MANILA, Philippines – When you hear the words “Lolo” and “Lola,” what do you picture? A grandparent with silver hair, struggling with a cellphone or the TV remote? Someone frail, slow, or weak?

Raymond Acal and Marissa Falvo beg to differ. As Filipino “influ-fit-cer” grandparents on social media, these two senior citizens are proving that strength and stamina grow stronger in time, and that age really is just a number.

Shifting gears

Raymond Acal, 56, is a Grab driver who started “Lolo Fitness” on Facebook in 2020 with a simple push-up challenge. Previously, he had been rejected by a foreign company because of poor health, shaped by years of drinking, smoking, and careless eating.

“Nung wala pa akong pakialam, kain lang ako nang kain. Four to five times a day ako kumakain, unli rice ‘yon, bahala na. Tapos every night akong umiinom, naninigarilyo,” Acal told Rappler.

(When I didn’t care, I just ate and ate. I ate four to five times a day, unlimited rice, whatever happens. Then I drank every night, smoked.)

At the same time, he was working for a transport company that provided financial assistance to people struggling with health issues. That job became his own wellness checkpoint — one that deeply unsettled him as he realized that his body too had long been crossing unhealthy lanes. As the breadwinner of his family, he knew it wasn’t too late to shift gears from sick to healthy.

Set in motion through “Lolo Fitness,” he started documenting his early morning exercise routine at home, where he effortlessly plunges through full-body workouts even before sunrise. Combining a low-carb diet and a consistent exercise schedule, viewers saw his weight drastically improve just after two months into his fitness journey. 

On Saturday, his workout videos leap from the corners of the living room and into the gym, where he gets his gains on before setting off on the road again.

‘Lolo Fitness’ Raymond Acal completing a marathon. Image courtesy of Raymond Acal

Not only has his new and improved lifestyle help with his finance and physical health struggles; it has also fueled a refreshing new way for him to mentally and emotionally decompress from work. “Nasa kalsada ako 14 to 16 hours a day, nakaka-stress na ‘yon. Pero ‘pag nasa gym ako, iba!” 

(I’m on the road 14 to 16 hours a day, and it’s stressful. When I’m in the gym, it’s different!)

In the driver’s seat

Despite the inevitable traffic and daily grind, Acal believes an active lifestyle can overcome any obstacle. He notes that expensive maintenance medicine makes investing in fitness a cheaper, more rewarding choice in the long run.

“Mas gusto ko pa nga ‘yong pakiramdam ko ngayong 56 na ako kaysa nung 30, 35, 40 ako. Hindi na ako ‘yong pagka-inubo ako, masyadong masakit dito sa tagiliran ko. Konting ano lang noon, sinisipon na — mabasa lang ako sa ulan,” he expressed. 

(I actually feel better now at 56 than when I was 30, 35, or even 40. I’m no longer the person who would feel a sharp pain in my side when I coughed. Back then, even the smallest thing — like getting caught in the rain — would leave me with a cold.)

Lolo’s love

But before he became “Lolo Fitness,” he was first Lolo Raymond. Despite his long work hours, Acal devotes his one day off to bonding with his family, especially his grandchildren — picking them up, cooking their meals, or bringing them on simple trips to the mall or playground. 

“The best thing about being a Lolo is the love,” Acal shared. “I’d do everything for them, kung ano ‘yong makakayanan ko.” (I’d do everything for them, whatever is within my means.)

While he wishes he had the means to spoil his grandchildren with material things, he admits that financial struggles keep him from doing so. Even in fitness, even though he is now strong enough to run marathons, he has stopped joining because of the costs. 

Yet for Acal, the true legacy he wants to leave behind is not material wealth, but love through his presence and car. He hopes his grandchildren will remember his thoughtful gestures long after he is gone.

“Hindi na nga ako mayaman, mahina pa ako? Kailangan kong lumaban, kailangan ko maging malakas kasi ako lang ‘yong nagtatrabaho saka ayoko maging pabigat; ayoko maging alagain,” he added. 

(I’m not rich to begin with, and on top of that, I’d be weak? That’s why I need to fight, I need to be strong because I’m the only one working. And I don’t want to be a burden; I don’t want to be someone to be looked after.)

Beauty and the barbell

For 56-year-old Marissa Monsanto Falvo, age doesn’t mean slowing down. Her active lifestyle started in her mid-30s, when she explored mountain climbing, road and trail running, adventure racing, and competitive mountain biking. 

