The Irony Of The Long Haul

In the long and arduous journey to the finish line, Gerald Anderson discovers that before he could run, swim and bike to the finish line, he must first learn how to walk, committing to endurance and patience, revealing the best shape (and state) of his life yet.

- Monique Buensalido

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning at Kerry Sports Manila at the Shangri-La Fort, and as the MEGA Man team mills around the squash courts getting the cover shoot set-up ready, Gerald Anderson is quietly sitting on a wooden bench, patiently waiting for the shoot to start. Clad in a white windbreaker, dri-fit shirt, running shorts, and black and white basketball shoes, he seems calm,focused and ready to go. It’s not because of the cup of coffee he’s clutching, though; he’s already done his morning workout.

“I was here at 6:00 AM,” he explains matter-off actly—a little cheerfully, in fact. “Sayang eh! Nandito na.” Unlike most people who talk about exercise (whether it’s at 6:00 AM or 6:00 PM) with a sense of doom or dread, Gerald talks about working out eagerly. It’s not a chore or a punishment for him, but something that he legitimately enjoys and integrates into his busy schedule. “I love it,” he declares. “It’s really part of my life. Bata pa lang ako, active ako sa basketball and different sports.” These days though, there’s a new sport that’s been taking up his time—triathlons.

While basketball will most likely remain the most popular sport in the country, Filipinos often become intensely fascinated with certain sports that become trendy. Once upon a time, it was tae-bo (A mix of taekwondo and boxing— anyone born after the year 2000 may not remember this at all). Then, it was badminton. Then, there came the rise of CrossFit.