From being social media’s “favorite classmate” to bringing home two major awards from this year’s TikTok Awards Philippines, online sensation-turned-actor Esnyr Ranollo is definitely winning in life.
Known for his funny and relatable high school life skits on TikTok, Esnyr bagged the Popular Creator of the Year Award along with pharmacist Arshie Larga. He was also named Creator of the Year.
Being nominated and meeting fellow creators at the second TikTok awards show alone felt surreal to Esnyr. He considered winning the awards a “bonus.”
“I’m super thankful to TikTok Philippines for believing in my potential,” Esnyr told The Philippine STAR in an interview during the TikTok Awards night held on Aug. 13 at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. Winners were officially announced on Saturday, Aug. 20.
Since joining the popular video-sharing platform in 2021, Esnyr has rapidly grown his page, which now has more than five million followers and nearly 160 million likes.
“Ang happy lang na I’ve gotten to harvest the fruits of my labor. It’s satisfying to have a blue check beside my username,” said Esnyr who recently got his TikTok account verified.
The 20-year-old’s first TikTok upload was a dance challenge with his friends. He eventually reached virality after posting videos where he reenacted school scenarios using his “multiverse”characters, which had followers feeling nostalgic over high school life.
After becoming one of TikTok Philippines’ biggest stars, Esnyr is beyond grateful and happy that he is now able to provide for his family while bringing smiles to netizens with his short videos.
“Super amazing po ng ginawa ng TikTok sa buhay ko. A lot of things changed, financially, of course. I’m able to help my family. Nagiging breadwinner na po ako ngayon (I’ve become a breadwinner now),” he shared.
Being TikTok-famous also opened doors for Esnyr to jumpstart a showbiz career — starring as his own TikTok characters in Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano’s 2021 film, Love is Color Blind, and getting a guest role in the loveteam’s digital series He’s Into Her Season 2.
He has also appeared in Kapamilya shows like It’s Showtime and Magandang Buhay, and scored several TV commercials. He also signed up with ABS-CBN Films’ talent management arm Rise Artists Studio. He’s “super thankful” to Rise for being the first to see his showbiz potential.
He admitted though to still adjusting to his new journey under the showbiz spotlight but “I’m just going with the flow since I’ve been given the opportunity.”
Asked what he likes most about being a content creator, Esnyr responded: “Yung nai-inspire ako na makapagpasaya ng ibang tao and while producing content, I also feel happy because I get to relive my classroom memories. It motivates me to do better in terms of content.”
Esnyr attended the TikTok awards night wearing a “panyo-fied” ensemble which drew inspiration from his well-loved TikTok character Andrei, the introverted classmate who habitually covers his mouth with a handkerchief. Andrei is also Esnyr’s favorite role to portray in his TikTok videos. It is actually inspired by his real-life high school seatmate, to whom he said he owes his popularity on the platform.
“Credit po pala sa katabi ko nung highschool kasi siya po si Andrei. Dapat siya yung sisikat ngayon eh,” Esnyr, being his comedic self off-cam, said while giving a shoutout to his former classmate.
“Hindi pa naman ako sikat pero siya dapat yung nakiki-credit sa lahat… Pero ayun, na-inspire lang ako sa kanya. Thank you Renan!”
Meanwhile, pharmacist and content creator Arshie Larga dedicated his TikTok recognition to fellow medical health professionals.
“This is also my tribute to our health professionals, especially pharmacists, na yung mga talents namin, kumbaga kaya din naman pala makipagsabayan sa mga iba’t-ibang trends sa TikTok,” Arshie told The STAR.
With three million followers on TikTok, Arshie said that the platform helped widen his reach and efforts to educate the general public about health and medical drug information through informative and entertaining and short video clips.
Makeup guru Pau Pelaez, known to fans as “Chikana Girl,” also won big at the second TikTok Awards, taking home the TikTok Rising Star of the Year Award and Top Beauty and Fashion Creator Award.
“I’m able to help myself, support myself and pay the bills at home. I can send myself to school. Hindi na ako umaasa sa magulang ko (I no longer depend on my parents’ financial support),” Pau said about TikTok’s impact on her life.
With her “unexpected wins,” Pau wants to continue making entertaining makeup tutorial videos and other content that empowers women and gives them self-confidence.
TikTok Philippines recognized creators, public figures and media publishers who have produced entertainment and impactful TikTok content the past year in its second TikTok awards show held at the New frontier Theater on Aug. 13 and streamed on Aug. 20.
The full list of 2022 TikTok Awardees is as follows:
Popular Creator of the Year - Esnyr Ranollo and Arshie Larga; Celebrity of the Year - Vice Ganda and Joshua Garcia; POP Group of the Year - SB19, BGYO, BINI and MNL48; Livestreamer of the Year - Yanyan de Jesus and Mona Gonzales; Rising Star of the Year - Roce Ordoñez and Pau Pelaez; Rising Live Star of the Year - Junell Dominic and Celine Nobleza; and Creator of the Year - Esnyr Ranollo.
Also given were special awards, namely Top Entertainment Award - Netflix; Top Media Publisher Award - Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho; Top Beauty & Fashion Creator Award - Pau Pelaez; Top Foodie Creator Award - Chef Hazel; Top Education Creator Award - Raymore Cuevas; Top Gaming Creator Award - Myrtle Gail; Top Esports Personality Award - dubstepvlr; Top Sports Creator Award - Daniel Bernas; and Top Fitness Creator Award - brenthlete.