The SBD Philippine Nationals Powerlifting Competition. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
MANILA – As the powerlifting community continues to grow in the Philippines, more heavy lifting is needed to sustain the development of the sport and push it to greater heights.
Elite Filipino powerlifters Joyce Reboton and Rafael Cahilig said the sport has come a long way since they started years ago, even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Masaya na dumadami yung mga nagjo-join sa sport na powerlifting. Good news yun na merong mga ganitong avenue to showcase yung strength ng kababaihan. Lalo na may kabataan na mapapakita ng mga tao na if kaya ng guys, kaya din ng mga babae," Reboton said.
"Right now, ang dami ng powerlifting gyms. Dati, dalawa lang ang powerlifting gyms sa bansa. Ngayon, siguro more than 10 na. So I think we're on the right track of letting everyone know what powerlifting is and what it does," Cahilig said.
But they admit that there is still a lot to be done to bring powerlifting close to the popularity and support of weightlifting, its fellow strength and barbell sport.
Weightlifting involves more dynamic movements in the clean and jerk and snatch, while powerlifting features static motions – squad, bench press and deadlift – that focus on maximizing the weight.
"I think kailangan lang mas ma-publicize yung knowledge powerlifting. Hindi lang siya buhat-buhat.... Kailangan lang natin mas marinig siya and word of mouth siguro," Cahilig shared.
With growth in mind, organizers brought back the SBD PH Nationals Powerlifting Competition for a second year.
The goal is to provide a platform for veterans, up-and-coming, as well as new powerlifters to showcase their strength, break or set new records and improve their skills.
Powerlifting Association of the Philippine Secretary General and tournament director Esmeralda Cruz underscored the importance of having competitions with world-class equipment for the growth of the sport.
"Just having these competitions at this scale and also you know with this kind of production, it encourages people to be curious about the sport and just lifting and fitness in general," she said.
"Powerlifters, generally, we prepare very, very long for these competitions. Like years, sometimes not just one year, two years, three years. So being able to showcase all that hard work in those nine minutes on a really nice platform is super super important," Cruz added.
The local powerlifting official believes Filipinos can excel in the sport, similar to the success seen in weightlifting thanks to the likes of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and two-time Olympian Elreen Ando.
"Ang gusto ko naman para sa powerlifting ay mas maging malaki siya. Kasing laki ng basketball, kasing laki ng volleyball. Kasi may palag talaga Pilipino sa palakasan," Cruz said.
"Powerlifting is built for Filipinos. There's so many Filipinos na nakatira sa US, sa Canada, sa New Zealand, na ni-rerepresent nila yung mga bansa na yun pero full-blooded Pinoy sila. So yung genetics ng Pinoy talagang nag-eexcel sa ganitong sport," she added.
Reboton and Cahilig, who have brought glory to the country on the regional and world stage, believe more Filipinos can raise the flag in the powerlifting scene.
"Sa powerlifting, wala siyang bias na sport na hindi mo kailangan maging matangkad. Hindi mo kailangan maging sobrang bile, sobrang taas tumalod. Kailangan mo lang ng hard work, kailangan mo lang ng barbell, kailangan mo lang ng gym, yun lang. So it's a pretty accessible sport," Cahilig shared.
"Kaya din ng mga Pinoy. Lalo na yung powerlifting is an individual sport and meron siyang weight class. So ibig sabihin kung ano lang yung range na kung anong timbang mo, yan lang yung mga kalaban mo," Reboton said.
LIFTING THE SPORT TOGETHER
The SBD Philippine Nationals Powerlifting Competition. Paige Javier, ABS-CBN News
As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and the same holds true in building champion athletes and mustering maximum support for any sport.
Cahilig pointed out the growing interest in powerlifting needs to be accompanied by a strong support system, citing the athletes can't do everything alone.
"I think we want more people to understand na yung mga organizers na nakikita rin na atleta lang din kami. Like, nilalaan lang namin oras namin dito. So gusto namin na sana mag stand up din kayo to elevate the sport, magtulungan tayo," he said.
"I encourage everyone to volunteer whenever you can. Tumulong sa mga atleta. And I want everyone to enjoy, hindi lang sa magbubuhat at sa magko-compete. Gusto ko mag-enjoy din lahat sa pag-volunteer na nakatulong kayo sa sport," Cahilig added.
Reboton echoed this sentiment, highlighting the sport goes beyond the athletes.
"Siguro gusto kong makita sa community na mas dumami pa sila [na athlete] and also mas dumami rin yung volunteers kasi di naman magiging possible yung mga ganitong meet kung walang volunteers," she said.
The Powerlifting Association of the Philippines promises more competitions and level up service like training and seminars for the country's athletes and coaches to continue growing the community.
Over 100 powerlifters, young and old, will be competing at the 2026 SBD PH Nationals Powerlifting Competition from March 6 to 8 at the SM North Edsa Skydome.