WOULD A
DNA TEST MAKE YOU
FREE!
OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2018
RACE FASTER?
FUN, FITNESS AND BUSINESS
THE NEW TEAM ALEX RESTORATION
GREG BANZON CENTURY TUNA’S
SAFE, COMPLETE, CONVENIENT
THE INDOOR TRIATHLON FACILITY OF FITNESS FIRST
AND THE
INSIDE STORY OF THE CENTURY TUNA IRONMAN PHILIPPINES
WANT TO GO
FASTER?
ADRIAN THOMAS DIONISIO Philippine Youth Developmental Pool Athlete Hong Kong ASTC Super Sprint Triathlon Asian Cup Champion
CLAIRE ADORNA Philippine National Triathlon Team Athlete SEA Games Gold Medalist
ANI DE LEON-BROWN Coach, Philippine National Triathlon Team 2x Kona Ironman World Championship Finisher
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EDITOR’S GUNSTART Vol. 6 No. 2
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF : Monching Romano MANAGING EDITOR : Cheenee Pontejos ART DIRECTORS : Johnmer Bautista
Emmeline Ngo
CONTRIBUTORS : Don Velasco
Aritha Zel Zalamea
PHOTOGRAPHER : Edsel Ochoa
IDEALISK INC.
Unit 217 La Fuerza II Building, Pasong Tamo, Makati City Publisher/CEO Monching Romano Creatives Johnmer Bautista Emmeline Ngo Sales and Marketing Teresa Soriano
It Takes a Village
W
henever I travel overseas for triathlon, I am always queried by triathletes and industry people from other SEA countries on how we have been able to grow triathlon in our country at a very fast pace (pun intended). Coach Ani De LeonBrown once explained to me that our growth is a confluence of factors—the national and grassroots programs of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), seasoned race organizers, support of various LGUs in promoting triathlon races and programs, and the sizeable number of fulltime, capable and dedicated coaches. It really “takes a village” to do so. One growth contributor that is always overlooked are the sponsors. Consumer brands such as Regent, Unilab, Sunlife, Cobra have helped grow our sport by sponsoring races and athletes. In this issue we feature two brands, Century Tuna and Alex Restoration, that have seen the value of using triathlon to strengthen their brand message. It helps also that both heads of these two brands are triathletes. Greg Banzon, GM of Century Tuna and Alex Isip, CEO of Alex Restoration have been racing for more than a decade. Both intimately know the community and the market that triathlon attracts. As athletes and members of the triathlon community, we can help further grow our sport by supporting back these brands and the races and programs that they invest in.
Monching Romano Editor-in-Chief
For inquiries and feedback: Email us at racedaymagazine@gmail.com RaceDay Magazine is published bi-monthly. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in part or in whole, without the written consent of the publishers. The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the publisher. All information, content and services are provided “as is” without any kind of warranty. In no way shall RaceDay Magazine be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential damages that may arise from any of the products, advice, reviews or information obtained from this magazine. Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved
WHERE TO FIND US: ATHLEEMA Pasong Tamo, Makati West Gate, Alabang, Muntinlupa
BALESIN ISLAND RESORT BIKE TOWN CYCLERY Pasong Tamo, Makati
2 CONTENTS
3
FITNESS FIRST
SCIENCE-BASED COACHING: Would a DNA Test Make You Race Faster? by Don Velasco
Selected Branches
GRAN TRAIL Pasay Road, Makati Alabang, Muntinlupa
MULTISPORT HUB Nuvali, Laguna
NEW PAULINA’S CYCLE CENTER Blue Bay Walk, Pasay Cartimar, Pasay
UNDER THE LID OF THE HISTORIC CENTURY TUNA IRONMAN by Aritha Zel Zalamea
6
Fun, Fitness and Business THE NEW TEAM ALEX RESTORATION by Cheenee Pontejos
11
Safe, Complete and Convenient: FITNESS FIRST INDOOR TRIATHLON TRAINING FACILITY by Cheenee Pontejos
PRIMO CYCLES Burgos Circle, BGC Taguig
R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street, Taguig
RUNNR Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa Trinoma, Quezon City Bonifacio High Street, Taguig
RUDY PROJECT Glorietta 3, Makati The Podium, Mandaluyong Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa SM Mall of Asia, Pasay Trinoma, Quezon City Bonifacio High Street, Taguig
SABAK West Gate, Alabang, Muntinlupa
THE CITY CLUB AT ALPHALAND MAKATI Ayala Avenue Extension, Makati
THE COFFEE TRAIL CYCLERY Nuvali
THE VILLAGE SPORTS CLUB BF Homes, Parañaque
TRI TEMPLE Pasong Tamo, Makati
WEIRD CYCLES
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SCIENCE-BASED COACHING By Don Velasco
I
WOULD A DNA TEST MAKE YOU RACE FASTER? The best part of DNAfit are the recommendations included in your results. Together with your genetic profile, which will be explained to you in detail, you’ll receive a concrete plan of action (e.g. training recommendations, nutritional guides, and a specific diet plan) that will help address all your needs.
