Thanks to video-sharing social networking service TikTok!
For Mannix Carancho, CEO and President of Prestige International, TikTok keeps him sane and happy during the pandemic.
The 28-year-old TikTok star credited his new found confidence to the popular video-sharing app.
"Mahiyain talaga ako. Pero noong pandemic, sinubukan ko sumayaw sa TikTok. Mula noon hindi na ako naging mahiyain," said Carancho, who now has more than 600,000 followers on TikTok, during an interview at his office in Quezon City recently.
Carancho went on to share: "During lockdown, naiinip talaga ako noon. Hindi ka naman makagala or makapunta out-of-town. Nagkaroon na talaga ako noon ng anxiety at depression. Then nanood ako ng mga TikTok. Sabi ko gawa kaya ako nito? Mula noon naging addict na ako sa TikTok."
Asked how he handles bashers, Carancho said: "Hindi ko na lang pinapansin sila. Hindi ko na lang sila binabasa. Wala akong time para patulan ang mga bashers. Bahala sila."
Aside from Prestige International, maker of affordable and quality skin care products, Carancho is also building careers for showbiz talents via the Mannix Carancho Artist and Talent Management.
Among his talents include Bidaman Miko Gallardo, Rhed Bustamante, Johannes Risler, Jervy delos Reyes, John Padilla, Alliyah, Adrian Clarence, CJ Rada, Rosemarie Tan, Charly Depositar, and Melissa Mendez.
Carancho said he has invited equally popular TikTok stars to join his pool of talents. Helping him in managing the talents is Amanda Salas.
Sought to give an advice to those who want to venture into show business, Carancho said: "Ang iba kasi sa mga talents naiinip sila. Naniniwala ako na lahat tayo ay may panahon para mag-shine so dapat huwag silang maiinip. Dapat ibigay din nila ang best nila kapag may mga projects sila. Maging focus sila sa work at dapat marunong silang makisama sa ibang tao."
The young entrepreneur has also launched MannixTV on YouTube.
Failed in business on several occasions, Carancho owes to his ever supportive parents his entrepreneurial skills which made his businesses a success this time.
"Iba ang training sa business na kinalakihan namin sa parents namin. Ang iba kasing magulang, kapag nag-fail sa business ang anak nila, hindi maganda ang trato. Sa amin, kapag bumagsak kami sa negosyo, pinapa-alala lang sa amin ng parents namin na i-apply namin yung mga natutunan namin sa failed business para sa susunod na negosyo ay susuportahan pa rin nila kami. So kahit ilang beses kaming bumagsak sa negosyo, susuportahan talaga kami ng parents namin," Carancho said.
Carancho is thankful that he still has businesses during these unusual times.
"Okay lang ako sa sarili ko pero ang laging nasa isip ko yung mga staff ko. Nagpapasalamat ako at kahit may pandemic, tuloy ang mga business ko. Higit sa lahat, salamat at nakatulong din ako sa ibang tao," he added.