Are you the toughest Pinoy?
Now, that’s a tough question, which we will tackle a wee bit later. But first, let’s meet this tough guy: 31- year- old police officer and Mr. International 2014 Mariano Flormata Jr. (a.k.a. Neil Perez), this year’s ambassador for R U Tough Enough (RUTE)?, a nationwide search for the Toughest Pinoy.
His dashing good looks are enough to send many a female heart aflutter. His rippling six-pack is enough to win a male body beautiful contest (which he did).
Neil Perez is tough enough to be this year’s RUTE poster boy. Growing up in a depressed, crime-infested neighborhood of Tondo, he grappled with poverty and battled life’s everyday bruising realities. The third in a brood of four, he helped with daily household chores by fetching pails of water much heavier than him when he was a scraggy five-year-old.
As RUTE ambassador 2016, Neil Perez fits the bill perfectly. His tough childhood toughened him inside out. Rising above the odds, his story is an inspiration for all the young men aspiring to be policemen.
“My father was a policeman, too, but he retired at 56,” says Neil. He adds with a hint of pride, “He was an honest policeman, sobrang bait nya. His accomplishments inspired me to be a good police officer.”
NO TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
Under his father’s watchful eye, Neil grew up to be a disciplined young man who shunned drugs and alcohol. He is, after all, his father’s junior. “If I wasn’t disciplined, I would have ended up as a gangster in Vitas, Tondo,” he confesses. “There was so much trouble in Tondo then, magulo noon, so many crimes being committed. But Tondo is a much better place now.”
Fact is, Neil comes from a clan of law enforcers/military men. His grandfather was a colonel and so was an aunt. His youngest sister, who towers at six feet tall, is a Philippine Army graduate.
At 23, after a stint as security guard at Gothong Shipping Lines in North Harbor, Neil followed in his father’s footsteps and applied to be a policeman. He took the four-year course and passed the exam. Knowing the dangers that invariably come with the job, his father constantly gave him advice as Neil rose from the ranks to become a member of the special operations unit.
Among his dangerous assignments is responding to a bomb threat. “Of course, you’re scared, yung kaba
nandon,” Neil admits. “Like one time, at terminal 1 of NAIA, there was a black bag left behind that was suspected to contain a bomb. We had a dog sniff it and it was positive, but it wasn’t so when we let another dog, who was smarter, sniff it. It turned out that the bag was contaminated with rotten food which the first dog mistook for a bomb.”
He adds, “In this job, you need discipline so you don’t endanger your life or the lives of your companions and the people around you.”
To be well equipped for the job, Neil went through rigorous training. “Obstacle course, marksmanship,” he enumerates. “You need to be disciplined because one mistake could put your life and those of your companions in danger. To ensure utmost safety, they’re very strict when it comes to training.”
Today, Neil conducts bomb training himself. He has mentored two classes of explosives experts, more than 100 of them, aged 21 and up. “Some of them want to quit when faced with the tough challenges, but we push them to persevere,” Neil relates. “I tell them, ‘ Pagsubok lang yan.’” Does he think there are less corrupt policemen now? “For now, yes,” comes Neil’s quick reply. “Ang feeling ko, takot na sila ngayon. Some policemen may be tempted to do wrong because of their low salaries and low morale.”
FIT FOR THE JOB
To be the fittest policeman he can be, Neil, at 5’10 and 70 kilos, maintains a rigid physical regimen. “I do pushups — 25 first, then 30, until I feel my muscles have been thoroughly used. With one-minute intervals, I can do 200 pushups in 30 minutes,” he describes.
We couldn’t help asking Neil: Why do we see a lot of policemen with pot bellies? “Some policemen get fat because of their jobs, they’re assigned to investigation, doing desk jobs, paperwork,” he explains. “But watch out, some of these policemen could be snipers.”
After a good sweat, Neil takes a really hefty breakfast. “I can eat up to 12 boiled eggs with five to six pieces of wheat bread, peanut butter, sometimes corned beef, and a cup of rice. I take a really big breakfast because I can burn the calories throughout the day anyway.”
He wakes up at 6 a.m. and is at work by 8. He drives his motorcyle to work. He buys lunch at work, usually a balot of veggies or chicken. He’s usually off by 5 p.m. and goes straight home for dinner, which is usually at 7 or 8. He’s in bed by 9 or 10 p.m. “I also go out for a drink, but in moderation,” he stresses. “Lahat naman ng
sobra masama, even vitamins.” Neil feels he’s now at his fittest — and toughest. His girl — and gay — fans think so, too. But sorry, guys, this hottie is engaged. He plans to get married as soon as he can build a home for his wife and family.
Yes, Neil wants everyone to embrace a fit and disciplined lifestyle. “You can exercise at home even during the rainy season,” he enjoins those of us whose idea of a workout is lifting a finger, bending one’s principles or jumping to conclusions. “You can have an improvised gym at home. Simply fill up one-liter bottles with water and balance them in your hands. Or do sit-ups in bed. You don’t have to lift heavy weights.”
“We launched R U Tough Enough? last year as a competition and the response was overwhelming,” says Shirley Cheong, director of marketing, Celestial Tiger Entertainment, Hong Kong. “From the lot, we found 10 tough Pinoys, who were not only able to conquer challenges testing their physical and mental strengths, but also overcome their life’s challenges and tough past with grit and willpower. This year, we hope to see more Pinoys share their inspiring stories of toughness and the Pinoy spirit.”
KIX launches R U Tough Enough? for the second year in the Philippines. (KIX is available on Cablelink Ch. 54, Cignal TV Ch. 133, Destiny Cable Ch. 63, Gsat Ch. 18 and SKYCable Ch. 63.) The contest is open to all Philippine residents, aged 18 years old and above who exude toughness — physical strength, mental endurance, and emotional resilience. Application period is until Sept. 15. Applicants must first apply online at www.KIX-TV.com/tough. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a closed door audition on Sept. 24, where 10 tough individuals will be selected to vie for the title “Toughest Pinoy.”
The 10 finalists will compete in a final showdown where they will be asked to perform a series of physically demanding and mentally challenging tasks. As the popular proverb goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
The final showdown will be held at The Block Atrium, SM North EDSA on Oct. 14. The toughest of the toughies will pocket a grand prize of P250,000.
Last year’s RUTE ambassador was debonair actor Daniel Matsunaga. RUTE drew 300 applicants from all walks of life, from all over the country. Among the contestants were “The Courageous Chinito” Markus Lim, “The Charitable Champion” Rhimbo Severino, “The Determined Dabawenyo” Nathaniel Sanchez, “The Independent Idealist” Lei Villanueva, “The Daring Dreamer” Reyn Talosig, “The Mighty Model” Cheann Kubota, “The Ferocious Firefighter” Neil Boclongan, “The Dauntless Daddy” Jaime Completo, “The Fearless Foreignoy” Ribhi Saleh, and “The Extraordinary Ex-Rebel” Rocky Ramos.
RUTE is co-sponsored by Fisherman’s Friend and partners SM Megamall, SM City North Edsa, Gold’s Gym, FHM, Mellow 94.7, Men’s Health, Beer Below Zero, Columbia Sportswear, Mountain Hardwear, National Book Store, Pacific Xtreme Combat, and Pilipinas 911 with official media partners Skycable, Cablelink, Destiny, and Cignal.
Interested? This could be one of the toughest decisions you’ll ever make in your life!