Bubbles Paraiso: Against All Odds

There’s no stopping Bubbles Paraiso.

A year and a half ago, her doctor delivered life-altering news: She had to give up exercising because of an autoimmune condition that causes hyperthyroidism. “I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease. My doctor told me to stop working out or training indefinitely—like, complete stop. I’m not allowed because I will die. Those were her words.”

But the actress, model, and triathlete refused. “I basically told her, no, I’d rather die than stop moving.”

Even as a child, Paraiso was always active. She grew up playing tennis, later became a cheerleader, and eventually turned into a self-proclaimed gym rat before getting into Muay Thai. “I’ve always been into sports because my family is into sports… For me, it’s always been one sport after the other,” she says.

Kieran Punay

Ten years ago, while in Bali nursing a heartbreak, she found a new love: yoga. She trained to become a teacher and even opened her own yoga studio. “I love yoga, because it really changed me and my life for the better. I feel that yoga and its philosophies helped me be more grounded. It’s for the body, mind, and soul. It taught me to honor myself and value myself. And that kindness and compassion to other people also begins with yourself. 

Her hunger to be a better version of herself continues to keep her motivated. When one of her yoga students invited her to go running, it was an easy yes. “Three weeks into it, I did my first half-marathon because Kuya Kim Atienza was like, ‘You can do it!’”

Eventually, her running friends convinced her to join them as they competed in triathlons. “I got FOMO (fear of missing out), because they were always out of town every Saturday for training. It was really FOMO that got me into it. I didn’t want to run anymore, I just wanted to do triathlons because I realized I don’t like running as much as I love biking.”

Paraiso has completed two marathons and nine half-Ironmans, also called Ironman 70.3, which consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run. 

She’s proud of her podium finishes at the Ironman 70.3 races. ”I’m most proud of that, because it’s a big race and it’s an international race.”

Paraiso is also really proud of her races last year—the ones she did even after her doctor told her to stop moving. “After my diagnosis, I found my way back to church and I received a miracle. All of a sudden, my symptoms were gone. I did a T100 race—that’s a triathlon in Singapore. Then I did a relay for Ironman 70.3 in Cebu. Two months later, I was able to do Ironman 70.3 in Subic. I was just, you know, having fun, but I placed fifth. I qualified for the World Championships, but I didn’t know. I was eating a burger when they told me I qualified.”

Then she joined Lanorteman, a triathlon in Lanao Del Norte, and the NCC2CRK Triathlon in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, finishing first at both events. “For me to do that was a bit surprising. Because I was not supposed to be able to do that. But I am an adventurer for life and my love for sport and my faith in God allowed me to defy the odds.” 

That’s what strength means to Paraiso now. “It means getting through adversity, and defying the odds that are thrown against you. Doctors told me I can’t do this, I can’t do that, and I did it. That’s what strength is, knowing how to fight against the odds.” 

Kieran Punay

Age is the next frontier Paraiso, now 41, is eager to defy. “That’s why I love triathlons so much—because that’s where you really see that age is just a number. At Ironman 70.3 or even the full Ironman, you’ll see 80 year olds, 85 year olds. I’ve seen an 87 year old crush it. The guy was swimming, biking, running, and beating us younger people. My fitness goal is to be able to still do this when I’m 75.”

Photographer: Kieran Punay. Art Direction: Vince Uy. Makeup: Booya. Hair: Patty Inojales.