Galang shares DC Classic limelight

Gerald Galang shows off his winning physique to rule his division in last Saturday’s Dee Clayton Classic held at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan’s Charley’s Cabaret. (Jon Perez)

Gerald Galang held his own against a strong field of competitors to rule the men’s physique division and share the stage with the rest of the winners in last Saturday’s Dee Clayton Classic held at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan’s Charley’s Cabaret.

Galang went home with the men’s and classic physique titles and was named overall winner in the short class aside from earning the Best Abs special award. His multiple awards allowed him to share the limelight with Donivan Mendiola, who won his first championship in the bodybuilding event. The middleweight Mendiola defeated light heavyweight winner Aaron Tomokane in their head-to-head matchup for the overall bodybuilding title.

Galang, a Gold’s Gym personal trainer, said his recent win was the result of months of hard work and maintaining a strict dietary plan.

“I trained six days a week with one rest day. I’ve been doing light training the whole year but before the DC Classic, I had two months of intense preparation,” said the 25-year-old Galang, who is also in the U.S. Army Reserve.

“I make it a point to always find the time to work out because sometimes I had to fly to Guam for training with the U.S. Army Reserve.”

Enrico Valdez came in at second behind Galang in the classic physique division, while Lorenzo Sanchez, Alberto Roberto, and Ben Salas finished second, third, and fourth in the short class.

Valdez, meanwhile, went home with the men’s physique tall class title, while Mark Espeleta, Vincent Aldan, and Zhiang Wei placed second to fourth, respectively. Sanchez was the teen physique winner, while Sean Japor took the teen physique tall class title.

Former two-time bodybuilding champion and 46-year-old Jun Riodique went home with the masters physique and the sportsmanship trophies.

Chom Star Gordon added another bikini title to her trophy cabinet, while Antonia Lizama won her first crown. Jocelyn Itibus topped the figure division, while Zoe Cruz claimed the teen pageant diadem.

Manellia Salinas ruled the fitness pageant beating Catherine Regalado, while Mary Jane Indalecio came in at third and Elvie Yagi was at fourth place.

Tina Palacios of Subway, Gold’s Gym’s Natalie Cruz, and Sami Birmingham-Babauta joined organizer Dee Clayton in awarding the trophies and medals to the winners. International Bodybuilding Federation professional bodybuilder Greg Monk of Guam along with international competitors and cousins Prince Toe Sr. and Grady Gary of California also graced the event as judges and guest posers.

Monk praised the efforts showed by all the competitors and encouraged them to push themselves further.

“There’s a lot of potential here. CNMI bodybuilding can reach new heights. All they need is refinement,” Monk said.