’ve always believed in having a personalized approach for each athlete. Different athletes need different things; this is a known fact. However, for us to make the right decisions and to find the proper approach, we need to be well-informed and well-guided. Data is useful only if it becomes information. Information is incomplete unless it’s integrated into a plan of action. This is where DNA testing care of DNAFit comes in. By studying specific genes associated to health and athletic performance, we have the best chance of giving our body the ideal environment it needs.
DNAfit is one of the foremost genetic companies in the world. They cater specifically to athletes and individuals who want to improve their health and performance. Based out of UK, the company received a triple nomination for the 2017 Sports Technology Awards whilst winning one. They were also recently awarded two Queen’s Awards for Innovation and International trade. Backed by the growing sports, health science industry, and the broadening research behind genetics, the company continues to expand by adding more and more genes and analyses to its repertoire.
In DNAfit, we have the power vs endurance profile: these are a set of genes that give us insights as to what types of stimulus our body responds well to. While it doesn’t tell us what sports or activities our body would excel in, it does show us how to best approach our training regimen. For example, an athlete with a higher power bias, integrating power or speed work would be more beneficial compared to someone with a higher endurance bias.
How do you test your DNA? The test is a simple, non-invasive, and painless swab test. When you sign up, you’ll receive a DNA Test kit, with simple instructions included. It simply involves running a swab inside your mouth and sealing the swab in an airtight container afterwards. The specimens are forwarded to the UK lab for processing and analysis. The actual processing time in the lab is at least 10 days. Afterwards, the data and results will be sent via email. Being the official DNAfit partner here in the Philippines, I am authorized and certified to discuss and explain your results. With your approval, I can run through the data and even discuss the specific steps necessary to help you comply with the recommendations.
This is only the tip of the iceberg as DNAfit has numerous subcategories ranging from injury risk, recovery speed, carbohydrate sensitivity, vitamin/mineral/antioxidant requirements, and even sensitivity to sodium/caffeine/toxins. All of which tell us how we can support our body’s overall development the best way possible. From the results, we will be able to choose our battles. You might have been spending thousands of pesos and tons of effort trying to sustain a gluten-free diet when you personally, wouldn’t reap the benefits because you’re not gluten intolerant. You could also focus on the types of food and supplements that matter. Take specific vitamins for instance; some people have an elevated need for certain kinds and regular requirements for others. One could say, “Why not just take more?” But remember, too much of a good thing is bad as well. The “one size fits all” approach just doesn’t work. Being genetically unique, our needs are also unique. Why DNAfit? Each of the 45+ genes under DNAfit has been scrutinized intensively and peer-reviewed three fold. This makes it one of the most rigorous genetic companies in the world. When you take the test, you know for sure that you’re getting your money’s worth based on the analysis and research alone.
