Gee Canlas: From Being TV’s Fastest Talker To Amazing Race Philippines’ Surprise Front-Runner

TV host Gee Canlas impressed audiences when she was introduced in the now-defunct ABS-CBN show Music Uplate Live, where she made a name for herself as Speedy Gee because of her ability to talk really fast.

She then was given a hosting assignment in Pilipinas Win Na Win, alongside Pokwang, and Kris Aquino. The show however was axed after only a few months.

Recently, however, Gee made a surprise, bold move when she figured as one of the finalists of TV5’s Amazing Race Philippines, where she is paired with her good friend Sheena Vera Cruz.

Her inclusion in the program also showed her transformation. Since she started her stint in the business, she lost considerable weight.

“Joining Amazing Race Philippines is an opportunity that presented itself, so I grabbed it. In fact, even before this local edition, I auditioned for the regional show,” says Gee. “Pero ngayon, with a new partner Sheena who is a very good friend of mine, we were chosen to be part of the show, so thankful talaga kami.”

In the reality show, Gee and Sheena were tagged as the “reunited friends” because Sheena lives in New York. Their team became the 4thtop team.

The “reunited friends” positioning served the team well because their friendship became one of the strongest assets of their partnership.

“We know each other since we were in College. We both love to dance. She is a member of the Philippine All Stars. Kabisado naming ang isa’t-isa,” adds Gee. “Pero her being an Inglisera also became a problem for us.”

Gee recalls that in one challenge, where they should have the same answer to a question, Sheena mistook the word “malas” to “malakas,” which obviously made the two have different answers.

In retrospect, however, Gee feels that their sense of humor made their team last that long in the competition.

“Malaking bagay talaga yung marunong kaming pagtawanan yung mga pangyayari,” admits Gee. “Pero, one thing I’ve really learned was that we were guided by two things as we joined the competition- FAITH and FATE.”

Their journey on the show, according to Gee, is something she would cherish for the rest of her life.

Any regrets?

“Nothing really. It is just that after I saw the episode where we got eliminated, I felt na sayang, andun na e. That’s the only painful part,” says Gee. “But it is something that I will never forget.”

Aside from her participation in the show, Gee has been reaping commendations for her portrayal in the independent film Melodrama Negra. Which won Audience Choice award.

“I welcome every opportunity that comes my way – hosting, acting, dancing,” enthuses Gee, who is now part of MediaNation, management of Marvin Agustin, Aiza Seguerra, David Pomeranz, among others.