top social media influencers philippines 2018

The Rise of a New Breed of Influencer

Before 2018, most influencer fame in the country was born from traditional media—TV, film, music. But 2018 flipped the script. YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook were no longer just platforms; they became launchpads. Authenticity, relatability, and consistent interaction became more powerful than celebrity status.

Creators like Mimiyuuuh, Alex Gonzaga, Wil Dasovich, and the tandem JaMill led the charge. These personalities didn’t rely on fixed scripts or airbrushed lives. They vlogged the raw and funny, took fans behind the scenes, and made their private struggles public. Filipinos connected to that.

What Made the top social media influencers Philippines 2018 Stand Out?

2018 wasn’t just about follower count—it was about impact. Successful influencers mastered a few key things:

1. Consistency

Fans looked forward to weekly vlogs, Instagram stories, and live sessions. This regular connection built loyalty.

1. CrossPlatform Mastery

The best didn’t stick to one app. They pivoted between Twitter trends, YouTube storytelling, and Instagram aesthetics like pros.

1. Local Language and Culture

Taglish, memes, and kulitan content ruled. The more domestic and culturally specific the content, the deeper the audience bond.

1. Business Savvy

Collaboration with brands wasn’t just about ads. It was about genuine alignment. JoJo’s Milk Tea sales spiked because an influencer liked it—not because someone was paid to like it.

Key Figures in the top social media influencers Philippines 2018

Let’s break down some names that defined the space that year:

Alex Gonzaga: A breakout YouTube star, her humor and natural goofiness gave her an edge—even with a celeb sister in mainstream media.

Wil Dasovich: A vlogger who capitalized on storytelling with a purpose. His battle with cancer wasn’t just content—it was community therapy.

Mimiyuuuh: Viral in 2018 but iconic by 2019, Mimiyuuuh’s early content was already hinting at the mix of parody, fashion, and social commentary that would follow.

JaMill: This love team turned their daily lives into a brand. Real, chaotic, and emotional—their YouTube channel felt like a teleserye with no airtime limits.

Kimpoy Feliciano and Maine Mendoza also held strong influence through Twitter and YouTube respectively, drawing heavily from their fanbases while building their own authentic voice.

Impact Beyond the Screen

What differentiated the top social media influencers Philippines 2018 from those before them is how offline industries reacted.

Advertising shifted focus. Brands began allocating serious budget to influencer marketing, sometimes favoring them over traditional celebrities.

Small businesses boomed. A single post from an influencer could sell out a startup’s entire inventory overnight.

Social issues gained traction. Influencers weren’t afraid to wade into political or cultural discussions, shaping youth perspectives on gender, poverty, mental health, and more.

What 2018 Taught Us

Back in 2018, the influencer marketing game wasn’t saturated yet. There was more trust, more freshness, and less algorithm fatigue. The rules were clearer: be real, be regular, be relevant.

Most importantly, creators knew their platforms and their people. They weren’t trying to be international stars—they were focused on being local legends.

Lessons for New Creators Looking Back at the top social media influencers Philippines 2018

Want to carve out your space today? Study 2018. It’s less about repeating formats and more about understanding shift moments. Here’s what modern creators can apply:

Niche isn’t everything—community is. Don’t just target algorithms; build actual conversations.

Your life doesn’t have to be perfect. In fact, imperfection sells when it’s sincere.

Content is now faster, but loyalty still takes time. The 2018 crowd didn’t just go viral—they sustained it.

Final Thoughts

The top social media influencers Philippines 2018 helped pave the way for creators in the years that followed. By mastering connection over perfection, they showed that it wasn’t about having millions of pesos in production—it was about having millions of viewers in empathy. If you’re building something today, don’t just copy the viral formulas. Study the trust economy they built.

Their digital legacy? Still visible. Still relevant. And still worth learning from.