Inspiring Filipinos to stay strong

Most health advice can be summed up to staying physically active—even while at home—or doing simple but essential activities that also benefit one’s mental state.

This pandemic, numerous platforms, and digital activities have been launched catering to almost everyone who wants to take good care of their physical and mental wellbeing. Experts say that poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health problems. Similarly, poor mental health can negatively impact physical health.

Thus, it’s beneficial that we promote a healthy and active lifestyle as it’s tantamount to giving our mind and body its much-needed care and attention.

In this very same premise, Century Tuna Superbods was launched more than a decade ago scouting role models and ambassadors who have great bodies and healthy lifestyle philosophies.

This year, the tradition continues as the road to Century Tuna Superbods 2020 was all set with a fitting slogan, Stay Strong Pilipinas fully supported by showbiz royalties Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards as ambassadors.

“It’s no big secret that they both have a big fanbase. We knew that’s the reality but we are actually surprised how big and supportive they are both to Nadine and Alden. Beyond the fanbase, what was exciting when we were scoping who the best endorsers would be, everything fell into place when their names came up,” Century Pacific Food Inc EVP and COO Greg Banzon told Manila Standard Entertainment in an exclusive interview.

“We started noticing that Alden is very active in his fitness journey and of course Nadine has always been very fit. We felt that they were both perfect. Despite the pandemic or otherwise, they provided a good inspiration to everyone,” Banzon added.

For Nadine and Alden, being Superbods ambassadors entails big responsibilities. More than anything else, their role is crucial since they are not just trying to educate people in their household but it’s the public that they are directly communicating with.

“It inspires other people to better themselves when they see someone, a celebrity ambassador exuding self-confidence for being physically fit. When I became part of the Century Tuna family, it’s a whole new level, because finally, I am being recognized now because of my effort in terms of fitness,” Nadine shared.

“It’s always been my goal to be healthy and not just have a nice figure. This quarantine, I played a lot of computer games, watched TV all day, but because of my responsibility, it kind of pushed me to maintain an active lifestyle,” she added.

Alden, on the other hand, believes that being an ambassador is a longterm engagement.

“It’s really a responsibility. Many people look up to the people who have the Superbods title. Our role is to educate people that taking care of our physical and mental health should be our utmost priority especially that we are in a very rough time. The best way to get by or to cope up is to maintain a healthy body and mind,” the actor underscored.

“It’s an enjoyable journey for me. It’s an engagement that allows me to stay fit and healthy every day. It’s more than just an endorsement deal. It’s a lifetime commitment to maintaining an active lifestyle,” Alden carried on.

With the message “Every day is a chance to be a better you,” the annual fitness competition had all 34 finalists lined up. But when the COVID-19 pandemic happened, the competition pivoted to become a  platform with an inspiring message for all.

Streamed on the Century Superbods Facebook page, the launch featured celebrity Superbods Nadine and Alden, together with the 34 Century Tuna Superbods finalists enjoining everyone to witness the strength of the Superbods spirit to continue pursuing their passion and dreams of a healthier future that begins with proper diet and exercise.

“Now more than ever, we need to encourage everyone to stay physically and mentally strong, and we feel that that can be achieved by eating right, moving our bodies every day, and practicing proper hygiene to protect ourselves from the ongoing virus,” said Banzon.

To further reinforce the importance of staying strong, Century Tuna released a rousing video (https://www.facebook.com/centurytuna/videos/221566542278633)  that signaled the resumption of the highly-anticipated Century Tuna Everybod Superbod 2020 competition, following the same objectives: The candidate must be a “Difference Maker,” someone who can make a stand and empower Filipinos to be the best they can be.

Of course, this year’s unstoppable finalists were ready to show off their hot and fit bods to make a difference and inspire everyone to Stay Strong.  In the female category, the 18 finalists are Katrina Arceta , Grace del Rosario, Sherlyn Doloriel, Zai Ebido, Shirley Garcia, Lynn Gonzales, Astrid Hernandez, Renzel Jose, Liz Kuczera, Karla Lasquite, Samantha Lo, Ines Lorenzo, Kai Ochosa, Kathleen Paton, Christine Picardal, Samantha Purvor, Candice Ramos, and Key Trajano.

Meanwhile, the 16 men who made the final cut are Sam Ajdani, Nelson Banzuela, Kirk Bondad, Enzo Bonoan, Hans Braga, Nicholas Chua, Robert Hamilton, Albert Lorenzo, Philippe Magalona, Erie Matic, Malcolm Mostoles, Gianpaolo Paparo, Julian Roxas, Gian Ruiz, Jason Senga, and Jojo Urquico.

In the runup to the finals happening on Sept. 19, each candidate’s journey to becoming the Century Tuna Everybod Superbod 2020 grand winners -- consists of various digital challenges -- is posted on the Century Tuna Superbods Facebook page and can be searched using the lifestyle fit hashtags (#StayStrongPilipinas, #CenturyTunaSuperbods, and #EverybodCanBeASuperbod). Grand winners, one male and one female, can take home over P2,000,000 worth of prizes.

To know more about “Century Tuna’s Everybod Superbod 2020,” visit and follow Century Tuna’s Facebook page, @centurytuna or Instagram @centurytunasuperbods.