ROGER Villamarin proudly flexed his muscles on a stage he shared with over 200 others who were young enough to not just be his kids, but also grandchildren.
After all, he was the oldest competitor in the entire World Fitness Federation (WFF) Mr. & Ms. Philippines 2023 on Saturday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
At age 82.
Age is just a number for Roger Villamarin
The Pembo, Makati native proved that age is just a number as he strut his stuff in the only local bodybuilding federation that features a division for senior citizens and differently abled competitors.
Villamarin finished third in the Grandmasters category behind fellow proud seniors who were 72 and 68 years old, and received one of two Most Inspirational Athlete citations.
He also won a lot of fans as the competitors in the younger categories asked for selfies with him afterwards.
“Enjoy ako. Na-inspire ako, kasi gusto ko pa ituloy yung advocacy ko na makapag-turo, makapag-alaga ng mga bata,” Villamarin said with a smile.
On this afternoon, Villamarin became his own inspiration as he made a return to competitive bodybuilding after almost six decades or since placing fourth in the Mr. Philippines in 1967 at the Big Dome.
“Ni-revive ko lang,” he said. “Gusto ko rin bigyan ng idea yung mga bata na bodybuilding ay hindi simpleng sport. Pero yung buhay mo, magiging maganda. Kahit san ka pumunta, malakas ka, marami kang nagiging kaibigan, maraming nai-inspire sa’yo, lalo na pagtanda niyo.”
The father of three also inspired his children to be in fitness world. His eldest son, Ramil, 53, is a former competitor and now runs FIT Personal Training Studio, a personalized gym in BF Homes where he holds 1-on-1 training sessions with clients including Syra Garcia, the 70-year-old grandmother of actress Coleen Garcia featured in other Summit Media titles.
“Sobrang idol ko yan, inspirasyon ko yan,” Ramil said of his dad. “Ever since, kaya ako naging trainer dahil sa ginagawa niya.”
Returning the favor, Ramil served as his dad’s figurative spotter in the buildup and during the event.
“Bucketlist niya yan.” Ramil said of Roger’s reason for joining the WFF event that served as a pro qualifier for an upcoming international staging in Tokyo.
The idea started with Roger’s friend, who told him that they should get back to competitive bodybuilding together. But when Roger was already getting in shape, his friend backed out after he couldn’t find an event to join.
Still, Villamarin was determined to find one. Coincidentally, Ramil and WFF Philippines communications director Eman Eres were connected on social media, and the event organizer saw Ramil’s post of his dad, promptly encouraging Roger to join the Grandmasters category.
Roger Villamarin has made his living as a bodybuilder.
After joining that 1967 Mr. Philippines event, Villamarin became a San Miguel Corp. employee for 25 years as a gym instructor to former SMC chief executive and Philippine Football Association president Andres Soriano Jr.
“Although hindi ako masyado ano, natamasa ko yung sarap ng buhay bodybuilder. Dyan ko kinuha yung pagkain sa pamilya ko, pag-aaral nila,” Villamarin said. “Mahal na mahal ko bodybuilding. Hindi ko siya mabitawan.”
He now runs a couple of gyms, including in his native Pembo where he has managed to keep his rate at a minimum of P35 per session while other gyms’ prices have increased through the years.
“Gusto ko kumita ng pera, pero ang mas higit nagi-inspire sa akin yung mga bata,” Roger said. “Nai-inspire ko sila na kahit thirty-five pesos na hinihingi nila sa nanay nila, napapaganda nila katawan nila.”
“Natutuwa ako dahil instead na magdu-drugs sila o kung san sila mapupunta, dyan sila napupunta sa magandang bodybuilding na ginagawa ko,” he added.
His best advice?
Villamarin has one message to aspiring bodybuilders: don’t use performance-enhancing drugs.
“Karamihan kasi ng bata ngayon o dati ng bodybuilder, hindi sila umaabot ng 70. Pag 60, minsan nawawala na sila, gawa ng gumagamit sila ng steroids,” he said. “Lumaki ako, naging professional bodybuilder, instructor ako, natural lang ako.”
“Dapat malaman ng mga bata na ang steroids, hindi ginawa yan para lumakas ka. Ginawa yan para umiksi buhay mo. Yung karangalan na makukuha mo, sandali lang,” he added.
Feeling youthful in his 80s, Roger eats mostly chicken, fish, and vegetables, and avoids beef, pork, and other fatty food. His favorite pastime is singing in his videoke room inside his gym.
“Payo ko lang sa mga taong gusto humabay buhay, maging maligaya pamilya, wag tumigil sa magandang dulot ng pag-eensayo. Marami namang klase ng ensayo, pero ang pinaka-the best na ang bodybuilding,” he said.
“Tsaka pinaka-number one yung stress. Wag kayong tatanggap ng stress sa pamilya niyo, sa asawa mo. Iiksi ang buhay ninyo. Ang isipin niyo pala, mag-enjoy kayo. 'Pag nagkaka-edad kayo, mahalin niyo pamilya niyo. Mamasyal kayo. Kumain kayo ng masarap na gusto niyo,” he concluded.
Eat in moderation, of course. And work out abundantly, like Villamarin.
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