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'I feel very much Filipino': TikToker Hannah Balanay planong mag-release ng kanta sa wikang English at Bisaya
SBS Filipino
06/08/202408:10
"There are more people getting on TikTok. There's a lot of competition out there...but I try not to get pressured by that. Whatever I can and whatever I like to do, I'll put out."
After becoming the most popular TikToker in Australia in 2021 and the third most influential content creator in the country in 2022, Perthie Hannah Balanay continues to be at the top of her game, amassing millions of likes and followers on the app.
Dancing papaya and Musical.ly
Originally from Cebu, 23-year old Hannah Balanay moved to Australia in 2017.
"We moved for my dad's job. He works in mining.
"I had a hard time understanding people when they would talk to me. I think that was the biggest culture shock for me when we first moved.
"I've kind of adapted now. I speak more English now, but I'm still very much Filipino."
Balanay shared that aside from using social media for "fun", it was a way for her to maintain ties with friends back home.
"I had a group of friends from all over the Philippines. We would make dancing videos together and compile them. This was when TikTok was still called Musical.ly."
Musical.ly was rebranded as TikTok in 2018.
"Dancing just came naturally to me, so it was something I liked doing for social media. Nothing professional even when I was younger - just for school.
"I remember dancing for Nutrition Week I think. I was a papaya and just dancing on stage with my classmates," Balanay laughed.
Balanay continued her love for dance in Australia, still performing in school and also with friends.
I used to be with a group and we would perform like K-Pop dances together. I still do it now when they ask me to. We have videos online as well.Hannah Balanay, Content creator
"I guess you could say my online presence was both personal and public. I became a lot more public as I gained followers over the years and I got known for my dances."
Millions of views
It was around 2020 when Balanay's TikTok career took off and views for her videos started gaining millions of views.
"I would do other's people's dances that I would see on TikTok; but what really took off for me was when I did my own choreography for Dua Lipa's 'Don't Start Now.'"
After going viral on TikTok, Balanay's dance steps were recreated on the gaming franchise Fortnite.
"It was honestly so overwhelming to have so many eyes on you; but I was grateful, especially when I would see big names do my dances. It's like, 'What?!'"
Balanay shared that one of the most memorable videos she recorded was a BTS 'Idol' Dance Challenge.
I saw that Jungkook liked my video! It was a big win for me. As part of the army since 2018, it was such a big win!Hannah Balanay, Content creator
The said video Balanay recorded was also featured on BTS and Nicki Minaj's music video for 'Idol'.
Frustration and unnecessary hate
Balanay admitted that there are times that doing videos feel like a chore and that frustration can sometimes hit when she choreography is difficult.
"I don't know how to explain it, but sometimes it does feel like I need to force myself to upload something. It can get particularly frustrating when I can't do a single take because I keep on messing up.
"There are days like that and another thing you need to deal with are comments.
People on social media can get a lot of unnecessary hate for the littlest things in the world...like, 'Oh she got fat!' or 'She fell!' But we're only human too.Hannah Balanay, Content creator
Balanay shared that a strong support system allows her to take hateful comments in stride.
"My family and my boyfriend...they're always there to listen to me rant. I'm just grateful for them."
My own music
Balanay admitted that while she continues to enjoy dancing to other people's work, she wants to release her own music in the future.
"I do want to release my own music and travel the world.
"P-pop is making such a strong mark these days, like BINI. The group inspires me to be like them and to do the same thing.
"I haven't really thought deeply enough if I want to do my own music in English or my own language...but I'm thinking possibly both."
