Man who became Superman: Herbert Chavez’s devotion to last son of Krypton

In the quiet province of Laguna lives a man who took his childhood dream and turned it into a lifelong mission—one needle, one transformation, one tribute at a time. Herbert Clark Manalo Chavez, known to many as the “Philippine Superman,” isn’t just a fan of the iconic superhero. He became him.

With over 30 cosmetic procedures under his belt—ranging from nose implants to liposuction, chin augmentation, fillers, and more—Herbert’s devotion to the Man of Steel is etched into his very face and body. But behind the surgeries and the viral headlines lies a story of passion, identity, and the power of believing in something bigger than oneself.

“Nang nakita ko si Superman, naniwala akong ako ‘yung batang ‘yon.”

“I’ve been in love with Superman since I was four years old,” Herbert shares. “It was his presence—his poise, his dignity, his strength, and how he inspired people of all ages. Nang una akong nakapanood ng Superman II, parang may kidlat na tumama sa puso ko. I saw myself in that child version of Superman. From that moment, I told myself, ‘Pag laki ko, gusto kong maging kamukha ni Superman.’”

For Herbert, Superman wasn’t just a comic book character. He was a symbol—of hope, integrity, and aspiration. “Para sa akin, si Superman ay higit pa sa bayani. Isa siyang inspirasyon—lalo na sa mga kabataan na nangangarap at nangangailangan ng paniniwala sa sarili.”

Becoming the hero

Herbert’s physical transformation began in 1998 with a simple nose injection. “Taong 1998 noong unang beses akong nagpaturok sa ilong. Pagkatapos noon, sunod-sunod na: chin augmentation, gortex implants, fillers, liposuction—lahat para unti-unting maging kamukha ng iniidolo kong si Superman,” he explains.

Now, more than 30 cosmetic procedures later, Herbert’s face is unmistakably molded after the late Christopher Reeve, the beloved actor who defined Superman for an entire generation. But the journey hasn’t been easy. “Each procedure is both a sacrifice and a celebration. It’s painful physically and emotionally, pero kapag tumingin ako sa salamin at nakita kong nakangiti ang ‘Superman,’ nawawala lahat ng pagod.”

Still, his transformation is not only about appearance. It’s about embodying the values of his hero. “Hindi sapat na kamukha mo lang si Superman. Kailangang dalhin mo rin ang kabutihan niya, ang puso niya. Sa bawat bata na lumalapit para magpa-picture, gusto kong maramdaman nila na may bayani silang puwedeng lapitan.”

The changing face of Superman

With a new Superman movie coming out—and online debates brewing over who wore the cape best—Herbert remains grounded in his belief that every generation has its own Superman.

“May kanya-kanyang kapanahunan ang Superman—mula kay George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, hanggang sa mga modern portrayals. Iba-iba ang panlasa ng tao. Yung iba, mas attached sa Superman na kinalakihan nila. At tama lang ‘yon,” he says.

“Pero sana matutunan nating irespeto ang bawat bersyon—luma man o bago. Ang mahalaga ay ang mensahe ni Superman: truth, justice, and hope.”

A forever fan

When asked how long he plans to remain a Superman fan, Herbert answers with conviction: “Habang buhay.”

“This is more than fandom. Superman is part of my childhood, my past, and my future. He’s in how I live my life every day—how I treat others, how I dream, how I carry myself with pride as a Filipino. Hindi ito natatapos sa costume. Superman lives in my values, in my advocacy to inspire others, and in my mission to spread positivity wherever I go.”

Recognized by the Guinness World Records as the person with the most number of Superman collectibles, Herbert doesn’t just wear the cape—he wears a legacy. And through every transformation, every smile he shares with a child, and every photo he takes in costume, he continues to remind the world that anyone can be a hero—if they believe hard enough.

“Being Superman isn’t about flying or lifting cars. It’s about lifting spirits—and that’s what I try to do every day.”