Should you prefer to receive your results confidentially, this can be arranged as well. DNAfit also complies with confidentiality standards. Apart from not disclosing your personal information outside of DNAfit, your actual DNA sample is immediately destroyed after analysis. More importantly, because of the nature of the sample (i.e. dead cells vs living cells), it’s impossible to clone you using your provided sample. Nurture or nature? When it comes to athletic performance, it’s easy to resign to the notion that we’re either built to perform or we aren’t. Why do some people do well and some don’t? Is it because they’re better trained or is it because they’re better athletes? The answer to these questions, are more complex than they may seem. To better understand our bodies, we need to understand the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes. A genotype is the source code ingrained in your cells. It is your unique genetic identity revealed by your personal genome sequence (a.k.a. your DNA). It contains information
about how to produce the building blocks of your body and how they should all be pieced together. Think of it as the master plan that makes you unique from everyone else. A phenotype, quite simply, is the description of your physical attributes. Your height, body fat composition, and even your personality or dispositions are all your phenotypes. You could think of it as the physical manifestation of your master plan: the “not so finished” product. How do these two interact? It would be forgivable to think that phenotypes are simply the manifestation of genotypes. This is only partly true. Phenotypes are affected directly or indirectly by two things: our genotypes and our environment. A good example would be the FTO gene or the so-called “fat gene”. As we all know, obesity has been prevalent in society. While it’s unmistakable that the lifestyle and diet changes largely contribute to this trend, this merely scratches the surface. Research has shown that this fat gene plays a role in how we deal with fats and the associated obesity risk that comes with it. Those who have the positive (AA) genotype of the fat gene are twice as likely to be obese compared to those who have the negative (TT) genotype. However, if they went on a low fat diet, the positive genotype fared just as well as the negative one.¹ This trend also held true with other studies that measured body fat percentage among different genotypes.² But with the help of DNAfit, we can properly tailor a plan of action based on your genetic profile. Technology plays a huge role in improving our lifestyle, way of life, and health. We also live in a world where data and information is king. Denying ourselves the use of such science is not only a waste, it’s downright foolish. Going back to the question of whether it’s nurture or nature, the answer is to nurture your nature! To avail of the test, you can contact: Don Velasco of FlyingDonV Coaching Certified DNAFit Professional. info@flyingdonv.com fb.me/donvelasco (Facebook) 0917 832 1986 (SMS/Whatsapp/Viber) www.flyingdonv.com A triathlete himself, Don Velasco now focuses on coaching full-time. He is the first Ironman Certified Coach in the country and continues to guide fellow triathletes in achieving optimum results thru his tri specific performance lab where he conducts blood lactate testing #KnowYourNumbers. Don is also the official partner of DNAfit here in the Philippines—a more scientific and unique approach in knowing which nutrition, training plan, (and more) suit your genetic profile. ¹ Pickering, C. (2016, July) Gene in Focus: Part 12 - FTO.
Retrieved from https://www.dnafit.com/blog/gene_in_focus:_ part_12_-_fto_3334.asp/ ² Fawcett, K. A. & Barroso I. (2010, June)The Genetics of Obesity: FTO Leads the Way. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/PMC2906751/
Photos from left to right: Time-crunched Businessman Peter Sy; SEA Games Gold Medalist Nikko Huelgas; Consistent Age Grouper Podium Finisher Lauren Lim; Busy Entrepreneur and Health Buff Mike Yau
Photos courtesy of Don Velasco
02
HISTORIC CENTURY TUNA IRONMAN UNDER THE LID OF THE
Words: Aritha Zel Zalamea Photos courtesy of : Century Pacific Food, Inc./ Photo-ops
I
t was in 2009 when the country’s inaugural IRONMAN event took place: a 70.3 race in Camarines Sur. It consisted of a 1.9km swim, 90km bike, and 21.1km run course—half the total distance of a full IRONMAN.
Approaching its 10th year, IRONMAN Philippines, organized by Sunrise Events, was faced with a huge dilemma: how could an event be big enough to celebrate and surpass a decade’s worth of the top triathlon races in the country? It was a challenge title sponsor Century Tuna was up for. Since participating as one of the sponsors of the first IRONMAN 70.3, and as the title sponsor of three 5150s and three IRONMAN 70.3s thereafter, the company had been hungry for a full-distance IRONMAN—all 226 kilometers of it. Finally, on June 3, 2018, the Century Tuna IRONMAN Philippines (CTIMPH) took place, and we found out how.
