'No Body Is Perfect' book launched

MANILA, Philippines - “For many of us who have to contend with busy schedules and numerous daily tasks, it seems that making fitness a priority is next to impossible – what with all the time and effort you’d need to invest to achieve this,” says renowned lensman Jun De Leon.

In his book, "No Body is Perfect," the photographer challenges others to be like his famous subjects who, despite their hectic schedules, still find time to improve their physical wellbeing and start living a healthier lifestyle.

A  project between De Leon and his Kape Teybol Buk publishing house co-founder Al Agra, the book features 50 well-known personalities as the photographer captures their shared passion and the result of their choice to live healthy and commitment to stay fit. 

“The individuals featured in the book are all admirable not only because of how fit they are, but perhaps more so for their desire and discipline to improve themselves and be better,” De Leon says.

A veritable list of entertainment, business, sports and fashion greats comprise the highly anticipated read including Judy Ann Santos, Iza Calzado, Solenn Heusaff, Lovi Poe, Vice Ganda, Sam Pinto, Angel Aquino, Angel Jacob, Robin Padilla, Derek Ramsey, Matteo Gudicelli, and Kim Atienza; couples  Suzie Entrata and Paolo Abrera, and Tessa Prieto and Dennis Valdes; singers Rachel Alejandro and Bamboo Mañalac; supermodels Tweetie De Leon, Rissa Mananquil and Joey Mead; and beauty experts Jing Monis and Henri Calayag.

Piolo Pascual

Myrza Sison

Iza Calzado

Freddie Webb

Al Agra

Athletes such as Freddie Webb, James Yap, the Xavier School football team, the Ravena family, and Armand del Rosario and wife Georgia; families including Laureen, Liz, and Vince Uy, Edu, Luis, and Lorenzo Manzano, Maricel and Benjamin Pangilinan, and the Tulfo brothers; publisher Ernie Lopez, editor Myrza Sison, Rep. Gilbert Remulla, and Chef Carlo Miguel, among many others, are also part of the project.

“These individuals are successful, distinguished, and influential in their respective fields,” shares De Leon. “Yet they recognize their imperfections and limitations and don’t allow these to stop them from becoming the best versions of themselves—they made the choice to change their lifestyle into one that is ‘nearly perfect.’”

According to Agra, “It’s very apt that No Body is Perfect has become the first book to be launched by Kape Teybol Buk Publishing House. Its message—what it stands for, and most importantly, what it hopes to impart to others – is indeed very timely.” He adds, “Both Jun and I, have in fact recently become more conscious of living better and maintaining a healthy and fit lifestyle. Because of this project, and the stories of those involved in it, we discovered that regardless of age or profession, this goal is achievable when you commit to it.”

Through "No Body is Perfect", both De Leon and Agra hope that others may be motivated and inspired to realize that they too can work towards their own measure of perfection. “We only have one life to live, so let us live it to ‘perfection’ by not just being fit, but by being our fittest selves,” Agra says. “It’s a reality—nobody is perfect, but that should never hold us back,” he concludes.

No Body is Perfect will be available in major bookstores  nationwide and Kape Teybul Buk Publishing House beginning June 27, with a week-long exhibit for the general public featuring all photos from the book from June 27 to July 4 at the Bonifacio High Street Central Amphitheatre.