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Michel B. Ramos - December 2004
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Our feature for the month of December is Bodybuiling's Pride of Zamboanga City - Michel B. Ramos, Mike for short.
Zamboanga City meaning "the place of boat people", is Mindanao's largest and most colorful city in its western south end.
Born in Ipil and raised in Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Mike grew up very sickly. In grade school and high school, he could not play any sports because of health reasons. Doctors diagnosed him as being anemic.
In 1991, while in college, Mike decided to lift weights and train in the sport of bodybuilding. After 7 months, lo and behold, his anemia went away! Another living proof of what bodybuilding can do. Because of this, Mike was motivated to join his first local barangay competition in 1992 and placed 1st runner-up.
Mike started his training at Bucoy's Gym in Zamboanga City. Bucoy's Gym is the pioneer gym in Zamboanga City and was started in 1948 by Captain Fabian Bucoy and Mr. Kit Mortera (Mr. Philippines 1977).
Unlike the Greater Metro Manila area, Zamboanga City does not offer the luxury of showcasing many amateur games. This becomes a disadvantage for athletes in places like Mindanao, Visayas and the Bicol Region. Promoters and Organizers in these regions hold events on the National level more often. Athletes especially novices have no choice but to join the pros prematurely. Athletes in Metro Manila have more events to choose from and play amateur for several years until their muscles mature and then compete with the pros on the National level.
In lieu of this, Mike went on to compete in the Mr. Philippines 1993 but did not make the cut. He trained harder and competed in the Mr. Philippines 1995. This time he became a finalist. He had developed into a true bodybuilder. The mass and cuts came out at 65 kilos.
Mike usually competes in the Lightweight division. His off-season weight is 84 kilos and his contest weight is 75 kilos. At the recent Mr. Philippines held in Iloilo City in September 2004, he won the Medium-Tall division.
Mike started his pre-contest diet and training program 3 months prior to the Mr. Philippines contest. His diet consisted of low-fat and low-sodium meals. He started his carbo-depletion, low-carb, high-protein diet on the second month prior to the contest. His favorite dish is the protein-rich inihaw, grilled or steamed Zamboanga yellow fin tuna costing 80 pesos per kilo. Tuna, by the way, is in abundance in Zamboanga. Then 3 weeks before the contest, all the carbs in his diet is totally taken out. He starts his carbo-loading 1 hour prior to the contest so his muscles don't look flat.
His training exercise consists of 6 times/week and resting on Sundays. Mondays - chest and triceps, Tuesday - legs and biceps, Wednesday - back and shoulders, Thursday - chest and triceps and so on