Known for her loud, contagious laugh and striking punchlines, Viy Cortez-Velasquez is a Filipino social media personality—often referred to today as an “influencer”—and the founder of numerous business ventures, including Viy Line Cosmetics and Viy Line Skincare. She is also the creative mind behind Team Payaman Fair. With more than 16 million followers on Facebook and over 7 million subscribers on YouTube, she has emerged as one of the pioneering influencers-turned-entrepreneurs in the Philippines.
Her Humble Beginnings
In her younger years, Viy sold various products just to make ends meet. For nearly two decades, she and her family sold books at different book fairs to help put food on the table. These early experiences later fueled her determination to build her own businesses.
Before gaining public recognition, Viy worked as a car sales agent for a major automotive brand. During this time, an unexpected turning point occurred when she met Lincoln “Cong” Velasquez, widely known as Cong TV. The two eventually began their journey as YouTubers at a time when earning a living through social media was still far from common.
Born to “Viy” That Girl
From being a shy and timid young woman, Viy eventually stepped into the role of a determined “girl boss.” Her entrepreneurial journey gained momentum in 2020, when she harnessed the power of social media—particularly TikTok and YouTube—to build her brand and stand out in a highly competitive digital landscape.
Her flagship venture, the Viy Line Group of Companies (VLGC), began as a small business in 2017 and became the foundation for her growing portfolio of enterprises.
Today, the brand includes several ventures, such as Viy Line Skincare, Viy Line Scents, Viy Line Cosmetics, Viy Line Clothing, and Viy Line Media Group.
Much of this growth stems from Viy’s willingness to take risks and her refusal to fear failure, even when resources were limited.
Giving Back and Looking Back at Her Roots
As Viy’s success in entrepreneurship and social media expanded, she found ways to give back. Together with her father, Rolando Cortez, she established the Strong Mind Foundation.
The foundation focuses on promoting mental health awareness through seminars and retreats that are open to the public. These programs often center on discussions about emotional resilience, spiritual growth, and creating spaces for reflection and healing—helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with greater strength and perspective.
Self-Made She-EO: Turning Potential into Inspiration
In a song performed by Viy alongside Awi Columna, she highlights the importance of transforming one’s potential, fears, and worries into something meaningful despite life’s adversities.
“‘Wag kang maniwala sa negatibong sinasabi, resulta’y ipakita, imahe ng ’yong diskarte, gaano mang kagrabe ang pait, saksi ang langit sa pagtiis. Tuloy lang, tuloy mo lang.”
At a time when many women continue to face various forms of suppression—from workplace discrimination to limited opportunities—Viy’s story serves as a reminder that resilience and determination can open new paths.
Break barriers—and “Viy” that girl you have always been.
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