Fitness means loving yourself and your loved ones

Consider getting into fitness as a way to show love and care for yourself, and it will eventually pay off big time not only for you but also for your loved ones.

Gertrude Gamuac-Role is a working mom who values fitness.

“It’s always for health reasons,” fitness coach Miguel Baldovino once told The Fitness Advocate in a newspaper article.

“Health should be top priority.  It's the best prevention and the best cure to all the lifestyle diseases.”

Thus his advice for those who still can't get rid of their sedentary lifestyle:

“Always think of your health and longevity. In life, it's not all about vanity and aesthetics.

“Find your why, your motivation, like you want to be healthy for your kids or you want to travel pa.”

Working mom Gertrude Gamuac-Role said she’s motivated to be fit because she wants “to live a long, healthy life” with her husband and their two kids.

She’s into various fitness activities, including dance and aerial arts. In June 2021, she signed up for the Spartan Race and, later on, Spartan Trifecta, where she completed three races in one calendar year.

Gertrude achieved her fittest form at 52 kilograms in 2022, but became complacent and didn’t work out for more than a year.

Photos courtesy of Gertrude Gamuac-Role

She recalled in our past interview that she gained back the weight and decided to try the 100-day Kaizen Transformation Program, “where they will teach you foundations of fitness, have accountability buddies, and really transform your mindset.”

As a result, she lost seven to eight kilograms and made her feel “stronger than ever.”

Her tips? “Just start. No matter how small, just start moving.

"Have mini-goals if you’re like me who quit easily. Do an activity you enjoy. I get bored easily so I try different activities.

“Would be great if you can be part of an encouraging community because it’s hard to do it alone especially on dip days. If you can afford it, invest in a credible coach or mentor.”

A family affair fun run

Watsons Philippines’ Sharon Decapia (second from left) at the forefront of Share the Alaga Run 2026

The big turnout comprised of families and friends at Share the Alaga Run 2026 on February 22 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City spelled success for the joint health advocacy of organizers Watsons Philippines and Unilab.

“We both believe in being a partner for Filipinos for overall lifestyle by empowering them with activities like this,” said Sharon Decapia, senior assistant vice-president for marketing, public relations, and sustainability for Watsons Philippines.

She went on explaining at the press interview the health and beauty retailer’s mission: “We go beyond the products. We want to inspire customers, shoppers to really take hold of their health proactively.”

She then pointed out, “Alam naman natin na mahal magkasakit. That’s a sad reality. We empower not only themselves but their whole families. We believe that when the family, as the basic unit, is healthy, it helps the country.”

Sharon Decapia and Cecille Uy (Photo by The Fitness Advocate)

Sharon herself was joined at the event by her family members. The self-confessed walker than a runner ran her first -ever race. She wisely went for the entry category of one kilometer and came out even wiser from the learning experience.

Cecille Uy, director for health business unit, expounded on setting up the fun run, “It’s very intentional that we made it very inclusive. We have runs from 1K to 10K.

“This invites runners from all levels of fitness from all ages. We have runners from grandmothers to their grandchildren. It became a family day event. It really brings the community closer together.”

Parents came with their children to the fun run. (Photo courtesy of Watsons Philippines)

Dingdong Dantes (Photo by The Fitness Advocate)

Actor and TV host Dingdong Dantes didn’t run at the event but helped in handing out special awards for kiddie runners sponsored by Ceelin Plus, a brand of health supplement for children manufactured by Unilab pharmaceutical company.

He is a brand ambassador along with his wife Marian Rivera and their two kids Sixto and Zia.

“I support anything that promotes wellness and, of course, making our kids stronger,” he said in the press interview that The Fitness Advocate also attended.

“Para talagang i-encourage ’yung mga bata na to get into sports, di ba, to engage, lalo na ’yung mga ganitong klaseng activities. Kasi parang ano s’ya, e, family event na rin s’ya, di ba?

“Kung ’yung mga magulang ay ginagawa ito. Halimbawa ’yung pagtatakbo, ’yung paggawa ng healthy na bagay ay gano’n din ang mga bata. Nakapasayang makita na magkakasama nilang ginagawa.”

Dingdong, who’s into running and other fitness activities, said he and Marian are proud that their kids are the sporty type, too.

Moreover, he added, he’s surprised that, for instance, Zia is into swimming and other sports.

“So, kitang-kita ko talaga ’yung drive n’ya, ’yung hilig n’ya sa ginagawa n’ya,” he said with evident pride.

“Andoon kami to support her and para makamit n’ya ’yung mga gano’ng klaseng performance, kailangan matibay at malakas parati ang katawan.”