By DYAN CASTILLEJO-GARCIA
with JACKIE CASTILLEJO

Athletes worked hard for this event.

The AFP Theater was filled with health and fitness enthusiasts who either came to support family members or friends or just to enjoy seeing the results of tough exercise. The event was the first "Mr. and Ms. Universe Philippines" in the country.

The winner in each division will represent the Philippines in the Mr. and Ms. Universe world event in Germany in December. The organizers worked hard to ensure a successful event. They said hosting it was a treat and it was inspiring.

The Ms. Fitness event was one of my favorites. It showcased how women can be extremely well defined and in shape without having the traditional bulging muscles. Associated with bodybuilding, the line up of contestants was impressive.

Great-looking women showed enthusiasm, confidence and sexy physiques. In the past, Filipinas in competitions were unheard of. But it wasn’t like that at all in this competition.

An 82-year-old and a 50-year-old battled in the masters’ division. Both looked exceptional for their age. The elder did not show any intimidation whatsoever despite his opponent being 32 years younger than him. It was the spirit we can all learn from. We should always work hard, give it our best and go out with confidence.

During an attractive event, a mixed pair of men and women had to be in synchronicity, in mind and body, to win. Balance and symmetry were the keys this relatively new division needed. It was the most recent added division, but it immediately became a popular one.

From the two winners, the best was chosen. The female winner will represent the Philippines in the Mr. and Ms. Universe event in Germany at the end of the year, courtesy of the organizers. Among the best bodies in the world, the Filipina again stood out.

It was difficult for the judges to pick an over-all men champion from all the winners of the different categories but it had to be done. The crowd had their choice but it was the judge’s decision that was considered final. It had been a long day and there was clearly sacrifice on the athlete’s part. Athletes went through months of training and for this day of reckoning, the day of the competition. The declared winner was overjoyed and fell to his knees.

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The owner of this great riding school out here in Alfonso, Cavite is Chito Aniban. He decided to pass on his passion for riding horses to anyone who wanted to enroll at CJMM riding school, where Pedro Sebastian is head instructor.

Pedro has been training horses and teaching people how to ride them for over 30 years. He has traveled all around the world doing what he does best-- teaching horses and teaching people about horses.

Almost everyone’s childhood includes memories of riding horses in Baguio in the summer but not everyone actually learned to ride them the right way.

First thing we learned was how to get on a horse. We can all probably manage to get up on the saddle somehow, but knowing the proper way to do it, makes it so much easier and safer. Why safer? If you happen to mount the horse abruptly and the wrong way you could catch the horse by surprise and it could jolt you.

Then you learn where to put your feet, how to hold the stirrup, how to turn the horse and how to stop your horse.

Pedro told us that the most important thing one should know is that you need to let your horse feel that you are not just a rider on the horse but a friend.

It’s amazing how, when you put all of Pedro’s instruction together, riding the horse becomes so much easier and so much more comfortable.

Now the real fun has started! Chito has created a great place for all his beloved horses to run and boy did we make them run.

There really is something so liberating about being on a horse, out on the fields and just going with the wind.

You know my sister Jackie Castillejo’s childhood dream was not to be a tennis player but a jockey. She always says she feel very at ease when on a horse.

All in all, Jackie and my partner, Marc Nelson, really got a kick out of this experience. Literally!