For Mark “Mugen” Striegl and Lara Liwanag, standing beside Manny Pacquiao as teammates on Physical: Asia felt like stepping into a dream—one they never thought would come true.
On Thursday’s episode of Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, the two athletes relived the moment Team Philippines was introduced onstage.
Delegates from different countries stood tall, but everything changed when the host called Manny Pacquiao’s name.
The crowd erupted. The whole arena shook.
And for Lara, it was overwhelming.
“Sobrang surreal,” she said, still smiling at the memory.
She admitted she never imagined that the boxing legend she grew up idolizing would one day stand right beside her.
“Like… my idol, nandiyan lang sa tabi ko. And when you see how everyone reacts to him, sobrang taas talaga ng tingin nila kay Pacman. Siya ‘yung pinakasikat na athlete doon.”
When asked what Manny was like behind the scenes, Mark’s face lit up.
To him, Pacquiao wasn’t just a global icon—he was warm, humble, and surprisingly hands-on as a team captain.
“Amazing… he’s the one and only Manny Pacquiao,” Mark said, calling the entire experience nothing short of surreal.
He even recalled a quiet moment in between shoots, when Pacquiao casually began giving them tips.
Simple things—like eating bananas for potassium, staying hydrated, and keeping their bodies competition-ready.
“It was so cool,” Mark said, still in awe.
Lara added that what touched her most was Manny’s faith-centered leadership.
Before every challenge, he would pause, bow his head, and lead the team in prayer.
“‘Yun ‘yung nagustuhan ko. Every quest, sobrang faithful niya kay Lord. Lagi siyang humihingi ng guidance,” she shared.
Team Philippines also included Ray Jefferson Querubin, Justin Coveney, and Robyn Lauren Brown—each one proud to represent the country on the global stage.
However, Manny eventually had to leave the show due to another commitment. Justin Hernandez stepped in as team captain, but soon after, Team Philippines was eliminated.
They became the third group to exit the competition.
Even so, for Mark and Lara, the experience remains unforgettable—a rare moment of standing shoulder to shoulder with a legend, carrying the flag together, and living a memory that still feels unreal.
