WHAT started at home is now a calling encompassing all of the Philippines for Christopher Emmanuel "Chappy" Callanta.
Callanta, son of renowned strength and conditioning coach Hercules and pioneering sports nutritionist and dietician Luchie, is now one of the leading movers for ensuring the quality of skills among fitness professionals.
Through his work with StrengthCon PH, the 41 year old is doing his part in laying the groundwork for the continued development of fitness professionals, especially with how much Filipinos have taken to health and wellness as of late.
"Our profession isn't regulated. Anybody can get into this industry, so it's hard to maintain quality. One of our thrusts is to provide continuing education in a cheaper way to fitness professionals who want to improve in their craft," he told SPIN.ph of the company which also organizes the annual Philippine Strength and Conditioning Convention.
At the same time, Callanta is molding the next generation of strength and conditioning coaches as professor at the University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics and head of the Office of Athletics and Sports Development (OASD) High Performance and Community Wellness unit.
"Student and graduates of SS (sports science) and PE (physical education) kasi, many go into coaching, but they don't stay long. It's for the growth and health of the industry if we have people stay long," he said.
"That's what I'm trying to do with my students and OASD coaches. I'm mentoring them, helping the next generation the way my parents helped me."
Run your own race
Interestingly, the always affable coach didn't see himself following in the footsteps of his parents when he was young, describing himself to be 'more on the artistic side.'
"I actually wanted to go into archi or film, kaya lang I didn't have the talent," he shared through chuckles. "It was surprising for people that I initially didn't want to go into the industry, pero I found my way there pa rin."
"Of course, it was easy for me to do so because I had mentors right there at home."
Once the younger Callanta decided to do what his parents had been doing, he graduated with a sports science degree from UP Diliman.
From there, he called the shots for UP Integrated School in the UAAP juniors and offered his services as personal trainer. Not long after, he started 360 Fitness Club with partners before serving as SNC coach for San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League then La Salle in the UAAP seniors.
READ: See gym where Alapag, Meralco put in the work on way to PBA resurgence
After a couple of seasons as SNC coach for UP, he joined up with OASD Director Bo Perasol to now ensure all Fighting Maroons are in tip-top shape in both body and mind for competition.
"I'm thankful my parents are very proud," he said of his dad who continues to forward strength and conditioning and his late mom who was one of the founders of the Sports Nutrition Association of the Philippines.
"My dad always says na nalagpasan ko na raw siya, but I don’t really see it that way. Even if I'm on the same path, I'd like to think I've carved my own way kasi hindi na similar to the things that he did."
Having both parents as fitness professionals did not mean it was Callanta's destiny to be one himself.
In fact, his biggest takeaway from his SNC coach dad and nutritionist mom was actually taking care of the part of the body often forgotten to need exercise as well: the mind.
"Our family, we're big readers. Even on vacations, mom and dad would have books with them, so from when we were children, ganun din kami," he said.
"The habit of reading and gathering information, that became second nature to me. That's why until now, I believe knowing what you know now isn't what you'll know tomorrow."
Chappy Callanta himself, the 'artistic' son of Hercules and Luchie, is proof of that. Indeed, what he knew then isn't what he knows now.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
