My dad, Francis Felipe, just turned 70 last week. While many people might see it as a time to slow down, he sees it differently. For him, it’s a fresh start, a chance to focus even more on what matters: his health, our family, and living with purpose. On his birthday, he shared with us that he wants to make the most of the years ahead by moving more, eating well, sleeping better, and truly resting. Just like always, he’s already doing the work.
Memories that shaped me
There are three things I will never forget about my dad: his love for fitness, his exceptional work ethic, and his unwavering devotion to his family.
1. As a fitness role model
My earliest memories are filled with the sight of my dad using a bullworker—a popular home fitness device from the ’70s and ’80s designed to build upper body strength. He used it consistently.
Dad exercising strong at 56 (2011)
Swimming was another one of his passions. He was strong in the water, always excited for resort or beach trips where he could refine his strokes. Movement wasn’t just something he did—it was part of who he was.
When I was 15, my dad enrolled me in a gym during summer break. That was my first real introduction to weight training, and it sparked something in me that’s never faded. He also encouraged my mom to start exercising. Eventually, they built a small home gym, and my mom began working out regularly. Not long after, other women from the neighborhood started joining her. What began as my dad’s routine quietly evolved into a small fitness community.
Looking back, some of my strongest memories are of him exercising every day. That quiet consistency, combined with the simple act of signing me up for the gym, became a turning point in my life. It wasn’t just a summer activity. It was the beginning of everything.
Looking back, some of my strongest memories are of him exercising every day. That quiet consistency, combined with the simple act of signing me up for the gym, became a turning point in my life
Later on, I decided not to practice as a physical therapist: the path I originally studied for. Instead, I chose to enter the fitness industry. It wasn’t a random shift; it felt like the most natural thing to do. That decision was shaped by years of watching my dad—someone who lived with discipline, moved with purpose, and genuinely cared for others. Becoming a coach felt like a continuation of what I’d seen and learned growing up. His example didn’t just influence my career. It helped define who I am and what I stand for. It all began with him.
2. As a restaurant director
Even with the long hours and pressure of being a restaurant director, my dad never relinquished his commitment to wellness. He always found time—between shifts or before work—to move, train, and take care of his body. He followed a structured split workout routine, focusing on different muscle groups each session, not out of vanity, but because he believed in staying strong, sharp, and ready for life.
People still talk about him to this day. My dad was a legend in the world of fine dining—not just for what he accomplished, but for the way he made people feel. Former customers, hotel guests, and coworkers from the Intercontinental Manila’s Prince Albert Rotisserie (which closed its doors in 2015, the same time my dad retired) remember his energy, grace, and the kind of service that made every guest feel seen and valued. He didn’t just serve meals. He served moments people would never forget. Some of my current and past fitness clients were his former guests—the same people he once served with care and attention. “Your dad?” they’d ask. And they all say the same thing: he left a mark that went beyond the last meal itself. It was how they made them feel cared for and respected.
Francis Felipe worked 30 years for Prince Albert Rotisserie as a restaurant director | Photo from HandpickedbyRonandChris
His dedication to health wasn’t just about fitness—it was part of how he showed up for others. The way he cared for his body was no different from the way he cared for his work, his family, and every person he encountered. That’s the kind of wellness he embodied: intentional, generous, and intensely lived.
3. As a family man
What I’ll always remember most about my dad is how deeply devoted he’s always been to our family. He sacrificed so much—sometimes everything—just to make sure we had a good life. And he never asked for anything in return.
He’s the most humble, simple, and quietly passionate person I know. But underneath that simplicity was a steady kind of strength, a calm confidence in what matters: loving his family, showing up at work with pride, treating people well, and living with intention.
Now that I’m older, and mainly as I write this, I realize just how much of who I am came from him. He showed me that wellness isn’t just about working out or eating clean. He never counted calories. I don’t even remember him ever telling me to go exercise. He didn’t have to—his example was more powerful than any advice because he lived it.
What I’ll always remember most about my dad is how deeply devoted he’s always been to our family. He sacrificed so much—sometimes everything—just to make sure we had a good life. And he never asked for anything in return
Wellness, to him, was about showing up for yourself and others. It was about how you treat people, how you carry yourself, how you put care and energy into whatever you do. His consistency, love, and generosity—that’s what wellness looked like in real life.
