Beyond the Buzz: A Conversation with Filipino Creator Richard Juan | Vloggers in Chongqing
Beyond the Buzz: A Conversation with Filipino Creator Richard Juan | Vloggers in Chongqing
About Richard Juan
Richard Juan is a Filipino-Chinese actor, producer and young entrepreneur active in television, film and digital content. With more than 2 million followers across social media platforms, he is not only a familiar face in front of the camera, but also understands what kind of content can capture audiences’ attention, win their affection and travel widely online.
During this trip to Chongqing, Richard is not merely taking part in the filming. He is also serving as the organizer of the Filipino creator team, bringing together popular influencers from different fields to explore the city. From Chongqing’s night views and mountainous terrain to its street food and on-site content creation scenes, they are rediscovering the city in a way that resonates with young audiences overseas. For Richard, this journey is more than a city experience; it is also a first-hand observation of content creation, social media traffic and cultural connection.
Richard’s First Impression of Chongqing
Richard’s first impression of Chongqing came from the city’s unique three-dimensional urban landscape. To him, Chongqing itself is like a natural film set. From Chongqing 131 Observation Deck, the city’s lights unfold across mountains and rivers; at Liziba Station, the moment a monorail train passes through a building becomes an instant source of inspiration for content creators.
Only a city confident enough in its own charm would dare to present its real streets, night views and everyday life directly to global audiences. That is also why Richard invited Filipino influencers from different fields to join him in Chongqing, each recording the city in their own way. With its cyber-like nightscape and layered network of rail lines, roads and streets, Chongqing naturally carries a strong sense of storytelling, making it easy for overseas audiences to feel immersed in the city.
From Genuine Affection to Active Sharing
In Richard’s view, the reason Chongqing continues to gain popularity on overseas social media is not simply that the city is highly photogenic, but that it clearly understands where its own appeal lies. Whether it is the sweeping urban view from 131 Observation Deck or the cool, dynamic scenes of motorcycle riders along Nanbin Road, these are simple yet highly engaging content settings. More importantly, creators’ reactions here are genuine.
Richard noted that overseas audiences can easily tell the difference between staged performances and moments of real emotional connection. Chongqing’s night views, food and urban atmosphere truly make people fall in love with the city from the heart. With the launch of the direct flight route linking Chongqing and Manila, this appeal has also become much easier to access. Compared with the past, when travelers had to transfer, the journey can now be completed by direct flight in about 3.5 to 4 hours. For Richard, this not only makes travel more convenient, but also opens up new space for exchanges between creators from the two places and for Chongqing’s communication in the Philippines.
Chongqing Memories Continue After Returning to the Philippines
After the influencers returned to the Philippines, Fiona, a staff member of the WCICO, also had a video call with Richard and several influencers. When they talked about their trip to Chongqing, they spoke not only of the highlights during filming, but also of their enthusiasm for sharing the city with family and friends after returning home.
A creative short video featuring a monorail train passing through a building at Liziba Station went viral on overseas social media, attracting nearly 30 million views across platforms and close to 1 million interactions. For them, Chongqing was more than just a filming destination. When they return next time, they hope to experience more of local life: jogging along the riverside, taking a walk in a park, or exploring this cyberpunk-like mountain city with their families.
