Called as a Pig now a Prince

Pig to Prince Journey: James Penalosa fits in his old pants with a waistline of 42! now he enjoys waistline of 30 and regularly mistaken as a Hollywood superstar! ;-)

Have you ever imagined yourself being on television competing for the Biggest Loser? Or do you already consider yourself as big as those contestants wanting to shed a lot of weight? Sometimes you have to experience the realities of life before you could make a choice to build that change happen. Obesity is a never ending lifestyle issue in our society and this has hit me in my school age years. If you could just imagined how my mom suffered from buying me new clothes all the time because I got bigger and bigger every school season. Reaching up to 250 pounds in my early college years that made me experienced bad prom dates, horrific fashion styles and people making fun of me as “Mr. Piggy”. Way back, I wore a double sized extra large shirt and a waistline of 42. I used to eat big meals, 5 times in a day normally with bowls of rice alternating it with junk chips and liters of soda. Sleeping, watching television on the couch and eating a lot of junk are my hobbies. What a life isn't? Until I realized that I needed to work on my physical looks. I started doing personal researches on weight management, training in the gym and eating a healthy diet for several months. Honestly, there were a lot of times that I almost gave up and got hopeless in losing that bulge. I kept on following those exercises on fitness magazines to get that 6-pack abs but it did not work at all. Many people questioned my determination to make it happen but all I can say now is that I have proven them all wrong. Confidence in myself taught me the drive to reinvent a new me. As I become more discipline in the way I live now, I can shout to the world that goodbye “Pig” and hello “Prince”.

Hey that's Mr. Piggy!!!!: Few years back, weighing 250 pounds, waistline of 42...double size extra large shirt..eating more than 5 times in a day with bowls of rice and tons of soda...ahhh what a life!

In our pop culture that looks up to the essence of beauty and fitness, most of us want to become Hollywood like versions of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie or Tom Cruise but the question is...Are you ready to make that bold change and be fit like them? You can hire their trainer, Hollywood's top fitness master Gunnar Peterson or hunt for Pinoy Biggest Loser's coach Jim Saret but I guess that it would be far from reality unless you got money to spare. Successful body transformations of supermodel Tyra Banks, tv icon Oprah Winfrey and movie hunks Taylor Lautner, Ryan Reynolds are just few celebs that got bodies to die for in Hollywood and locally, we got Piolo Pascual, Anne Curtis, Iza Calzado, Derek Ramsay, Aljur Abrenica, Georgina Wilson, Sam Pinto and even Raymond Gutierrez who made our heads turn because of their transformed fit physiques. As weight problem increases over the years globally, fitness and wellness has become a trend that gave birth to gym centers and new sports. Also because of this rising popularity, fitness programs are now in demand worldwide.

Heart of a Champion: American Fitness guru Chris Krueger made global recognition through his fitness video blog and book. Chris' program assures everyone that wheter your skinny, fat, weak or got bad genetics you can achieve the body of your dreams for as long as your determined to make it happen.

In the U.S, First Lady Michelle Obama have been very vocal on her campaign towards health and fitness that has influenced many Americans to start having an active lifestyle. In line with this awareness many fitness experts have authored weight loss programs in various techniques. Chris Krueger is one of them who inspired many through his video blog and book called, Heart of a Champion. It's a training and nutrition program that requires only 35 minutes a day of exercise and with right kind of food intake; you get your desired body in less than 70 days even without taking any supplements. Chris in his childhood described himself as weak and skinny then got really fat as he aged. He has learned a lot about fitness from many great trainers and strength coaches including a former coach of the Bulgarian national team. During his college years he transformed himself from a thin kid into a strong, muscular and confident man. After college, Chris had a terrible back injury in his lumbar spine and almost had zero mobility that resulted to unhealthy eating for many months and made him very fat. When he was sufficiently healed, Chris started again his program and from then on he has been helping people around the world in achieving great body transformations. The program assures that everyone can transform and achieve body of their dreams whether you're skinny, fat, weak or got bad genetics for as long as your determined to make it happen; leading you to a true and straight path to an incredible life of health and fitness.

