ONE’S ‘The Apprentice’ marked with authenticity

AUTHENTICITY marks the first season of The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition when it premieres across Asia on Thursday, according to ONE Championship Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Chatri Sityodtong.

The show promises a different kind of competition from the popular reality television show and consists of 16 candidates who will vie in a series of business-type competitions and physical obstacles.

The winner gets the chance to work as a protégé of the MMA outfit’s head at the ONE Championship Headquarters in Singapore for a year on top of bringing home $250,000.

“The most important thing for me in doing the Apprentice: ONE Championship edition is authenticity,” said Sityodtong as he stressed on the show’s originality. “They’re going to see my legendary temper, my compassionate, empathetic side, my soft heart.”

Team Lakay’s Lara Pearl Alvarez and former URCC champion and cancer survivor Louie Sangalang are in the show which was presented in an online media conference on Wednesday.

Sityodtong, also the show’s judge, said the reality show is not only about hosting a contest and picking the winner fit for the post, but also about inculcating the essential values of the company to their contestants and to the world.

“ONE Championship ultimately is about celebrating incredible values of integrity, humility, honour, respect, courage and compassion,” Sityodtong said. “It’s about unleashing real life superheroes who unite the world with hope, strength, dreams and inspiration.”

Serving as guest judges are Grab CEO Anthony Tan, Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan, Zilingo CEO Ankiti Bose, Catcha Group CEO Patrick Grove and Everise CEO Sudhir Agarwal. They will also serve as mentors to the candidates.

The show was entirely filmed in Singapore and will air on TV5 on Saturday at 11 p.m. and every Monday starting March 22 on One Sports.