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How 'Idol PH' 2022 runner up Ryssi Avila found a new career on TikTok

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MJ Felipe

ABS-CBN News

<p>PHUKET, Thailand -- Some of the biggest livestreamers from Southeast Asia gathered in Phuket, Thailand for the annual TikTok Livefest 2025. In an intimate panel discussion attended by different members of the media from Asia, four top streamers shared their success stories including Ryssi Avila from the Philippines. </p><p>Avila first rose to fame when she joined the second season of &quot;Idol Philippines&quot; on ABS-CBN, where she was the runner-up to Khymo Gumatay. After the competition, she no longer became visible in the mainstream platform. Instead, she started doing random videos on the TikTok. </p><p>“It all started from my first viral video, nasa kotse po kumakanta lang ako ng mga covers parang one minute lang po, mga short time videos. Who could’ve thought na &#x27;yun po ang aking magiging gateway to international stages?” she said.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17684369961227c3445e6-558f-4bbc-a57e-03415d0f235c.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Rissy Avila</span></span></span></div><p>Losing a contest was heartbreaking for Avila, who also gave birth to her child after the competition. She looked for ways on how to sustain and raise her child. </p><p>“Nag-start po ako mag-TikTok Live August 2023. First three months were very challenging. But nakita ko po na slowly nabui-build ko po &#x27;yung aking community. Then dumating &#x27;yung 2024, doon na po dumating &#x27;yung aking mga achievement through TikTok Live,” she narrated.</p><p>Avila was overwhelmed when invitations, brand partnerships and campaigns started to knock on her door. She was invited to the US and UK, and next month, there are plans for her to attend the global awards ceremony of TikTok LiveFest in Las Vegas, Nevada. </p><p>“Binabalikan ko po &#x27;yung mga time na nag-i-start pa lang ako. Tinitignan ko kung gaano na kalayo ang narating ko because of Tiktok Live. Also, nire-remind po ako to always be humble, alalahanin mo kung saan ka nanggaling and to continue with what you do. And focus on what you can bring to the world and how you can inspire people,” she said.</p><p>Now, Avila is one of the top TikTok livestreamers in the Philippines. </p><p>“It’s such an honor po to be recognized as one of the top streamers in the Philippines but ang masasabi ko ang lahat ng effort, suporta at pagod ng community ko po ay worth it dahil nakarating na kami dito sa TikTok LiveFest 2025,” she said.</p><p>One thing she learned along the way: “Kung hindi man mabigay sa &#x27;yo ang isang pagkakataon, marami pang pinto’ng pwedeng magbukas para sa ‘yo. So me, coming from Idol Philippines to TikTok LiveFest gave me a second chance with my singing.”</p><p>And her simple piece of advice for aspiring streamers who want to find -- and carve -- their own paths in the digital space: “Huwag kang matakot mangarap, simulan mo lang. Kunin mo ang phone mo, mag-upload ka lang. Kasi naniniwala ako na kapag meron kang audacity sa buhay na ito, pwede mong kunin lahat. Ikaw ang gagawa ng kapalaran mo, just start somewhere.” </p><p>“Get your phone, go live and show yourself to the world. The world will accept you and love you for what you can offer,” she said.</p><p>During the panel discussion, Avila was joined by singer Cece Caramel from Indonesia, singer Jasmine Nguyen from Vietnam and gamer Drew Mahaatsakul from Thailand. TikTok Live creator manager from Thailand Napattha ‘Patty’ Chavalitcheewingul also appeared before the panel sharing some tips and ideas on how to successfully participate in TikTok Live. </p><div><strong><br/></strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-KU5Qp1MmNU?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wsgpx1Qx0f8?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oNmKRuE_3jQ?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Some of the biggest livestreamers from Southeast Asia gathered in Phuket, Thailand for the annual TikTok Livefest 2025, including Ryssi Avila from the Philippines.</p>

Some of the biggest livestreamers from Southeast Asia gathered in Phuket, Thailand for the annual TikTok Livefest 2025, including Ryssi Avila from the Philippines.

How 'Idol Philippines' 2022 runner up Ryssi Avila found a new career on TikTok

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How 'Idol Philippines' 2022 runner up Ryssi Avila found a new career on TikTok

MJ Felipe,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 15, 2026 11:29 AM PHT

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