I guess Herbert Chavez REALLY likes Superman. Like 300,000 pesos (about £4,400) and 16 years of cosmetic surgery really. The dressmaker from Calamba City, Philippines has nose jobs, skin whitening, lip liposuction, jaw realignment, pectoral implants and even abdominal implants in an attempt to replicate the classic looks of his favorite superhero.. and he doesn't regret it one bit. Chavez isn't content with just (kinda) resembling Supes though, he does do some good work while he's at it; taking to the streets in an attempt to "bring good morals to the kids of Calamba City". You can find out what he has to say in full below.
"I feel like a Superhero whenever I pull on the costume. But my mission is not to save the world but to help in my own small way and bring a smile to the faces of local children. If you talk about super heroes, the expectation of people is that they are flawless, they do not get hurt, they do not die. But as human beings, we can only copy their looks. I have very Asian features, and did not look like the caucasian Superman. So when I was able to save enough money to alter my features, I chose to copy those of Superman. It is hard living up to people's expectations as a living superhero. That is the reason I have had so many surgeries because I undergo maintenance procedures that need performing. I don't have any regrets at all. People come up to me in the street all the time and want their picture taken with me. They are all really excited to see a real-life Superman in the Philippines."
About The Author:
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.