In an interview with One Sports, multi-titled strongman Ray Querubin talked about his stint with Team Philippines and how Physical: Asia tested both his physical strength and willpower.
There is little that daunts a person as strong as Ray Querubin, the Philippines’ Strongest Man from 2016 to 2019.
But competing for Team Philippines in the now-viral reality show "Physical: Asia" was a different beast – both physically and mentally, with Querubin being tested to his absolute limit.
After the Philippines was eliminated midway through the competition, Querubin looked back on what transpired for the rag-tag team of Filipino athletes, which also included eight-division boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao.
[RELATED: Laban Pilipinas: Moments that showed Filipino pride in ‘Physical: Asia’]
Showing signs of tremendous strength but vulnerability through his weaknesses, the Filipino strongman said that it Physical: Asia was truly a big challenge.
“Hindi ko yan ikakaila. As a strongman athlete kasi, we train specific movements. If you're competing strongman or kahit sa anong sports pa yan, you prepare your body kung ano yung ilalaban mo. Sa strongman, specific yung training, yung ginagawa namin. Alam namin kung ano yung training at alam namin kung ano yung i-compete namin sa competition,” Querubin told One Sports in an exclusive interview.
“But for this competition, Physical: Asia, talagang gulat ako na nabigla. I was surprised by how much endurance [was] needed, yung stamina mo. Hindi lang lakas talaga.”
The surprise was most evident when Querubin was gassed in the Shipwreck challenge, where he was unable to make the most of his strength while hauling 50-kilogram crates against a more cohesive Mongolia squad.
His performance, which drew criticism from viewers, was tough on him both physically and mentally.
“Mental strength din [kailangan] nandun, hindi yan ikakaila. Not just about power, it was about endurance, teamwork, and staying composed under pressure,” admitted Querubin.
“Every challenge is tested, not only my body but also my focus and willpower,” he added.
Querubin’s sub-par performance in the Shipwreck challenge put the Philippines on the brink of elimination, as the country was actually last in the eight-team field.
Still, the Philippines was able to survive by beating Thailand in a death match, 3-1, highlighted by Lara Liwanag and Robyn Brown awe-inspiring performance.
The Philippines eventually gave out in the sack throw against South Korea in the subsequent death match, and Querubin said that they were able to stick together enough to last that long even as Pacquiao had to leave early due to prior commitments.
“Yes, masakit. Masakit lalo na kung nandun ka sa arena mo. Yung mga moments na malaglag na yung team mo, it really [broke] our hearts na kahit kami, yung hirap but we need to accept na ganoon talaga ang laban. May mananalo at may natatalo,” he said.
“For Team Philippines, meron kaming isang label at isang puso. Yung parang nagbuo sa amin. We supported each other through every challenge malaki man o maliit. And we think that [what] united us was our shared pride. Yung same yung goal n’yo, same yung pride n’yo.”
The fight continues
Even after everything, Querubin said that there were a lot of lessons learned – lessons that he has learned to take to heart.
Having seen his own shortcomings, especially against other strongmen featured in the competition, Querubin now has renewed fire to push forward even after enjoying much success earlier in his career.
Being given a new lease on his athleticism and life as an athlete, Querubin is ready to take on a new challenge after the humbling experience of being on Physical: Asia. Not one to back out of accountability, he promised to be better.
“I know maraming nagsasabi sa performance ko but I'm really sorry again for that. Hindi ko rin in-expect na ganoon yung resulta. As an athlete, yung isip at goal namin talaga is manalo at ipresinta yung buong tapang ng Pilipinas,” he said.
“Meron talagang mas malakas, mas mabilis. Kaya again, hindi yan reason kung hinto tayo ipagpatuloy pa rin natin ang laban natin,” he added.
Now enriched with his experience in the Netflix reality show, Querubin expects to be back competing in strongman competitions by 2026.
Armed with his new lessons, he’s eager to get back on his feet.
“Abangan natin, abangan,” he said of what’s next.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.