Skin games

One might think a real man doesn’t give a second thought to skincare products and all that other “pampering” stuff. One might also go as far as saying that a real man tests his mettle by joining tough and grueling outdoor activities. But can a real man be concerned with looking good while still joining these physically demanding pastimes?

The obvious answer is yes, simply because a real man does what he wants. Take Robert Smith, lead singer of The Cure, for example. “Looking good” becomes subjective in his case because the dude must wear enough foundation, mascara and eyeliner to outfit an entire line of can-can dancers. Why? Because he can. It’s not even a matter of skin care or pampering anymore. But no one cares. More importantly, the ladies don’t care. Score one for Robert Smith.

But he’s not an athlete, and it’s unlikely he takes part in overly physically taxing sports. Rock stars, though, exist on a different plain where nothing makes sense; they can make women go crazy regardless of pockmarks and acne, bizarre makeup, their tendency to wail and whine, brood, and act moody like your sister. That’s just their good luck. For the normal guy, getting away with bad skin, wearing makeup and acting like a wuss isn’t as easy. And that still doesn’t address the fact that there is nothing physically grueling, in a sports sense, about being a rock star (unless you count kicking crazy groupies out of bed as such.)

Alaska Milk Corp. president and CEO and Sunrise Events, Inc. president Fred Uytengsu

It becomes even harder to feel like the alpha male knowing that the androgynous-looking fellow is hooking up with all the ladies. This is probably where the drive to join things like marathons and triathlons come in. It shows you still have a pair. And the best way to do this is to climb a mountain or swim across Manila Bay to Corregidor — just anything intense. These are the physically taxing activities that reaffirm one’s testicular fortitude. But still, modern man is conscious about skincare. He has to be. It helps with confidence. And following the theory of natural selection, if only the strong survive, it makes sense that people want to test their strength at things like marathons and triathlons. It also makes sense that after being exposed to the elements, one has to use only the best skincare products.

It’s no surprise, then, that Vaseline, the country’s fastest growing men’s skincare brand, is spearheading the Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series here in the Philippines. “Triathlon is a perfect sport for Vaseline Men because it addresses the needs of today’s men who need quality skin care products that complement their active lifestyle. We are also proud to do our part in helping Filipinos experience world-class triathlon in the country,” says Unilever managing director for skin care, oral care and deodorants Gilbert Simpao.

From left: Vaseline Men brand manager Jonathan Pua, Unilever managing director for skin care, oral care and deos Gilbert Simpao, Robert Hechanova, Unilver PR and events manager Nikki Abella and Sunrise Events, Inc. general manager Princess Galura

The Vaseline Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series has already started, with the recently concluded Pang Pave Run held in Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal. The Xterra Weekend itself is scheduled for Liloan, Cebu on March 17 and 18. After a trial run on March 17, two triathlon events will be held March 18: the Xterra Lite and the Xterra Philippines Championship. The Xterra Lite involves a 500-meter swim, 30-kilometer bike and a five-kilometer run. On the other hand, the Xterra Philippines Championship involves a more grueling challenge with a 1.5-kilometer swim, 30-kilometer bike and a 10-kilometer run. Apart from winning exciting cash prizes (total pro prize money is US$15,000), the top age group finishers will vie for 40 slots to the Xterra World Championships in Maui, Hawaii.

“What’s best about triathlon is that you get to immediately compete alongside the best of the best, who are willing to share their ideas. You won’t find this in any other sport,” says Alaska Milk Corporation president and CEO and Sunrise Events, Inc. president Fred Uytengsu, himself a seasoned triathlete and a finisher of no less than the Kona Full Iron Man event in Hawaii.

The Vaseline Xterra Series will come to a close later on in the year at the Xterra Putik, Pare duathlon to be held in Clark, Pampanga.        

It might be a good time to try out and see if you’ve got what it takes. Who knows: you might meet a nice lady on the trail who loathes men who wear makeup, but loves a guy who pays attention to basic skincare.

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Registration for the March 18 Triathlon events is also already ongoing in the Vaseline Men Xterra Philippines website (www.Xterraphil.com).

The Vaseline Men Xterra Off-Road Triathlon Series is also sponsored by Sunrise Events, Inc., Alaska, Timex, Gatorade, Summit Water, David’s Salon, LBC, AirPhil Express, Prudential Guarantee, 2XU, Dusit Thani Manila and media partners The Philippine STAR, Multisport, SBR and Studio 23. Host venues for this year are Timberland Heights in San Mateo, Rizal, and Amara, Porter Marina, and Papa Kit’s in Liloan Cebu.

E-mail me at enricomiguelsubido@gmail.com.