In this corner: Gilbert Remulla

We used to see him deliver the news on television; now, he is news himself. He used to report on Philippine politics; today, he is part of it. And while he used to probe political controversies, he finds himself embroiled in one (the latest being last year’s sudden removal of his chairmanship of the House committee on public information at the height of the "Hello Garci" investigation). 

Congressman Gilbert Cesar Remulla, 35, born in the Year of the Dog (September 5, 1970), represents the 2nd District of Cavite. He is married to Georgina Roa, a pediatric dentist. He is a product of all the best schools – La Salle for elementary, Ateneo for secondary, UP for college, and Columbia University for his master’s degree in International Affairs (International Media and Communication, East Asian Political Affairs).

Here is a man who will put a lot of us to shame as far as his dedication to his health is concerned. His commitment to exercise despite his work schedule is incredible. I have witnessed how focused and serious he is when he exercises. If you don’t know that he is a lawmaker and you see him in the boxing ring or hitting the speed ball, you would think he is training to win a boxing bout.

Sharp, focused, determined, and direct.  Whether it is news reporting, law-making, or balancing life, Congressman Gilbert Remulla is confident, clear, and concise.  

Philippine STAR: How much do you value exercise?

Rep. Gilbert Remulla: Exercise keeps me balanced. I have learned that to have a healthy body is also to have a healthy mind. I lapsed at one point in my life to lethargy, a point when I didn’t exercise mainly because of work. And I just went downhill from there. Luckily, I snapped out of it and got back to fitness. And when that happened, I felt more energized. I just felt good about myself. Whenever I have a break of one or two weeks of not exercising, I start to feel slow and sluggish. I always make it a point to go two or three times a week to the gym.

Did you start exercising early in life?

I have always fancied myself as an aspiring athlete and until now, aspiring pa rin ako. I got into basketball at an early age. In fact, I was on the high school basketball team of Ateneo for two years. In college, I was also into basketball. Going to the gym is quite new to me in the sense that I really just started going regularly to a gym with weights, treadmills, and all of that in 2003. I did this because I suffered a knee injury. At that time, I experienced some swelling on my knee and the doctor told me to go to the gym and do leg exercises. 

How often do you exercise?

At least twice or three times a week. I make it about one-and-a-half to two hours, inclusive of locker time. Recently, I played basketball and I injured my knee.  I had an operation on my knee about five months ago. I went into rehab and then I tried playing basketball again, but I experienced swelling. I have stopped playing basketball. I am working on my knee in the gym. I train with Rene Dio, and do some boxing.

How’s does a normal day go for you?

I try to wake up as early as possible like 6:30 or 7 a.m. Depending on my appointment in the morning, I always play with my children first, or hike, and then have breakfast. Then I go to the gym, or the Congress or attend to my district duties in Cavite. I meet with my constituents or I go to my other livelihood, my other businesses which I have to consider also. I wrap up my day before midnight. 

Does your wife share the same healthy lifestyle?

She also goes to the gym about twice or three times a week during her lunch break. 

Are you a breakfast person?

I have a light breakfast, nothing too heavy. I try different types of cereal or oatmeal. Sometimes, I have spicy tuna and rice when I want a heavy breakfast. 

Did you ever diet in your whole life?

Never. Perhaps I did try as a Lenten sacrifice not to have meat or alcohol. I still try to eat whatever I want but in smaller portions. Tumatanda na tayo (We are getting older), so we really can’t have too much. 

Do you have any food indulgences?

I indulge in different things but always in moderation. I drink very moderately. When I am with friends, I have wine with my meals sometimes. Because I have to go to fiestas and parties, sometimes I find myself eating lechon or steak three days in a row. I stop totally the following week. It really depends. Somewhere, somehow, it all balances out in the end either by fate, by design, or I purposely do it. 

How do you encourage your constituents, especially the youth, to live healthy?

By just being an example. By appearing fit and youthful.  We also have sports events and sometimes I join them.  Ces Drilon of Pipol shot me here at the gym while I was boxing just to show that I am active and fit. I think it is a turn-off to my constituents and the voters, being a politician, to see me as unhealthy.

Is your sport at this point boxing?

I have taken a liking to it and I found out that it is such a good workout. I am down in the gym more often because of my knee, that is why I got Rene (Dio). But I alternate it with boxing. Now, I plan to do two days of boxing and two days of weight training. 

Do we have enough laws to promote fitness and sports in the country?

No, we don’t. In fact, it is not a priority of government.  Even after (the success of) the SEA games. Even after Manny Pacquiao. It is largely private sector-driven through the National Sport Associations (NSAs). There is a very small budget given to athletes in this country. In fact, I find it strange that the Philippine Sports Commission is placed under the Department of Health. Perhaps there is some merit to it, but I think there should really be a separate department of sports to develop our athletes. To promote grassroots development, I think the DOH has too many problems in its plate for it to add another problem – sports.

What direct benefits do you get from fitness?

I have a lot of energy. By having a lot of energy, I get to focus. I find that if I exercise, it is easier to concentrate.  As a husband, I have the energy to entertain my wife and fulfill my duties. As a father, I have enough energy to run around, toss, and play with my kids. 

In the United States, there’s a bill making any corporate investment in the health and fitness of employees tax deductible. Will a similar law be of help in the Philippines?

It will help, but we are not in a stage to make it mandatory. To make it tax deductible will be encouraging because a healthy employee base will increase productivity. It benefits everybody to have healthy employees. I would encourage it. It would be good. Perhaps this angle should be studied in Congress. I think the PSC, the NSAs, and other health advocates should come out and introduce this as well to Congress. We have a lot of things to think of as lawmakers and we would welcome this to be private-sector driven and for them to suggest it to the lawmakers. 

Structured fitness programs and daily intake of fruits and vegetables (five servings) are still considered expensive and prohibitive by many Filipinos. However, we should all be fit and healthy to do our jobs well. Can future laws help make that happen?

More than anything, it may not even be a function of law-making. It is a function of economics and good economic policy. If we encourage our fruit growers to produce more, (then) make it more affordable for the masses by bringing down the prices. That means more farm-to-market goods, more access to markets. We can encourage that but not through law-making but just by infrastructure spending.  So we have to encourage farmers to produce more, bring down prices, and we can even do the export market rather than import everything. We can follow the model of Thailand. Their farms are really very productive that is why their prices are low. If we do that, it will benefit everybody. And the citizenry will not have to rely on instant noodles. I don’t think they really want to eat the instant noodles, it is just simple economics. Some priorities are also wrong. A lot of the budget of the Filipino family goes to cell phone load rather than food! 

What is your passion?    

I like music. I enjoy a wide range, from classical to Broadway to R&B. I am a gadget man – but only if I can afford it, of course. Politics is a passion of mine, it is my work, and I enjoy it.   

How do you recharge?

I like to take breaks.  I like to go out-of-town or out-of-the-country every so often. 

How do you keep your cool?

I think by nature I am a very patient man. 

How do you manage stress?

By exercising. That is why I like boxing, there is a lot of stress release in boxing. Not to mention, it makes me healthy also.

Any last-minute health tip?

Keep on working out! Everybody has to have a healthy lifestyle for a very productive citizenry. 

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Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph