HEADSTART: FFHQ members and residents in colour-coded attire swing into action at the Corniche early on Friday morning.

With the weather improving, the two-hour-long physical fitness sessions on the Corniche, organised by Filipino Fitness and Health  in Qatar, are becoming a weekly ritual for the health conscious

By Anand Holla

For the residents of Qatar, Friday mornings can be spent curled up in bed way past the sunrise and later, start the day with a lazy, greasy brunch. But then Friday mornings can also be a pumped-up jumpstart into the weekend, working up a fine sweat while taking in the refreshing sea breeze.
Two-and-a-half years after its launch, the two-hour-long physical fitness sessions organised by Filipino Fitness and Health in Qatar (FFHQ) on the Corniche near the Sheraton Park every Friday morning has only gained in size and strength.
“During summer, since the temperature is very high and exercising outdoors can make people susceptible to health hazards, the group moves to an indoor gym,” says Randy Frogosa, one of FFHQ’s founding advisers, “Now that the weather has become better and with winter fast approaching, FFHQ has returned to Corniche and it has been drawing a crowd of nearly 400 people, comprising various nationalities.”
The instructors are trained to include Zumba, Taekwondo-Boxing (Tae-bo), Hiphop dance, aerobics and other such workouts in the sessions that kick off at 5.30am. “Normally, each instructor has around 12 to 15 minutes time to lead the group with their designed steps. Those who are talented to lead become instructors. The group is looking for such talents to share with others for free,” Frogosa says.
Zumba, an easy-to-follow fitness dance programme led by an instructor, is very popular in the Philippines. It is a non-rigorous exercise but known to be effective in burning more calories just like other physical activities.
FFHQ’s workout mornings sure stir up a massive melting pot as people from all corners and communities unite for fitness. “Arabs, Europeans, Filipinos, Americans, Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Latin Americans, Portuguese, you name it and you will find that community here at our workouts,” Frogosa points out, “Just to add to the fun of the exercise, we call for a colour-coded attire each time, like yellow, white, blue or red.”
FFHQ is one of the legacies of former ambassador Crescente Relacion who left Qatar earlier this year after finishing his tour of duty. Now, the current Ambassador of the Phillipines, Wilfredo C Santos, attends the sessions. Frogosa says, “This fitness drive is a proud project of the Philippines Embassy, with the Qatar government providing a permit to perform exercises every Friday morning on Corniche. We thank the Qatar government for tendering such a noble approval. In return, as we lead the group, we pay utmost respect and help Qatar to preserve its culture and values by asking everybody to dress modestly in a public place while we exercise.”
There’s a lot of good vibrations and bonhomie in the air. “Certainly, we have a lot of fun and there’s a sense of bonding within the group, which is an added benefit to that of releasing stress and tension after a tough week of work,” Frogosa says, “Friday morning workouts have now become a habit of those keen on maintaining healthy lifestyles while working as expats in Qatar. Moreover, this practice encourages others to follow suit,” he says.
In fact, the whole promenade along Costa Coffee by the Corniche can now be seen buzzing with a huge crowd in action on Friday mornings. “Even the diplomats of Philippine Embassy are joining the group. Our ambassador also delivered a message to the group to stay fit and fabulous after one of the exercise sessions.”
Being the lead organiser of FFHQ and as Committee Chairman for Sports and Wellness with United Filipino Organisation in Qatar, Frogosa requests Qatar’s residents to join the gathering on Corniche and swing into a bunch of fun workouts. “We believe that staying healthy by exercising is the best way to stay fit and it is free,” Frogosa says.