Cynthia Valdes, Bobby Ongpin, Maribel Ongpin, Deanna Ongpin-Recto, Luis Ongpin Jr., Elaine Herbosa, Rene Ongpin

Strong and sexy are physical attributes that ideally apply to people aged 30 and below. Thanks to my weekly Bikram Yoga classes at the Ollay Aninion Bikram Manila Studio, and my running stints with our Girls Run for Breakfast group, I am thrilled to sometimes hear those words thrown my way.

At the Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018, those keywords were front and center again—strong, sexy and ageless, as for the first time in this biennial, the search has two age categories, 18-37 and 38-50.

Greg Banzon, general manager of Century Pacific Food, said that age should not be a hindrance to staying fit and healthy. Indeed, he himself continues to be in great shape.

Gela Pecson, Century Tuna marketing manager, added that nothing is impossible if you set your mind and heart to it.

Making their presence felt as the ultimate ageless “fitspirations” were Alice Dixson, Ina Raymundo and Sunshine Cruz, Century Tuna’s Power Women.

Joining them were the Yummybodies of Century, Gerald Anderson, Matteo Guidicelli and Paulo Avelino.

The Century Tuna Superbods Ageless 2018 will have its Finals Night on April 12 at the Cove in Okada Manila. Four winners will get P500,000 each, a chance to have a training contract with Star Magic, and an opportunity to win a Chevrolet Trax. The search is made possible by Cove Manila, Philips, Indesit, Mabe, Tanduay Distillers, Zalora and Chevrolet.

Eduardo V. Francisco, Rabboni Francis B. Arjonillo, Abigail Magpayo, William T. Belo, Mark Andrew Belo, Elizabeth E. Coronel

A sport for any age

Golf is another sport to play at any age. The game is a great way to exercise and develop skill and patience as well.

My latest golf tournament was the Fourth Wilcon Invitational Golf Tournament at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club.

Wilcon Depot, the country’s leading home improvement and construction supply retailer, kicked off their annual golf tournament for its clients, architects and other industry professionals with a presentation about Wilcon Builder’s Foundation, the company’s corporate social responsibility program that focuses on educational scholarships and nature conservancy projects.

I was amazed to listen to the talk about crocodile conservation done by Crocodylus Porosus Philippines.

William Belo, Wilcon Depot founder and chair emeritus, spoke to the golfers about how much he values his industry partners as he does his customers. These partners were eager sponsors to the tourney, including LIXIL Water Technologies (Grohe), Pacific Paint (Boysen), Davies Paints, Hocheng Phils. (HCG), and Mariwasa Siam Ceramics.

The Hole-in-One sponsors were Cats Motors (Mercedes Benz), Delta Air Lines and Toby’s Sports. The golfing winners were Low Net champion Vincent Jose Santos, Class A champion Adones Baluyut, Class B champion Joey Santos, and Class C champion Randy Banzon.

The biggest winner of the day was Wilcon Depot itself. The company goes from strength to strength, taking home the Best IPO Award for the country at The Asset Triple A Country Awards 2017 recently held at the Harbour View Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong.

The company’s top executives were there to receive the award, including founder William, president and CEO Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, EVP-CFO Mark Andrew Belo, EVP-CPO Careen Belo and investor relations officer Mary Jean Alger.

The Asset is an investor magazine that has the widest reach among Asian issuers and global institutional investors. Its Triple A Country Awards are among the most prestigious for banking, finance, treasury and the capital markets.

The magazine recognized Wilcon’s impressive growth since its listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange last March 2017.

Visit www.wilcon.com.ph

Birthday celebrations

Age is just a number in my book, so every birthday is a celebration. It is extra special for our family this month, with my mother-in-law Cynthia Valdes celebrating her 82nd on Feb. 5, my soon-to-be daughter-in-law Tinkay Crespo’s 30th on Feb. 6, and my brother Paolo marking his natal day tomorrow, Feb. 12.

We will be having lunch at the Manila Hotel’s famed Champagne Room, which is now open for lunch Mondays to Saturdays. The elegant restaurant has a special semi-buffet menu offering a thoughtful selection of delectable appetizers and a soup du jour.

The lunch set also includes one of the Champagne Room’s signature entrees and dessert served with coffee or tea.

Champagne Room’s grand interiors make a perfect dining setting with its refined interiors. It has remained a timeless beauty and the fine-dining restaurant of choice for discriminating diners.

Call 5270011; e-mail [email protected].

Wellness workshop

Still on the theme of agelessness and wellness, my good friend and wellness practitioner Rosan Cruz is conducting a series of wellness workshops and treatments at The Siam Bangkok’s tranquil sanctuary, Opium Spa.

From Feb. 14-22, guests at The Siam can sign up for Theta Healing and Emotional Release Therapy sessions. These treatments are designed to empower and facilitate the release of painful and negative emotions.

Yoga enthusiasts can also sign up for one of Rosan’s Kundalini, Yin or Vinyasa classes at the outdoor terrace.

For a limited time and in conjunction with Rosan’s visit, The Siam will be launching a Stay Well package for guests who are staying at the property for two days or more. The package for two includes the standard room rate and amenities, a consult session, 60-minute Theta Healing treatment, Emotional Release Therapy, a Private Yoga Class and a 60-minute massage.

Visit www.thesiamhotel.com.