Action star and martial artist Ian Ignacio is used to bruises, long hours outdoors, and physically demanding roles. These days, however, the actor is proving that discipline is not only forged inside the training gym or in front of the camera. It also belongs to everyday wellness.

At the launch of Dermeistra, a skin and wellness clinic he co-owns at Makati Central Square, Ignacio spoke about why taking care of the body should be treated with the same seriousness as preparing for a fight sequence.

“Ang maganda dito sa Dermeistra, it’s based on science. The treatment is not cut and paste. It’s tailored for you,” he said, emphasizing that proper care should be personalized rather than trend-driven.

For someone constantly under studio lights and harsh outdoor locations, the move felt natural. His career has always demanded endurance and recovery.

Balancing business and action

Even while stepping into entrepreneurship, Ignacio remains deeply active in show business. He revealed that he had just come from a location shoot.

“Right now, I just came from Subic para sa taping ng Blood vs Duty. Kapamilya ka lately? I’ll do whatever as long as it showcases my talent.”

The upcoming action series Blood vs Duty places him alongside Richard Gutierrez and Gerald Anderson, and Ignacio said audiences will see the skills he has honed for decades.

“This is my passion. I’m not tied to any contract. In Blood vs Duty, as usual, I showcase my martial arts. I’m more on the villain side, and I’m thankful to the production for giving me this opportunity.”

His willingness to cross networks and accept varied projects reflects a career built more on craft than exclusivity, a path that has allowed him to appear in major television hits, including the Philippine adaptation of Descendants of the Sun and Mga Batang Riles.

The fighter behind the actor

Long before television, Ignacio’s life revolved around martial arts. Raised in San Francisco, he trained within a competitive fighting community and was mentored by Monsour del Rosario.

A black belt in Taekwondo, he collected gold medals in competitions and even earned a place on the Philippine team in his younger years. He later completed a degree in foreign service at Dominican University of California, but the discipline of combat sports never left him.

He also practices Dumog, the Filipino grappling art he demonstrated in the action film The Trigonal: Fight for Justice, a reminder that his performances are grounded in authentic technique, not choreography alone.

Strength redefined

For Ignacio, opening a wellness clinic is not a departure from his identity. It is an extension of it. Fighters train to endure pain, but they also train to recover. Actors pursue roles, but longevity requires maintenance.

Between business ownership and villain roles, he continues to live by a simple philosophy: performance begins with discipline, and discipline begins with taking care of yourself.

Whether inside a fight scene or a treatment room, the mission remains the same: build strength that lasts.