Pacquiao and Espera: Two road warriors meet at crossroads

Sherry Espera (middle) during a competition. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

LOS ANGELES–There was a sense of importance and urgency for Sherry Espera to be able to run alongside Manny Pacquiao one chilly morning heading to the summit of Dante’s Peak at the Griffith Park Observatory grounds here.

Espera just won unprecedented back-to-back titles in the prestigious Arnold Sports Festival Bikini-Fitness Class A representing the Philippines only last month (March 4). She won the 2015 and 2016 editions by the slimmest of margins ahead of a strong international field representing champions from Brazil, Russia, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Chile, France, Iceland and host the United States.

Armed with a 23-inch waistline, Espera has probably and arguably one of the most perfect bikini bodies on earth. While Pacquiao packs the most lethal left straights in boxing, Espera’s form and figure can launch satellites to outer space. For Espera running alongside her idol Pacquiao, it was a gauge at how much more work she would put in, in order to climb higher peaks in her quest for greater glory and titles.

Being the only Filipina competing in the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB)-sanctioned event was already a feat, owing to the work and sacrifice that she has put into her recent achievements. The sport itself requires total dedication, discipline and financial support but Espera and her supportive husband have hurdled all challenges on their own.

Pacquiao has been into boxing for the last 25 years. He is the torch bearer of the sport for the last decade and a half and is the only eight-time, eight weight division world champion. Espera trains everyday, five days a week, and eats, lives and breathes “fitness” for the last four years.

“It was a very humbling learning experience, running alongside Manny,” said Espera, who, despite her fitness regimen, could barely keep abreast with the Filipino icon, stride for stride.

Sherry Espera (far back) runs with Manny Pacquiao. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Bacolod lass thought that running a constant on top of a treadmill machine daily was good enough to match up with Pacquiao outdoors.

“It was one of the hardest challenges that I put myself into. I tried to keep up with him be he was just so fast. Running outdoors was different, with all the elements,” said Espera. Pacquiao is already 37 years old and Espera is at her prime 29!

Winning the Arnold Sports Festival Bikini-Fitness division required “perfection” in every sense of the word. You eat well, train at least three hours a day trying to tone, define and condition muscles and the overall persona and you don’t stop there. At 5′ 1″, Sherry thought her height was a handicap when she competed against taller women in her class.

“They (judges) will look at every angle. You needed to have a proportioned body matching your hair and makeup and overall looks,” said Espera, who started competing in 2013 in the Philippines before finally joining her very supportive husband Michael Coronel, a nurse, in the US.

Aside from the daily grind of training, Espera made sure her presentation of the Filipina grace accentuated well with the fulness of muscles, and the beautiful appearance of features from head to toe

Wanessa Zoggia of Brazil finished second behind Espera in a sport that is gaining more popularity.

“I learned a lot from my running experience with Manny, who has inspired me a lot,” said Espera. “I really needed to work harder if I had to aim higher.”

The Arnold Sports Festival, named after the great bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, attracts some of the best athletes in the world to Columbus, Ohio every year. They participate in many different sports disciplines, which include dance sport, baton twirling, cheer leading, chess and many others.

“I would want to compete for as long as I can. Next year, I hope to get into my professional card which will entitle me to compete in the professional ranks,” said Espera.

“My idol Manny has inspired me to aim higher and with more work, I hope to compete against the likes of India Paulino,” added Espera. Paulino, of the United States, likewise won her second title this year in the Bikini International event, considered as one of the most prestigious professional titles.

Espera believes that Filipinos can compete, given the chance. “Most of all, I wanted to help other people become more confident in themselves. One day, I wanted to go back home and tell everyone how beautiful we truly are.”

Her natural tan and love for the outdoors has become more of an asset and the natural Filipina looks have helped out in muscle definition.

“We Filipinos owe a lot to Manny Pacquiao, who has opened doors in other sports, and has inspired so many athletes to excel in life. I will try to stay as competitive as he is for as long as I can,” said Espera.