Local bodybuilding legends team up to find new stars

FINDING new stars and discovering young blood and fresh talent ensures that any sport—including bodybuilding—will continue to flourish and grow.

Hoping to find the next generation of athletes in the sport, local bodybuilding legends Dondon Cortuna and Jonathan Casimiro teamed up with bodybuilder and gym owner JC Retorbar to discover bodybuilding’s newest stars.

Retorbar worked with the Antipolo City government to hold one of the biggest bodybuilding competitions in the country the past year by staging the 1st Mayor Jun Ynares Bodybuilding contest in Antipolo City last December.

A multi-titled bodybuilder himself Retorbar staged the competition to provide an avenue for the upcoming athletes of the sport to show off their bodies sculpted by years of hard work and sacrifice.

“Gusto ko ipakita sa mga tao na, ginawa ko ito hindi sa sariling pangkapakanan. Gusto ko maging isang magandang halimbawa ito sa kanila at malihis ang attensyon ng mga kabataan mula sa masamang droga (I want to show the public that I am doing this not for personal gain. I want this to be a good example for young people to emulate and to divert their attention from illegal drugs),” said the Antipolo gym owner.

The contest was a rousing success. Gym goers, fitness enthusiasts, and the general public talked about the event months before and thousands closed the streets around the City Mall of Antipolo to watch the event live during the competition staged in front of the mall.

Rodolfo Boya Peape took first place in the novice category. Jeff Guiao placed second and Rogan Suni was third. Romeo Arlaleso won the medium category. Lorence Pacio was second and Leo Relleve placed third. Noah Mendita won the tall category while Primo Castillo placed second.

Retorbar, a first-time contest organizer, expressed satisfaction at being able to successfully stage the event.

“Mahirap pero masaya ako sa ginagawa ko. Mahirap dahil hindi pala basta basta ang mag organize lalo na sa gaya kong baguhan. Masaya dahil maraming sumusuportang mga kaibigan at lalo na sa asawa ko na nag-iisang adviser sa buhay ko (It was difficult but I felt happy with what I’ve done. It was difficult especially because I’m just a newcomer to organizing. I was grateful for the support of friends especially my wife who is my partner and adviser in life),” said Retorbar.

He also expressed his gratitude for the help of local bodybuilding legends Cortuna and Casimiro for their support and assistance in judging the competition.

“Na achieve ko yung gusto ko, na gaya rin ng ibang taong nangagarap na makapag organize ng ganitong laro. Naging maayos ang competition. Naging patas ang laro dahil sa dalawang magagaling na bodybuilder at judges na sila master Dondon Cortuna at master Jonathan Casimiro (I achieved what I set out to do which is my dream to organize a competition like this. The competition was judged well because of master Dondon Cortuna and master Jonathan Casimiro),” said Retorbar.

The bodybuilder and gym owner said he wants to inspire young bodybuilders because he knows the hardships and even derision encountered by those trying to pursue the sport.

“Matagal na akong nagko-compete. Noong una nagagalit sa akin ang pamilya ko. Bakit ito raw ang ginagawa ko, puro na lang pagpapaganda ng katawan. Ano ba raw ang makukuha ko dito. Galit sa akin pati mga kapatid ko dahil wala daw ako iniinti kundi sarili ko (I’ve been competing for a long time. My relatives were angry at me. They asked why my only concern was to build up my body. They asked what benefit could I gain. Even my siblings were angry at me saying I did not pay any attention to anybody but myself).”

Retorbar said no one supported him during his early years as a bodybuilder. He almost quit the sport because of the objections of his relatives and friends. He said he hopes to encourage others who are trying to start a career in bodybuilding.

He persevered in the sport and even used the hostility directed at him as motivation to continue and excel. Eventually his sacrifices were rewarded. He won first place in Mr. Ulongapo in 2004. In 2007 and 2009 he was crowned Ginoong Antipolo. He was the champion of the 2011 Jerick Ternida Classic. He won Mr. Power Gym-Marikina in 2012. He won fifth place in the Sta. Lucia Ironman 2013.

Retorbar now competes only occasionally but operates the Retorbar Gym and Fitness Center in Antipolo in the hope of discovering and training future athletes in the sport that he loves.