The legacy of former councilor, bodybuilding legend and original strongman Nick Domalsin lives on with Mr. Baguio which will be held this September 21 at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.
The eight category competitions or the 28th Nick Domalsin Cup, which is part of the city’s 115th Baguio Day celebration, is a day-long event that will also haveStrongman Challenge competitions as side events, said the elder Domalsin’s son and namesake, Nick Jr.
The event will have novice physique and novice bodybuilding and men’s physique categories for short 5’6” and shorter and tall for 5’6” and up.
The bikini division will have classic physique A for 5’6” and below and B for 5’6” and above.
The master for 45 years old and above, bodybuilding 70 kg., bodybuilding 77 kg. and bodybuilding 78 kg. and above, according to Nick, Jr.
Cash prizes, certificates, gift checks and trophies are up for grabs, said co-organizer Boyet Gonzales. He also said that side events include arm wrestling which is part of the Strongman Challenge. The competitions are open in three weight categories, lightweight for 70 kg., middleweight for 80 kg., and heavyweight for 81 kg. and above, for both the left and right hands.
Registration starts at 9 am, said Gonzales.
The Strongman Challenge starts at 10 am. Competitors must compete in a tire flip, car pull, tarzan hang, and deadlift.
The Baguio Health Club founder, the older Domalsin, was born on December 12, 1929 in Barlig, Mountain Province. He won the Mr. Baguio title in 1957 and won the Mr. Philippines title in 1962, short class division in 1975, and the bantamweight division in 1977. He was a runner-up in 1975 and 1977.
In 1988, he was elected city councilor, but sadly died on October 11, 1990.
He was also known for his Man vs. Machine exhibition at Burnham Park where he “beat” an army jeep, which was driven over his body while he was lying down.
In 1985, he organized the Mr. Philippines National Bodybuilding Championship and was the president of the Philippine Bodybuilding Federation from 1985 until his death in 1990.
In 2022, the “father” of Baguio bodybuilding was inducted in the Heroes Wall of Fame at the Baguio Athletic Bowl beside his successor, the late five-time Mr. Asia titleholder Samuel Ayochok.