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Years of Training Century Tuna couldn’t have been more prepared. Way before IRONMAN entered the Philippines, Century Tuna was already sponsoring running and triathlon events, establishing itself as a fitness and health brand, and a strong supporter of the then growing triathlon community. Having an athlete at the helm of the company helped. Way before Century Tuna’s involvement in the sport, its general manager, Greg Banzon, had started running at age 12, moving up to join a varsity team and even represent the Philippines at international competitions. He had joined IRONMAN and other triathlon races here and abroad. The years of experience and knowledge in the sport between Sunrise Events and Century Tuna leave no room for doubt that they can mount a successful full-distance IRONMAN in the country. But just how did they do it? By having the most dedicated men—and woman—cook up a storm behind the scenes: Banzon, and Sunrise Events’ founder and CEO Fred Uytengsu and general manager Princess Galura. Early Supporter of the Sport “I’ve been a runner for 42 years,” said Banzon. He eventually moved up to triathlons, which he described as a different challenge because it requires the athlete to strike a balance between swim, bike, and run. “Medyo mas astig nang kaunti,” he added. It’s no question then that Banzon’s heart is in the sport. Century Tuna, in turn, had always been committed to health and fitness. The company’s most successful campaign, Century Tuna Superbods, communicated that vision. But Century Tuna wanted something more. It wanted an anchor sport. And triathlon fits. “It’s a different shade of sport,” said Banzon, and so Century Tuna started sponsoring triathlon events some 10-12 years ago when the sport was just starting to become known in the Philippines. Back then, triathlon races didn’t see a lot of sponsors and support. The community was still small, and the number of participants wasn’t as huge as it is now. From Sprint Triathlon to IRONMAN Banzon recalled the first big triathlon races in the Philippines. The White Rock Triathlon, which was the premier race more than 10 years ago, offered half an IRONMAN distance. Meanwhile, the standard National Age Group Triathlon (NAGT) in 2006, the Subic Bay International Triathlon (SUBIT), saw 187 registrants—and he was one of them. That gave him the idea that triathlon can be built locally as a sport. Preparing a game plan, he knew that they can’t mount a race with a standard triathlon distance right away. They needed to funnel people into the sport first. That’s how Century Tuna started the Animo Sprint Triathlon, which had the shortest triathlon race distance.
By the second Century Tuna 5150, the 4-year-old IRONMAN 70.3 had become overcrowded—most of the races were sold out. Again, Banzon saw an opportunity. While Banzon and Uytengsu were in Cebu for the fourth 70.3, the two agreed—on a handshake—to schedule another half-distance IRONMAN, this time under the banner of Century Tuna. Set for the following March, it was going to help decongest the other 70.3 and give athletes an additional platform. But Banzon wanted Century Tuna’s 70.3 to be different. Seeing how festive the races in Cebu had been, he thought of positioning the brand’s version to be the most accessible. He brought the IRONMAN 70.3 to Subic. Needless to say, Century Tuna’s first IRONMAN 70.3 was a huge success, much of which hinged on the smart choice of venue. Participants raved about the new experience of biking on SCTEX and NLEX, the convenience of traveling to Subic, and how well it was organized. Banzon pointed out that the event, which he described as “plantsado,” was successful also because of strong support from partners Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and NLEX Corporation. “It was the beauty of working with SBMA and NLEX,” he said. They gave Century Tuna full support and access to their resources. Still, that didn’t distract him from his real goal. That’s why, even as they started planning the 2015 Century Tuna IRONMAN 70.3, he again reminded Uytengsu of his IRONMAN intentions. On the second year of Century Tuna’s IRONMAN 70.3, Uytengsu was finally convinced that the time was ripe for a full-distance IRONMAN. He then asked whether Banzon was really serious about sponsoring it. We all know the answer to that. Hurdles to the Finish Line After having punched in the numbers, finalized logistics, and settled contracts, they encountered new and unexpected kinks to straighten out. When a new government administration took over in 2016, the SBMA board members who approved to hold the IRONMAN in Subic Bay Freeport Zone were replaced. The new board had to review the already signed contract to stage the event, so Century Tuna and Sunrise Events had to reassure them of a well-managed event.
