From Flab to Fab

By: Costales, Nil Patrick S.

It was a life changing day for Laurence Bautista, “I didn’t expect that I would get into the squad because I was very thin and I have a big tummy.” says Bautista. 

As a student from Manila Science High school Bautista spend most of his time studying and is not into sports. After he graduated high school he entered the University of the Philippines and decided to join the squad. “I was scared, because all of them are big guys”.

 But for him it is a challenge that he must endure. Bautista does extra workouts to enhance his strength. He reads Men’s Health magazine, “I follow the diet that the article in the magazine says.” He started drinking Whey, a protein - rich drink that can increase your muscle growth. He eats a lot after training because he says that there is a one hour open window for our body after a long strenuous activity, that the food you eat turns into muscle or energy, it does not turn into fat. Doing the extra work outside training enables him to lift bigger flyers and He was able to execute more difficult stunts that he can’t do before.

He was able to compete with the team, in the recently UAAP cheer dance competition where the team defended their title which surprised everyone with their Madonna-inspired routine. “Our goal is to reach as much people as we can. Madonna is so popular and we know that with our routine, we inspired a lot of people," added Bautista.

It does not end there; He was also in Hong Kong and they were able to win the third place in Cheer - Mixed category (6th Cheerleading World Championship 2011). “We are all very grateful for everything that we achieved in 2011," said UP Pep Squad co-captain Laurence Bautista.

Indeed this year was a good one for Laurence; this is the first time that the team won three medals in one year (Philippine National Games, UAAP Cheer dance Competition, and Cheerleading World Championships) "It is a great privilege and honor to lead the team in bringing pride not only to our University but also to the whole country," shared Bautista, who, unlike his teammates, joined the squad without any cheerleading background. "The country can expect the best from the UP Pep Squad," he added.

Who would believe that He would be this excellent, and now He was able to become one of the team captains and lead the team to compete against the best teams around