A swimming sensation at Holiday Gym & Spa

A swimming sensation at Holiday Gym & Spa
Published : 2008-11-27

NOTHER top caliber instructor joins the prestigious roster of Holiday Gym and Spa, Davao City’s premier health and wellness destination.
Haroon Cali, a 21-year-old student at the University of Mindanao taking up B.S. Education, is now a part-time aerobics instructor at the Holiday Gym and Spa. Cali teaches belly dancing, Cardio Latino, Hi-lo, kickboxing, aqua aerobics and has classes three to five times a week.

Being a varsity scholar at the UM, Cali started out as a client back in 2007 when his school used the facilities to practice swimming.
Cali’s medals are numerous. He recently bagged five medals at the University Games in Dumaguete last October: one gold for 400 meter individual medly, one silver for 200 meter butterfly, two bronze for 200 individual medley and 400 meter freestyle.
He is not new to the sport, as he has been doing it since he was growing up in Iligan City, his hometown and where his family still lives.
He started swimming lessons at the age of six years old and a year later he joined inter-club meets. When he reached Grade Two, he joined the first Palarong Pambansa. He did not get any medals then but the love for the sport has caught on.
Since then he has been joining regional and local competitions and even the BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games in 2003 and 2005. In 2003, he joined the Palarong Pambansa again and this time bagged five gold medals and two silver.
This week he is set to leave for Brunei for the BIMP-Eaga Friendship Games representing Davao City, a city he has come to love.
“Maraming nakakalaban na magaling sa international competitions. Kabado ka parati. Di mo kilala sino ang bago. Unlike local competitions, kilala mo na kadalasan ang ibang competitors,” he said in an interview.
In the 2005 BIMP-Eaga games, Cali bagged one gold medal in relay, two silvers in the individual 200 meter butterfly and four bronze medals in the individual medley.
He trains by himself and has no swimming coach.
He said he swims two hours a day and cross-train at the HGS gym for toning. With a strict self-discipiline, he relies only on himself to prepare for each competition.
Cali said he is on a high fiber diet of fruits and vegetables. And this is the first year he is going to join a competition using the cross-training technique.
Swimming is safe compared to other contact sports. It is also advantageous to know how to swim. This is the best exercise, lahat ng muscles mo gumagalaw. I had asthma when I was in elementary but was cured with swimming,” he said. “Wala din akong bisyo, no smoking. I drink occasionally pero kung kaya na hindi uminom sa parties, hindi ako umiinom.”
He said his parents, especially his mom is proud of his achievements.
“I am also earning by being a part-time teacher here and no tuition fee because I am scholar. Hindi na ako hingi ng hingi ng pera. Mahirap din sa time management pero flexible ang schedule kaya madali. Disiplina lang talaga,” he said.
Cali is also proud to be part of the HGS family.
“I am lucky to be with HGS. I exercise and at the same time loose weight while teaching aerobics. Hindi ako pressure sa trabaho. Parang kapamilya. Comfortable mag-stay dito. Ang clients naman close ko na parang barkada na lang,” he said.
He says teaching aerobics is in line with my course since he majors in Physical Education and he loves to choreograph.
Cali has fallen in love with Davao City .
“I love Davao since lower cost of living dito. Maganda and maraming opportunities. I plan to stay here for good,” he said of his three years living here. He also plans to concentrate on studies and work
Cali admonishes everyone to work out and go to the gym.
“Dapat mag-gym kasi importante ito sa katawan. It is vital to one’s physical and mental well being,” he said.
Have fun while staying fit. Visit Holiday Gym and Spa now, located along Torres Street, Davao City with telephone number 222-3041 or visit their website: www.holidaygymandspa.com.
You may also check out the latest top of the line gym equipment at www.campaigningforhealthyliving.com.