Alfred Vargas went through a challenging time when he gained weight and deviated from the image we were used to seeing—a fit and muscular body. He was once considered a “hunk actor” when he was actively doing movies.
In his YouTube channel, Vargas Tries, Alfred admitted that his self-esteem plummeted and he became depressed when he weighed 251 lbs.
In the first episode of his YT channel, he said, “May aaminin ako sa inyo, there was a time bumaba talaga ang self esteem ko, nagiba ang buhay ko. I was so depressed.
One morning, he didn’t recognize himself when he looked in the mirror. It was like his world came crashing down, and that was his wake-up call. He realized that he had reached 251 lbs.
“Hindi ko nahalata isang umaga pagharap ko sa salamin kahit ‘yung sarili ko hindi ko nakilala ‘yung taong nasa salamin. And doon parang gumuho ang mundo ko and doon parang iyon ang pinaka-wake-up call ko. Unti-unti umabot na pala ako sa 251 lbs.”
Alfred mentioned that his life changed as his body grew bigger. People used to call him “Papa Alfred” and approach him in malls, but lately, as he gained weight, some didn’t recognize him anymore, and others would call him “Tito Alfred.”
“Dati kapag nasa mall ako ‘yung mga tao tatawagin ako at lalapit pa sa akin, ‘Papa Alfred’ tapos lately medyo lumaki na ako, ‘yung iba hindi na ako nakikilala tapos ‘yung iba naman nakikilala pa ako pero ang tawag sa akin Tito Alfred na.
“So what’s funny about this hindi ko nahalata. Isang umaga pagharap ko sa salamin kahit sarili ko hindi ko nakilala ‘yung taong nasa salamin. And doon parang gumuho ang mundo ko and ‘yun ang pinaka-wake-up call ko.
Determined to change for the sake of his children and to show them how much he loves them by trying to live as long as possible, Alfred started his journey to lose weight. He shared various exercises on his YT channel that helped him in his weight loss, including Parkour, which he learned from Ms. Kate Robles, a single mom who faced similar problems as Alfred, and coach Raven Cruz.
“Sabi ko dapat magbago ako and this time around nag-decide ako na I will not do this for vanity, I will not do this for projects, I will do this for my children and para maipakita ko sa aking mga anak kung gaano ko sila kamahal by trying to live the longest that I can.
“From 251 lbs now I am 201 lbs,” sambit pa ni Alfred na tatlong taon pala niyang struggle ito sa kanyang buhay.
Alfred’s YT channel, Vargas Tries, is a gift from Councilor Alfred, together with his sibling Cong. PM Vargas, to their Solid Friendship, which they have had for 18 years. They asked, “ready ka na ba? ACTV18…”
On their YT channel, fans can request things for Alfred to try. He has already done various things such as playing a father on cam, and now off cam as well. He tried being a “sundalong diwata” (fairy soldier), a merman, and even a hero. He also ventured into public service.
“Nasubukan ko na maging tatay on cam, at ngayon off cam na rin. Nasubukan ko nang maging sundalong diwata at naging sireno na rin at naging bayani na rin ako. Pati ang paglilingkod pinasok na rin natin.
“Eh ano pa ba ang gusto n’yong i-try natin? Maging driver? O maging magsasaka? Maging teacher, maging barangay tanod? O maging talk show host. Pwede?
He invited viewers to join him as he tries various fields on his show “Samahan n’yo akong subukan ang iba’t ibang larangan dito lang sa ‘Vargas Tries, pwede? Pwede!’” The show uploads new episodes every two weeks, but in the coming months, they will have weekly uploads featuring the Vargas siblings.
So, what are you waiting for? As Alfred says, click the button and share!
