From Gym Floor to Show Floor: How MTG Classic Dominated Their Debut

Before even stepping foot inside Palace De Manila, there was an unmistakable energy in the air. You could tell — this wasn’t just another local bodybuilding competition. The signage, the people, the vibe — everything hinted that something was different. That something was Muscle Town Gym (MTG), the event’s host, and the name behind the show.

MTG Classic wasn’t just a debut event; it was a statement. And the power couple behind the muscle — Archie and Alayna — weren’t just putting on a show; they were laying down a blueprint for how local bodybuilding events should be done.

Meet the Power Couple Behind the Curtain

Archie and Alayna have been running Muscle Town Gym in Pasig for a decade, and they didn’t stop there. Their business footprint includes MTG Meal Plan, MTG Meat Shop, and yes, there’s even a barbershop right inside the gym. On event day, we were greeted by the tantalizing aroma of their meal prep service on one side and a spread of branded training gear on the other. Front and center stood a media wall flaunting the sponsors — names like MTG Meal Plan, MTG Meat Shop, Alayna’s Laba Day, AG Glass & Aluminium, and Gascon Paw Spa. At least four of those? Likely owned by the hosts themselves.  Perhaps they were all.

Small business owners take note: this is vertical integration done with style. Meals, meats, merch, even laundry and grooming — these two didn’t just host a show, they built an ecosystem. And judging by the turnout, it worked.

A Show Built by Bodybuilders, for Bodybuilders

Let’s talk logistics. The show ran on schedule (hallelujah), the athletes were treated with actual respect, and even the crowd got love from the hosts and emcees. But the real heart of this show? It was community. The volunteer staff was stacked with known local competitors. Many of the judges were seasoned athletes themselves. You had 122 competitors on stage… and at least a couple dozen more backstage helping it all run.

This wasn’t corporate. It wasn’t sanitized. It was raw, real, and rooted in love for the sport. Archie, a competitor himself, clearly poured his own experiences into the planning. From pre-tan to post-pose, you could feel the difference.

Let’s Talk Divisions — and That Prize Money

There were only two divisions:

Men’s Classic Physique

Men’s Physique

That’s it. But with 122 men showing up and stripping down, it didn’t feel limited. It felt refined. Focused. Streamlined. And it didn’t hurt that there were serious pesos on the line:

₱200,000 for the Men’s Classic Physique Overall Champion

₱300,000 for the Men’s Physique Overall Champion

You read that right. That kind of money doesn’t just attract attention — it demands a level of dedication and discipline you could see on every striated glute and capped delt. The conditioning? Next-level. We’re calling it now: best male lineup in 2025 so far.

MTG didn’t just organize a show — they raised the bar. And we wouldn’t be surprised if some of that conditioning magic came from their Meal Plan division. We’ve tried it. The macros are tight, the taste is on point, and when your meals are that dialed in, it shows in the physique.

The Message That Stuck With Us

The screen behind the stage kept flashing a simple but powerful quote:

“When you feel like quitting, remember why you started.”

And honestly? It wasn’t just a nice line. It was the whole ethos of the event.

Because when you’re a small gym trying to put on a massive show for the first time — with cash prizes, meals, vendors, judges, volunteers, and 122 athletes — there had to have been moments of doubt. Late nights. Budget stress. Chaos. But they didn’t quit. They remembered why they started. And what they delivered was magic.

Final Thoughts: What’s Next for MTG Classic?

We walked away impressed. Not just by the physiques or the prize money, but by the execution and authenticity. It felt like the community showed up for itself. And that’s rare these days.

So, what now?

Will this become an annual event?

Will they open the doors to female divisions?

Because if MTG Classic 2025 proved anything, it’s that there’s a demand for shows like this — shows that respect athletes, that celebrate local entrepreneurship, and that deliver.

Until next time, MTG. You’ve set the standard — now let’s see who can keep up.

And without much ado, here is the Winner's Lists...

MTG CLASSIC 2025

Sunday, July 26, 2025

Palacio De Maynila

Hosted by Muscle Town Gym

CLASSIC PHYSIQUE — NOVICE

1st    Daryll Brillantes

2nd   Joseph Esid

3rd    Karl Facuri

4th    Miguel Luis Agato

5th    Shawn Michael Irinco

CLASSIC PHYSIQUE — CLASS A

1st    James Vincent Mariano

2nd    Eljun Camunay

3rd    Johnald Romero

4th    Jesse Virata

5th    Jeron Manginsay

CLASSIC PHYSIQUE — CLASS B

1st    Jeffrey Palaganas

2nd   Antonio Gamalinda III

3rd    Nikko de los Reyes

4th    Jerry Ayumen

5th    Joseph Esid

CLASSIC PHYSIQUE OVERALL WINNER

Jeffrey Palaganas

MEN’S PHYSIQUE — TEENS

1st    Martin Laurence Pereyra

2nd    Arkin Laguardia

3rd    Kurt Derek Cabrera

MEN’S PHYSIQUE — JUNIORS

1st    Albert Ortinez

2nd    Reinz Alfred Canono

3rd    Christian Dalere

4th    Jethro Dinamling

5th    Quin Francis Obaob

MEN’S PHYSIQUE — NOVICE A

1st    Kim Estigoy

2nd    Harvey Borcelis

3rd    Donald Timbal

4th    Tyrone ‘Jing’ Fabre

5th    Ronald Allan Castro

MEN’S PHYSIQUE — NOVICE B

1st    Neil Bryan Pelito

2nd    Daryl Floyd Makinano

3rd    Joseph Almonte

4th    Angelo Badilla

5th    Michael Angelo “Angel” Mallari

MEN’S PHYSIQUE — MASTERS 1 (35–39YR)

1st    Fil John Fontanilla

2nd    Earl Fredrick Navarro

3rd    Mario Manginsay

4th    Reinjher Torricer

5th    Arriz Villaluz

MEN’S PHYSIQUE — MASTERS 2 (40YR & ABOVE)

1st    Johnald Romero

2nd    Kevin Bros Labanon

3rd    Jusil Suscano

4th    Joey Napa

5th    Genevic Mark Palomar

MEN’S PHYSIQUE — OPEN A

1st    Danilo Sallutan Jr.

2nd    Mario Manginsay

3rd    Jusil Suscano

4th    Gabriel Aboy

5th    Albert Ortinez

MEN’S PHYSIQUE — OPEN B

1st    Fil John Fontanilla

2nd    Johnald Romero

3rd    JonnieI Molina

4th    Argie Gualingco

5th    Aki Chan

MEN’S PHYSIQUE — OPEN C

1st    Earl Fredrick Navarro

2nd    Jayzer Lepasana

3rd    Joseph Galvez

4th    Jay Tenorio

5th    Judyrick Urdaneta

MEN’S PHYSIQUE — OPEN D

1st    Vittorio Nicolo Abines

2nd    Antonio Gamalinda III

3rd    Arriz Villaluz

4th    Paulo Perez

5th    Genevic Mark Palomar

MEN’S PHYSIQUE OVERALL WINNER

Fil John Fontanilla