Athlete in Focus: Johnald Romero

It's been roughly a year since I've met Johnald Romero in Cebu for the 1st
Phil-Asia Bodybuilding Championship. My first impression of him was he was the silent type.  But at the back of my mind, I thought maybe it was the diet and water depletion that sucked all the strength out of him. Well true enough after the competition when he got his food and water that he became more amiable. Although still making me feel like a professor with all those "sir".

Johnald hails from Misamis Occidental and graduated from Alfonso D. Tan College with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Economics.  It was in his college days in 2004 when he was prodded by his track and field buddy, Jason Lalaan, to enter bodybuilding. This was a shift from his sports then which was the discus and hammer throw events.  That was the start of fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming Mr. Philippines.

It may be his background on sports that favors fast twitch muscles that helped him maintain an athletic physique in bodybuilding. He doesn't carry much mass, but his body symmetry and aesthetic is one of the best. He'll easily gets the best torso award if there is one, and he has no distended gut to speak of even when not posing. Johnald says his best body parts are his abs and shoulders. Well just look at the pictures and tell us what you think.

Of course, his body is not perfect. His body is still continually under construction. He says he needs to improve his back, which needs more definition and width. He trains five times a week, and being a personal trainer in Fitness First Greenhills helps him put in those hours in the gym.

Two of his Mr. Olympia idols are Frank Zane and Phil Heath. Actually, two very different bodybuilders. One has a classic lean ectomorph body, while the other has the bulkier mesomorph physique.  It seems Johnald needs to get more bulk to reach his dreams to be a world class bodybuilder like the two legends. 

He also wants to be known as a good fitness trainer.  He is  certified in Fitness First's Personal Training Foundation Program -  Silver and Gold level, TRX suspension, and most importantly, first aid and CPR.  So for those of you who want to train safely, you can head out to Fitness First Greenhills and ask for him.

He has won quite a few competitions since he started bodybuilding in 2004. His most important achievements to date are the Championship award he got from the 2010 Mr. Philippines Lightweight Division and the 1st Phil-Asia Athletic Class in 2011.

Johnald is currently preparing for next year's Mr. Asia Pacific in Boracay and the Hong Kong Bodybuilding Invitational.  He takes IS Gainer Whey and Creatine Monohydrate during his off season. He switches to Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey, Creatine, and USPlabs' Anabolic Pump, Prime, and PowerFULL when preparing for a competition. 

Johnald stands 5'6" with a competition weight of 170lbs. This puts him in the short category (NAC Class 1, NABBA, WFF Class 3) and the very competitive below 80kg category (IFBB, WBPSF).  Lastly, what's an athlete profile without the achievements, so here it is. We wish Johnald continued success in the future.

2004:

Mr. Doc Fitness center Novice Champion

Mr. Hardcore Paperweight Champion

Mr. Iron Man Novice Champion - Feb 28, 2004

Mr. Jemenez Small Division Champion

2006:

Mr. Musculo Novice Division 2nd place - June 28, 2006

R.M Fitness Center Gym Novice 2nd place - May 18, 2006

Mr. & Ms. Universe Philippine Team Quilifier Novice 2nd place - July 15, 2006
2007:

Del Monte SK Gym Youth Bber Club "Bakal laban sa Droga" Lightweight Champion - Feb. 4, 2007

2008:

Mr. FIT and Hip Caloocan Medium Division Champion - Dec 24, 2008

Mr. Valentine Lightweight Champion - Feb. 14, 2008

2009:

Mr. Muscle Proud Bodybuuilding Contest Lightweight  Champion and Best Poser

1st Open Invitational Bodybuilding Competition Medium Divion 2nd place - Nov. 17, 2009

Mr. Iron Man Lightweight 3rd place - May 18, 2009

1st Invitational bodybuilding competition Lightweight 3rd place - May 30, 2009

2010:

Mr. Valentine Amateur Division 2nd place

Asenso ng Bayan sigurado Program Bodybuilding Comp. Lightweight 2nd place

BJ Gym 6th Invitation Bodyshaping Competition Openweight Champion

Mr. Anatomies Lightweht Champion

Philippine Federation of Bodybuilders, Inc. (PFBB) Lightweight Champion - Feb. 28, 2010

FAME Fitness and Modeling expo Philippine Open Category 4th place - April 24, 2010

2011:

Muscle Mania Riders Club Lightweight 3rd Place - Feb. 12, 2011

The Philippine Federation of Bodybuilding Inc., (PFBB) Lightweight 3rd place - April 9, 2011

Mr. Power Gym  Medium Division 2nd place - March 26, 2011

Phil-Asia Int'l. Bodybuilding Championship Atheletic Champion - Oct. 21, 2011

Phil-Asia Int'l. Bodybuilding Championship Medium Division 4th place - Oct. 21, 2011

2012:

Mr. BiÑan Laguna Welterweight 2nd place - Sept. 19, 2012