Rico, Burinaga reign in RP body building meet

MANILA, Philippines – Erwin Rico copped the overall championship in Division A while Francis Burinaga reigned in Division B in the Royal Sporting House Philippines Body Building Grand Prix 2009 at the Carousel Area of Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City recently.

The event drew 62 amateur and professional competitors who competed in five categories with Rico bagging the gold in lightweight and Burinaga capturing the gold medal in flyweight en route to the overall crowns.

The categories were divided into two divisions with Division A including novice, flyweight and bantamweight and Division B composed of lightweight and heavyweight.

Other winners were Leandro Bermudo (G), Reymund Jacobo (S), and Danilo Cruz (B) for novice; Burinaga (G), Neil Montes (S), and Geraldo Panganiban (G) for flyweight; Joey Lingcopenis (G), Noel Intas (S), and Johnald Romero (B) for bantamweight; Rico (G), Alex Javier (S), and Richard Escobin (B) for lightweight; and Gil Irinco (G), Arthur Bolo (S), and John Benjamin (B) for heavyweight.

Roderick Terrano, Mr. Musclemania Universe 2008 middleweight winner and overall champion, served as chief judge. Other judges were Jason Gonzaga, Mr. Philippines 1999 and Janine Grace Hermo, president of Herculean Health and Wellness Promotions.

Winners and participants received cash prizes, medals, gift certificates and certificates of participation from Royal Sporting House, distributor of Vans, Umbro and Reebok shoes. Other event sponsors were Tribu Outdoors, Chowking, Action and Fitness Magazine, Gadgets Magazine, Business World and Nitro Energy Drink.