Jesse D. Sabater - January 2007

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 06:32:05 +0800

Very few Filipino athletes who moved and lived in the US have succeeded in the sport of competitive bodybuilding. A few have risen to beat tough and quality competitors in their class. Jesse D. Sabater is one such athlete who deserves recognition.

Jesse had just recently placed 2nd in both the National Physique Committee (NPC) shows USA Championships in Las Vegas and the National Bodybuilding Championship in Miami Beach. These two shows are the most prestigious and the toughest events required before becoming a professional athlete in the world of the NPC-IFBB organization.

Jesse was born and raised in Baguio City. At a young age, he joined a few local bodybuilding competitions in the Summer Capital of the Philippines and eventually became part of the Philippine National Team. He trained at Asia Fitness and Rehabilitation Center under the wings of Sammy Ayochok who became his mentor and coach until 1991 when he moved to the US to be with his family.

Jesse settled in Oxnard, California where his family lived. He completed his college education in Dental Technology in Simi Valley, California a few miles away from home. Before he left for the US, he was going to the University of Baguio. He now owns his own business – Dental Arts Lab in Ventura, California manufacturing dentures for dentists and private clients catering mostly to Asians, senior citizens and the Hispanic community.

Everybody in the family is into health and fitness which is why he believes it’s in his blood to stay healthy, fit and competitive. His sister owns a gym in Baguio City at the SM Mall Top of the Hill called Fitness Edge. Another brother owns a franchise of Max Muscle Sports Nutrition in Orange County, California. His Mom and Dad regularly exercise and are in tip top shape even though they have retired and returned to live in Baguio City from their home in Oxnard, California. Jesse now trains at Golds Gym in Oxnard, California since it opened up in January, 2005.

Jesse believes that diet and food supplementation are a major factor in preparing for a competition:

- 8 weeks before a show, he starts his low carb/high protein diet
- 4 weeks before the show, he incorporates his low sodium intake
- 10 days before the show he depletes his carbo intake
- 3 days before the show he loads up his carbo
- 2 days before the show he dehydrates water from his system

His weight training consists of supersets, trisets, force reps and isolation during pre-contests. During off-season he does his basic routine exercises consisting of squats and deadlifts.

Jesse admires pro-bodybuilder competitor Mark Dugdale from Seattle, Washington because of the similarity in their physique. He feels he can attain the same physique as Mark's. He also believes Ronnie Coleman is the best bodybuilder the sport has produced. Other bodybuilders he looks up to  are Chris Dim, Troy Alves and of course our very own Sammy Ayochok.

Jesse plans to visit the Philippines on January 18, 2007 for a month and plans to hold seminars and guest pose for the bodybuilding community. His long term goal is to promote bodybuilding in the Philippines through his experiences in the US and by organizing competitions and shows in his native land.

For now, he is eyeing on acquiring his Professional card this year with the NPC-IFBB organization since he is just 1 short place away from being the Champion in either the USA Championship or the National Bodybuilding Championship. Becoming a pro will be a dream come true for him and a first for a Filipino American in that category.

“Persistence is the key. You have to believe in yourself. Putting your heart in everything you do, being passionate and enjoying each moment you live the sport. That’s what makes you successful in life,” Jesse advices Filipino athletes who are starting out in the sport.

Awards

• 2006, November