Henry Chua - April 2006

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 13:47:02 +0800

We're proud to feature Henry Chua - the Pride of Olongapo City - Subic, Zambales...

PM: How and when did you get started in Bodybuilding?

Henry: I've been very skinny and sickly ever since I was a child. When I got older, I wanted to get into weightlifting and improve my immune system and get in shape. This was my only goal then. Actually, the first time I went to a gym to lift weights was on my 28th birthday.

My life turned around when my family and I went to Quezon City in 2001 to watch the Musclemania Bodybuilding Competition. This was my first time to watch a bodybuilding show. I was so amazed by the competitors especially the showdown between Jay Catli and Marvin de Guzman. I could not believe that Filipino athletes can get that huge just like the Westerners. I've only seen these huge bodybuilders in pictures of international magazines. That same day my goal changed. I'm going to get huge and big to compete on stage.

PM: Who are your mentors? Is there anyone in particular who influenced you?

Henry: I don't have any mentors. I learned the proper approach and training in bodybuilding just by reading different bodybuilding magazines and surfing the internet. Yes, there are people who influenced me as I said before like Jay Catli and Marvin de Guzman when I saw them compete in the Musclemania 2001.

PM:. Do you maintain a regular diet to maintain your fit body? Can you share us some of your diet and nutrition tips?

Henry: No, I don't maintain a regular diet specially during my off-season periods. I eat anything as long as it's a 4-legged animal or if it has a wings or if it swims. 'Calories' is my main concern (meaning gaining weight) during off-season. Not how clean my diet is.

During pre-contest or cutting season, I basically maintain the same diet. The only difference is how my food is cooked and prepared. I avoid fried and fatty foods. I trim off the fats when I eat meat.

PM: What kind of training do you do in the gym to maintain a competitive body like yours?

Henry: My Off-season Weekly Routine:
I hit the gym 3 days on, then on the 4th day I take a rest.
I hit the gym again 2 days on then on the 3rd day I rest again.
Then I repeat the cycle.
I only train every bodypart once a week but I make sure it is a very intense workout..

My On-Season (Pre-competition) Weekly Routine:
I hit the gym 3 days on, then on the 4th day I take a rest.
Then I repeat the cycle.
I also do cardio exercise in the morning on an empty stomach (this way I burn fats 3 times faster than usual), then in the afternoon I lift weights.

PM: What's your best body part or best asset? Is this due to genetics or do you work on this regularly?

Henry: My legs! Before I started bodybuilding I had chicken legs but through proper nutrition and glorious training and workout they started to grow like weeds.

PM: What body part do you need to work on to keep up with the rest?

Henry: I always consider every body part of mine needing special attention. I treat them all as my weaknesses. Therefore when I train, I give it all my best regardless what body part it is.

PM: What is your goal in the next 5 years?

Henry: For me 5 years from now is too long to set my goal in. I always set my goals every 1-2 years, because it is much easier to reach and achieve them. I feel every amateur Filipino bodybuilder who “compete” (including myself) is always dreaming for the highest title in our country such as the Mr. Philippines. My perception or insight when it comes to bodybuilding is to set your goal step by step like climbing on stairs, rather than leaping and jumping ahead just to get to the top. It's unfortunate, most amateur bodybuilders I know would rather leap and jump ahead. Then after so many years of competing, they achieve nothing and their motivation is prematurely vanished.

So there he is, up close and personal interview with the Heavyweight of Olongapo City.

Awards

• 2006, March - Iron Dragon, 2nd place Heavyweight, Binondo, Manila
• 2006, March - Mr. Panagbenga, 3rd place Heavyweight, Baguio City
• 2004, November - Mr. Olongapo City, 3rd place Heavyweight, Olongapo City, Zambales
• 2004, November - Mr. Ilocos Sur, 3rd place Heavyweight, Vigan, Ilocos Sur
• 2004, September - Mr. Great Body, 4th place Heavyweight, Bangued, Abra
• 2004, May - Mr. La Union, 5th place Heavyweight, Bauang, La Union
• 2004, April - Mr. Body Beautiful, 4th place Heavyweight, Paniqui, Tarlac
• 2003, February - Mr TLC - No placement Heavyweight, Subic, Zambales

Henry Chua is the owner of PMC Gym located at #89 14th. St., New Kalalake, Pag-asa, Olongapo City. He can be reached on his cell phone (0918) 443-4559 or his email address at henry18pmc@yahoo.com