Follow the inspiring story of two Filipinos, Arvin and Larry, fought their way out from their hard beginnings to the world of professional boxing and entertainment. See more at: http://gulfnews.com/videos
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00:00Makeovers, fat-to-fit, retoke, rags-to-riches,
00:04the Filipinos are fond of stories of changes or dramatic transformations.
00:10Today's guest is a former construction worker who became a professional boxer,
00:16and an ordinary waiter who built his own company.
00:20Find out their crazy stories of changes in this episode of Filipino Transformers.
00:31Arvind and Larry dreamt, strived, succeeded, and inspired many of us.
00:43Ordinary OFWs who made extraordinary choices in life,
00:48and deserve to be called new heroes.
00:53Larry Abara, he was often bullied when he was young because of the color of his skin.
00:58It's a big question to me, why do my family and friends bully me because of my skin color.
01:05They told me, you're just like that, you can't achieve anything, you have no dreams,
01:11you're dark, you're ugly, you're ugly, you're not beautiful.
01:16Life wasn't easy for Larry.
01:19He had to sell and collect steel bottles to help support his family.
01:25In order for me to go to school, I had to sell steel bottles.
01:36We didn't have food, so we ate salt water to survive.
01:46In the Philippines, I worked as a construction worker.
01:50I was so sad when I became a rebel because I found out that I became an OFW.
01:55Larry was often bullied because of his color.
02:02I was bullied.
02:04That was my goal when I started boxing.
02:07I always fought outside.
02:10We had a neighbor who was an amateur boxer.
02:16She taught me how to box since I was a kid.
02:20Instead of wasting your life fighting outside, come here, I'll teach you how to box.
02:26Larry developed his boxing skills until he became a pro boxer
02:30and represented the Philippines in international boxing competitions.
02:34My achievement was that I became a member of the national team, the Philippine team.
02:39I fought in China and other countries.
02:43In 2013, he went to Dubai to join an exclusive boxing gym.
02:49I started working here in Dubai in 2013.
02:54I was accompanied by a friend of mine.
02:58My first job here was as a stunt coach.
03:01Here in Dubai, I was a senior coach in a surrounding boxing club.
03:07I trained professional boxers here and amateur boxers.
03:12My first inspiration in boxing was my mother.
03:17She raised me and now she's gone.
03:20She's my inspiration.
03:23I'm thankful to her because without her, I wouldn't be where I am today.
03:27Aside from his parents, his wife, Angelica, and son, Mike, also serve as inspiration to Larry.
03:35My second inspiration was watching Pacquiao's life.
03:40He gave me advice.
03:43He advised me that life is like that.
03:46Just fight for your dreams.
03:48Always push.
03:50Even though Larry's dream of becoming a pro boxer and fitness coach has come true,
03:54he still has something he wants to do.
03:57One of my reasons for becoming a boxer is to meet my real parents.
04:03When I became famous, I met them.
04:06They told me a story.
04:08There was a woman who worked in a club.
04:14My mother took care of her because she was a midwife and a third-degree midwife.
04:19When I was about to give birth, they left me at the door.
04:26They raised me.
04:31I was adopted by an American-African U.S. Navy.
04:36They had a relationship with a Filipino girl.
04:42After that, they left me.
04:45I don't know the reason.
04:51He's the one who gives life to birthday parties and events.
04:55Bubbles, or in real life, Arvin Macarae.
04:59Using colorful balloons, magic cards, and costumes,
05:04they entertain the audience with their amazing performances.
05:09But it wasn't easy for them to start.
05:13I started here in 2008 as a waiter in a restaurant.
05:19When we were briefed by the company,
05:24I saw that the restaurant had a party hall.
05:27I asked the manager if there was a party here.
05:33He said that there was.
05:35But the bad news is that we don't have a performer here.
05:38I thought that I could do it because I do clowning in the Philippines.
05:43It was a good opportunity for Arvin to return to his true passion and desire,
05:49magic and performing.
05:52I was a crew member in restaurants before.
05:55When I became a crew member and started earning money,
05:59I fell in love with magic.
06:01I used all my money to buy magic props.
06:05Many people fell in love with Arvin because he's fast.
06:09After two years, we had more clients.
06:12They contacted me and asked for my number.
06:14We started a company.
06:16Pinoy Payaso is a company.
06:18It's not just for Filipinos.
06:20We wanted to bring the Filipino name to Dubai.
06:24It was good because Filipinos got to know us here.
06:28It's not just Pinoy Payaso.
06:30The shows that we do in Pinoy Payaso are
06:34ghost events, birthday parties,
06:37balut twisting, magic shows,
06:40and more entertainment for kids.
06:43Arvin learned from his friends, siblings,
06:48and now he's a part of his own company.
06:53In Pinoy Payaso, all of our members are Filipinos.
06:58Before, there were only two or three of us.
07:02Now, there are seven of us.
07:04We tried it.
07:06I'm with my two siblings.
07:08They're here too.
07:10I'm with Bayaw.
07:12I'm with my friends who are part-timers.
07:15We tried performing because there are so many shows.
07:18I thought of a way to top other markets.
07:22There are people who contact us to perform.
07:26The challenge is,
07:27it's hard for other nationalities to mention Pinoy Payaso.
07:31It's not just Filipinos who make Arvin's group happy.
07:35Their tricks and magic shows
07:38can also be seen by other races.
07:41For other nationalities,
07:43once they see us perform,
07:46they'll be proud.
07:49They'll say,
07:50the party was fun.
07:52They didn't expect that.
07:54In whatever field of work or passion,
07:58they still face challenges.
08:00I asked my manager,
08:02what do the kids here speak?
08:04English or Tagalog?
08:06He said, it's the same in the Philippines.
08:08Tagalog.
08:09So, I made the party.
08:11I performed.
08:13After the second part,
08:14a kid approached me.
08:16He said,
08:17clown, clown,
08:18please,
08:19at the second part,
08:20you can speak English
08:21so that we can understand you.
08:23That was my challenge.
08:24After that show,
08:26I made my script.
08:28Pure English.
08:30I practiced it.
08:32The old dream
08:34is now fulfilled by Arvin
08:36with his friends.
08:38His advice to those who have the same dream,
08:41don't give up
08:43and keep on trying.
08:45Like me,
08:46I also dreamed that,
08:48like Pinoy Payaso,
08:50we dreamed of him before
08:52that he'll be a companion
08:54to a friend of mine in the Philippines.
08:56We said,
08:57I hope Pinoy Payaso
08:58will be a companion someday.
08:59Until he got home,
09:01I was left behind.
09:02When I was left behind,
09:04I made Pinoy Payaso.
09:07Different backgrounds,
09:09different experiences,
09:11but they all have the same goal,
09:13to meet their dreams.
09:16Their stories are
09:18true lessons and inspirations.
09:22If you have a dream,
09:24fight it, fight it,
09:25or kill it, kill it.
09:27That's it.
09:28It won't happen
09:29if you just have a dream.
09:31If it's just a dream
09:32and you don't have a goal,
09:34if it's just a dream
09:35and you don't have an action,
09:36it won't happen.
09:37Just be proud of yourself.
09:38Even if people look down on you,
09:40just show them that,
09:42this is me,
09:44I can do this,
09:46I'll reach my dream,
09:47I'll show you who I am.
10:04I'll show you who I am.