'Green Soldier,' a street mime performer, wows tourists in Baguio

A street mime performer known as the "Green Soldier" has been a hit among tourists in Baguio City.

According to Oscar Oida's report on "24 Oras," Thursday, the man behind the costume, Jhonwel Reyes, began performing in 2014.

He wears different costumes and entertains his audience with cute poses and playful antics. His popularity eventually landed him on TikTok.

"Ang aim ko lang talaga magbigay po ng saya eh, kumbaga hindi ko po iniisip na darating po ako sa punto na sisikat po ako," he said.

("My aim is really just to make people happy, I never thought I would reach the point when I would become famous.")

Reyes said the income is enough for his family's daily needs, especially when he gets invited to perform on birthday parties and other events.

Before he became a street performer, however, he did many jobs. He was a former pedicab driver, construction worker, service crew, janitor, and factory worker.

"Marami din po akong pinagdaanan sa buhay, lahat po ng hirap pinagdaanan ko talaga," he said. "Lahat po 'yan nagpatatag po sa pagkatao ko."

("I experienced so many things in life, I went through all hardships. Everything made me a stronger person.")

Even street performing had its ups and downs. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, his livelihood was affected as many places where he used to perform closed up.

His fortunes eventually changed when he moved to Baguio, and now he is training future street mime performers.

"Patuloy po tayong gumawa ng kabutihan sa ating kapwa para mas lalo po tayong gabayan ng ating Ama," he said.

("Let's continue to do good deeds for our fellow men so our Father will further guide us.")

—MGP, GMA News