About Peter
I grew up in a rural farming village in the Philippines and was made familiar with the physical demands of manual labor and mountain treks from a very young age. The normal route to school and market was an hours-long journey on foot that made me appreciate the value of hard work and being physically capable.
After moving to the city for my secondary education, I was introduced to the world of martial arts. In college, I obtained a scholarship for my degree in Police Science & Technology as a competitive athlete in Karate, Jujitsu, Judo and Taekwondo. I won bronze, silver and gold medals through my entire career as an amateur martial arts competitor. Before graduation, I earned my Black Belt.
As a fresh graduate, I obtained a contractual job in the appliance retail industry whilst contemplating between starting a career with the Philippine Marines or to continue my Police higher education. After work, I would visit a nearby gym and would eventually be encouraged by friends and trainers to try my hand in natural bodybuilding.
After winning several bodybuilding competitions, I was offered a full-time job as a fitness instructor at Winner’s Gym in Iloilo City, where I honed my skills and knowledge in group exercise and personal training. In 2007, my wife and I moved abroad to the Sultanate of Oman, where I continued my journey in wellness and sports. For more about me and interests, please visit my official website PeterParabia.com.
Peter’s Fitness Qualifications
- CrossFit Level 1
- Certified Group Exercise Leader – MEFITPRO, approved by American Council of Exercise and UAE Register of Exercise Professionals
- Les Mills International Advanced Instructor – BodyPump (Full Body Barbell Workout) & RPM (Cycling)
- Certified Mixed Martial Arts for Fitness Instructor – Rossi Brazilian Jiujutsu, via MEFITPRO
- Member and Certified Black Belt Instructor, National Jujitsu Karate Judo Association-Philippines
- Champion, Mr. Benedicto (Iloilo City) Invitational Bodybuilding Competition (August 2006)
- Champion – Novice Division, Mr. Iloilo Natural Bodybuilding Competition (January 2006)
- Certificate in Swedish Massage and Reflexology – Remnant Health Centre Philippines
- Certificate as Cable Training Specialist – Human Sport
- Certificate in CPR/First Aid and Health, Safety & Environment
About Shirley
I was born in Iloilo City, Republic of the Philippines, back when we still used cassette tapes for aerobic classes 😉 I have studied the disciplines of ballet, Polynesian and standard & Latin ballroom dance. I appeared on television at the age of four dancing to “Footloose” and I never looked back 😉 I started choreographing pop and retro dances at the age of eight. I also learned gymnastic skills to improve my agility and flexibility as a dancer. I have interpreted and performed freestyle, jazz, Philippine folk, street/hiphop, K-pop, belly dance, Latin, and many others through the years.
I fell in love with martial arts when I was very young, and that was actually the beginning of my journey to where I am now. I studied Kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do, Karate, Arnis, Taekwondo, Boxing, Wing Chun and Hung-Gar Kung Fu with various mentors. I have Degrees in Wushu Sanshou (Combative) and Wushu Tai Chi (Soft Forms) from the Philippine Wushu Federation, through Iloilo Tinagan School of Martial Arts.
In sports, I have actively participated in table tennis, basketball, football, volleyball and distance running. I even won a national 3k silver medal from the Philippine Sports Commission.
To improve my overall physical conditioning, I started working out and attending aerobics classes in the gym when I was fourteen, greatly encouraged by my father. I started teaching Cardio Wushu/Kickboxing and AeroDance classes in 2006 at the Asian Entertainment Exponent School of the Performing Arts.
In 2007, my husband and I moved abroad. I continued my individual and group fitness endeavours all over the world. Since then, I have taught people of all ages, from all walks of life. For more about me and my fitness endeavours, please visit my professional portal ShirleyParabia.com.
Shirley’s Fitness Qualifications
- CrossFit Trainer & Athlete
- Certified Pound Fitness Instructor
- Certified STRONG by Zumba Instructor
- Certified Piloxing instructor
- Certified TRX Suspension and Group Suspension Trainer
- Certified Bokwa Fitness Instructor
- Certified Group Exercise Leader – MEFITPRO, approved by American Council of Exercise and UAE Register of Exercise Professionals
- Certified in CPR, AED & First Aid
- Degrees in Combative Wushu & Tai Chi Qi Gong – Iloilo Tinagan School of Martial Arts, Philippine Wushu Federation
- Popular Ballroom Dance – University of the Philippines
- Social Recreation: Dance – University of the Philippines
- Foundations of Physical Fitness – University of the Philippines
Les Mills International Advanced Instructor and Tribe Coach for Sultanate of Oman
– BodyBalance/BodyFlow (Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates & Dance)
– RPM (Cycling)
– BodyPump (Full Body Barbell Workout)
– Les Mills Tone (Cardio, Weight Training and Core)
– BodyCombat (Non-Contact Mixed Martial Arts)
Zumba Fitness
– Basic Steps Level 1
– Basic Steps Level 2
– Zumba in the Circuit
– Aqua Zumba
– ZumbAtomic
– Zumba Core
– Zumba Glutes
– Zumba Kids & Zumba Kids Jr.
– Zumba Step
– Zumba Burst
– Zumba Gold
