Catli snares Mr. PHL Crown

CEBU, Philippines - Going back to their native land and fight for the country's honor proved rewarding for the Kuwait-based Pinoy pro bodybuilders led by Jay Catli as they stole the limelight from foreign entries during the first ever Mr. & Ms. Philippines-Asia Bodybuilding Championships that ended a little past midnight yesterday at the City Sports Club Cebu.

Catli bested all medium division candidates and went on to bag the coveted Mr. Philippines award.

Even though it was already close to midnight, Catli’s confidence level even increased as he battled it out with fellow Pinoys as entries from Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Singapore and Hong Kong crumbled one by one in their attempt for supremacy.

Despite failing to clinch the Mr. PHL crown, three other Kuwait-based Pinoy musclemen still have something to cheer about as they get a chance to represent the Philippines in the 65th World Bodybuilding Championships in India next month.

They are masters division champion Nelson Totanes, short class titlist Michael Morenaga and tall division title-holder Arsenio Agpoon.

On the other hand, 15 female bets displayed their athleticism and great body figures that wowed the fully-packed audience to the max.

When the dust settled, Josephine Teria came out as the Ms. Fitness, while Allen Sales emerged as Ms. Physique.

John Benjamin grabbed part of the limelight by winning the Mr. Novice title, in the same with Jonald Romero as Mr. Athletic and Emay Guiap as Best in Figure.

A total of 110 entries from six countries took part in the first international bodybilding contest in Cebu spearheaded by the newly-formed United Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation of the Philippines.

Event organizer Dennis Delgado of Workout Fitness Center is hoping that a Cebuano will shine brightly in the next edition of the competition. - (THE FREEMAN)