Phillip, 30, previously worked as a virtual assistant while creating subs just for fun during his free time. He would usually pick a short movie scene where he would easily inject quirky topics into it. “Creating content first came as a passion project,” shares Phillip. “I’m so observant. I can just sit in a corner and watch how friends and family at the next table communicate with each other. Very often, I get into my head a lot and I find humor in day-to-day interactions. That’s how I get inspiration in my content.”

When his dub for Four Sisters and a Wedding went viral in 2017, his following grew in numbers. “It was good. However, at one point, it became self-serving,” Phillip confesses. “There were times when it became all about following.

“But life sometimes unfolds to us through people. There was one time when a follower asked me for a message to her sister who was ill. I sent her a video message; a few weeks after, the same follower sent me a DM to tell me that her sister has passed on. That was the time when I realized that I can use my talent and platform not only to influence, but also to uplift others.”

Facing challenges

When asked about the challenges that he has encountered, Phillip shares that top of the list for him is outdoing the last video. “I used to overthink and worry that I might not be able to please my followers.” According to him, he endeavors to overcome it by enjoying his work and allowing it to be enjoyed by his community. 

Another challenge for Phillip is finding a balance between work and personal life. “I find it daunting sometimes because I know that I have to make time for myself, especially now, and yet I also need to grind. When there are days that I get so engrossed in my work, I make it to a point to remind myself to pause. Even just a little move like drinking water during hectic times is a big help.

“But perhaps, the most daunting experience I had was my experience with cyber-bullying last year,” he confesses. “Sometimes people on social media can get so harsh. Some comments were easy to brush off. But when they made comments about my mother and about my personal life, that made me question myself.”

When that happened, unknown to many, Phillip was at a particularly low point in his life. “My mother was undergoing chemotherapy and I was also going through a breakup,” he explains. “When I tweeted out of my own frustration, the world seemed to have taken my tweet as an attack – and it snowballed nastily. With all the bashing, my intuition told me to take a step back and be quiet. Of course, I did wish to lash back but I also knew that no one will benefit from it. It will only deepen the hate.”

Overcoming 

While so many netizens were at opposing poles about their personal opinions on Davao Conyo’s tweet, Phillip seized his opportune time to reconnect deeper with himself. “That was a time when from rock bottom, ridden with self-doubts and questionning, I got hold of myself again,” he shares.

“My friends and family were my back ups. And I picked up a book entitled Remember Who You Really Are written by Joan Mae Soco-Bantayan, a Dabawenya, which walked me through those difficult days.” he continues.

In the process, I learned to be kinder and to understand that when people trash talk about you, it’s not totally because of you.

“Many come to the social media from different emotional states and that time, my post, unfortunately, triggered them,” Phillip elaborates. “That experience called me to be better – not bitter. I learned to be more considerate and to be more proactive about my social media presence. It also taught me to be more conscious because my followers are generally young.”

Looking forward

Currently, Phillip is involved with projects that encourage well-being and healthy sexuality. His consistent online presence never fails to bring amusement and fun to his community. When asked what advice would he give to those who are also aspiring to grow their career as influencers, he says. “Do not worry too much about what others will say about you. The words of those who are dear to you will really matter, but for the world, just give what you’ve got to give.”

If you lose followers, it only means that you’re not their cup of tea this time. There will always be people who will prefer other options and it should be ok. What’s important is that you focus on why you’re doing something.

With Phillip’s resilient energy, it’s no wonder why this influencer is gaining consistent traction among young Filipino netizens. And that’s Davao Conyo up close.

_{Photography by Micromedia Digital Video Productions}