Body Talk with The Century Tuna Superbods

So what does it take to be a Century Tuna Superbod?

Sara Polverini and Mauro Lumba have the answers.

“I think to be a Century Tuna Superbod,” said Sara, “you must be fit and lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Being a Superbod is a good opportunity to inspire others and make them know that, like me, they can achieve their goals, too. Showing people that living healthy is beneficial to the mind and body.”

“I think that being a Superbod is all about being balanced,” said Mauro, “balanced in mind and body, balanced in work and play…plus a good personality.”

Sara and Mauro beat nine other aspirants (10 in male category and 10 in female category) to bag the 2014 Century Tuna Superbods Super Challenge title held in Boracay on April 25 to 27, an annual event sponsored by Century Pacific Food, Inc.

Turning 24 on Oct. 5 (Libra), Sara studied in Brent School and took up Fashion Design in Florence, Italy, where she lived for three years. Her father is Italian and her mother is a Filipina from Iloilo.

“I’ve always been asked to join beauty contests,” added Sara who stands 5’6”, weighs 105 lbs., and measures 34-24-34, “and the Superbod Challenge was actually the first one I joined. I was halfway through the Mutya pageant but I backed out because I had to choose between a pageant and a girl-group contest.”

Turning 22 on Aug. 14 (Leo), Mauro finished grade/high school at Don Bosco Makati and B.S. Hotel & Restaurant Management (HRM) in UST. He’s pure Filipino, born and raised in the Philippines. He stands 6’1” and weighs 185 lbs. He’s a member of NYOBG (Not Your Ordinary Boys and Girls), the group organized by Boy Abunda, which performs mostly in shows by PAGCOR.

What was the toughest part of the Superbod Challenge?

Sara: I think that everyone was somewhat nervous during the Q&A.

Mauro: I think it’s the journey itself because you have to prepare yourself, train every day and discipline yourself. Careful with what you eat.

How did you prepare for it?

Sara: I hit the gym every day and alternated cardio and strength training. I like dance for cardio. I also like to play tennis. Aside from the physical preparation, mental preparation is essential, too. Getting enough sleep is important. Eating more fruits, vegetables and lean protein can improve your day-to-day mental focus and well-being. Also Omega3 in fish promotes a positive mood.

Mauro: Well, I really worked hard and devoted myself to it. So far, it was the hardest thing that I’d ever worked for. It was something that I really wanted.

What kind of diet do you follow?

Sara: I don’t follow any specific diet. As much as possible, I try to fill up half of my plate with vegetables or fruit. Then, healthy carbs and protein. I think the secret is eating in moderation. I eat four to five small balanced meals throughout the day. 

Mauro: I’m on a lean diet right now, eating mostly protein, fish, chicken breast, broccoli and sweet potato, downed with tea or lemon water.

What’s usually for breakfast, lunch and dinner?

Sara: For breakfast, usually oatmeal, egg whites, or muesli and yogurt. For lunch and dinner, it varies — gluten free pasta with olive oil and tuna, or brown rice with chicken or other lean meat.

Mauro: For breakfast, small amount of rice, tuna and four to six hard-boiled eggs. For lunch, chicken breast and vegetables. For dinner, fish or chicken again.

What food do you always crave for, what food do you avoid?

Sara: Chocolates; I have a sweet tooth. But I try to avoid sweets like cakes and donuts. Also, fried food and sodas.

Mauro: Sweets of different kinds, mostly pastries or chocolates. I avoid salty food.

Any snacks between meals?
Sara: A piece of fruit or a small sandwich. Sometimes, nuts or cereal bars.

Mauro: Bananas, sweet potato or an apple.

How much water do you take per day (soda, coffee, tea or energy drinks)?

Sara: Six to eight glasses. Sometimes, I take coffee before a gym session. No energy drinks. I prefer cranberry-flavored green tea or chamomile tea.

Mauro: I don’t know how many but sometimes I drink tea after lunch or dinner. I take energy drink before I work out.

What vitamins do you take?

Sara: Vitamin C. But I get nutrition mostly from food.

Mauro: Vitamin C after breakfast. For the whole day na ‘yan.

What workout do you do?

Sara: As I said, I alternate cardio and strength training. For cardio, I take up dance classes, or I run. For strength training, I do weights. I work on specific body parts like my legs, my arms or my abs.

Mauro: Mostly free weights, body-weight training and basketball.

What part of your body needs improvement?

Sara: I think every woman won’t stop until she achieves that perfect flat stomach. 

Mauro: My back muscles and a bit of my abs, hehehe!

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

Sara: Probably my feet and lower legs.

Mauro: My fingers. They are somewhat weak, don’t have a strong grip.

What part of your body is your favorite?

Sara: I always get compliments about my legs. I think as of now, my favorite part would be my arms because they’re toned. I love doing arm exercises. 

Mauro: My abs. That’s the part that I am most concerned with, hehehe!

What part of a man’s (a woman’s) body do you notice first?

Sara: His arms and his smile. Is smile part of the body? Hehehe!

Mauro: Her eyes.

What else in a man (a woman) turns you on?

Sara: Chemistry and sense of humor.

Mauro: Her smile.

And what’s in a man (a woman) that turns you off?

Sara: Bad hygiene, selfishness.

Mauro: I don’t like girls who are “feeling,” hahaha!

How’s your love life?

Sara: Newly single.

Mauro: Good naman….so far, hahaha!

Do you have a nightlife? 

Sara: Occasionally, yes. It’s nice to catch up with friends who are from the club scene. 

Mauro: Yes, sometimes.

How much sleep do you get per night?

Sara: Six hours. 

Mauro: I try to get eight hours but I usually get only six.

Favorite sleepwear?

Sara: A loose cotton T-shirt. 

Mauro: Boxers.

Do you snore?

Sara: I don’t think so.

Mauro: Yes, I do.

Do you talk in your sleep?

Sara: I’m not sure, hahaha.

Mauro: Sometimes.

Do you sleepwalk?

Sara: Never.

Mauro: No.

How many pillows do you sleep with?

Sara: Two.

Mauro: Five.

Last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

Sara: Pray.

Mauro: Brush my teeth.

First thing that you do as soon as you wake up?

Sara: Check my phone. Have breakfast.

Mauro: Wash my face and pee, hehehe!

How do you unwind, cope with stress — massage or meditation?

Sara: Definitely, massage. I also love playing tennis.

Mauro: Got to the gym, play basketball or simply hang out with friends.

Favorite city?

Sara: Makati.

Mauro: Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Favorite hideaway?

Sara: Any place out of the country. Once in a while, a new travel destination is exciting.

Mauro: Tagaytay.

Name three men that you think have nice bodies.

Sara: David Gandy, Taylor Lautner and Channing Tatum (in Magic Mike).

Mauro: Cristiano Ronaldo, Chris Evans and Angelov Lazar.

And three women that you think have nice bodies.

Sara: Adriana Lima, Jessica Biel and Nicole Scherzinger.

Mauro: Jessica Biel, Jennifer Lawrence and Scarlet Johansson.

Using only body language, how would you make a man (a woman) know that you admire him (her)?

Sara: I smile at him.

Mauro: I flash her my sweetest smile.

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com.)