There is a gym on Roces Avenue that is fast-becoming the favorite hangout of celebrities.
Spotted a few days ago were Bea Alonzo (L) and Kathryn Bernardo (R), together with fitness trainer Kat Geronimo-Garcia (middle).
Ria Atayde is also part of the two actress' squad, and their idea of a "girls' night out" is a group workout.
On March 4, 2019, it became the venue for a celebrity basketball match featuring Rayver Cruz, Donny Pangilinan, Young JV, Joe Vargas, Axel Torres, and Marco Gumabao.
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Called The Th3rd Floor, it actually is Gerald Anderson’s gym and an extension of his home.
At its media launch on March 1, the Kapamilya leading man revealed how the third floor of his house figured in his usually-happy-sometimes-harried life in showbiz.
"Halos buong career ko….sa bahay ako nagwo-workout, sa third floor ng bahay ko. So nag-iisip ako ng name na parang, 'Anong itatawag natin sa gym?'
"E, gusto ko, yung gym na i-o-offer namin sa tao, gusto ko yung sobrang personal sa akin.
"Na kung saan ako nagbabawas ng stress, may place ako kung saan ko pinaplano yung goals ko.
"Yung mga gusto kong gawin for the year or yung mga gusto kong marating."
COMFORT ZONE
His third-floor gym has been his "sanctuary" and "getaway" when he would feel troubled. Instead of partying or sulking or bingeing, he would sweat it out.
"Pag pumasok ka sa bahay ko, minsan, kung hahanapin niyo ako, sasabihin lang ng mga tao iyo, 'Nasa third floor siya,' ganun.
"Kasi, kumbaga dun yung ano ko, e, kumbaga dun yung recovery time ko, mag-workout, makapag-isip nang maayos, ayun, kaya siya third floor.
"Kung mga controversy ako…dun ako pumupunta para makapag-isip, 'Ano na naman ito?'
"Honestly, totoo yun, dun ako nakapag-isip."
How many hours does he work out in a day?
"Mga two hours…Pero minsan, twice or thrice a day, so minsan six hours sa isang araw or four hours sa isang araw, depende sa araw.
"Kung may taping naman ako, lunch break, tatakas muna ako, magwo-workout muna ako sa bahay kung malapit lang yung location.
"So yun yung ano, yun yung gusto kong i-share sa tao, kung paano yung naging lifestyle ko.
"Kung ano yung tumulong sa akin para kahit papa’no marating ko yung narating ko ngayon, dahil sa third floor ng bahay."
CELEB TAMBAYAN
To Gerald's close friends, the third floor has become a favorite hang-out place, where they could let their hair down at the same time lose the excess weight.
Pinoy Big Brother alumnus Joe Vargas weighed 300 lbs. in 2010.
"Napakataba ni Joe, Malaki," Gerald said.
Turning to his friend, he asked, "Saan ka pumayat?"
Joe replied, “Sa third floor.”
He lost weight "sandali lang," thanks to Gerald’s reinforcement.
"Inaakyat niya ako sa machine niya pag hindi ko kayang buhatin yung sarili ko."
Gerald seconded, "Oo, may mga times na binubuhat ko na siya."
And Joe’s reward after the grueling workout, "Kakain ako sa kitchen niya."
Gerald joked, "Ubos ang grocery ko sa bahay."
But he seemed not to mind.
He said, "Kaya ko rin dito na ginawa dito yung gym, hindi na sa bahay.
"Pagkatapos ng workout, sa kusina na, nagbubukas ng ref.
"So ayun, meron din naman kaming maliit na kusina diyan, maliit lang."
Then he smiled, a smile of satisfaction that he has an actual gym.
The "OG members" of his squad have made Th3rd Floor their new hang-out place.
"Lahat ng part ng Th3rd Floor, lalo na yung dalawang trainers, sa third floor ng bahay ko nag-workout, ever since.
Siguro mga 12 years kami nando'n. So personal 'tong gym para sa 'ming lahat, e.
"Para itong extension ng bahay ko. Even yung feel, e, even yung feel ng gym, parang bahay ko."
MEMBERSHIP FEES
How much?
Joe, who is in charge of the business side, mentioned their promo, which will run until March 10.
"PHP2,500 per month, PHP6,000 for three months, PHP9,000 for six months, PHP12,500 for a year. Waived lahat ng memberships."
And if you join now, those who will get one month will get free 15 days; one year will get free two months.
Gerald threw in, "Minsan nagdidiskusyon kami na parang masyadong mataas?
"Hindi ako masyadong sanay sa business, ang iniisip ko, sana makatulong tayo at may makita tayo na parang nabago yung buhay niya o naging fit siya."
Smiling, Joe added, "Pinipigilan ko siyang maging charity yung gym niya, e."
On the other hand, the cool perk of working out at the Th3rd floor is the unlimited star-sighting, and, perhaps, a session with the gym owner himself.
Gerald said, "Let’s build a family, a community, parang ganun. May personal trainers.
"Lahat ng goals niyo sabihin niyo kung ano yung gusto niyong mangyari...
"Part din ako dun. kasi, may mga time na ako mismo yung magbibigay ng session."
And the nicest thing about Gerald's gym, everyone is made to feel at home.
He said, "Pagpasok ng tao dito, pantay-pantay tayo. Walang artista, walang celebrity.
"Walang celebrity-athlete, wala. Kung sino ka man, pantay-pantay tayo dito."