Fil-Am gymnast taps family's artistic streak for Olympics

GYMNAST Levi Jung Ruivivar said she will capitalize on her family’s artistic streak when she competes for the Philippines in the Paris Olympics in July.

The 18-year-old Filipino-American told The Manila Times she believes having the bloodline of Filipino artists will give her an edge.

Her father, Anthony Ruivivar, is a Hollywood actor who starred in the hit TV drama series “Third Watch,” and his pure-blooded Filipino grandfather, Tony Ruivivar, is a musician who was one of the founders of the Society of Seven, a musical group based in Hawaii that was popular in the ’70s.

PICTURE
PERFECT Paris Olympics-bound gymnast Levi Jung Ruivivar strikes a pose in this interview with The Manila Times at a hotel in Manila, on May 30, 2024. The Filipino- American arrived in the Philippines on May 28 for a brief visit and left for Los Angeles on May 31. PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO

She said Filipinos love to perform. “I have always been told that one of the things that shine in my gymnastics is my dance, my expression, and all of those aspects. All those things give me a competitive edge,” Ruivivar said during the interview at the Century Park Hotel in Manila.

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Born in Los Angeles, California, Ruivivar visited the Philippines for the first time and paid a brief visit to the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP), where she met with young Filipina gymnasts.

“Meeting the young gymnasts, talking back to them, getting to know them, and just being able to give my leotards…. I just feel so excited to be able to give back to the Filipino community because they have given me so much. Everyone has been generous to me. Feeling that energy and support to me is really amazing,” she said.

She said that despite being a first timer in the Olympics, she keeps a positive outlook.

“Because I am young, and things are changing going to the 2028 Olympics, I will be able to progress from a higher level that I am now,” she said.

“I am going to have more international experience, and I’ll know how to deal with my pose. That will be my edge dealing for my second Olympics,” Ruivivar said.

Despite not growing up in the Philippines, she has a strong desire to get in touch with her Filipino roots and has always wanted to represent the Philippines in gymnastics. “I always wanted to represent the Philippines since I was young.

“I just don’t know the bridge to connect with the Philippines because my grandfather came to the United States, and we did not have a connection to the gymnastics side of the Philippines. So, when I was able to get a contact with someone, through the GAP, I immediately wanted to switch over.”

She said she feels the pressure facing Filipino media, but she uses it as a motivation.

Paris Olympics-bound gymnast Levi Jung-Ruivivar strikes a pose in this interview with The Manila Times at a hotel in Manila on May 30, 2024. The Filipino-American arrived in the Philippines for a brief visit on May 28 and left for Los Angeles on May 31. PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO

“Obviously, I always feel pressured, but I think that is part of the support. Trying to use pressure as a way to motivate me, and at the same time, I feel like this is the support of everyone. Instead of viewing it as a pressure, it is the support of the community, getting behind my back, and pushing me to be at my best,” she said.

Ruivivar said it feels like the countdown for the Paris Olympics “started when I was born. But it does feel like, (as) the time is ticking down, it gives me more motivation, and with a few weeks left, and with the hard push. I just have to give it my all.”

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