Filipino pop culture has also evolved over the years too. Most youngsters are now bound to be more different by putting fitness and wellness as part of their lifestyle. As we adapt to these bold moves in our way of living, finally I have discovered a breakthrough that made my fitness goals a dream come true. Proudly Filipino made, Eat More Exercise Less program in the Your Dream Body Come True fitness book has a goal of positively changing one's life physically, mentally and emotionally that shapes the perception of health and fitness into a new meaning. Filipino born, U.S educated Edward Mendez finished with a degree of nutrition and sports science in University of Maryland, College Park in Baltimore creatively conceptualized this program for many years working on extensive researching and surveying. This guy who now looks like Superman used to be “Mr. Piggy” too.

Today's Superman: Filipino born, US educated Edward Mendez is the face of Filipino fitness and wellness. Edward's breakthrough program of Eat More, Exercise Less in his Your Dream Body Come True book is a total must have.

He believes in that fitness is making a great positive impact on our nation however despite of modern fitness equipments many gyms provide, many are still out of shape and dissatisfied with the results misleading to “eat less, workout more” idea. Through simple formulations of proper nutrition and training found in this program, Edward visualizes that nice bodies are like Ferrari cars on the street where people admire and respect you for having something that others cannot just acquire. The program reveals that the secret formula of becoming fit are 70% nutrition and 30% exercise. A rule that he strictly followed that gave him impressive results in just few months.

Adapting those insights from Chris and Edward, I started up shaping myself into a new me. My fitness routine are composed of weight training (excuse me Derek?), boxing (move over Pacman, you want a good fight with me?), running (Lydia De Vega still there maam?) and eating a lot! Yes you heard it right! Eating many times but in small meals every after 3-4 hours. Chicken meat, tuna, wheat stuff and loads of veggies are part of my diet. Drinking water in exchange of sodas is also a must. Keeping the body fueled with right stuffs (high protein and low carbohydrates diet )continuously after 3 to 4 hours will restructure body cells positively and helps body burn fat by increasing metabolism. I also included doing capoeira, a Brazilian dance art once a week (hey Rafael Rosell..Daniel,Matsunaga, you want a showdown? :). In my spare time, I run around the park or even inside my place. After all of these activities, once a week I get to enjoy a “cheat day” ( I just love Sundays!) where in I could eat anything that my heart desires as a reward for myself in healthy eating and exercising. This exciting “Pig to Prince” journey has given me control over my diet and training capacities having the best tools to mold and sculpt my body however I wished.

Advice from the Prince: Aim to become a champion, as Gold's Gym Tamer El Guindy said "The strongest part of a body builder is not his arms,legs,back or chest but the determination of his heart and soul that makes them champions."

So next time, don't be too overwhelmed insanely on those chiseled guy or thinned waist babe on fitness magazines. They show you all exercises to get that body but still results on you looks far different. Always remember that being in shape must have a mixture of good food, right exercise and positive attitude. Losing weight is such a challenging task. Determination and choice of happiness are the keys to make it all happen! All of us are born to happy so find things that would make you one. If being fit and healthy are the answers then go for it. No material thing could be more rewarding than fulfillment. I lost weight because this is my choice to fulfill a dream of being a champion. I have put my heart into my goal and at last I have made it. For award winning body builder and two time Mr. USA and Gold's Gym director Tamer El Guindy, he said that the strongest part of a body builder is not his arms, legs, back or chest but the determination of his heart and soul that makes them champions. Champions have an uncontrollable desire to pursue a goal against all the odds to become an inspiration. So if you think that you look like a pig today then don't worry too much who knows you might be the next prince looking just like me who now happily wears a medium size shirt, waistline of 30 and regularly mistaken as a Hollywood superstar next to Brad Pitt or better yet a coverboy of the next Men's Health issue. :-) How about a Bench Body billboard? Let's find out soon :-)

James Penalosa is an awardee of Coca Cola Philippines Coke Zero's Resolution in 2010, an awareness campaign on positive living promoting health and fitness. James photos are courtesy of Juaquin Flores;
 Edward Mendez and Chris Krueger images are from their fan pages.

Follow and Tweet James Penalosa www.twitter.com/jamescuenca;
 Click Like on http://www.facebook.com/pages/James-Penalosa/181185675233951
Checkout Edward Mendez's http://www.yourdreambodycometrue.com/
Checkout Chris Krueger's http://www.tscheartofachampionprogram.com/

Big Brothers of Pinoy Philippine Fashion: Audie and Joey Espino



Big Brothers of Pinoy Philippine Fashion: Espino brothers never stop discovering the best of local fashion like Pinoy Big Brother who's always on hunt for new housemates.