He taught me, without ever needing to say it out loud, that a good life isn’t about material things. It’s about purpose. It’s about doing the right thing. It’s about making people feel heard and seen, whether they’re family, friends, or someone you’re just meeting for the first time.
That’s the kind of life he still lives. And it’s the kind of coach and person I try to be every day.
Still redefining wellness at 70
My 69-year-old dad’s getaway less than a year ago
Last week, I asked my dad about his current wellness routine, and his commitment blew me away. His mornings begin with purposeful movement, including mobility, balance work, and bodyweight training, to support strength, stability, and everyday independence. These exercises double as core training, since maintaining balance calls for deep core muscles to keep the spine aligned and your form, controlled.
Knee lifts: Stand tall and lift one knee up to hip height, then lower. Alternate legs.
Heel raises: Rise up onto your toes, hold briefly at the top, then lower with control.
Single-leg-balance hold: Lift one foot off the ground and hold for 10 to 30 seconds. Switch sides.
Sit-to-stand: From a chair, stand up and sit back down with control, while keeping your spine neutral. Focus on squeezing your glutes as you rise.
Seated leg extension: Sit tall on a chair. Straighten one leg out in front of you, hold briefly, then lower.
Hip extension: While holding a chair, extend one leg straight behind you while leaning slightly forward.
Side leg lifts: Still holding onto a chair, lift one leg out to the side, then return.
Back lunges: With or without chair support, step one leg back and bend both knees to a comfortable depth.
He lifts weights every other day using a split program (so he completes this in three to four days a week):
Day 1: Back and biceps
Day 2: Chest and triceps
Day 3: Shoulders and core
He no longer lifts heavy things as he once did, but he still uses machines like the bench press and lat pulldown, along with dumbbells ranging from eight to twelve pounds.
Each strength session mentioned above begins with ten to fifteen minutes of cardio on an indoor bike or elliptical.
He eats mindfully—limiting his intake of red meat and sweets, and prioritizing vegetables and fish—while keeping evening meals light. During social occasions, he still enjoys celebration food, but always in moderation.
How can we help our parents live fully at any age
As we support our parents in living their best lives, we can also learn how to age well ourselves.
1. Start by giving them your time
Sit down, and ask about their daily habits, what brings them joy, and the stories that shaped them. Learn what their goals are now—not just what they used to be. Then, with care and compassion, encourage them to adopt a wellness approach and ask how you can support them on their journey.
2. Introduce them to coaches who specialize in senior wellness to ensure they move safely and with guidance
Remind them, gently and consistently, that daily movement matters. They can start with just 10 minutes of walking, a basic home cardio routine, stretching, or bodyweight exercises. Keep the focus on being functional, rather than counting calories or adhering to strict routines. As they feel stronger, the habit builds itself. Lead by example and let them see you doing it, too.
3. If you live with them or spend time together, prepare meals that support their well-being.
Make food colorful, satisfying, and aligned with their taste. Show them that healthy eating doesn’t mean letting go of tradition. It just means giving it a more nutritious twist that still honors their story.
4. Support their rest and recovery. Create an environment that encourages quality sleep and peaceful routines.
Redefine recovery together—it’s not just about lying down, traveling or watching TV. It’s about finding joy, peace, and presence in what they love.
5. Invite them into wellness routines that involve connection, whether that’s a walk with the family, stretching together at home, or attending a local class.
Social support is one of the most powerful longevity tools we have. Help them feel seen, included, and valued.
Age is just a number—wellness is a way of life
My 70-year old dad now
My dad is living proof that a life built on movement, purpose, and love doesn’t fade with age—it only grows richer. He’s still showing up, still inspiring, and still teaching us that real wellness isn’t about how long we live, but how well we live.
He’s changing the game—one rep, one step, one intentional day at a time.
Thank you, Daddy, for giving me the gift of movement, for showing me what it means to age with grace, and for inspiring a lifelong passion for living fully. Your actions spoke louder than words—always guided by pure intention and quiet strength. You’ve moved me, and everyone around you, just by being you.