We are used to seeing celebrities all glammed up but some of them enjoy donning their sports apparel and gear sans make-up to indulge in the sports they love. Some celebrities take time to juggle the glamorous world of showbiz and the competitive world of sports.

1. Badminton

TV host Boy Abunda is a badminton enthusiast. In 2009, he organized the first BABC (Boy Abunda Badminton Cup) at the Kalayaan Badminton Center. The fun tournament was attended by celebrities like Ai-Ai de las Alas, AJ Dee, Angelu de Leon, Emilio Garcia, Paolo Ballesteros, Glydel Mercado and Ricky Rivero.

2. Basketball

James Yap, a professional basketball player, gravitated into the world of showbiz when he married “Queen of Talk” Kris Aquino. Yap soon became a model and product endorser, but he and Aquino are now separated. He was hailed as the 2010 PBA Most Valuable Player and was recently awarded the Pro Basketball Player Award by the Philippine Sportswriter Association (PSA). James Yap plays for Derby Ace.

3. Boxing

When it comes to boxing, Manny Pacquiao’s name tops the list. He is a true boxing sensation, the only boxer in history to hold on to eight titles in eight divisions. Pacquiao is like a jack of all trades because aside from being a boxer, he is also a Congressman, TV and film actor, commercial endorser and singer rolled into one.

4. Drifting

Actor and TV host, Ryan Agoncillo loves the thrill and adventure of drifting, a motorsport where the driver intentionally oversteers the car at high speed and controls it as it slides sideways through a marked course. His wife, Judy Ann Santos used to join him in the sport of drifting before she got pregnant.

“From the outside, it seems like wild driving but drifting drivers actually feel peaceful while behind the wheel. They have to be calm in order to be in control of their cars,” Ryan told Manila Bulletin.

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

5. Frisbee

Hunk model and actor Derek Ramsey is very passionate about playing frisbee. He postponed his knee operation in 2007 just to compete in the Ultimate Frisbee competition

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

6. Football

English-Filipino professional football players Phil Younghusband and James Younghusband are fast becoming celebrities themselves. Their good looks, charm and football skills quickly earned them a huge fan base. Aside from playing professional football, they also put up their own football academy called The Younghusband Football Academy which aims to provide support and training program for young football aspirants in the country. The two brothers play for the Philippine Football Team, also referred to as the Azkals.

7. Golf

Comedian and host Vic Sotto plays golf as a hobby. Whenever “Bossing” is not seen on Eat Bulaga, chances are he’s out playing golf. Sotto enjoys playing golf with his daughter, Paulina (with former movie actress Angela Luz). In fact, he once played caddy for his daughter during a junior golf tour.

Actor and model Richard Gomez is another golf aficionado. He organized several Goma Cups in the past few years. In 2009, Gomez held his 14^th Goma Cup at Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club in Newcoast, Boracay. It was attended by celebrities like Martin Nievera, Jake Roxas, Jay Manalo, Robert Ortega, Glydel Mercado, and Haji Alejandro.

8. Formula Circuit Racing

Gaby dela Merced, former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Housemate, is a renowed female driver in the Asian Formula Three circuit. As a matter of fact, she is the only Filipina who has participated in a full season of the series. She also won first runner-up in the Philippine National Formula championship. According to dela Merced, she finds a sense of freedom when she races.

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

9. Kart Racing

Teen actor and commercial model Matteo Guidicelli is another celebrity with a need for speed. He started karting at the age of eleven in his hometown, Cebu, and was three times hailed Philippine Karter of the year in addition to his other awards. The young actor has participated in international races, including one in Italy.

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

10. Motocross

Whenever actor Sam Milby is not busy with acting assignments, he spends his time at the Bicutan Race Track to indulge in his first love - motocross. Milby enjoys practicing with members of the Philippine Motocross Team.

According to the actor, his father was the one who introduced him to the sport. “While I was skating, my dad bought me a trail bike when I was about 11 years old siguro. Then I started riding and just fell in love right away,” Milby said in his interview with Dianne Castillejo. He said that ever since then, he would do motocross in the States.

Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!

Milby is not scared of high ramps. He said in the interview that it is important to have confidence and a strong body to be good at this sport. Milby admits that what he likes best about motocross racing is the speed. He said doing motocross is also the best workout but it is very important to take necessary precautions to avoid getting hurt.

In July 2010, Milby won in two categories at the Philippine National Supercross Series Round.

11. Muay Thai

Action star Robin Padilla is a big supporter of Muay Thai, a martial art from Thailand which is similar to Indochinese styles of kickboxing. In fact, a few years ago, the actor donated about 2.5 million pesos to the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines. Padilla’s daughters Queenie and Kylie are also Muay Thai enthusiasts who trained at the Muay Thai Institute in Thailand. The two sisters have participated in Muay Thai competitions.

12. Squash

Model-turned-entrepreneur Tweetie de Leon Gonzalez told Inquirer Lifestyle that several years ago, she was hit by post-partum blues after giving birth to her youngest son. She wanted to lose weight and reclaim her model figure. The racket sport squash helped her achieve this goal. She said in her interview that she was able to burn as much as 1,000 calories per hour. In six months time, she successfully lost 35 lbs. De Leon is a board member of the Squash Rackets Association of the Philippines.

13. Swimming

Aside from being a popular matinee idol, dancer and product endorser Enchong Dee is also a champion swimmer. He won a total of seven gold medals in the 72nd UAAP swimming championships where he represented his school, De La Salle University. He also earned the MVP title in swimming.

14. Wake boarding

Top leading man Aga Muhlach first tried wakeboarding in 2007. After only a few months, he gained confidence in the sport and quickly learned to do different tricks and fancy moves. In that same year, he organized the first Aga Muhlach National Cable Wakeboarding Cup which was attended by many showbiz personalities. His wife, Charlene Gonzales, also participated in the competition.

"Ang wakeboarding ay tulad sa surfing, except you're being pulled by a speed boat or a cable wire. You can do tricks and maneuvers on ramps or just practice your balance. It's an extreme sport that has caught the interest of so many popular celebrities like Bianca King, Anne Curtis, Marc Nelson, Brad Turvey and even my wife, Charlene Gonzales. Regular silang nagpupunta sa Lago de Oro, Calatagan in Batangas or sa Camarines Sur to engage themselves in the fun new water sport," Aga said to People’s Taliba.

Photo: Screencaps from Cornerstonetalents, c/oYoutube; abbycha2x, c/o Youtube,

o Youtube.

-----------------------------

Rachel Yapchiongco, also known as Rach to her friends, is a Psychology and Marketing Management graduate of De La Salle University. She took up several units of MBA at the same university. Rachel is a full-time mom to a charming young boy and married to an entrepreneur with a passion for cooking. She shares parenting experiences and slices of everyday life on her personal blog called Heart of Rachel.

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites