From lifting dumbbells to assisting each other in the chest press, and on to hoisting heavier weights, the father-and-son bond of Danilo Lansangan and Daniel Lansangan of Bacolod City is likewise heavyset with its own kind of powerful musculature. 

At 69 years old, Tatay Danilo is an embodiment of “fitspiration.” 

Tatay Danilo spends time with his 31-year-old seafarer-son, Daniel, at the gym. 

“Ang pagbonding-bonding namon, happy gid ako nga nagustuhan ya ang akon nga hobby. Lipay ko, daw indi ko ma-express ang akon kaugalingon sa kalipay (Ang pag-bonding namin, happy ako na nagustuhan niya ang hobby ko. Masaya ako, parang hindi ko ma-express ang kaligayahan ko),” the fitness enthusiast-father said. 

Daniel Lansangan said that most of his father’s contemporaries are not physically active anymore, so he finds it great and awe-inspiring to have a father who is a fitness enthusiast early on.  

“Most nga ka-edad ya indi na physically fit, very nice nga nag-umpisa siya at a very young age so amo man na ang goal ko (Most ng mga ka-edad niya ay hindi na physically fit. Very nice na nagsimula siya at a very young age so gano’n na rin ang goal ko,” Daniel shared. 

Tatay Danilo was once a competitive weightlifter while he was working as a car sales agent.

His healthy lifestyle and physique led him to various competitions such as Mister Bacolod and Mister Philippines in the 1970s. 

The father-and-son tandem's coach, Dennis Villarin, a fitness advocate, said he is inspired as well by the fitness journey of dad and son.  

“Try gid, tagaan gid time nga magwork out, indi man ni para sa imo, para ni sa imo nga pamilya (Try talaga. Bigyan ng time na mag-workout. Hindi naman ito para sa inyo lamang, para rin ito sa inyong pamilya)," Coach Dennis said. 

Their gym time serves as their bonding time. 

More than the toned muscles and the brawny physique being achieved, it is familial ties that get stronger and well-built that is their ultimate goal. 

Tatay Danilo emphasizes the value of bodybuilding to the physical well-being, “dapat gid nga mag-gym ka para ang pagkaon pagtulog mo nami gid kag importante sa lawas ta (Dapat talaga mag-gym ka upang ang pagkain, pagtulog mo, maganda. At mahalaga ito sa katawan).”

While Daniel underscores the impact of bodybuilding as a tool to bond, “very important kay ang akon length sang bakasyon pila lang kabulan, ang opportunity ko to spend more time sa iya (Very important kasi ang length ng aking bakasyon sa ilang buwan, ang opportunity ko to spend more time sa kanya)."