On the other front, NLEX also needed to have a more detailed look at how to execute letting athletes use the highway. Despite its strong grip on the idea of giving Philippines its first full-distance IRONMAN, NLEX might have underestimated the exigent demands of such a milestone: closing half of the expressway from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the previous races, NLEX only had to close part of the expressway for half a day. Again, Century Tuna and Sunrise Events ran the extra mile to reassure partners and keep eyes on the prize. Then there was the cost. A mind blowing P20 million was needed to sponsor the event. Banzon made that possible by reallocating part of Century Tuna’s budget for Superbods. Rather than spending on big-name celebrities as they usually do, they allotted the budget for the second half of 2018 to IRONMAN instead. But what of the participants? When the organizers computed for the optimal joining fee to make the event happen, it was going to be about $650 or more than P30,000. The number is seemingly prohibitive given the times, but the most affordable IRONMAN, the one held in Langkawi, Malaysia, had an early bird joining fee of about $580. Fortunately, the organizers received little flak for the price tag. The athletes understood what it had to take to mount a full-distance IRONMAN in the Philippines. “Maging IRONMAN sa Sariling Bayan” When everything was ironed out backstage, Banzon was then faced with a pressing problem: how do they rally people to join CTIMPH? Banzon asked help from industry friends RaceDay Triathlon’s Monching Romano, The Bull Runner’s Jaymie Pizarro, and SwimBikeRun’s Carlos de Guzman. The first idea was to tell people that “hindi ka triathlete kapag hindi ka pa nakapag-IRONMAN,” and gather all Filipino IRONMAN finishers to announce the race. But it seemed too elitist and exclusive that people might instead be discouraged to join. Then there was the cliche strategy of challenging people with “kaya mo ba?” Finally, Romano had an idea: Maging IRONMAN sa sariling bayan. And that became the battle cry of the first IRONMAN Philippines from its announcement in August 2017. They still gathered triathletes to promote the upcoming CTIMPH but they organized a sign-up event instead—a CONTINUED ON PAGE 05
Animo Sprint Triathlon ran for five years. Its inaugural race in 2008 attracted about 360 participants right away, twice that of 2006 NAGT in Subic. Come 2012, Animo Sprint Triathlon had about 800 participants, which required Century Tuna to hold the race for two days. Through those five successful years, Century Tuna grew deeply passionate about triathlon and embraced the sport as its own. And so, when Uytengsu and Galura approached him for the first IRONMAN 70.3, Banzon didn’t hesitate to commit the brand as one of its sponsors. But he wasn’t going to just stop there. That milestone in Philippine triathlon lit a new bulb in Banzon: a full-distance IRONMAN in the country. He wasn’t alone in this vision. Because a 70.3 was already staged here, people started ambitioning a longer course. Back then, a lot of Filipino athletes were going abroad to do the fulldistance IRONMAN, as was Banzon. The natural next step for the Philippines was to have its own. On a Handshake Seeing how well Sunrise Events organized the first IRONMAN 70.3, Banzon wanted to sponsor more of their races. In 2012, Century Tuna and Sunrise Events introduced the country’s first 5150, better known as Olympic or standard-distance triathlon race.
04
“ The first idea was to tell people that “hindi ka triathlete kapag hindi ka pa nakapag-Ironman.... But it seemed too elitist. Finally, Romano had an idea: Maging Ironman sa sariling bayan. And that became the battlecry.
“
grand one. Following the nationalistic theme, there were singkil dancers at the venue, where Philippine and IRONMAN flags were interspersed to build the mood. As an additional come on, the sign-up event offered free breakfast to anyone and everyone who would register. Within the first three hours, CTIMPH was sold out at about 1,400 registrants. Of course, Banzon was happy. He didn’t expect such strong reception. But that immediately turned to fear. Some participants might just be too excited to join without actually being ready for it—something that Banzon was familiar with when he joined his first IRONMAN in Langkawi. That careless enthusiasm might translate to casualties. The organizers felt that it was their moral obligation to screen out people to ensure that they were fit enough for the full-distance IRONMAN. But doing that wasn’t going to be easy after the registration. For Banzon, the participants should’ve already finished a half-distance IRONMAN to qualify. Uytengsu narrowed it down further, requiring participants to have finished a halfdistance IRONMAN from 2016 onwards. As expected, it didn’t sit well with many people. The new rule saw about 400 registrants at risk of getting cut off, but there was still time. The 400 or so were encouraged to join and finish a 70.3—or any race anywhere in the world with the same distance. Half of the 400 complied and made it to CTIMPH to complete the 1,246 participants, mostly from the Philippines, China, Japan, USA, Singapore, Australia, and the UK.
Safety in Bigness More than anything else, CTIMPH was a celebration of the Philippine triathlon community, so it shouldn’t be just another race. It should be a party.
On the bike course, 400 marshals were assigned. Traffic marshals amounted to 100, while another 100 manned the stretch of SCTEX. Food, beverages, and first aid were also available at pit stops.
