Name: Mari Javier
Occupation: Corporate Relationship Management
Sports: Triathlon, Football
Fitness Goals: increase endurance and speed in certain triathlon disciplines in forging a fitness elite
Favorite CrossFit Exercise: box jumps and more box jumps, running stairs/steps or hills and crabbawockees
What do you do for a living? How did you get that job?
Currently employed with PLDT working in corporate relationship management, I got the job because I was a loser and didn’t show the necessary skills needed to succeed at the level that was needed.
What exactly are the responsibilities of corporate relationship manager? Do you have to sit down on the laps of your clients, drink colorful alcoholic drinks and sing to them in a dark room?
If it comes to that … seriously I can think of even more creative ways.
I actually commend the quick service of PLDT! Our gym isn’t open yet but they have already given me a telephone number. Did you play a part in making that happen? How do you think the service of PLDT changed over the years?
If I said yes, do I get to crossfit for free at your spanking new gym. I would rather stay modest about it and let you continue my line of thinking from here … PLDT has done a complete 360 from when it first started as a monopoly to being one of the most innovative forward thinking companies in the country and has reversed the way we constantly try to change how we mindshape the way we treat the customer from a client to a business partner. We share in their success. Now about how I played the part in making …
If you were MVP, what changes would you make at PLDT?
First I would promote the person answering this interview and after which I would probably promote him again.
You seem to breeze by Crossfit WOD’s without a sweat. What sports were you involved in?
Wrong, contrary to your statement – I do sweat through Crossfits WOD’s probably a lot more than most, you think I probably make it look easy but believe me it’s not (which is what I like). I was seriously involved in football during grade school to my post-collegiate years competing in national level tournaments and my teammates included several of those currently playing in the PFF Azkals team who have shown terrific success at the recent Suzuki Cup. I stopped playing for more than a year then a friend invited me to join the Adidas King of the Road 21K race, I finished that suffering over the line in 2hrs and 15 mins, I would like to believe that in that short time I have improved tremendously and now own a PR of a sub 1hr 28 mins for a half-marathon. Looking for newer challenges I transitioned to Triathlon starting training last January 2010 and successfully joined my first Ironman Camsur 70.3 last August, have been actively involved in multiport racing and training since then and my 2011 multisport calendar looks packed.
Any comment on the recent success of the PFF Azkals? Do you think you need good looks to be part of that team? Did you meet any of the requirements?
The team has improved tremendously and we have to thank those who have supported them especially in their 8 month training stint for this particular tournament, this was the team’s longest consistent training prior to a major tournament and the results showed, preparation is key and we need more sponsorship support for us to be competitive in world football where I believe we have a bigger chance to succeed as compared to basketball. In reply to your next 2 questions, not necessarily do you need good looks but it helps big time if you do, did I meet any of the requirements – isn’t it obvious J (not to insult anyone’s intelligence but that was a joke)
Football to runner/triathlete? What kind of transition was that?! Why the switch? Any difference in training methodology? Don’t you miss the ball? Or the team environment?
The change is what I would expect any athlete or person to go through for that matter once you reach a certain level of fitness or standard, the expectation of where you see yourself moving forward. Multisport was the next best thing after running – I felt after being successful in running I went looking for a newer challenge and Triathlon happened to be in the right place at the right time. Yes I definitely do miss those football days, but they are far and few in between a schedule packed with swimming, biking and running.
On to Crossfit! Who’s the culprit that got you into to this? Yay or nay?
The guilty party is Ferdie Catabian an elite Filipino Triathlete, he introduced me into this crazy fitness lifestyle – sometimes I think he is both a masochist and a sadist (lol), he keeps repeating this crazy mantra “love the pain”, I think I’m a convert. Don’t you just love it?
You think you can set up a match between MVP, the PLDT Head Honcho and the Crossfit MNL Head Honcho? Do you think MVP will enjoy Crossfit?
I believe so, he might even go so far as to ask the Talk n Text Phonepals and Meralco Bolts to join the class, no buts and no excuses.
From your experience, what will you tell MVP to convince him to join Crossfit?
The best thing about Crossfit is that no workout session is exactly the same which makes it so interesting that you actually look forward to it, you work different muscle groups constantly engaging your core which is the best thing about crossfit. You attain so much more at the least amount of time, time is something you can’t buy and if you can maximize a quality workout with the best results at the shortest time possible – then you definitely have yourself a winner.
Any 2011 goals or resolutions?
As this is a fitness website, then this will be a fitness response, to be able to compete in my first full Ironman event internationally and an ironman distance locally, breaking new ground and overcoming challenges while improving my fitness levels consistent with my goals.
