In 1975, a man in Manila said he was collecting garbage while struggling with poverty that affected his ability to continue his studies and afford proper meals. Decades later, he shared how those experiences influenced his decision to create a place where young people in his community could train.
Benigno Bacarisas Lacap shared his story in a post on the FIT PINOY COMMUNITY (FPC) Facebook group. He recalled the difficulties he experienced in his younger years and said those challenges motivated him to work toward building his own gym.
“1975 namumulot nako ng basura sa Maynila dahil di makapag-aral at makakain ng maayos. Dahil mahirap lang kami, nagsikap nangarap na makapagtayo ng sariling gym.”
Lacap identified the facility as Rambos Gym, located at Loyola Street corner Kundiman in Sampaloc, Manila. In his post, he said one of his gyms is free for people in his community and that the facility was created to help young people stay away from illegal drugs.
“Ngayon, 2 na po ang gym ko. Yung isa, gym ko libre kung saan ako isinilang para makaiwas sa drugs ang kabataan sa aming lugar. Ang name po ng gym ko ay Rambos Gym located at Loyola St. cor. Kundiman, Sampaloc, Manila.”
Through his account, Lacap said the gym was created to provide children and young people in his area with a place to exercise, build discipline, and spend their time in a productive environment. His post received reactions from users who responded to his experience with hardship and his goal of providing a positive space for the youth in his community.
Lacap’s account reflects his stated effort to use the struggles he experienced as motivation to create a space where young people in his community can develop discipline, pursue fitness, and have access to an environment he says was built for them.