In business partnerships, many would say to avoid forming an enterprise with your siblings or anyone that is related to you by blood. It is better to do business dealings with your friends rather than to family members because when partnership problem arises, it would likely to affect family ties that might result to irreconcilable conditions. I do not know the history behind this entrepreneurial practice but still many who are into family business partnerships and some siblings will prove that there is no truth in it. Brotherhood defines a strong bond that will stand through the tests of time. Sharing a same vision and unites the same passion, this incredible siblings has put a mark that being brothers could make business partnerships work and attain success together.

Born from a family who loves culture and the arts, Audie and Joey Espino grew up with music, rhythm and grace. Their father was a former ballroom dance instructor and the influence of dance artistry molded the brothers to be more interested in theater arts and fashion that directed them in becoming the authorities in Philippine fashion today. The fashion masters, Espino brothers both studied at the University of Santo Tomas; Audie graduated Accountancy while Joey took up Business Management. They finished Commerce related courses but destiny brought them into a more vibrant path. Joey in his teens started training aspiring girls to become fashion models and beauty queens. Gifted with an eye for an “it girl”, Joey has produced winners in many local and international beauty pageants. He also directs runway shows and organize social events at a young age that made him established Runway Productions with brother Audie as a business partner in 1992. The dynamic duo heads Runway Productions for many years now and became known for staging numerous fashion shows both for local and international giant labels such as Hugo Boss, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent and designers from Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines including Filipina fashion pride, Josie Natori. To continue discovering and shaping Filipino models shine here and abroad, Audie and Joey inked partnerships with Asia's top notch modelling agency, Calcarrie's Models International that founded a Manila home in 1994; Calcarrie's is a modelling brand that at par with global agencies like Elite, Ford in the United States and Storm in London. It prides itself of building the fashion careers of Sarah Meier, Teresa Herrera, Gayle Ong and Christine Bayer.

Espino's "it girls": Supermodels Charlene Almarvez, Danica Magpantay and Charo Ronquillo are now Pinoy pride walking the runways of the world and gracing the covers of elite fashion magazines.

The Espino brothers never stopped from reaching higher goals for Pinoy fashion industry. Their determination in realizing their dreams for Philippine fashion to be globally competitive and recognized, Joey and Audie creatively organized the biggest and prestigious bi-annual fashion event in the country dubbed as the Philippine Fashion Week that was launched in 1997. This event became a center stage for all Filipino designers and retail brands to showcase their collections reaching a wider market. Philippine Fashion Week, a counterpart of fashion weeks in New York, Milan and Paris has exposed more than 600 fashion collections, lifestyle brands and models linking the best of Filipino talents and products to the world. In 1999, Supermodel of the World, an international modelling pageant for women by Ford Model's bigwigs Jerry and Eileen Ford was brought to the country making Runway Productions as its local franchise holder. Filipina winners Charo Ronquillo, Charlene Almarvez and Danica Magpantay, who even bagged the 2011 international title in New York are now elite human mannequins on the runway and product endorsers on glossy magazines across the globe for several top brands.

Still in line with their fashion ambitions Audie Espino created his own fashion label ESAC which caters various clothing for women. He encourage designers in mastering their craft that would produce collaborations with other designers in making ESAC a bolder, brighter and bigger brand that would set trends globally. Audie also initiated another fashion brand called MODE+L, a lifestyle magazine and television show focusing on beauty and style. Just recently Joey set up a dream institution for models which is a first in the Philippines; Master School for Models is for experienced and aspiring models who wants to learn, improve and hone advanced techniques in the industry. Other ventures set up by the Espinos are Fashion Week TV, Supermodel TV and Runway Report, a look book type of magazine that keep Filipinos updated in the world fashion.

