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
- 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 blog GX Iron and my professional portal ShirleyParabia.com.
Shirley’s Fitness Qualifications
- 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
– 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