Bravia Internet TV and Whirlpool appliances.


Going into the final weigh-in, Art Mendoza was the heavy favorite to win the Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition. However, Larry Martin had the best percentage weight loss among all the finalists. Art Mendoza ended up finishing first runner-up, taking home P500,000, a Vespa scooter, Whirlpool appliances and one year Fitness First membership. Finishing third was Raffy Tan while Angela Lupangco and Hazel Chua ended up fourth and fifth, respectively.




If you want to see the before / after pictures of the Fab Five Finalists please visit the blog of Randy Dellosa.