Miguel Tanfelix on being healthy: ‘Do it for yourself, for your future family’
As one of the stars featured on GMA’s new teleserye, “Mga Batang Riles,” which started airing last night, Miguel Tanfelix is aware that he needs to maintain a certain physique—one that’s lean, wiry, and ready to rumble.
To do this, he exercises almost daily, taking care to include both cardio and strength training in his routines. He was last seen in the live action “Voltes V” series that also aired on GMA, where he and his team battled against the horned leaders of the Boazanian empire.
For “Mga Batang Riles,” he brings the fight back down to Earth where he and his scrappy group strive to clear their names after being wrongfully accused of committing a crime.
What have you been busy with?
“Mga Batang Riles,” and I just came from vacations in Bali and Japan. We also held a premiere of “Voltes V: Legacy” in Japan. It was the Japanese version of the movie.
Any recent updates you want to share with our readers?
We’ve been taping for “Mga Batang Riles” on GMA. For my personal life, you’ll see on my TikTok that my favorite is the food my mom cooks. That’s what I’m always eating. I love to travel with friends and with Ysabel Ortega.
Have you always been into fitness? What inspired your fitness journey?
I’m a very active person so, yes. As a child, I enjoyed trying out different martial arts, different sports. I enjoy being able to sweat it out with a new activity. It inspires me.
What’s your fitness routine/regimen?
It depends on my mood, but I have two coaches. The first focuses on weight loss while the second helps me bulk up. My routine consists of one workout and one cardio session. The latter can be dancing, walking, going up and down the stairs as long as it’s low-intensity cardio.
My full energy when I’m at the gym is bearing weights. If I go wakeboarding, I don’t do weights because wakeboarding is a full-body workout. It’s really tiring, and the next day my whole body is sore. I also play basketball and toss frisbees. I used to do this a lot in the past but I’m planning to go back to doing it again.
What are your favorite workouts and forms of exercise?
Basketball, wakeboarding, and walking in the morning. When we were in Japan, we would clock 20,000 steps a day because of all the places we’d go. But when I’m home, I walk for around two hours most mornings. It’s a time for me to meditate, listen to music. I find it relaxing but at the same time I’m doing cardio.
How often do you work out in a week?
I try to do it five to six days. If busy, three to four days a week.
Where do you work out?
Usually at home, sometimes with Rayver Cruz and LA Aguinaldo in BF Homes, Parañaque.
What are your fitness essentials/must-haves?
I take protein shakes because I’m a hard gainer. Just a few reps and my body bulks up so I need protein in my body and diet.
What’s on your workout playlist?
“Only One King” by Tommee Profitt featuring Jung Youth, “N95” by Kendrick Lamar, and “Immortal” by J Cole. I also listen to BTS tracks once in a while.
Do you stick to a strict diet? Tell us about it.
Yes, I’m very strict when it comes to my diet. Sometimes when I travel, it gets messed up. But when we were in Japan, I ate chicken most of the time, and fresh salmon. I also eat rice because I’ve grown used to eating it. When I’m being super strict with my diet, it’s often chicken breast and black coffee. That’s really important.
What do you usually eat in a day?
Chicken, rice, coffee, protein shake, fish. If I have no other choice, I go to a fast-food restaurant drive-through and order the chicken.
What’s off-limits?
Sweets. As much as I can, I avoid sweets but sometimes it’s hard to cut it out completely. I have a rule for myself, though: I can eat anything I want as long as it’s in moderation and I don’t go beyond my calorie limit.
Do you have cheat days? How often and what do you eat?
When I have a cheat day, I have two menu options. First, orange chicken and my favorite hash bites and apple juice, and then, barbecue bacon with two grilled patties plus mozzarella sticks.
What keeps you motivated?
Right now, it’s “Mga Batang Riles” because I need to be physically fit not just for the optics, but also for the fight scenes required.
What are your other fitness secrets?
When I eat too much like when we were in Japan, I fast for 36 hours to jumpstart my diet.
What tips do you want to share with people who want to get healthier?
Do it for yourself, do it for your future family, and do it for your future kids.
