WHILE WELL-TONED BODIES are common in Boracay, you don’t really expect them to be poring over basic math problems on the beach.

But that’s exactly how 20 babes and hunks spent their Labor Day weekend—as they raced to swim, run, solve puzzles, even calculate money—for a P500,000 prize and the right to be named as this year’s most holistic fitness icons.

After a year’s hiatus, the Century Tuna Superbods and Superbrains pageant has yielded two fresh faces for 2009—Music major Theresa Fenger, 21, and restaurateur Van Victor Leano, 24. They will be joining 2006 winners Jon Avila and Michelle Padua and 2007 winners Patty Ortega and Ram Sagad as image models for the health food brand.

Athlete and model Ervic Vijandre, 23, and Interior Design graduate Patricia Ejercitado, 20, also clinched the People’s Choice awards and P50,000 each, based on online votes at www.centurysuperbods.ph.

The grueling obstacle course and the question-and-answer portion held May 2 at Pearl of the Pacific resort determined 50 percent of the overall scores. The other 50 percent was for “beauty and body.”

Work for it

Leano worked hard to win. Asked to share something people didn’t know about him, he said, “I’m a workaholic. I like having a productive day. Not doing something is unfulfilling for me.”

To be a Superbod, he regulated what he ate for months—no easy feat for someone who works at their family resto in Las Piñas. His diet: warm water for drinking; chicken, bread, fewer red meat, no rice.

To shape up those abs and pecs, he kept a strict exercise regimen: daily visits to the gym, jogging and badminton. He also played basketball.

The sacrifices paid off. His team finished first in the obstacle race.

Meanwhile, “keeping fit and spending time with family” are musts for Fenger’s lifestyle. A gym bunny, she goes there every day or at least three days a week.

“I keep a healthy lifestyle every way I can, eating well and getting enough rest,” the trim mestiza from Quezon City said.

It’s the support system of friends and kin that keeps her on her toes.

“It was actually my mom who prodded me to join the contest,” she said.

Asked what quality she’d look for in a contestant if she were a judge, Fenger pinpointed confidence—something she shouldn’t have a problem with, with her background in professional and international singing to back up her good looks.

Mind your mind

Century Tuna model Isabelle Daza and past winners Avila, Ortega and Sagad were invited as celebrity challengers for the obstacle race.

With “Superbrains” as part of their titles, Ortega reminded the candidates: “Everyone is clearly fit here. You can easily get a great body if you’re blessed with good genes and if you really work out. The real competition is what is in your mind and in your character. These are the ways for you to stand out.”

Her standout tip? Reading books to foster imagination, introspection and learning.

To keep fit, she goes to the gym twice a week, but her athletic figure is mostly maintained by swimming.

“At home, we’re vegetarians,” she said. “We eat organic. I indulge in meat and cravings maybe only once a week. I don’t think starving yourself or skipping meals is needed to be healthy.”

Sagad gave tips applicable on the runway and in the daily rat race: “Be humble. Don’t compete with others. Compete with yourself.”

Be tough for rough times

Century Tuna senior brand manager Angela Gamboa described a Superbod and Superbrain as “someone with a fit, healthy body and a good head on his or her shoulders.”

She was a judge during the finals along with former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, fashion designer Rajo Laurel, director Sid Maderazo, photographer Jun de Leon, Cosmopolitan editor in chief Zo Aguila and PC&V communications VP Ariel Comia.

Hosting the events on the beach were sporty Reema Chanco and quick-witted Rovilson Fernandez, while onstage, the gorgeous Marc Nelson and Joey Mead charmed the audience with their banter.

The contest promotes a sound mind and body with Century Tuna products fortified with Omega 3. Omega 3 contains DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which is good for the heart and lubricates brain cells to improve memory, focus and attitude.

“In these hard times, we have to be careful about the food we choose,” Gamboa advised.

Rough times do call for a tough body and a sharp mind. Any product that can boost both—and any person who can boast of both—is worth watching out for.