Manila couple out to win Amazing Race Asia

Henry & Terri Reed

Retired United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Henry Reed, together with his Filipino wife, Terri, who are residing in Manila, are representing the Philippines in the Amazing Race Asia competition on AXN.

"After 20 years in the military, traveling does not scare me but provides a refreshing adrenaline rush," explains the 48 year old American, with his wife of 13 years, Terri.

His intention is to use the race as a backdrop to spend some quality time with his wife while learning about different parts of the world. Of course, the prize money is an added bonus should they win.

A fitness fanatic who has been shot off an aircraft carrier (this is something you have to check with him), ridden a bicycle at over 100 kilometers per hour and played his favorite sport of lacrosse in sold out venues, this adrenaline junkie is hoping the race will bring him a new level of excitement that would match, if not surpass his expectations.

But don't let the tough guy exterior fool you because he admits to be extremely gullible and trusting and does not like it when people take advantage of it. On the other hand, Mrs. Reed just wants to have some quality time with her husband, who she feels has been neglecting her recently.

"I want to have a chance again to be with my husband against the world," says Terri, 44, who is hoping that the travel adventure will rekindle the spark they once shared.

And watching them together, it is not hard to see why these two, as Henry puts it, are "borderline dysfunctional". Before anything happens, they talk, and then they argue, then smile, laugh and talk, then argue again. After that, the cycle repeats itself.

Their game plan for the race even has something to do with the ability that Terri has, which Henry seems to have been subjected to a lot of over the years.

"One of my wife's biggest strengths is the ability to influence people and get them to do what she wants while having them believe they are doing what they want," he says as a matter of fact.

"We'll also try and make sure our opponents believe that we are a lot nicer and likeable than we really are. Make no mistake, this is a race and we plan to destroy our competitors one by one by any legal means necessary," he promises.

Photo courtesy of Amazing Race Asia