Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis the world has been experiencing over the past few months, ONE Championship has yet to hold a card since February.
But that does not mean that the members of Team Lakay have been sitting idly.
Besides helping out in Baguio City’s relief efforts, the athletes of the stable have also been doing home-based workouts to stay in shape.
“I’ve been doing a lot of home-made training programs. I’ve also done a lot of Crossfit workouts, and I’ve been shadowboxing just so I can keep my striking on point,” said former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard Folayang, who owns a 22-9 record and last stepped inside the Circle back in January 31.
“During this quarantine, I’ve kept myself busy by working out at home,” said Lito Adiwang (11-2), the young upstart of the famed stable.
“Well, I’m at the province right now, babysitting,” quipped ex-ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario (15-10), who temporarily moved further north to Buguias, Benguet with his family. “I’ve also kept myself fit by skipping rope, shadowboxing, and carrying stones to have a light exercise. Sometimes, I go and run on the trail near the farm.”
“I still find ways to train, but it’s more of home workouts and running,” shared former ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje Eustaquio (13-8).
“We stay at home and maintain a healthy lifestyle. No stress and panic, just exercise, and of course the right diet.”
Two members of Team Lakay are fortunate to actually live in the same barangay. Reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua Pacio and bantamweight top contender Kevin Belingon have been training and sparring together.
Photo from Joshua Pacio’s Instagram account
“As an athlete, I need to find ways to train and keep myself busy during this quarantine. Luckily, Kuya Kevin and I live in the same barangay, that’s why we can train together,” said Pacio (19-3).
“Since I can’t go to the gym, I brought the gym to me and improvised some equipment so that I can do my home workouts,” added Belingon (20-7).
Edward Kelly (12-8), on the other hand, developed a new talent during the quarantine.
Being in his parents’ house, he was able to find that he actually has a green thumb.
“I’m staying with my parents-in-law, so I’ve been busy with improving their house by fixing stuff and doing some landscaping,” Kelly said. “I’m still training once a day, and I like to think of my work here as part of my training.
“For example, I simulate lifting weights by carrying soil and transferring them into a pit.”
For the past few years, Team Lakay has been working and traveling the world non-stop.
With the lockdown, the athletes of Team Lakay have been able to make up for lost time with their families.
“I’m using this time to stay with my family and play with my son here at home,” said 2019 ONE Flyweight World Grand Prix finalist Danny Kingad (14-2).
“This is my chance to make up for all the time I’ve spent away and be able to be with them while there aren’t any fights scheduled.”
“Since the Enhanced Community Quarantine, I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family, especially my two daughters,” said Folayang.
“I’ve mostly been occupying myself with home training with my eldest son Jhanlo and playing with my youngest son Marko,” shared Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao, who is also sharing his knowledge to the followers of the team’s Facebook page.
For Sangiao, the resilience of his squad is due to the culture they have been brought up with. The Igorots are known for being survivors, creative, and disciplined.
“The Igorot people are known to be resilient, self-sustaining, village-oriented, and we are used to simple living,” Sangiao explained. “Even in times like these, people don’t get hungry because we take care of each other. You go out and you’ll see free vegetables stocked out on the road. And we don’t hoard them — we only get what we need so that everyone has something on their tables.
“Remember that during the war, Cordillera was able to sustain themselves because of the strong ties that we have here, coupled with the patience and the resiliency that we have.”
