All set for another ‘star-studded’ Ironman

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino showbiz celebrities are not exactly the poster people for practicing a healthy lifestyle.

The local showbiz industry has gained notoriety for the long hours at shoots that extend until the wee hours in the morning, the catered food which are high in fat and calories and of course, the little or lack of exercise due to the long working hours.

Matteo Guidicelli is familiar with the toxic work habits of showbiz. The actor stressed that despite the unhealthy practices in their work, they should still strive to be fit.

That’s why he and other actors always welcome the opportunity to join triathlete events, particularly looking forward to the Ironman event.

On Aug. 7, Matteo, Piolo Pascual and Dingdong Dantes are set to join the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship, which will be held in the picturesque island-province of Cebu.

Matteo said he hopes to meet his goal of finishing the whole race in five hours.

“I’m very excited about Ironman, it’s my sixth time to join and my goal is just to finish the race and not to beat anyone. I’m just gonna enjoy the race and suffer like everyone else,” Matteo told entertainment journalists at the launch of Ironman at Shangri-La the Fort recently.

Despite his busy schedule with the ABS-CBN teleserye Dolce Amore, Matteo said he’s trying to sneak in time to prepare for the event.

“During breaks, I try to run on the treadmill for 10 minutes,” he said.

Matteo got hooked on Ironman because the routines worked for him, made him strong and most important of all, changed his bad health habits.

“It’s a great sport. You understand your body more, you want to become healthier because with the sport comes the great lifestyle. In showbiz, we all have hectic schedules but we still need to be healthy. Joining triathlon events is a good example. This is the perfect way,” Matteo said.

“The triathlon event taught me to be more responsible in life and of course, maintain a healthy lifestyle,” he added.

Aside from Piolo, Matteo and Dingdong, the other celebrities who will join Ironman include Apl.de.Ap, Paul Jake Castillo, Gretchen Fullido, Kim Atienza, Dyan Castillejo, Ivan Carapietm Bubbles Paraiso, Xander Angeles, Anthony and Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, Sara Black and Gilbert Remulla.

At the launch, business honcho and Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) president Wilfred Uytengsu said the country scored a major win when it won the bid to host the Ironman Asia Pacific Championship because it was never done outside Australia and New Zealand.

“This is also an opportunity to showcase the beauty of the Philippines. We are going to show them that triathlon is more fun in the Philippines,” Uytengsu said.

Close to 3,000 participants from 43 countries have signed up for the event. The event sold out 2,900 slots in 28 minutes when registration opened in October 2015.

“On its fifth year in Cebu, the province will be ready to welcome all the participants and their families with the traditional Cebuano warmth and festivities,” said lawyer Mark Tolentino, provincial administrator of the Province of Cebu.

World-renowned Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue will once again be crafting the beautiful medals and trophies for the winners.

The event will be aired for the first time via live streaming in 120 countries on www.ironman.com, courtesy of Globe Telecoms.

Titleholders Tim Reed and Caroline Steffen will banner a world-class field of 35 professional triathletes. The event will also feature 2,869 equally determined competitors in the Filipino elite, CEOs, age groups and relay divisions.

Produced and organized by Sunrise Events, Inc. and backed by Cobra Energy Drink as title sponsor, the tournament will offer the biggest prize money ever in the Philippines at $75,000 and the highest points earned.

The event presented by Ford, Globe Telecom, Philippine Airlines, Summit Water, 2Go Express (official courier and logistics partner), Asics, Gatorade, Prudential Guarantee, Oakley and Timex and Mactan Resort and Spa, in support of the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, Cebu Province, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu City, Mandaue City and Talisay City.

Other sponsors include, Alaska, David’s Salon, Intercare, Gu Gel, Kenneth Cobonpue, Megaworld Mactan Newtown, Sun Life Financial, and TYR.

Media partners are The Philippine STAR, ABS-CBN Sports+Action, TriLife Magazine, AsiaTri, Finisher Pix and Xurpas as technology partner.

Official hotels for the Cobra Iron Man 70.3 are Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, Be Resorts Mactan, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Waterfront Hotel and Casino Mactan and Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu. Official registration partner is Active Network.