Sunday February 8, 2009
The dudes behind The Duke
By ELIZABETH TAI
Do you remember Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez? The blokes are teaming up again to charm TV audiences.
MALAYSIAN viewers may remember Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez from The Amazing Race Asia’s second season (November 2007 to February 2008). The buddies, who are TV personalities from the Philippines, were one of the toughest teams to beat that season. (They made it to the last leg, but lost to Collin Low and Adrian Yap from Singapore.)
But they were also noted for being the hunks of the season.
Nelson: ‘The Duke is a man that every man wants to be and every woman wants to be with.’ “We were the clunks! The clowns and the hunks,” Fernandez, 31, corrects in jest.
They think that they were the jokers on the show, not the sex symbols, and find it amusing that they could even be considered so. (Although the status seemed so obvious – to viewers, at least – what with their exotic good looks and chiselled physiques.)
“We didn’t find out (about being hunks) until afterwards,” says Nelson, 32, when the guys speak to The Star in a telephone interview from the Philippines recently.
“And even then people had a really hard time convincing us. We were very, very flattered. Our season was an incredibly ‘attractive’ season as far as competitors were concerned. To be even noticed in the plethora of beautiful people was very flattering,” says the Australian-born Nelson who is of English, Scottish, Burmese, Thai and Chinese descent.
This month, Malaysian viewers will see the duo in action again – in a new AXN original production, The Duke.
Touted as a “glossy men’s magazine talk show”, The Duke features interviews with international celebrities and popular figures, among them 13 very successful and powerful men from across Asia that “exemplify the qualities of a Duke”.
“It’s a new twist to the show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. A little bit of that and anything and everything that men like,” offers Fernandez.
It’s no coincidence that the two are back together again in a television show. After their stint in The Amazing Race Asia, AXN was impressed enough with them to offer them a job as hosts for the new show.
“We didn’t expect it. We are thankful, grateful, and flattered – yes,” says Nelson.
And how was it like to work with each other again?
“Absolutely horrible! We can’t stand each other,” quips Nelson.
“We’ll do anything for money!” says Fernandez. (Yes, they’re both kidding.)
From Down Under to all over
Travelling around the world, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures ... that’s part and parcel of being hosts of The Duke, say the duo, and this must suit the two ardent globetrotters very well.
“We’re definitely getting quality time,” says Nelson.
Both Nelson and Fernandez, who met through a mutual friend eight years ago, have a cosmopolitan background.
Apart from his birthplace Australia, Nelson has been raised “all over the place”. (He has lived in places such as Sydney, Tanzania, Kenya, Tasmania, Hong Kong, Canada and the United States, to name a few!) In 1997, he left Canada to go backpacking around the world. When he ended up in the Philippines, he fell in love with it ... and then the Asian economic crisis hit.
Fernandez: ‘It’s a new twist to Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.’ “I didn’t have savings, so when the crisis hit, my credit doubled instantly. It crushed me pretty bad,” he confesses.
But fortunately, Nelson found his calling there, finding work as a model and TV host.
“I love the Philippines. It has very friendly people, the food is fantastic, and there’s so much to see and do in this region. When you’re in Australia, it’s such a hike to get anywhere out of it. In Asia it’s an easy flight or drive to somewhere completely different,” he says.
Facing the camera
Fernandez, who was born in Japan, calls himself a “basic California kid” who likes the beach, surf and sand.
The American studied to be a director in a US film school and decided to move to Asia to pursue his dreams in filmmaking. He ended up in Manila, and found it a wonderful place to plant his roots.
“I love all Asian cultures – there’s a lot more history and I like the fact that all countries are geographically within three hours of each other – from Manila, anyway.”
Ironically, Fernandez found himself in front of the camera instead of behind it, becoming a TV host. He also worked as a magazine editor at one point.
But it looks like he’s enjoying his job before the camera.
“It’s not a bad job being able to enjoy all of this for work,” he says about The Duke.
Being a duke
According to the two presenters, the cast and crew have been working extremely hard to film the 13-episode The Duke since November last year, doing location shoots all over Asia and sometimes out of it.
Although Nelson and Fernandez continue to be based in Manila as they still have commitments in the Philippine capital, they often fly down to Singapore for work on the show.
“In the last two months we’ve been in Singapore longer than we’ve been in Manila. It feels like Singapore is home and we love Singapore so much,” says Nelson.
A toast to The Duke: (From left) Marc Nelson, Eunice Olsen and Rovilson Fernandez enjoying the finer things in life on the new AXN show. So, who and what can the audience expect to see on The Duke?
Despite my eager enquiries, I couldn’t get a hint of who the special guest stars are or the specific topics that will be covered on the series.
“It is under wraps until the show airs,” says Fernandez before adding: “We are featuring the best of the best, whether it’s amazing transportation, food, or resort.” Hmm, very helpful.
Fernandez continues: “We have so much fun with the studio shoots – what with all the experts and guests – that you’ll have to put a muzzle on us to shut us up.”
Besides the chaps, there’s a third – female – host on The Duke. She is 30-year-old Eunice Olsen, a former Miss Singapore and the youngest Singaporean to be appointed a nominated Member of Parliament.
The team also hosts discussions on topics such as health, luxury and other “aspirational matters” which are interesting for “people who want to become ‘Dukes’”.
And just what qualifies a person to be a Duke?
“The Duke,” Nelson notes, “is a man that every man wants to be and every woman wants to be with. He’s successful in what he does and enjoys the finer things of life.”
Appropriately, the production also boasts “fine values”.
“We’ve been in the TV industry for a long time, and this is the first time we’ve had a caterer, wardrobe, makeup artist, 10 sound guys, 15 camera people ... it’s a cast of thousands – it’s a really big production!” enthuses Fernandez.
“We’re just impressed that a lot of resources and time and money are on our shoulders. It’s such an honour ... it’s a different animal being in studio and wearing a suit,” he adds.
Before, the two hosted sports shows, and all they wore on screen were “shorts”.
“It’s nice to be clothed in a show for a change!” Nelson says with a chuckle.
Expect a lot of fun, laughs and information from The Duke, says Nelson.
But lest you think that only men should watch the show, apparently women may enjoy it too.
“Girls should tune in as well to find out what makes us boys tick,” Nelson concludes.
- ‘The Duke’ premieres tomorrow on AXN (Astro Channel 701) at 8pm.
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