Poch Bermudez was a self-confessed geek growing up in a life without sports. It didn’t bother him that his father Ed and his brothers were jocks. He just wasn’t good enough to play anything, he thought, so watching TV and sitting in front of a computer occupied his time.
What could’ve turned off Bermudez from sports was a harrowing experience in the open sea when he was seven. Not knowing how to swim, he plunged into the water down to 20 feet when the banca he rode in capsized and was fished out before drowning. That near-death episode probably kept him safely at home as a couch potato instead of playing in the streets as a kid.
A sedentary lifestyle caused Bermudez to bloat to 280 pounds. Then seven years ago, he was diagnosed to be diabetic with his blood sugar count up to about 300. Slowly, Bermudez convinced himself to be physically active. If he wanted to live longer, the challenge was to get fit. A friend Dave Valdes introduced him to biking. Then, he began running. Swimming was next on his mind and Bermudez sought out coach Anthony Lozada to make him forget what happened over 20 years ago.
Bermudez conquered his fear of the water when he was 31 and discovered the fun of sports. He’ll admit that he turned to sports as a matter of survival. “Live Longer” became his motto. “There’s no cure for diabetes but you can live with it and still enjoy life,” he said. “I was inspired by the story of a 90-year-old man who was diagnosed to be diabetic when he was five. Imagine a life of self-control and discipline to reach 90.”
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Today, Bermudez is 37 and weighs about 180 pounds. He’d like to bring down his weight a little more. It took him over two years to shed off 100 pounds. Now, he’s into serious triathlon and spreading the word that there is life beyond diabetes. As an occupation, Bermudez publishes over 20 magazines, including “Urban Living” “Turista” and “MultiSport.” The title that’s close to his heart is “MultiSport” which comes out monthly and is free of charge. It’s his vehicle to deliver the message of living longer by getting and staying fit. The remarkable thing is now that he’s actively engaged in sports, he takes no medication for his diabetes – no pills, no insulin. His doctors are amazed at how he has stood up to diabetes without taking a step back.
A few weeks ago, Bermudez launched the Philippine MultiSport directory at Bonifacio High Street. It’s the second straight year that the directory was published. The book is a handy guide for every swimmer, cyclist, runner and multi-sport athlete with profiles of training coaches, tips on choosing gear and injury prevention, basic training programs for athletes of different skill levels, list of training venues and routes for swimming, cycling and running in Metro Manila and an updated registry of sports specialists, therapists, nutritionists and multi-sport shops. The 112-page book is a bargain for P150.
The featured coaches in the directory are Alvin Alindogan, Chris Allison, Roel Ano, Nonoy Basa, Hazel Benipayo, Dan Brown, Guy Concepcion, Ani de Leon-Brown, Rio de la Cruz, Cliff Eala, Michelle Estuar, Mitch Felipe-Mendoza, Raoul Floresca, Noy Jopson, Patrick Joson, Andy Leuterio, Miguel Lopez, John Lozada, Anthony Lozada, Jojo Macalintal, Armand Mendoza, Norman Pascual, Jumbo Tayag, Abe Tayag, Vinny Tongson, Jay Valencia. George Vilog and Moi Yamoyan.
“Nowhere else can one reference the most comprehensive list of coaches and other specialists who can make a big difference in a multi-sport athlete’s enjoyment of and improvement in the sport,” said Bermudez. But more than tagging the directory, Bermudez said the “MultiSport” brand has grown beyond the printed page as “it fosters a community spirit among elite and beginners alike, including those who simply want to improve their health and lifestyle.”
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Bermudez said in the December issue of “MultiSport,” the cover story will feature the triathlon team of differently abled athletes Arnel Aba, Godfrey Taberna and Isidro Vildosola. The team recently competed in the 70.3 Ironman in Cebu. Aba swims with one leg, Taberna bikes with a right club foot and Vildosola runs without a right arm.
A dedicated sponsor of “MultiSport” is L Timestudio which has over 60 outlets all over the country, including Alabang Town Center, The Podium, SM Southmall, SM Pampanga, SM Naga, SM Valenzuela, SM Lipa, SM Clark, SM Batangas, SM Baguio, Marquee Mall in Angeles, Limketkai in Cagayan de Oro, Greenbelt, Festival Mall, EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Abreeza Davao, SM Sta. Rosa and Solenad 2 Sta. Rosa. L Timestudio’s watch brands include Skagen of Denmark, Puma, Kenneth Cole, Fossil, Wenger, Victorinox, Anne Klein, Asics, DKNY, Soleus and Lacoste.
“Determination, perseverance, focus – these traits have also been apparent in our partnership with ‘MultiSport’ and will continue through the coming years,” said L Timestudio managing director Emerson Yao. “We are honored to be running alongside the Philippines’ finest sportsmen and women and look forward to reaching more finish lines with you.” L Timestudio’s Judith Staples said every athlete must be equipped with a timepiece that fits his or her lifestyle on and off the track and the different brands under L Timestudio offer a wide range of choices.
For details on how to get a copy of the Philippine MultiSport Directory, call 403-88-25 or email multisport@hip.ph or fax to 519-58-15.