I can exceed my limitations!

I am never too old to play. I will forever be active.

When I was a kid, one of my dreams is to become a professional athlete someday.

I tried swimming and swore I will be better than Eric Buhain but my illusion was washed away after a traumatic experience in a creek near our place--- I almost drowned while racing with my friends.

I stayed away from the water and found joy in cycling. My father bought me a brand new BMX bike and I stepped on the pedal towards my goal of joining the Tour of Luzon until I got involved in a road accident.

Just when I thought of hitting the brakes on my dream, I fell in love with the game of basketball. I eat, breath and live the sport and wanted to have a career in it but soon I noticed that my height was stuck at 5’3” at age 21.

Then, I heard that a midget just became a world champion in WWE so I fantasized of being a pro wrestler. However, my effort of undergoing tedious workouts did not give my tummy a six pack abs but six bruises instead.

Today, I am a thirty something family guy who thinks he's a stud but is actually stout. I hate to admit it but am slow, out of shape and the only thing “athletic” about me is my athlete’s foot due to the recent flooding in our place.

Now, can somebody give me a bar of Safeguard? My wife bought a couple of whitening soap last week which she wanted me to try. I can let her get away with the indirect insult but to live without the brand of soap that I basically grew up with is something unbearable.

Speaking of Safeguard, I just find it cool that my favorite athletes can actually be compared with the brand in different aspects.  Below is the list of my sports idols and why I think they are super like Safeguard!


Manny Pacquiao: Pro-Family. I think I don't have to mention how Pacman is considered by many as arguably the best boxer who ever lived. Everyone has witnessed his exploits and know his rags to riches story. From being a cigarette vendor who watched fights of boxing legends like Larry Homes, George Foreman and others along the street, he dreamed and exceeded his limitations and became the first and only eight-division world champion in boxing history. He is a dedicated family man who was able to overcome intrigues and saved his relationship with wife Jinkee and their home. Safeguard is a family bath soap that is affordable and offers great savings from the household budget.


Ronald Tubid: All-around guard. Once known as “The Saint” in the local hoops circuit after being tapped to be the face of the second Filipino saint Pedro Calungsod, this energetic shooting guard from Barako Bull has emerged as one of most athletic players in the PBA because of his all-around game. He maybe just 6'1 but he can score, rebound and dish out assists in the offensive end as effective as guarding his bigger opponents in the defensive side. Because of his never-say-die attitude (something he embraced from former team Barangay Ginebra), he got a new moniker and is now known as Mr. Fearless. Safeguard gives an all-around protection and kills 99% of germs that cause skin infection, bad odor and illnesses.


Phil Younghusband: Fresh and clean. With a face that launches a thousand screams every time he kicks a football (and butts), Younghusband and the rest of the Azkals catapulted the game of soccer in becoming a popular sport among Filipinos. Even with issues of language barrier because some of the players came from different countries,  the Philippine team has proven that there is another team sport in the country worth-watching other than basketball after some upset wins over stronger soccer-crazy nations. With this babyface fresh-looking striker leading the way, expect fans of all ages to continue to troop the arenas for some fast-paced action. Safeguard has a fresh and clean smell that many Filipinos have grown accustomed to. Even if you blindfold me, I can still tell which is Safeguard among soaps.


Paeng Nepomuceno: Certified and recognized greatness. He is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for three amazing feats: (1) for most Bowling World cup wins, 4, in three different decades; (2) for being the youngest ever to win the Bowling World Cup (at 19 years of age), and (3) for having won the most number of bowling tournaments (124 career titles). All of these milestones were accomplished by Nepomuceno despite of little support from the government. He still actively competes up to this day and is the only bowler to have won titles in Europe, America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Safeguard is accepted and recognized by the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) and it is proven effective in removing skin germs.

Coach Rio Dela Cruz: Trusted name. When you talk about local running, it’s impossible not to mention the name Coach Rio in the conversation. His name has become synonymous to the sports. But before he became the running demigod that he is, Coach Rio has gone through a tough life. At 12 years old, he beat everyone in the tryout while running barefoot on his first attempt at joining his school’s track team. A neighbor took pity on this barefoot runner and gave him a pair of sneakers. From then on, he never stopped running and has become an icon and inspiration to many runners in the country. Safeguard has been the trusted germicidal soap in the Philippines for many generation since it was first introduced in the country in 1966.

Today, Safeguard continues to evolve into a more effective soap as we enter a more active and fast-paced lifestyle. Personally, I may have given up with my dream of becoming an athlete but I still play the sports that I love. I still try to exceed my limitations and prove that age is just a state of mind, that I can still be competitive in every game I enter.  

Good thing, there’s the new Safeguard Active that gives me a 12-hour odor protection every time I engage in sports and fitness activities. Safeguard Active won't let bad hygiene distract you from exceeding your athletic limitations and in beating your personal best.

Here's an inspiring video that you should watch with an invitation to  be one of the many voices in the field shouting, “I can exceed my limitations!”  

Image credits: Pacquaio (latinorebels.com); Tubid (inquirer.net); Younghusband (allstarpics.net); Nepomuceno (jatps.hubpages.com) and Dela Cruz (running.journeyingjames.com).