Sexy Summer: Unveiling the ‘Best You Ever’ at Century Tuna Superbods 2024
Nana Alshorbaji, Enzo Bonoan, and Julia Sucgang-Bonoan on making remarkable strides on their fitness journey
From Jon Avila in 2006 to Kirk Bondad in 2022, Century Tuna Superbods has been providing fitness inspiration to countless aspiring individuals, encouraging them to strive for the fittest version of themselves. In 2024, the search resumes as season 9 of the competition welcomes new candidates from diverse backgrounds.
On April 27, 2024, Century Tuna hosted a preliminary competition for Superbods 2024 with the theme “Best You Ever,” where over a hundred aspirants showcased their physiques and wit on stage. Among the contestants, 36 individuals now remain for the grand competition. The panel of judges included Century Pacific Food Inc. executives Greg Banzon, Carlo Endaya, Bea Ballesca-Martinez, Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa, and Century Tuna Superbods 2022 grand winners Kirk Bondad and Christelle Abello.
The top 18 finalists for the male category are Nikko Nackaerts, Tony de Oteyza, Angel Mallari, Jerico Ejercito, Jether Palomo, Kris Guevarra, John Jenric Saldivar, Michael Ver Comaling, Jose Vicente Sobrevilla, Patrick Patawaran, John Paulo Dela Cruz, Carlo Adorador, Aaron Davis, Jeff Ong, Enzo Bonoan, Derick Hibaler, Naia Ching, and Joshua David Spider Webb. Meanwhile, the finalists for the female category are Monique de los Santos, Mariah Nicole Valdez, Justine Felizarta, Brooke Barredo, Lea Macapagal, Hazel Ortiz, Morena Carlos, Chrystel Mae Correos, Jasmin Ariola, Julia Sucgang-Bonoan, Nælah Alshorbaji, Clare Dacanay, Jessica Marasigan, Miaow Ayesa, Keylyn Trajano, Teodora Marie Reiss, Imelda Schweighart, and Inka Magnaye.
For more fitness inspiration and motivation, we interviewed some of the aspirants about their fitness journey and advocacy. Read through their insights on how they stay fit and become the best versions of themselves.
Enzo Bonoan, fitness coach:
What does fitness mean to you?
Fitness is about being fit enough to function and to enjoy life. It is a lifestyle that makes us better people both inside and out.
What part of your body are you most proud of?
It would have to be my lower back. This is because I overcame an injury that kept me down for many years. I was down mainly because I thought of my lower back as fragile, and I was afraid of hurting myself again. I then learned more about the science behind injuries and realized that much of the pain we experience is influenced by our beliefs, making it very mental in nature. Afterward, I built more strength and resilience in my lower back, and I am now stronger than ever. My lower back strength is proof that with the right processes, we can overcome our limiting beliefs and come back stronger.
What do you eat in a day?
I generally follow a MO-VA-BA diet, which stands for Moderation, Variety, and Balance. With these guidelines, I prioritize nutrient-dense foods while not having to restrict myself too much with foods that I consider to be my “comfort food.”
How do you stay motivated?
As an individual, I stay motivated by reminding myself of all the benefits that I get from exercising and eating healthy. I know that by doing so, I have a sounder mind, healthier skin, and a stronger body. Aside from that, I surround myself with people who remind me of my goals.
But more importantly, as a fitness professional, I am motivated by what I deem to be my life’s mission, which is to help improve the lives of others through fitness. Whether it be through the clients whom I coach, the content that I create, or the stories that I tell, the goal is to be a source of education and motivation when it comes to fitness and nutrition. In order for me to be able to do this, I need to practice what I preach but also preach what I practice.
Julia Sucgang-Bonoan, transformation coach:
What does fitness mean to you?
I believe that fitness is a gift given to all of us—it’s just a matter of whether or not we choose to make the most out of this gift in order to live a healthier and happier life.
What do you like most about the best version of yourself?
When I am my best self, more doors of opportunity open for me to create a ripple effect and inspire others to be their best selves. Now, as a first-time mom to my one-year-old, I am able to model what it’s like to prioritize overall fitness (physical and mental fitness) for my daughter. Through God’s grace, my daughter now loves to play sports, be active, and even share moments of mindfulness with me through breathing exercises. Having a healthy mind and body, she has more focus to learn and more capacity to retain what she learns from our homeschooling sessions.
What are you most proud of fitness-wise?
I am most proud of not giving up and turning my weaknesses in fitness into strengths. From being bullied for being the least-skilled player on my football varsity team back in high school, I became an athletic scholar at Ateneo De Manila University, playing for both the UAAP Women’s Football Team and the UAAP Women’s Track and Field Team during my college years. I have become one out of the four Philippine representatives in KIX Asia R U Tough Enough alongside my husband, Enzo, and am now one of this year’s chosen Spartan Race PH ambassadors. Being a person with a disability who has battled major depressive disorder (MDD,) self-harm, and suicidal thoughts since I was eight years old, I learned to embrace and prioritize overall fitness (including mental health,) becoming a Transformation Coach since 2017 and helping over thousands of people from around the world become fitter physically and mentally.
Suffering from postpartum depression after giving birth to my daughter and having been told I wouldn’t get my “old body” back, especially as a breastfeeding mom, I chose to rise above my depression and all the discouragement and focused on filling up my self-love talk by making overall fitness a non-negotiable. Now, I am much leaner than I was a year ago, I’m a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Women’s Fitness Specialist helping moms through their prenatal and postnatal fitness, and I’m currently the reigning Ms. Gold’s Gym Philippines because of my physical and mental transformation as a new mom. As a Superbods finalist for 2024, I aim to continue turning my past pain into power to hopefully inspire others to do the same.
Nana Alshorbaji, host and model:
What are you most proud of fitness-wise?
In loving honor of the blessed capable body given to me, I am most proud of my strength. As a jiujitsu practitioner, I am able to constantly adapt and hold my own even if I’m the only female from our club in JaZen jiujitsu. To be able to protect yourself is such an empowering feeling, especially as a woman.
What part of your body are you most proud of?
I am grateful for my incredible mind. It has led me past all of life’s adversities with great strength and resilience. The mind is the most fascinating body part to me, which is why I decided to aspire to be a psychologist. It is the crown of the body for a reason. You lead with your head first, and everything follows accordingly.
What do you eat in a day?
Food is used as fuel for your body and mind. I try as much as possible to fill my stomach with nutritious vegetables, fruits, good sources of protein, and carbs depending on whether I’m cutting down or not. It’s typical for me to have a salad or cooked veggies with chicken, tuna, or eggs.
How do you stay motivated?
By setting new goals for myself. I’m a goal-oriented person, so I thrive when I have a checklist set up for me.
Images courtesy of Enzo, Julia, and Nana
