By Cynthia De Castro
NOVEMBER 23, 2007
Asianjournal.com
From ‘Batang Sementeryo’ to Mr. Universe
TWO hundred fifty participants from 39 instead. Pinapunta na lang kami sa gilid ng
countries posed in front of the judges at the stage,” he said.
finals of the 2006 Mr. and Ms. Universe Body A man with lesser faith would have been
Building Competition in Cuxhnvun, Germany. discouraged by all the obstacles he faced but
All the contestants excitedly held their Borlain just kept believing. “Alam ko, (I know)
breaths. They knew the winner would join my God is more powerful than any obstacle,
the ranks of famous past winners like Arnold more powerful than all the negative treatment
Schwarzenegger (The Terminator) and Lou and circumstances that came our way,” he said.
Ferigno (Incredible Hulk). Borlain’s faith brought him the gold and the
When the winners were announced, perfect title of Mr. Universe.
scores, each one, the contest honored the first “There was no cash prize, just a trophy,” he
Asians to win the Mr. and Ms. Universe. Both revealed. “But, the honor of being the first Asian
they were Pinoys — Francisco “Ringo” Borlain and the first Pinoy to become Mr. Universe
and Dwan Adantao. and the privilege of bringing honor to the
Building body Philippines—that is priceless,” he said.
Ringo Borlain was near tears as he recalled all No ticker tape parade
the obstacles he faced that led to that moment. Borlain and Adantao’s victory was not
One of four children of Amelia and Diego given any attention by the media and the
Borlain, Ringo grew up in South Cemetery in
All his hard work and discipline paid off
government.
Makati City, where his father worked as a grave
when he joined body building and fitness
“Hindi kasi popular yung sport na body
digger. They lived inside the cemetery until his
competitions and emerged champion. Some
building kaya siguro walang atensyon at
high school days.
of his awards are Mr. Ironman, Slimmer’s Great
support from the government. Pero kung
His memories of growing up are poignant
Body Champion, and 1st runner-up in Mr.
gusto kang i-angat ng Lord, Siya ang gagawa
with heart-rending episodes of hardship and
Philippines contest in 2006. Then, he joined the
ng paraan. May nakilala ako na nagulat na
distress. “Namulat ako sa tatay na laging lasing
selection for who will represent the country in
wala kaming nakuhang reward or recognition
(I always wake up with a drunken father),” he
the event in Germany and was able to make it.
from the government. May kaibigan pala siya
said.
A born-again Christian, Borlain said it is all
sa Malacañang at sinabihan niya yun about
After high school, Ringo worked in a canteen
by faith in God that he was able to overcome
us. So, while we won the championship in
in Makati. He worked hard and saved money.
the obstacles. He said it is miraculous how
December 3, 2006, we were only recognized
When he was able to raise P500, Ringo enrolled
God provided for all his needs to join the
by the government in February 2007. Noon
at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines
competition.
kami pinapunta sa Malacañang at nabigyan
(PUP). He then joined the varsity basketball
“ I didn’t have money to buy my plane ticket
ni President Arroyo ng Medal of Merit at pa-
team where he got an allowance. Through hard
pero naniniwala ako na bibigyan ako noon ni
premyo na P100,000. At noon din lang kami na-
work, discipline, diligence and determination,
Lord kung will Niya talaga na mapunta ako sa
feature sa press,” Borlain told the Asian Journal.
Ringo graduated from college with a degree in
Germany. Then, a friend unexpectedly gave me
Borlain’s colorful past and victory was featured
Physical Education.
a plane ticket, with some pocket money pa.
in the media. One memorable interview he
“Almost everything I have now started at the
Tapos, malapit na akong umalis wala pa akong
had was with popular celebrity Donita Rose
PUP, the humility, discipline, courage, diligence
titirhan sa Germany. Siyempre wala naman
Villarama, who featured Ringo in her weekly
and my being a sports-minded person all came
akong pera para mag-hotel doon. Nag-pray
TV show that delves into true-to-life stories
from my school,” said Borlain. “At PUP, I learned
ako sa Lord to help me. Then, a friend I met in
of individuals who overcome extraordinary
to compete in sports and take it seriously with
the gym learned about my trip and said may
obstacles and tragedies.
total commitment.”
kakilala siya na nakatira doon mismo sa lugar
The reigning Mr. Universe (the 2007
Borlain revealed to the Asian Journal that
sa Germany na pupuntahan ko. Tinawagan niya
championship will be in December) said that
since college, he had taken up many sports like
kaibigan niya at pumayag yun na doon ako
God has been opening doors of opportunity
marathon and other endurance sports. Then,
sa kanila tumira - kahit hindi naman niya ako
for him to speak before people. He makes the
he got a job as an OFW, working as a recreation
kilala. And a few days before I left, unti-unting
most of these opportunities to inspire people
supervisor at the United States Military Training
may mga nagbigay ng pera na pambaon ko,”
to overcome the odds. He admits that he is so
Mission in Saudi. He came back after two years
Borlain added.
passionate for God because of what the Lord
and became a fitness instructor at Excel Fitness
From center stage to the wings and back
has done for him—taking him out of his “ghetto
Center and Slimmers World International.
Upon arriving in Germany, Borlain and
life” and transforming him from a “batang
While working in gyms, he decided to
Adantao were discriminated upon. The other
sementeryo” to Mr. Universe.
concentrate in body building and fitness.
participants from Europe and Western countries
“God has radically changed my life and He
“Kailangan lang determined ka basta may
were given interviews with the press but they
can do the same for anyone who comes to Him,”
goal ka na. I kept to my strict diet of fruits and
were not.
Borlain testified. “I want to be an example for
high protein. I was in the gym everyday — 1 ½
“Hindi kami sinali sa mga pictorials at sa
the youth and encourage them to stay away
hours in the morning and another 1 ½ hours
interviews (We were not included in the
from drugs. Instead, they should engage in
in the evening. You will always find a reason or
pictorials and interviews), “ revealed Borlain.
sports and must make sports a part of their
an excuse in the morning when you wake up
“At saka, may mga number na nakukuha ng
daily lives.”
before going to your physical training, why you
participants para malaman mo kung saan
“Talagang gifted ang mga Pinoys at talented.
can’t run or swim or bike that particular day.
ka tatayo sa stage. Yung numbers na nakuha
We just have to have a positive attitude and not
But never allow that to stop you from going
namin doon sa gitna ng stage. Pero, pinaalis
forget to give the glory, not to man, but to God
anyway,” Borlain said.
kami dun sa gitna at nilagay yung mga Russians
who makes all things possible.” (AJ)
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