Spot the difference: Superman fan gets 19 surgeries to look like his favourite comic book hero (PHOTOS)

When Clark Kent  wanted to transform into Superman, it was a fairly simple task.

He would step into a phone box, spin around and the switch would be complete.

But Herbert Chavez’s change into the comic book hero has taken a bit longer – through 16 years of plastic surgery.

Is it a bird? Herbert Chavez in his full Superman regalia, showing off years of gruelling plastic surgeryIs it a bird? Herbert Chavez in his full Superman regalia, showing off years of gruelling plastic surgery
Change: Herbert Chavez underwent 19 surgeries over 16 years to look like Clark Kent. Here is how he changed between 1995 and 2012Change: Herbert Chavez underwent 19 surgeries over 16 years to look like Clark Kent. Here is how he changed between 1995 and 2012

The 35-year-old, from Calamba City, Philippines, has had nose jobs, skin whitening, lip liposuction, jaw realignment, pec implants and even abdominal implants to become a real-life Clarke Kent
after falling in love with the TV programme aged five.

He has splashed around 300,000 Pesos (£4,400) on his obsession – a fortune compared to the average 90p hourly wage in the Philippines.

Mr Chavez regularly takes to the streets around his home dressed in full Superman regalia, with his hair gelled in distinctive curly fashion.

He aims to teach kids good morals while also brightening their days.

Citizenship: Mr Chavez goes out in the streets wearing his full costume and signature gel-covered hair to promote good morals to local children
Citizenship: Mr Chavez goes out in the streets wearing his full costume and signature gel-covered hair to promote good morals to local children

Citizenship: Mr Chavez goes out in the streets wearing his full costume and signature gel-covered hair to promote good morals to local children

Hero: Herbert Chavez, 35, strikes a pose which would make his idol, Clark Kent, proudHero: Herbert Chavez, 35, strikes a pose which would make his idol, Clark Kent, proud

He said: ‘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.

‘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.’

New identity: A before and after shot comparing what Mr Chavez looked like before the operations compared to his transformation after 19 proceduresNew identity: A before and after shot comparing what Mr Chavez looked like before the operations compared to his transformation after 19 procedures
Good morals: Mr Chavez striking a pose in front of school children who he hopes look up to him as their very own heroGood morals: Mr Chavez striking a pose in front of school children who he hopes look up to him as their very own hero
Avid fan: In June 2013 Guinness recognised Herbert for having the largest collection of Superman memorabilia with 1,253 items Avid fan: In June 2013 Guinness recognised Herbert for having the largest collection of Superman memorabilia with 1,253 items

But his distinctive look has not come easily, with Herbert going under the knife repeatedly to copy every last feature of the super hero he worships – right down to his chiselled chin.

And Mr Chavez admits it is tasking trying to keep up with such a ‘perfect’ person.

He added: ‘If you talk about super heroes, the expectation of people is that they are flawless, they do not get hurt, they do not die.

Artwork: Mr Chavez tries his hand at drawing Superman while posters he has had printed are shown in the backgroundArtwork: Mr Chavez tries his hand at drawing Superman while posters he has had printed are shown in the background

 

Powerful pose: Mr Chavez stands in front of a collage of Superman artwork with rays of light beaming from behind himPowerful pose: Mr Chavez stands in front of a collage of Superman artwork with rays of light beaming from behind him

‘But as human beings, we can only copy their looks. Especially as a Filipino, 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.

Youngster: Herbert Chavez pictured before he had received any plastic surgeryYoungster: Herbert Chavez pictured before he had received any plastic surgery

‘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.

‘For example, my cleft chin is formed of hydrogel, but it does not always appear balanced. The more dehydrated you get the smaller it gets, so you have to keep adding to it.

‘I am such a good customer of my surgeon, Tito Garcia, he does all the work for free as part of a part-exchange deal.

‘I help publicise his practice in return.’

Herbert now plans to keep improving his look with more operations to make him taller and surgery to beef up his abdomen and bum.

But he acknowledges that there may be a day when he has to halt the extensive surgeries.

Mr Chavez said: ‘I totally don’t have any regrets. What is there for me to regret? Everything that has happened in my life has been positive and because of Superman.

‘When my body says it can not endure it anymore or when my doctor says that my body can not handle it because of age, then I will stop.’

Single Mr Chavez creates his own Superman costumes, T-shirts and clothing from scratch at his dress making shop.

And the 35-year-old, who has featured on Billboards in his native country, says he hopes to one day meet a partner who can share his love of Superman.

Another incarnation: British actor Henry Cavill attends the 'Man Of Steel' world premiere in June 2013
Chiseled-chin: Herbert Chavez poses in his homemade Superman outfit in front of his life-sized Superman models at his home on August 27, 2013
 Look-a-likes: Herbert Chavez (right) has spent almost 20 years trying to look like Clark Kent, who was played by British actor Henry Cavill (left) in the latest version of the film
Real identity: Mr Chavez shows off what he would look like as Clark Kent before getting changedReal identity: Mr Chavez shows off what he would look like as Clark Kent before getting changed
Celebrity: A screen grab from one of Herbert Chavez's TV performance's in 2013Celebrity: A screen grab from one of Herbert Chavez’s TV performance’s in 2013
Transformation almost complete: A collect of Herbert Chavez taken in 2011 after half of his surgeries to look like SupermanTransformation almost complete: A collect of Herbert Chavez taken in 2011 after half of his surgeries to look like Superman

Mr Chavez said: ‘I am single but also inspired to find another person to share my passion with.’

But they will have to put up with his huge collection of Superman memorabilia – built up over decades worth of obsession.

In June 2013 Guinness recognised Mr Chavez for having the largest collection of Superman memorabilia with 1,253 items – ranging from life-size dolls, to posters and rings worth thousands of pounds.

But he says his collection is actually closer to 5,000 items and plans to increase it to around 10,000 pieces – and has even moved home in order to accommodate the influx of comic book clutter.

Now famous across his native country thanks to numerous TV appearances, Mr Chavez’s friends and family are supportive of his unusual hobby.

Him mum Linda said: ‘I remember when he was a kid, he was already fond of Superman figures. He would be very happy when I bought him shirts with Superman pictures on them.

‘At school they held drawing competitions, and he would always draw Superman pictures.

‘As parents we are happy because though he is small, he has become the Filipino Superman. He has become well known in our community – he has become people’s idol.’

Before the transformation: A photograph of Herbert Chavez dressed as Superman in 1997, before he had any surgeryBefore the transformation: A photograph of Herbert Chavez dressed as Superman in 1997, before he had any surgery

Read more: Daily Mail

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