FEATURE: ‘Hindi ko Inasahan….’ – Vlogger from Isabela gets GMA spotlight

An Isabela-based vlogger who once questioned why a small content creator like him would ever be noticed among countless online personalities has found himself in the national spotlight after being featured on national television—particularly on One North Central Luzon produced by the GMA Regional TV Team, a milestone he admits he never expected to achieve.

Mark Fillord Gumaru, popularly known as Mark Vlog, 25, from Delfin Albano, Isabela, began his vlogging journey during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. He is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, major in Marketing Management.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, the young vlogger shared that his first attempt at content creation was cut short after his initial social media page was hacked, prompting him to stop vlogging and focus on his studies.

He later resumed content creation during his third year in college, launching a new page—Mark Vlog—which has since gained widespread attention.

“…nag-start po akong mag-vlog nung pandemic, 2019 yata ‘yon. Pero yung una kong page po ay na-hack, kaya huminto muna ako at nag-focus na lang sa pag-aaral. Nung nag-third year college na po ako, doon ko po tinuloy ang pag-vlog,” Mark recounted.

Mark’s vlogging journey

His renewed passion for vlogging began with a heartfelt video of him wearing his graduation toga while visiting his father in the rice fields. The clip garnered over one million views and resonated with viewers for its message of pride and respect for his father’s work as a farmer.

Mark shared that he is also a real-life online seller and felt naturally drawn back to vlogging.

“…parang hinahanap-hanap na po kasi ng katawan ko yung pag-vlog. Pakiramdam ko po, doon ako tinutulak ng future ko. Kaya pinagsabay-sabay ko po ang pag-vlog, pag-o-online selling, at pag-aaral para matulungan ko rin po ang mga ate ko sa tuition ko—at awa ng Diyos, nairaos ko naman po ang college,” he said.

The viral video featured on GMA

A turning point in his online career came when he started featuring his mother in his videos. Viewers quickly warmed up to their dynamic, particularly his mother’s humorous “always angry” persona. One of their videos unexpectedly went viral, amassing over four million views.

“Yung role po kasi ni nanay sa content ay laging galit. Tinatanong ko po muna siya kung okay lang at baka magkasakit siya, pero sabi niya hindi naman daw. Kaya tuloy-tuloy na po kami sa paggawa ng content,” Mark shared.

The viral video led to an opportunity the mother-and-son duo never expected—to be featured on GMA.

“…nung una po naming video na magkasama kami ni nanay, gusto na po ng audience na lagi ko siyang kasama. Tapos may isang video po kami na bigla na lang nag-viral. Hindi ko po talaga in-expect na mafi-feature kami sa GMA. Ang dami pong content creator diyan, bakit kami pa—small content creator lang po kami. ‘Yan po yung lagi kong tanong,” he said.

In one of Mark’s vlogs—a reaction video to their TV appearance—the usually “angry nanay” was seen smiling and laughing as they watched their GMA feature, which showed Mark pranking his mother by selling her flowers for as low as ₱10.

Despite their growing popularity, the content creator remains grounded and reflective about his journey, encouraging aspiring vloggers not to lose hope and to remember that success does not happen overnight.

“Ang masasabi ko lang po sa mga gustong magsimula mag-vlog, huwag kayong mawalan ng pag-asa. Sa simula, mahirap talaga, pero sabi nga nila, walang mangyayari kung hindi mo susubukan. Kaya kung kaya ko—kaya n’yo rin,” he said.

From a hacked page and modest beginnings to national recognition, Mark’s story highlights how persistence, authenticity, and family support can turn small beginnings into unexpected success.