For the venue to reflect the grandness of the event, Banzon dressed up Subic Bay Freeport Zone, ordering banners as big as buildings, installing tarpaulins around the swim course for as far as the cameras could see. From the meal area for carbo-loading to the media center, nothing about CTIMPH was modest. But what Century Tuna really invested a lot in was safety.
The run course had 250 marshals. 20 people were designated communicators, while community local officials totaled 50. Volunteers from the triathlon community itself numbered 200. Run aid stations offered water, beverages, bananas, and sponges. Portable toilets were also installed.
Aside from feeling duty bound, such an emphasis to mitigate risk was just natural for a publicly listed company with multiple awards in corporate governance and financial diligence. The measures taken by Century Tuna showed the brand’s commitment to ensuring no loss of life. On the swim course, arguably the most dangerous leg in a triathlon race, Century Tuna got Sunrise to deploy 6 divers, and 70 marshals, 10 on kayaks, and 6 on jet skis. There were 10 pump boats with 3 marshals each.
Medical ambulances were on standby, ready to rush anyone to the two hospitals that were commissioned for the race. One was inside Subic Bay Freeport Zone and another in Clark Freeport Zone, ensuring that a medical facility was within 45km from any point in the course. Liaison officers were stationed in each hospital waiting to receive and assist a patient, including footing the bill. Medics were everywhere. Doctors were also on site. The medical team can spot and assess an athlete seen to be stressing out. Banzon gave them the authority to pull out any participant who would be deemed unfit to continue. DNF—For Now The efficiency of the safety measures and the team was tested by Banzon himself. After finishing the bike course, he felt like throwing up but didn’t want to do so on the carpeted floor. He threw up on the grass instead, where, to his chagrin, the medics were stationed. Upon seeing Banzon in distress, the medics asked him to not continue with the race. Banzon insisted that he was fine, so the medics called in Galura, who begged him to call it a day. He had nothing to prove, she said. Still, knowing the significance of the event, Banzon wanted to finish CTIMPH as he had finished previous IRONMAN races elsewhere. At the very least, he wanted to experience the run course. Banzon continued, but with medics keeping a close eye on him. At the 8km mark, they took his vitals. Again at 10km. And at 12km. After 18km, a doctor was already there to deliver the final verdict: Banzon, athlete 1122, was to stop. It was heartbreaking. He really wanted to get the CTIMPH medal and everything that it stood for; the ribbon was even created by weavers from war-stricken Marawi City. But Banzon didn’t want to break his own rule. And even without him admitting it, his life, of course, was so much more valuable than finishing a race. As Galura said on the course, having finished a full Ironman twice before, Banzon had nothing to prove. But what wasn’t said, we all know: he still had the second Century Tuna IRONMAN to prepare for.
05
FUN, FITNESS, AND BUSINESS
06
07
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Alex Restoration Multiple “Best of Show” awards, several “Best of Class” wins, and undoubtedly a reputable name in the car restoration industry—this is Alex Restoration. Probably a household name to most if not all car enthusiasts in the country, this top notch automotive restoration brand has been providing unparalleled services since it started in 1992. But behind every recognition and showstopper cars they present, is a great team of committed technicians and supervisors who all work in unison. “Actually, ngayon talaga our focus is on the team. Dati kasi ’yung mga gawa namin, ’yung mga kotse, ’yun ang laging nakikita. Pero ngayon we’re really focusing on the team,” admitted Alex Isip, selfconfessed car geek and founder of Alex Restoration. The Onset Alex developed his passion for automobiles at an early age, cleaning cars in their 5-car family garage. But it was put into practice when his dad gave him a 1978 Porsche 924, where he completed his very first frame off restoration. Alex personally dismantled it with assistance from their former helper Robert Mercado, who is now a service manager in Alex Restoration. He also sought expertise for the mechanicals and electricals and got a skilled painter to help him with the project. He then decided to enter it in a car show—the 1st Trans Sport Show in the country held at EDSA Shangri-La back in 1992 and won first place in the 2-door European Sports Car Category despite competing with more seasoned and fully equipped shops. It was the “beginning of an era”. “After the show, my friend (Keith Peralta) asked me to help him with a 1967 VW (Volkswagen) project so I helped him, then another friend and another one. So my garage transformed into a car shop and decided to make it a business.” Two of the rarest cars Alex Restoration successfully restored were a 1956 Benz Gullwing and 1963 Lamborghini Miura while his most memorable one was the 1913 Morgan he and his team worked on for 13 days. It was a full frame off restoration, which later on won all major awards in Manila Motor Show. Alex also won the most coveted “Best of Show” award in the 2010 MIAS Custom Classic Car Competition with his 1967 Mustang Fastback entry, owned by director Edgar Mortiz. He also won the Concours De Elegance “Best of Show” in 2011 with his 1971 Pantera Detomaso entry. These tenfold of recognitions are very apparent in their shop in Quezon City where you will be welcomed by hundreds of trophies and awards of excellence in this field. Not to mention the numerous jaw-dropping cars parked, either waiting to be restored or released. Also, this team’s attention to the smallest of things
