Bernie Batin

TikTok star Bernie Batin faced the media for the first time in a drag costume and enjoyed it.

"First time kong mag-drag dahil ang dami kong napapanood ngayon at ang daming sumisikat na drag queen. So parang gusto kong i-try. After ko mag makeup, ang ganda ko pala," says Bernie during a media conference organized by Manic Productions at Music Box in Quezon City last June 11.

(It's my first time to do drag. I was influenced by watching drag shows and there were many rising drag queens. So I want to try it. After I put on makeup, I look beautiful.)

Bernie was promoting his debut single "Utang Mo," an upbeat track that tackles the toxic culture of borrowing money and not being able to pay it back. Due to his comedic skits, vlogs, pranks, and commentary videos, Bernie became an online sensation with over five million followers and 40 million likes on TikTok.

You've seen Bernie on social media as a grumpy store owner. He reveals he was inspired to make content on an irritable store owner based on his personal encounters with them when he was a child. "Noong bata pa ako, nakaranas po ako ng mga tinderang masusungit. Sila ang naging inspiration ko sa contents ko."

(Star Music)

Bernie, 37, was an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) for 15 years before he became famous on TikTok.

"I worked in Qatar from 2002 to 2014. Then in Kuwait, from 2014 to 2017. After that, I decided to go back to the Philippines," he says.

Asked about his investments after working abroad for many years, Bernie answers: "May mga naipundar na rin tayo. Meron akong pinapatayong maliit na bahay at meron akong maliit na lupain." The eldest of four children, Bernie says he really owns a sari-sari store in Pangasinan.

"Then wala talaga akong magawa noong pagbalik ko sa Pilipinas. So I decided to make content for TikTok. But it was for entertainment purposes only. I never took it seriously until I realized I had many followers," Bernie says.

Bernie talks about his sexuality, adding that both sides of the family accept him for who he is.

"Bata pa lamang ako naramdaman ko na noon na sobrang magaan ang loob ko kapag mga babae ang nakakasama ko. Both sides of my parents are supportive of me.

"Noong bata pa lamang ako, sinabi na ng tatay ko na tanggap na niya ang pagiging bakla ko. Ang hinihiling lang niya sa akin ay huwag na akong magpaka-bakla pa. Sabi niya, 'kung gusto mong irespeto ka ng ibang tao, irespeto mo ang sarili mo,' " Bernie recalls.

Bernie says he is not looking for a lifetime partner. The artist loves being single and yes, he's still a virgin.

"Wala na talaga akong plano na magkaroon pa ng karelasyon. Gusto ko na lang talaga tulungan ang pamilya ko. I admire good-looking people but I don't make a move. Hanggang ganun na lang. If there are people who flirt with me, I just ignore them," Bernie adds.