HONED by his experience in doing combat sports and establishing a career in the corporate world, Louie Sangalang savors the opportunity to participate in the upcoming reality TV show The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition.
One of the 16 contestants selected to compete in the popular show, Mr. Sangalang considers it as a “dream come true” as it provides him a platform to showcase what he can do in such a setting.
“I’ve always wanted to join The Apprentice. So when I found out that there was going to be a ONE Championship Edition, I thought to myself, this fits my skills perfectly. I’m a martial artist at heart, and I’m highly interested in sports. So I figured, why not? I just wanted to give it a shot,” said Mr. Sangalang in a statement.
“I think anyone who got selected would feel ecstatic, right? First of all, it’s not just any organization. It’s a huge and very young, powerful company. Second, ONE Championship is a big name in the martial arts scene… [It] occupies a huge space in the market, especially in Asia. Another thing that excited me was that it was going to be a tough competition, all driven by challenges. It’s what really motivated me, something that aligned with my willingness to take on challenges in my life,” he added.
Apart from Mr. Sangalang, also representing the Philippines in the show is Baguio-based accountant and martial artist Lara Alvarez.
In The Apprentice, Mr. Sangalang from Manila will be banking on the lessons he got as an undefeated former Universal Reality Combat Championship featherweight champion as well as his extensive experience working for several industries.
He, too, is a cancer survivor and is using it as a motor to keep going no matter the odds.
Mr. Sangalang shared that he always values doing things prepared and not being overconfident, something he hopes pays off for him in the show.
“I’m not the type of person who likes to be overconfident or sure of things. Or who overly tries to psyche himself up and tell himself he can do things. I don’t go in there riding high and willing to take on any task,” he said.
“I like to come in well-prepared instead. It minimizes mistakes, helps me prepare for the unexpected.”
The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition is touted as the toughest version in the show’s history, consisting of both business and physical challenges.
The participants are asked to solve business problems in real time, but a twist — in the form of physical challenges with mixed martial arts (MMA) stars — is also involved.
To make the challenges well-rounded for the participants, it has invited executives from top companies to be part of the show. Up for grabs is a US$250,000 job offer to work for a year under ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
The show is set for airing in Asia beginning March 18 over AXN. It will have 13 episodes and will also be available on other platforms and TV networks across Asia, including TV5 here in the Philippines. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo