Arthur T. Bolo - June 2006

Sat, 03 Jun 2006 23:35:53 +0800

What does it take to be a successful athlete? Arthur Bolo is one bodybuilder who believes success comes in an everyday struggle and finding the right formula for himself.

Arthur started out as a cyclist in Virac, Catanduanes where he was raised and educated in high school and college. From his humble beginnings in the province, he left for Manila to seek a better life for himself. He joined a cycling club called the PICC Manila Cultural Cycling Team on Roxas Blvd. to continue his cycling career. He had always admired well-conditioned athletes.

In 1998, he started weight training in a local gym in Manila on his own to develop muscles on his body. Pretty soon he started seeing results and decided to try his luck in bodybuilding competition without knowing how to train for a competition. Being genetically gifted, it wasn't hard for him to look like "one of the guys" and eventually the competition bug bit him.

One thing that will set him apart from an average bodybuilder athlete is that he started out late in bodybuilding. He was already 35 years old when he started lifting weights. Up to this date, he still competes and beating out guys in their twenties. It just goes to show that bodybuilding whether you are competitive or non-competitive is for all ages.

Another thing that's admirable about him is that he never takes any drug enhancers to get a competitive physique. No lie! No kidding! In a sport where drugs are rampantly used, he is the epitomy of a natural athlete. With his genetics, he does not need them.

In 2004, he competed in the National level but never made the cut. No regrets because he believes he may not be ready for it yet. He's content doing the amateur events for now. The cash money he gets doing the local shows may be better off for him financially now more than the title of being in the National Team where budget cuts from the government are speculated and rumored. Someday, he will be ready to take on that National responsibility.

Arthur is dedicated, driven and disciplined. A true athlete in every sense of the word. And to top it all, he does not hold grudges against the judges if he does not win a competition. We've seen athletes who throw their trophies, medals and tear their check awards right in front of the face of organizers and judges. But we won't name those bastards! For having no respect at all and somehow uneducated. But Arthur behaves in a sportsman-like manner whether he wins or not. Kudos to you Arthur. You're one athlete everybody should emulate.

On the side, Arthur designs and creates sportswear, gym apparels and prints sports logos. Although, he has not gotten the million peso contract with Nike yet, someday his designs will bear the billboards on EDSA. So watch out!

He looks up to Alvin Sangalang as his idol among the local and Filipino competitors because of his stage presence and charisma. Who is Alvin Sangalang, anyway? He's the Pampanga competitor who is known for his most symmetrical form and massive physique and having a prominent birthmark on his forehead and has won a few amateur events. He's been keeping a low profile lately because of his kidney ailment. Let's give him some moral support during his trying times.

Well, Arthur is enjoying his everyday success because he is just simply a happy person. When you meet him, he'll have many stories to share and you'll never get bored.

Awards

• 2006, May - Mr. & Ms. Bluewave Marquinton Best Body Challenge, 1st place Lightweight, Marikina City, Metro Manila
• 2006, May - Ginoong Antipolo, 1st place Heavyweight, Antipolo City, Rizal
• 2006, May - Mr. Nueva Viscaya, 2nd place Openweight, Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya
• 2006, May - Mr. Fitness Plus, 1st place Lightweight, San Jacinto, Pangasinan
• 2006, May - Mr. Sorsogon City, 5th place Openweight, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
• 2006, May - Mr. Manoy's Gym, 1st place Heavyweight, Caloocan City, Metro Manila
• 2006, May - Mr. RM Fitness, 1st place Openweight, Caloocan City, Metro Manila
• 2006, April - Mr. Muscle Beach, 2nd place Openweight, Naic, Cavite
• 2006, April - Bisig Ng Sta. Rosa, 2nd place Openweight, Sta. Rosa, Laguna
• 2006, March - Ginoong Alabang, 1st place Medium, Alabang, Metro Manila
• 2006, March - Iron Dragon, 2nd place Openweight, Sta. Cruz, Manila, Metro Manila
• 2006, March - Mr. Panagbenga, 1st place Lightweight, Baguio City
• 2006, February - Ginoong Grace Park, 3rd place Lightweight, Caloocan City, Metro Manila
• 2005, November - Ginoong Onse, 2nd place Medium, San Juan, Metro Manila
• 2005, September - Del Monte SK Gym Youth, 4th place Open, Quezon City, Metro Manila
• 2005, August - Mr. Pangasinan, 1st place Lightweight, Rosales, Pangasinan
• 2005, July - Mr. Wow Baguio, 1st place Lightweight, Baguio City
• 2005, June - Lakas Ng Bayan, 1st place Medium, San Juan, Metro Manila
• 2005, May - CyberMuscle, 1st place Medium and Overall, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila
• 2005, May - Mr. Valenzuela, 1st place Medium and Overall, Karuhatan, Valenzuela, Metro Manila
• 2005, May - DNK, 2nd place Lightweight, Paranaque City, Metro Manila
• 2005, May - Mr. Sta. Ana, 1st place Bantam, Sta. Ana, Manila, Metro Manila
• 2005, February - Mr. Panagbenga, 3rd place Lightweight, Baguio City
• 2005, January - Ginoong Grace Park, 1st place Medium, Caloocan City, Metro Manila
• 2004, December - Ginoong Lakan, 2nd place Lightweight, Nasugbu, Batangas
• 2004, November - Mr. Foxx Gym, 4th place Lightweight, Sta. Cruz, Metro Manila
• 2004, November - Truly Huge, 5th place Medium, Sta. Cruz, Metro Manila
• 2004, November - Ginoong Onse, 3rd place Lightweight, San Juan, Metro Manila
• 2004, June - Batangas Hunks, 2nd place Lightweight, Batangas City, Batangas
• 2004, May - Mr. Salawag, 1st place Openweight, Dasmarinas, Cavite
• 2004, May - Ginoong Maynila - 2nd place Lightweight, Intramuros, Metro Manila
• 2004, April - Mr. Northern Luzon, 5th place Lightweight, Baguio City
• 2004, February - Mr. Panagbenga 4th place, Lightweight, Baguio City
• 2003, December - Mr. Teamwork 1st place Bantamweight, Binan, Laguna
• 2003, December - Mr. PMC Muscle & Mega Bench Contest 4th place, Olongapo City, Zambales
• 2003, May - Ginoong Luzon 1st place Lightweight, Tayabas, Quezon
• 2003, May - Man of Mandaluyong 1st place Bantamweight, Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila
• 2003, May - Ginoong Arkong Bato, 1st place Openweight and Overall, Valenzuela City, Metro Manila
• 2003, May - Mr. Marilao 2nd place Bantamweight, Marilao, Bulacan
• 2003, March - Power Boy 2nd place Openweight, Bacoor, Cavite
• 2003, February - Mr. Valentine 1st place Bantamweight, Paco, Metro Manila
• 2003, February - Ginoong Gilas - 3rd place Medium, Caloocan City, Metro Manila
• 2003, January - Ginoong Grace Park 1st place Mediumweight and Overall, Caloocan City, Metro Manila
• 2002, December - Ginoong Rizaleno 3rd place Mediumweight, Antipolo City, Rizal
• 2002, December - Ginoong Tondo, 1st place Large and Overall, Tondo, Manila
• 2002, May - Ginoong Luzon, 3rd place Lightweight, Tayabas, Quezon
• 2002, February - Mr. Valentine, 2nd place Lightweight, Paco, Manila
• 2001, December - Mr. Santa Claus, 4th place Lightweight, Paco, Manila
• 2001, December - Mr. Isitan Posing Competition, semi-finals, Sta. Cruz, Manila
• 2000, December - Mr. Santa Claus, 4th place, Lightweight, Paco, Manila
• 2000, August - Mr. YMCA, 2nd place, Novice, Paco, Manila
• 2000, May - Mr. Tondo 1st place Senior and Overall, Tondo, Metro Manila

Arthur Bolo is available for personal training and you can reach him on his cell phone (0915) 949-7459