Photos by Star Sabroso
Century Tuna has been around for more than 30 years. It was pioneered by its chairman and founder Richard Po whose brand ran on the success anchored on taste, quality, and nutrition. Ten years ago, the company realized that in order to evolve, it needed to engage the consumers not just solely based on product, hence the birth of Century Tuna Superbods.
“We realized 10 years back that we needed to sell consumer experiences. We needed to evolve the brand to be beyond this tuna in a can,” explains Greg Banzon, general manager of Century Pacific Food, Inc. “This gave birth to the idea of marketing a brand with a platform of healthy and sexy. But we needed a vehicle to communicate this platform, and thus was born the Century Tuna Superbods search.”
Fast forward to 2016, Superbods has become one of the most popular model searches in this country. A lot of the past winners have continued to progress to better career domestically in the Philippines as well as abroad. Every year, it continues to be the platform for aspiring Superbods as well as advocates of health and nutrition.
For the past two years, the brand has been creatively strengthening its advocacy on health and fitness through Superbods. Part of it was when John Lloyd was launched as real life proof of a Superbods transformation that culminated in the last Superbods event. Century Tuna also launched videos that serve as a guide for consumers on how to be healthier and sexier, and just last year, they launched the Century Tuna Superbods ABS book. “It’s really more of sharing with our consumers the benefits of eating good quality tuna and enjoying a healthier lifestyle,” explains Banzon during the presscon of Superbods 2016.
This year, Century Tuna promises to give the consumer a bigger Superbods event to date. And as Banzon puts it, the brand aims “to aspire and make the Philippines a Superbod nation.” Schedule of go-sees for aspiring Superbods will be held on February 9, 15, 20 and 28 at Davao City, Cebu City, Pampanga and Manila, and will lead up to the finals night on April 10, to be held at the Palace Pool Club.
Headlining Century Tuna Superbods Nation 2016 are long time Superbods Anne Curtis and Derek Ramsay. “I guess out of those 10 years I’ve been very happy that I’ve been with them for four years already,” says Curtis. She said that the brand advocates being healthy and fit and that’s basically her current lifestyle.
“I’m very proud and honored that I have been a big part of Century Tuna family for over six years now,” shares Ramsay. “It’s also a great feeling to be part of something that’s number one.”
For years, these two have been the epitome of a perfect Superbod. “It’s really about discipline for me,” shares Curtis. “It’s about proper eating habits, when you have to, but of course you can’t deprive yourself of a cheat day, which for me is my Sundays. I try to work out every morning and if I have something I have to prepare for, I’ll work out twice a day. I also have nutritionist Nadine Tengco who helps me out.”
As for Ramsay, “The formula works – 30 percent workout and 70 percent diet. Proof of that is with our busy schedules, shootings, late nights – it’s important to look at what you take in. Exercise – most definitely you need that, but for me the diet is more important.”
To keep up to date with the events for Superbods Nation 2016, download the Century Tuna Superbods Nation mobile app. The app lets users vote, follow, and share the journey of the Superbods finalists for the whole duration of the competition. Users will also get the chance to win invites to the finals and party night and grab exciting prizes.