By Waylon Galvez
There is no rest for Rain or Shine superstar James Yap as he continues to workout even in Ravenna, Italy.
“Yes tuloy pa din naman ako, kung ano yung ginagawa ko noong nandiyan ako, tinutuloy ko naman dito,” said Yap, a former two-time PBA MVP.
“Siyempre kailangan kundisyon pa din, hindi natin alam na baka pagbalik ko nakabalik na din ang teams sa pag-ensayo. Kaya nag-spend talaga ako ng ilang oras para sa training.”
Yap said that part of his workout is a 40-minute jog in a forest trail located just at the back of his in-laws residence in Milano Marittima, a town in Ravenna province, about 4 hours drive from the capital Rome.
“Sakto may trail dito… forest siya pero may nagjo-jogging. Konti lang naman kasi nga hindi masyado din lumalabas ang mga tao. Siyempre ingat pa din dahil nga din sa virus,” he said.
Yap left for Italy late last month with wife Michela and their kids Michael James and Francesca Michelle because due to what he said ‘family matters’.
The decision of the Yaps to go to Italy caught many by surprise due to Italy’s condition being one of hardest countries in the world. It is currently ranks No. 7 with 235,561 positive cases.
Yap said that running outside is the only time he goes out of the house since they avoid the malls or parks.
“Ingat din kami dito… bahay lang talaga. Maski naman puwede na din lumabas – marami kaming nakikita na lumalabas na – wala din naman kaming plan sa ngayon na lumabas,” said Yap.
“Kung sakali man, practice ng health protocols. Social distancing, face mask and wash hands. But now, laro lang kami ng mga bata – alaga ako sa mga bata,” added Yap.
Just like when they were still in the Philippines, Yap said he spends time with Michael James and Francesca Michelle.
What forces him to jog and undergo workout for hours is his mother-in-law’s superb cooking.
“Kaya nga talagang kailangan mag-workout kasi yung mom ni Mic (Michela) ang sarap mag-luto napapa-rami ako talaga ng kain. Kaya tina-takbo ko sa umaga para papawis,” he said.
Yap said he plans to return in three weeks, when everything is settled in Italy.
