Get immersed long enough in the social media ecosystem and the underlying algorithm will cause topics of interest to pop up in one’s feed. That’s exactly what happened when this writer who’s constantly on the lookout for good stories found Raymond Cortez, a Bicolano vlogger based in Canada.

On social media, Raymond “aka Momon TV” Cortez’s stats speak for itself – 43K followers on Facebook; 230K followers and 860K views on YouTube where he vlogs on Cakes/Food/Adventure/Dance/Family; and 95K followers with 1.6M likes on Tiktok.

Raymond’s videos feature his daily life at work in Edmonton, Alberta, first at the pastry shop where he used to be employed as a cake designer and now in his own bakeshop, Momon’s Customized Cake, which he started in March 2023. He does funny voice overs to the amusement of his viewers when he speaks in his daily vlogs – some days with a Batangueno accent, others as an Ilonggo, or one will catch him mimicking the TV comedian Babalu. He talks about his work routines, shows how he makes and styles his cakes, takes his video cam along during his commute, doing yard work or when shoveling snow in winter, basically video recording what everyday life is for a Filipino immigrant in Canada.

Through his Momon TV channels on YouTube and Tiktok, Raymond has attracted a growing number of loyal viewers, Filipinos from back home and OFW’s working like him in other countries, and many yearning for a change. His trending popularity has been enough to attract the attention of media like GMA TV, NET25’s Kada Umaga Show featuring OFW Stories, and Omni News Filipino Edition, a Canadian TV program.

Raymond’s early education was in public elementary and high schools. He went on to take up computer science in Ateneo de Naga for three years. “So, I can become a pastry chef,” he jokes. Which he actually did in Manila and this experience enabled him eventually to find work in Saudi Arabia when he was 21 years old.

In Saudi Arabia where he worked for 7 years, Raymond started out as an assistant pastry maker at his first employer. Having no formal training from a culinary school, he learned from practical experience. He then moved to another pastry shop where he learned to make fondant cakes, many of which had character designs. As his skills grew, he was able to land a job for a pastry shop that made cakes for the royal Saudi family.

The cakes made for the royal family were of intricate designs or enormous in size. In the interview with Net 25, Raymond said his most challenging assignment was making a wedding cake 6 meters in height and requiring 4000 flowers. The work took one week to prepare but the cake had to be assembled and completed at site just before the event. Another special cake was 18 feet in height, made of styropor material starting at shoulder height with steel underframe which he designed and built himself.

Raymond’s dream however as a child was to live in Canada. “I want to experience snow,” he said. As he was not qualified to immigrate there at 21, his work in Saudi Arabia was just a steppingstone. He eventually moved to Edmonton, Alberta after he turned 25. Granted with a work permit, he joined as a lead pastry maker for small bakeshop owner by a Portuguese Canadian. He works the odd hours of a typical baker, from 10pm to 5am. In 2-3 days, each week, he works in a second job for a government run bakeshop.

Raymond with his wife received their permanent residence in February 2022. Their son happily has joined them in 2023 and now goes to the local Catholic high school. The couple now live in their own house and expect to get their immigrant status in 5 years. In March of this year, he has left his old job to start his own bakery and cupcake shop “Momon’s Customized Cake” from his basement.

Raymond is an excellent storyteller. He loves to vlog about everyday life in Canada and as a pastry chef. He says making videos is his passion even if they take 2-3 hours each day to edit. He says he is encouraged and motivated by his viewers who respond enthusiastically to his good vibes!

(References: NET25 Kada Umaga Show, OFW Stories, Interview with Miss Pia Guanio-Mago, September 18, 2022; Omni News Filipino Edition with Ron Gagalac, September 11, 2022: Raymond Cortez’s Facebook page.)

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