Sweating it out with my gym buddies

(Second of Two Parts)

In the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, movie stars were hardly seen in public. To ogle at them, you had to go to the studios, to premiere nights and opening day at the theaters (where they obliged with autograph-signing) or – if you had the money – go night clubbing in then Dewey (now Roxas) Blvd.

Today, you see movie-TV personalities in the malls (in tiangges even), in restaurants (in fastfoods) and at the Embassy Bar.

But if you want to be within breathing distance with them – literally doing inhale and exhale exercises – catch them in some of these fancy gyms.

At Slimmer’s World in SM North EDSA, I used to work out with Carlos Morales, then fresh from his win in the Great Bodies contest (there will be another one this month at the Music Museum). At the Slimmer’s World in Atlanta Center in Greenhills, I met for the first time Aubrey Miles. Then one time, who do I see at SM Megamall Slimmer’s World but Christopher de Leon, no less?

The concentration of celebrities, however, is at the Gold’s gym branches in Glorietta and at Robinsons Galleria. (I don’t know about their Alabang branch – I’ve never been there.) Gold’s is really the gym of the stars (even in the US because that’s where Hollywood stars go for their fitness training).

I guess most personalities go to Gold’s because its centers are not so crowded (and you get to relax there). The other clients don’t bother you because most of them are also professionals who are there to relieve everyday stress. And then, the centers also close at midnight and this allows movie-TV stars to catch up on their workout after a day of shooting or taping.

Last Saturday, I already gave a list of celebrities I get to alternate gym equipment with at Gold’s. Here are my other gym buddies at Gold’s:

Rommel Adducul. This basketball star is probably the most silent person I’ve ever met in my life. At Gold’s in Galleria, he keeps to himself (but not in a snobbish way) and is quiet all throughout his workout. But you can’t miss him because he towers way above all of us with his height.

Marco Alcaraz. Like Rommel, he is also very quiet (why are basketball players the silent type?). But Marco can be friendly – and polite and well-mannered. Even while executing heavy exercises, he still displays good breathing, er, good breeding.

Tim Yap. With this No. 1 party boy there (at Gold’s in Glorietta), you can really say that the place is sosi. But Tim doesn’t necessarily just socialize at the gym. He really works out and you see the results in his very lean and trim body. No fat – like he had never eaten pork chop, crispy pata, lechon and liempo all his life.

Carlos Agassi. If you have anything to send him, mail it at Gold’s Gym in Glorietta because I think he lives there already. If I’m not mistaken, he is there thrice a day. But boy, it’s worth the effort – cuts and all.

Iya Villania and Drew Arellano. The first time I met and saw in person Iya was at Gold’s in Galleria. She was then shooting the pilot episode of Us Girls for Studio 23. She looked at me, but seemed too shy to approach me so I was the one who went over to say hello. She really looked pretty up close – and was very friendly, too. After a few weeks, I already saw her working out with boyfriend Drew Arellano. I’ve never spoken a word with Drew – not when we were together in an elevator at ABS-CBN (oops what was I doing there?), when he plugged a show in Startalk and even at the gym. But I have to say that I admire him for his discipline when it comes to physical fitness. Under his personal trainer Lito Llora, a Mr. Philippines winner, he developed an almost perfect physique in spite of the fact that he is not a very tall person. Among our male celebrities today, his body is one of the best.

Iza Calzado. The Gokongweis (owner of Robinsons Galleria) should perhaps give her a key to the mall because she is the one who closes Gold’s gym at midnight. But you can’t blame Iza for working out so late because of her busy schedule. Oh, but everyone loves her there because she is forever sweet and considerate.

Lorna Tolentino. Unfortunately, we’ve never had the chance to work out together even if she too goes to Gold’s in Galleria. She works out during normal hours, while the odd person that I am, I work out during odd hours. But one day, we’ll try to work out together – and eat after. Ha! Ha! Ha!

Arnell Ignacio. The life of Gold’s Gym in Galleria. Actually, he is often scolded by his personal trainer, Lito Llora, because he goes around saying hello and talking to everyone all the time – instead of concentrating on his workout. But that’s Arnell, who is really Mr. Personality. But in the two or three months he had been working out, he had lost about 10 lbs. – mostly around his waist. Can you imagine if he was more serious with his workout and didn’t eat much of his Arnelli’s Pizza (which I have to say is one of the best in town)? Maybe he can join The Hunks once it regroups. Oh, that would be fun.