09
was very evident in their spanking clean and organized workshop despite the nature of their job. But for Alex, the true gems of this place are the dedicated and meticulous technicians, supervisors, and staffs who not only work with utmost precision but also with passion. Some of them, like Robert, has been with Alex Restoration for almost 26 years now while some are new recruits whose love and keenness for this field equals the team’s. “Currently, hiring pa rin kami kasi nagdodouble kami ng tao for expansion kaya continuous s’ya,” Alex explained. The Team There is no stopping the Alex Restoration team in providing calibre automotive restoration services available. Anchored in these three pillars—technical expertise, professionalism, and commitment to quality, the team continues to be proficient with the latest methods in automotive restoration. Aside from the regular training whenever they have new materials, each member also undergoes an all year round mentoring. No one works alone in their shop, as Alex mentioned. They practice the buddy system, there are coaches and students just like in triathlon. And everyone strives hard with one goal in mind—to execute a flawless job fuelled by teamwork. With their thorough craftsmanship and desire to maintain valued cars in mint condition, Alex Restoration also expanded to Car Storage—an indoor automobile storage
facility. This 1,000 square-meter area also in Quezon City has the capacity of 40 vehicles, all maintained by the restoration team. But aside from their attention to detail especially with their paint preparation, what makes Alex Restoration’s team different from other shops is their equal commitment to fitness. As an active triathlete, Alex ensures fitness isn’t only observed in his triathlon team (Team Alex) but also with his business team. He encourages them to be fit and actually participates in a couple of fun runs and adventures. For them, it’s not the typical employer-employee kind of relationship but really more like a family—and a growing one for that matter.
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SAFE, COMPLETE, CONVENIENT:
FITNESS FIRST INDOOR TRIATHLON TRAINING FACILITY
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Words: Cheenee Pontejos
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riathlon is undeniably a fast-growing sport in the country. However, despite its continuously expanding community, safe, complete, and accessible triathlon training locations are still very limited. This is one of the main reasons why Fitness First now offers indoor triathlon training facility where you can swim, bike, and run, under one roof, safely and conveniently. Brainchild of triathlete himself Mark Ellis, who is also the company’s country manager here in the Philippines, this indoor tri training facility is housed in Fitness First SM Aura Platinum gym. Equipped with a 24m pool, Technogym (Group Cycle Connect) bikes imported from Italy, and upgraded treadmills where you can focus more on your body and training without worrying about other variables. Inside Advantage We all know how training plays a major part in every triathlete’s life. But when the rainy season strikes, running or riding out to up your mileage could be a little risky. Not to mention the daily traffic one has to endure going to different locations to train. But in this complete indoor facility with simulated environment, athletes could focus more in optimizing their performance, checking every possible way to be faster and stronger without being limited by the weather or safety. Currently, Fitness First offers two options to maximize their indoor tri amenity—thru an Individual training or structured Group Event. “At the moment, individual triathletes that are members of Fitness First come in and they do their own program. So they do the swim, bike, run, all put together at their own intensity, at their own pace, at their own distances,” Ellis explained. For the Group Event, however, athletes perform the 1030-20 indoor tri program, which is also widely used in the United States. In this program, certified Fitness First facilitators monitor and time each athlete. 10-Minute Pool Routine The pool could accommodate six athletes simultaneously— two swimmers per lane. Under the existing program, athletes swim for 10 minutes while the facilitator records the laps. When the whistle sounds at the end of the session, facilitator then computes the covered distance in that period by multiplying 24m to the number of laps done. Then a 5-minute allowance is given to properly transition to the bikes and make some adjustments. When you train in an outdoor pool, water temperature usually varies depending on the weather. One advantage of this indoor pool is the controlled temperature ranging from 25 to 28 degrees all throughout the year, making it easier for athletes to plunge in. This could also be a good start to those who still fear open water swims and an easier
