By Nickie Wang
PLAYING different kinds of sport plays a big role in Derek Ramsay’s life. Participating in extreme physical activities sculpted his body into a form envied by men and admired by women.
Interestingly, Derek’s advice to people who want to achieve the kind of physique he has is down right simple: be active and do some cardio activities like running because it can help burn calories faster and even better that going to gym lifting weights.
“Being involved in sport activities is a good way to be healthy but there are also precautions you have to religiously follow. I broke my nose four times because of sports and now my knees are hurt,” says Derek who is currently preparing for a run to a healthy lifestyle despite the grueling pain on his knees.
The actor and host assures that he will undergo knee surgery in March so there will no longer be any hindrance in enjoying the activities he loves. But for now, the 30-year-old hunk is all set to headline this year’s Superbods Run. It is scheduled on Feb. 21 at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. To make sure that he is doing everything right, Derek sought the help of the country’s top running coach, Rio de la Cruz.
“Couch Rio told me that I run like a horse. Actually while we were doing the promotional shoot for the event, we had to do a lot of retakes because I don’t look good in the photos. I looked like a horse, literally,” he jests and admits that he has learned that running is more than just an exercise but also an art. “There’s a proper way and posture, which I lack before, while running.”
The annual event sponsored by Century Tuna gears to a higher level by organizing a fun run instead of the usual pageant-like event that showcases men and women who posses both the qualities of a healthy mind and a healthy body.
The Superbods Run features four race events: 3km, 5km, 10km, and 21km. Derek will go for the 5 kilometers so it won’t strain too much of his knees.
“I’m really excited. I’m all for inspiring people to engage to a healthy lifestyle. I don’t really run professionally but Frisbee, one of the major sports I play, is about running. We have to admit, even experts say that running is one of the best ways to get in to a perfect shape,” Derek, who also plays basketball, rugby, and soccer, shares.
Aside from other health buffs and celebrities, Derek will be joined by Superbods 2009 winners Theresa Fenger and Van Victor Leaño. Theresa signed up to run in the 3 km race while Victor will join Derek in the 5 km event.
According to Angela Gamboa, Century Tuna senior product manager, this year’s fun run is a great way to communicate to consumers that fitness is a way of life that one can adopt regardless of the season and setting. “This year, we decided to hold the Superbods event in Manila to prove that being fit and healthy is a choice, no matter where we are. We can all choose to be fit the whole year through, not just during summer, whether we’re at the beach or in the city.”
Gamboa further explains that Century Tuna Superbods Run 2010 is also a fundraising activity for the benefit of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an agency devoted to the welfare of children and cooperates with the World Health Organization in immunization programs; and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Exciting activities such as capoeira and yoga exhibitions await the runners after the race. But the real highlight of the run is the Superbods Go-See, where race finishers 18 years old and above with fit and healthy bodies can get a chance to become Century Tuna’s next image models. Two males and two females will be picked as the new Century Superbods and win P100,000 each.
On top of the big cash prizes that await the top finishers, they will also receive special prizes from Century Tuna, Nike, Timex, and Nature Valley, plus RunRio Finisher’s shirts and medals.
VERY WANG 