UPDATE: An up close look at a test of will (24-hour mark) — TEAM PH STANDS STRONG

SINGAPORE—The Last Palm Standing – Mediacorp Subaru Car Challenge is still currently underway and has been a roller coaster experience in its first 24 hours due to the weather conditions here at Ngee Ann City. 

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After starting with 400 contestants in the beginning, only 149 contenders remain running for the grand prize of a brand-new Subaru. The Philippine team stands strong among the others having no dropouts and still enduring bodily pains after standing the entire time and firmly holding onto the Subaru Forester 2.0i-L they wish to bring home. 

The China team, however, has already lost the challenge having all their members drop out. It has been very challenging for the participants as well as the spectators with the temperature soaring up to 34° Celsius during the day and having light rains at night. 

A Filipino competitor has also shared his experience saying that fatigue and exhaustion is causing him to hallucinate, seeing birds as different objects—and sometimes as meals when he’s hungry. 

Among the other contestants, Singapore team has Wong Woon Thiat, a 69-year old man, who is also the oldest participant still standing strong with no signs of quitting. 

Filmark Bernante (number R46)

Carlo Talahib (number R07)
Showing his elevated slippers to help reach the part of the car he’s holding onto

To win one of Asia’s largest and toughest urban endurance competitions, contestants have to place their right palms firmly within the surface area of the palm decals and be the last one standing. They are given a five-minute break once every six hours throughout the competition. If a winner based in Singapore breaks the current record of 82 hours and 16 minutes, he or she will also walk away with a Certificate of Entitlement (COE). 

The past winner Chong Kiat Chi from Singapore also returned this year to help garner donations for the President’s Star Charity. Kiat Chi won the challenge in 2011, clocking 75 hours and 36 minutes, he said: “The challenge is tough and rigorous, so it is important that contestants cheer one another on.” Supporters play a crucial role which may make or break the contestants. They can show their support by participating in the Reward Rounds at http://lastpalmstanding.comand assign their rewards to a contestant of their choice, who will be given an extra five-minute break.

Regional contestants will also compete for additional titles and cash prizes. The title of Country Winner and a cash prize of S$1,000 will be awarded to the final standing representative of each participating region. The last standing regional contestant will win the Asian Winner title and walk away with an additional S$5,000 cash. The country or region, whose participants have the longest combined standing time, will be awarded the Country Team Winner title along with a cash prize of S$10,000.

DUO Rewards, the customer loyalty programme of Tan Chong International Ltd (TCIL), is organizing a fund-raising activity. Members of the public can participate in games for a minimum sum of S$5. All proceeds will go to Rainbow Centre, a social service organisation that operates special education schools for persons with disabilities in Singapore. 

For more information and updates, please visit http://lastpalmstanding.com.