Dressed predominantly in chiseled muscles and posing oil, 25 contestants competed in the 2025 Michelob Ultra NPC Guam National Bodybuilding Championship Saturday night at the Rihga Royal Laguna Guam, in Tamuning.

In a spectacle that excited adoring fans, supportive families and, of course, strength coaches and nutritionists, Jerome Diyco, Ian Milan, Nicole Raqueno and Maria San Nicolas, in their categories, were named as the overall winners.

For the 32-year-old San Nicolas, who competed in the women’s bikini open class C division, the mother-of two placed first in the division and first overall. As the super fit mother walked up the stairs and onto the stage, dozens of  supporters stood up and cheered – for the crowd-favorite who was gracing the stage in her first-ever competition.

“It’s been a lot of sacrifice for me the past few months, especially being a mom of two, a wife, a full-time employee of the federal government,” San Nicolas said. “It’s just been a dream to do this for so many years, and I’m just so happy that my hard work has paid off.”

San Nicolas told the Post she likes to challenge herself – one of the reasons she entered the competition.

“If I can do it with being a mom of two, with household responsibilities, a husband to cater to, I think anybody that is open and willing to do it, they should go for it,” she said. “Life’s too short. You’ve got to start living.”

Jerome Diyco

Whereas San Nicolas had never before competed in such an event, Jerome Diyco, 25, entered as an experienced athlete. In 2024, he placed first in the men’s classic physique – open class B division, but was not selected as the overall winner. One year later, and competing in the same division, Diyco earned the top spot and was awarded as the overall winner – edging Barry Fine by what appeared to be an incredibly thin margin.

As the Diyco and Fine flexed to impress the judges, competitively and playfully facing each other as their sculpted bodies evoked cheer from the hundreds of fans in attendance, Diyco was named the overall winner of the classic physique category. As Diyco’s name was announced, he dropped to the floor as he  displayed emotion.

“When I dropped to the ground, all I could feel was nothing but being grateful,” said Diyco, who also placed first in the men’s bodybuilding – open lightweight division.

“I just want to thank the Lord, God for putting me through this, my team, my coach, Mike (Duay) and Team Next Level. I can’t feel anything but just being grateful. It was a long journey, honestly, 20-week prep,” he said. 

Ian Milan

For the 28-year-old Ian Milan, who told the Post he hadn’t competed in such an event for three years, said “it was good to be back.”

Pleased with placing first in the men’s physique – open class A division, and honored to have been chosen as the overall winner, Milan reflected on his success humbly.

“The most important thing is never let a win get to your head and a loss get to your heart,” he said. “Your discipline should be louder than your doubt and your vision should be stronger than your feelings.”

Milan, sidelined by life, knew he would return to the sport.

“I knew if there was always a way, I’d find myself back,” he said.

Nicole Raqueno

In the women’s wellness – open division, Nicole Raqueno, 24, was declared the winner. With a sparkling bikini and a pleasant smile, she impressed the judges as she defeated three competitors.

Raqueno described the experience of winning as “very humbling.”

“I wouldn’t be here without the amazing team that went behind it, my coach, Mike Duay, and my posing coach in the States, Nicole Salazar, and honestly, all of this is really just a testament of hard work, continued dedication,” she said.

Also, Raqueno thanked God .

“Truthfully, it’s all for Him, just glorify whatever he’s able to do through me. I’m just really excited to be here to give inspiration to others,” she added.

Same as the other competitors, in her division and others, sacrifice factored in greatly to her success.

“I definitely sacrificed a lot of fun times in terms of getting to be able to eat all the sweets that I really love. But I think the most rewarding things always come after delayed gratification,” she said. “The sacrifices never really felt like sacrifices, because I knew that they were working towards the bigger picture.”

2025 Michelob Ultra NPC Guam National Bodybuilding

Championship Results

Men’s Bodybuilding – Open Bantamweight

1st. Jaime Rodriguez

Men’s Bodybuilding – Open Lightweight

1st. Jerome Diyco

Men’s Bodybuilding – Open Heavyweight

1st. John Dooley

2nd. Jason Lee Cruz

Men’s Bodybuilding – Masters 35+

1st. Jaime Rodriguez

2nd. Jason Lee Cruz

Men’s Classic Physique – Open Class A

1st. Jose Gonzalez Rivera

Men’s Classic Physique – Open Class B

1st. Jerome Diyco

2nd. Jaquyntin Carter

3rd. Chesther Suarez

Men’s Classic Physique – Open Class C

1st. Barry Fine

Women’s Figure – Open Class A

1st. Rebecca Perez

Men’s Physique – Open Class A

1st. Ian Milan

2nd. Jose Gonzalez Rivera

3rd. Ronnel Lansang

Men’s Physique – Open Class B

1st. Zachary Criss

Men’s Physique – Open Class C

1st. Jarwin Espiritu

2nd. Ryan Kelsey

Men’s Physique – Open Class D

1st. Dairius Dupont

2nd. Austin Larremore

Men’s Physique – Masters 35+

1st. Ronnel Lansang

Women’s Bikini – Open Class A

1st. Lauren Ashley Baluyot

2nd. Alexis Leon Guerrero

3rd. Jania Castor

Women’s Bikini – Open Class C

1st. Maria San Nicolas

2nd. Suyoung Kim

Women’s Bikini – Masters 35+

1st. Suyoung Kim

Women’s Wellness – Open

1st. Nicole Raqueno

2nd. Darcie Perez

3rd. Gabriella Andrade

4th. Amber Hayes