Her curiosity grew into a passion, adding dragon boat racing, fitness competitions, and powerlifting to her activity roster. In 2020 and 2022, she was a semi-finalist for Century Tuna Superbods.

@pinayfitness.official Congratulations to the @Century Tuna Finalists! Thankful for the opportunity to be able to share my fitness advocacy of managing the way you age and how to #LoveStrong & #staystrong as we reach 50s and beyond #CenturyTunaSuperbods2022 #LabanPinas #fitspirationlola #tiktokfitph #StrongMom #uniquelybeautiful #muph2022 #xcyzba #viral #fyp @Marissa ♬ AIN’T GONNA STOP – Carol Kay

“I was even lampa (weak) and non-sporty growing up,” Falvo told Rappler. “But each milestone reminded me that progress is possible at any age.” 

Falvo has since gone on to set six Philippine national records in powerlifting for her age and weight category. Standing on the platform alongside much younger athletes, she often hears a mix of surprise and encouragement. Some couldn’t believe that a grandmother could match — or beat — the numbers of competitors half her age. Others simply tell her that her journey gave them hope. 

“The comments that stuck with me the most were from women who said, ‘If you can do it, maybe I can too,’” she shared. For Falvo, those words carry more weight than any award. 

Beyond the medals, Falvo fights for a deeper mission. In 2020, she co-founded Karera Lakas Pilipinas with the Philippine Marine Corps to help rebuild race courses and support injured Marines. That project opened doors for her to pursue certifications, including becoming a NASM Women’s Fitness Specialist.

Queen of influ-fit-cing

From a simple platform to keep herself accountable with her fitness lifestyle, Falvo’s social media presence through @pinayfitness.official skyrocketed to an empowering online movement with 79.2K followers on TikTok, where she shares health and workout fun facts, reflections, and encouragement.

@pinayfitness.official Using my @ZIVA Strength 6Lb Dumbbells to show you how you can build a better you in time for summer! Wrapping a comment on what exercise you want to to learn and what do you want to improve on! Like and follow for this series! #workout #homeworkout #dumbbellworkout #dumbbell #summerbod #summerbodyloading #springglowup #tiktokshopcreatorpicks #tiktokshoprestock #tiktokmademebuyit #CapCut ♬ Upbeat Energetic & Fun Pop Rock – Aleksei Guz

Beyond social media, she has also authored two books on Amazon: ‘The Overwhelmed Moms’ and Wives’ Guide to Fitness: Get Fit Without Sacrificing Your Family or Your Sanity Strong in Spirit’ and ‘Strong in Body: A 21-Day Christian Fitness Devotional Journal’. 

For Falvo, these projects are more than achievements. They are extensions of her mission to show that health, strength, and faith can coexist with family and community. “Strength is not just something I build. It’s also something God gives when I persevere,” she said.

While her bedazzling title as an all-around fitness and sports player may seem daunting for beginners, she believes that fitness doesn’t have to be extreme. Whether it’s walking, light strength training, or even just stretching, she reminds us that what truly matters in fitness is consistency.

Redefining ‘lola’

Traditionally, a lola (grandmother) brings to mind someone slowing down with age. Falvo, now based in the US, hopes her journey has reshaped that image, not just for others who follow her online but also for her own family.

Marissa Monsanto Falvo is behind Pinay Fitness Official. Image courtesy of Marissa Falvo

Living in the US means she is far from her grandchildren in the Philippines, but she hopes her choices reach them — that every post and every moment of discipline makes them remember that their lola is always fighting to be strong, not for herself alone, but for them.

“To my grandchildren, the message I want to leave is this: Your body is a gift and it deserves care,” she said. “Strength is not just about lifting weights, it’s about lifting yourself up when life gets tough. Health is not about perfection, but about stewardship…even in weakness or setbacks, you can rise again with faith, love, and courage.”

In many ways, Acal and Falvo are lifting more than just weights and spirits; they’re also carrying Filipino grandparenthood into the digital era. Where past generations might have been content with photo albums and handwritten letters, today’s “Lolo Fitness” and “Pinay Fitness” reach thousands with every post, reel, or livestream. 

By adapting not only to new routines but also to new platforms, these inspiring grandparents turned push-ups into push notifications, and barbell PRs into viral content. For Acal and Falvo, being “influ-fit-cers” is not about chasing likes but about leaving love and resilience in the feeds of their family and the world. – Rappler.com

Jaella Magno is a Rappler intern studying AB Literature major in Creative Writing at De La Salle University.