Hardest-working ‘Loser’ wins

LARRY Martin, The First Pinoy Biggest Loser, down to 154 lbs during the final weigh-in Photo by Arnold Almacen

“The true test is if they would survive the real world. No more cameras, no more weigh-ins, no more deadlines. They would be on their own.”

Thus said fitness coach Jim Saret, who helped “The Biggest Loser” grand winner Larry Martin shed off a hefty 101 lbs from his original weight of 255 lbs.

ANGELA Chico-Lupangco

Aside from winning the title of The First Pinoy Biggest Loser, Martin also took home a cash prize of P1 million, a newly refurbished condominium unit from DCMI Homes, a Vespa scooter, a 40” Sony Bravia internet TV, Whirlpool appliances and a lifetime membership from Fitness First.

‘Perfect role model’

Saret described Martin, a former policeman, as “the perfect role model for anything in life.”

“Larry did everything. He won the most ‘Biggest Loser of the Week’ awards. In most of our exercises, he finished the fastest. He really gave it his all. There were days when he did yoga up to 3 a.m. and he never complained,” said Saret shortly after the grand finale held Saturday night at the Ynares Stadium in Pasig.

For Saret, Art Mendoza was Martin’s biggest threat. “Art had a really big weight advantage (He was 341 lbs. during the initial weigh-in). Larry was already close to his ideal body weight. It was harder for him to lose more pounds. When he got out of the camp, I tried to help him every day. This phase was the hardest, halos wala ka nang mapiga,” Saret pointed out. “Art gave a good fight, but from start to finish, it was really Larry who worked the hardest.”

“Biggest Loser Pinoy Edition” is based on the franchise that first became popular in the United States. The contestant who sheds off the biggest weight wins. Also among the final five who competed for the top slot where Hazel Chua, Raffy Tan and Angela Chico-Lupangco. Each of them brought home a cash prize of P500,000.

HAZEL Chua

RAFFY Tan

“I can already control my food intake before I got inside the Biggest Loser camp (in General Trias, Cavite), but I still asked help from the experts. I also won through proper workout with the help of the coaches (Saret and Chinggay Andrada),” said Larry, who now tips the scale at 154 lbs.

In a previous interview with Inquirer Entertainment, Martin said he left the police force because he lost his self-respect. He said he gained so much weight because he had a lot of vices and was a heavy drinker. “I know the show would change my life. I intend to work hard because I know winning the contest would help me fulfill my dreams,” he said.

Martin intends to use his prize money for his kids’ education. He also wants to finally give his wife the grand church wedding she has always longed for.

Ryan Razon is this season’s Pinoy Biggest Loser At-Home contestant. He won P200,000 and a yearlong membership from Fitness First.

“I still hope to meet with the contestants now that the show is finished,” said Saret, who is also a coach for the Philippine Olympic Committee. “I trained Eric and Allan even after they left the camp. I even went to Cebu to be with them. I also asked Joy, who is from Manila, to fly to Cebu, as well as Winwin and Edden. We had our own Biggest Loser Camp in Cebu.”

Host Sharon Cuneta said she hopes the show taught viewers to be more health-conscious. “It’s not just a contest but a source of knowledge on the dangers of obesity.”

ART Mendoza

Cohost Derek Ramsay added: “This whole show has been so emotional for me. You all know that I love to keep myself healthy. I motivated these guys. They all deserved to win.”