Five days ago, Robi Domingo tweeted: “Just finished jiu jitsu and muay Thai with Kuya Randy in the gym.” Despite his hectic schedule as an actor, model, and VJ, he squeezes in time to follow a regular exercise regimen.
Born Robert Marion Domingo to parents Roberto and Mary Ann, both doctors, Robi is training to be one himself (he is a junior in Health Sciences at Ateneo). That is, while dabbling as a teen idol after clinching a runner-up position in PBB Teen Plus in 2008. Weekends are spent on ASAP Rocks where he is a member of Gigger Boys; he is also a VJ and an actor with at least one movie a year. His last movie Cinco earned him a PMPC Star Awards nomination as New Movie Actor of the Year.
We got him to share more insights about his healthy lifestyle:
THE PHILIPPINE STAR: Were you involved in sports at a young age? If so, which sports? And who inspired you?
ROBI DOMINGO: When I was a child, my papa enrolled me in several sports clinics, especially during summer time, ranging from swimming, tennis, and basketball to soccer, badminton, karatedo, and so much more. Because of my father, I was exposed to different kinds of sports, which include their respective disciplines.
Growing up, did you ever encounter weight problems such as being overweight or underweight?
Actually, both! I was underweight when I was around five to six years old to the point that my titos and titas would ask me, “Robi, nag-drudrugs ka ba (do you take drugs)?” I used that kind of weight to get around easily; I was fast and I usually won competitions with that kind of speed and body type. Upon discovering technology, which includes television, and with the onset of handheld games and computer games, I became overweight. I was really fat and people referred to me as the Buddha of our clan. Entering high school, I had this ambition to become thin and lean because I wanted to be noticed by girls, a lot of them. I started running every day, eating oats every morning, and cutting down on my rice consumption. I went to the gym almost every day to get a lean shape and be noticed.
What physical activities are you into given your hectic schedule balancing school and showbiz?
Right now, I am really into running, going to the gym, and MMA (mixed martial arts) specifically jiu jitsu and muay Thai. I always find time for these activities in order to get in shape and remove stress from both worlds. I feel that whenever I sweat, I release not just all my impurities away but also the tension that I feel because of the pressure.
What is the greatest challenge for you right now in staying fit? How do you cope?
I think the greatest challenge in order to stay in shape is the discipline to get up every morning and eat the right food. I always set my alarm at around 5:30 to get up in the morning to run around the village and pick the less-oily food — usually fruits and fibrous green veggies. And coming from Ateneo (blue), I’m starting to think that the greatest challenge for me is accepting that “green is in.”
What is your favorite exercise? Why?
RUNNING! I love running. Every morning (except if I have tests on the same day), I put on my running shoes, shades, and mp3 (iPod) player, and I make it a point to run at least 5k. Whenever there is a chance for me to run, like joining marathons, I enlist myself so I could run with other people as well. It feels liberating when I am running. Nothing much to think about but just appreciate the beauty of the surroundings, sometimes analyze and reflect.
What is your current fitness goal?
Currently, I want to be lean and fit. I’m not really a big fan of having really big muscles to the point of looking like the Incredible Hulk. I really want to have those “cuts” people usually talk about, that is why I run every day and go to the gym regularly to achieve that hunky bod. Besides looking good, having that kind of body is beneficial to one’s health; because you are fit, there is lesser chance of becoming sick.
Do you get enough sleep? Does this affect your wellness?
Sometimes, I really don’t get sleep at all. I know it is bad but sometimes, I really need to be awake in order to finish a paper in school, prepare, and study for a test for the next day, or do tapings in one of the shows. This greatly affects my well-being since I cannot function properly: I always fall asleep, I don’t have the appetite to eat since I would rather sleep, and just feel sluggish. What I do in order to combat this is I take advantage of the travel time and sleep or take a power nap.
What is your usual diet? Is breakfast your heaviest meal?
My usual diet would consist of greens and steamed viands with juice. My parents and my trainers told me to keep a strict diet to keep myself healthy. They said that I should eat fibrous food to cleanse my body and food rich in protein and vitamin C. My breakfast would include a fruit (usually banana or apple), oats (lots of ’em), and milk.
Would you say you are as spiritually and emotionally well as you are physically?
I think coming from a great family and receiving Jesuit education, I would have to say my foundation is strongly built. For me, one cannot talk of well-being without being spiritually, emotionally, and physically well, too. One cannot exist without the other; they are interdependent.
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Post me a note at mylene@ goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@ gmail.com.