Many might think that all of these brotherhood success just happened in an instant? Then you got it wrong. Building a fashion empire like what the Espinos have done entailed a lot of sacrifice, courage, failure and determination before reaping the fruits of their hard work. Audie and Joey's bond have shown unparalleled union as brothers holding each others arms through different weathers and carrying each others back when setbacks come their way which shows their commitment in their efforts of putting Filipino talents, creations and ingenuity in the world map for everybody to appreciate. The Espinos never stop discovering the best of Philippine fashion like Pinoy Big Brother who is always on hunt for new housemates. I wonder if they would see me as a discovery...I'm good in cleaning the floors; perfect to whiten up their runways. That might be sound crazy but I guess it would be fun right? Let's just see what Big Brother would have to say...Audie and Joey Espino, Big Brothers of Philippine fashion.

 

Special thanks to Rosh Santos of Runway Productions; Photos courtesy of Calcarries Models International Philippines. Master Schools for Models is at 6752 LV Locsin Bldg. Ayala Corner Makati Avenues, Makati Tel. 4038607 http://www.masterschoolformodels.com/

All Around Artist equals Ronnel Cuison



All around Artist: Photographer/Creative Director/Painter/Foodstylist/Light man down to Utility crew...name it he can do it! uniquely Ronnel Cuison



Pictures create a thousand memories. True to its everybody's description of a photo; it develops a lot of stories to tell. Who doesn't love picture takings anyway? Everybody give their best smiles and poses whenever there's a camera and that makes you and me a certified 'picture-picture' or 'kodakan' addicts.

In a modern world that we live in, artistry has become more extensive. Photography which started as an artistic hobby for many is now a bustling career of the present generation. Since this form of art has been professionalized, Professional Photography is making a universal trend as it keeps on growing in the advertising field. With wide range availability of state of the art cameras and gadgets nowadays; I guess everybody could be tagged as a 'photographer'. They might be numbered as countless but to be called as the best are just limited to few.

Master Photographer at work: Ronnel's working attitude, he won't stop unless you say "This is more than perfect"

Sporting a long shiny hair and comfortably fashion in casual jeans and shirt, Ronnel Cuison is a true blooded artist. As a kid, Ronnel grew up doing sketches of various images such as nature, people and objects as subjects. He mastered his creative passion in college where he took up Visual Communications in College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines. After finishing a degree in an arts school in U.P, Ronnel decided to try out a career in publication as an illustrator working on children's books. Then, the young visionary artist felt that he could do more to place his creative ideas on a higher ground so he left the illustrator stint after 3 days of being hired. Ronnel immediately put up his own creative agency with almost zero capital but has a 101 % of determination to succeed. He then started offering basic services on graphic designing of marketing materials. While on the setting up stage of his creative agency, he got interested in Photography. Ronnel intended clicking the camera as a hobby and so he did years of self studying, researching and application all about photography. He discovered all the truths and tricks from pre-production up to post production; until he realized that this could be an added venture into his budding enterprise.

In 2003, professional photography and food styling were included to his list of services. Ronnel normally works as a one man team even if he's working with a team. He wears so many hats whenever there is a project shoot. He stands as an art director, a commercial photographer, a fashion/food stylist, a lighting director, a graphic artist, a copywriter and sometimes does his part as a utility crew member ensuring all the needs of the shoot are in place. Can you actually believe that? Yes and only Ronnel can do that. Many clients would attest that he is the type of photographer who is very keen into details that catches a shot that reveals a genuine glimpse of an art. He never stops giving options, choices and recommendations not unless you say that ' this is more than perfect'.

Priceless Works: Ronnel has done projects with the country's biggest brands. From product packagings, marketing campaigns to restaurant menus..

For the past 15 years, Pixel Pro Studio has become a bench mark in creative design and commercial photography which specializes in food and beverages, people, fashion, lifestyle, architecture, advertorial and sports. This boutique creative hub founded by Ronnel Cuison has expanded successfully from a humble home in Cubao with second hand owned equipments towards to its journey in to a bigger Makati studio that is well equipped at par with global standards. Served over 200 clients and collaborated projects with the country's biggest brands such as Pizza Hut, Araneta Center, Cibo, Great Taste, Jack and Jill, East West Bank, GlaxosmithKline-Stiefel, California Pizza Kitchen, Ajinimoto, UFC among others gives a definition that Ronnel's artistry on brand imaging brings recognition like an award winning work of art.

Special Thanks to Valerie Denise; Photos provided by Pixel Pro Studio Telefax 659-7488 /09178228146 http://www.ronnelcuison.com.ph/