Celebs in Cebu for Ironman

Piolo Pascual, Iñigo Pascual, Enchong Dee and Bubbles Paraiso (Photos /Allan Cuizon & USJ-R Intern Mary Ruth Malinao)

PIOLO Pascual is back in Cebu for today’s Ironman, his fifth year of participating. He brought with him his son Iñigo.

Enchong Dee and Bubbles Paraiso are also in Cebu as they form part of Sun Life Financial’s team in the athletic event.

Aside from giving financial assistance to its clients, Sun Life Financial also promotes health and wellness, hence, its 5th year of participation in the Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship 2018.

The insurance company presented its athletes in a press conference last Friday at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.

“After all, at Sun Life, our promise is to help our clients achieve brighter life, and that’s not simply about enjoying lifetime financial security, but also living a healthier life,” said Benedict Sison, Sun Life chief executive officer and country head.

Sison said the team is composed of Sun Life executives, employees and brand ambassadors, as well as the team’s flag bearer, Kapamilya actor Pascual.

“As we follow their Ironman journey, I hope they’ll be able to inspire more people to also pursue their health and wellness,” said Sison.

Pascual, who has been with the Sun Life Tri Team for half a decade, motivated his fellow tri-athletes for today’s event. He will take the bike leg.

“I just wanna encourage all the athletes to not give up,” 41-year-old Pascual said.

He also challenged his son, Iñigo, to join the triathlon next year.

Aside from Pascual, Enchong Dee, the newest brand ambassador, is also going to participate in the event as he will kick off the action in the swim stage.

Dee, a former national tanker, encouraged the sports enthusiasts as he shared with them the secret in finding the right sport for them.

“I always say that look for the one that you really fall in love with so that hindi mo lang sya gagawin dahil ito yong uso or ito yong may (you don’t just do it because it’s a fad or because it’s an) endorsement. Parang I wanna do it because I feel better with that sport. I feel healthier with that sport, and I inspire people with that sport,” said Dee.

Having the same goal with Sun Life Financial, Wilfred Uytengsu, Sunrise Events Inc. chief executive officer, shared how he appreciates his partnership with Sun Life since both companies embrace the same ideal of a healthy and active lifestyle.

Sunrise Events Inc. is the organizing team of the Ironman 70.3.

Uytengsu emphasized that the Ironman event is one way of increasing the sports tourism in the Philippines.

“To give Filipinos a chance to raise the Ironman brand. To help the Philippines with sports tourism. To prove that here we can run first class, world-class events,” said Uytengsu.

For his part, Sison said that Ironman has been a great venue for Sun Life to promote its goal in health and wellness.

Mylene Lopa, Sun Life Financial chief marketing officer, enumerated some of the financial products that the company provides to its clients, and introduced its latest product: Sun Fit and Well. This provides health coverage from prevention, diagnosis, treatment until the rehabilitation stage.

“This product, we don’t just give you money to get better, we also give you money to prevent you from getting sick. It has a prevention benefit component that allows the clients in this product to participate in all health classes for free,” Lopa explained.

The Sun Life Triathlon Team is fielding a total of 13 racers. It is one of more than 300 teams competing in this much-anticipated race of the year.

Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific 2018 starts at 5:30 a.m today.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1756368/Cebu/Entertainment/Celebs-in-Cebu-for-Ironman