Photos courtesy of : Fitness First
alternative for coaches to keenly supervise each athlete throughout the routine. 30-Minute Cycle Committed in providing the best equipment to their members, Fitness First brought in six Technogym Group Cycle Connect bikes—the world’s first and only indoor cycling bike that tracks workout. This enables athletes to achieve best results through a fully immersive riding experience, much like real road cycling. Installed with a self-powering console, these Technogym bikes enable each user to connect to the console thru a QR Code, Bluetooth Smart, or NFC technology. The LCD display is LED-backlit to provide enhanced visibility in darker surroundings. The real-time data updates allow athletes to set new workout parameters according to personal individual performances without interrupting the flow of the exercise. The screen also shows specific details including cadence (RPM), power output (Watts with +/-2% accuracy), speed, kilocalories consumption, heart rate, and more. It could also be connected to your Garmin for better monitoring. During the bike leg, everyone starts at the same time and stops when the whistle sounds. The facilitator then checks the distance covered in 30 minutes as displayed on the LCD screen. In this setup, coaches can track the performance of their athletes, and correct the form and pacing outright. “That distance or time might seem very short outdoors but when you put it indoors, it’s challenging. It’s like a sprint distance, it has high intensity, and it’s warm since we tried to simulate the outdoors. There’s no air conditioning,” furthered Ellis. 20-Minute Treadmill Run After cycling for 30 minutes, athletes are given another five minutes to transition on the designated treadmills and set the necessary modifications. They run nonstop for 20 minutes and check the distance covered displayed on the screen as they finish the session and run to the “finish line.” Some say running on treadmill is boring but it is in fact an effective way to take a closer look on your form—gait analysis even. However, aside from the two current options offered to those who want to train the three disciplines, Ellis also encourages triathlon coaches to come and run their own programs in the indoor facility, with prior accreditation from the management. “At the moment we have three in-house fitness coaches but we don’t have any triathlon accredited coaches. That’s why were looking into triathlon coaches with their own students to come use our facility,” Ellis added. Fitness First Country Manager Mark Ellis is a triathlete himself.
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Members can actually use the facilities free of charge but nonmembers could also maximize the place, provided they pay the guest fee or day pass of 750 pesos. It is also a good start for those who are still uneasy if they can finish swim-bike-run in one go. Even professional athletes, despite their perfectly tanned skin, execute indoor training to focus more on the critical work—form, cadence, stance, pace, etc. It might seem a little counterintuitive and boring to some since the idea is to keep your routine as similar as possible to your upcoming race. But an hour of constant uninterrupted workout focusing on how to be faster, wiser, and stronger—without worrying about other elements, will definitely make a difference come race day.
FITNESS FIRST Fitness First is an international fitness brand headquartered in United Kingdom. Founded in 1993, the company continues to be a top brand in promoting wellness and healthy lifestyle on a personal level with the help of their certified fitness coaches. Here in the Philippines, Fitness First invests approximately P350,000 worth of training, certifications, workshops, and materials per individual within their first 12 months of their training journey. This includes Fitness Foundations, First Aid and CPR, anatomy, movement, business skills, specific workshops and certifications, equipment training, customer service, and sales training. Each Fitness First coach also carefully considers their client’s individual body purpose and effectiveness for a highly personalized program and helps clients achieve not only what they want, but also what they need.
2WHEEL NATION Congressional Ave, Quezon City PAULINA’S BLUEBAY Bluebay Walk Pasay
CYCLE AND BREW Clark Pampanga
PRIMO CYCLES Burgos Circle BGC
MAXIMUS ATHLETE’S SHOP CAFE Pioneer St., Mandaluyong
SPRINT MULTISPORT Cagayan De Oro
THE BRICK Mckinley Taguig
MULTISPORT HUB Solenad 3 Nuvali TRI TEMPLE Chino Roces Ave. Makati