You won’t see just arnis or Filipino Martial Arts content when you check out arnis world champion Daniel Bernas‘ content. You’ll see videos of him with his wife Tinelle vacationing or eating, nerding out about Pokemon and playing in tournaments, and being recognized as one of the best TikTok creators, among many others.

Creating arnis content is still his first love, though. Just to encompass everything he does, I talk with him about his content creation journey. This is an old interview but still relevant (I think, LOL).

Let’s get into the mind of Daniel, shall we?

Daniel in sparring equipment

NS: So from arnis, how exactly did you arrive at the decision to become a content creator?

DB: It wasn’t really a decision, really. It’s more of something I just found myself doing. I started with just regularly posting about how I train on Instagram. And to be honest, I also just really wanted to show off a bit. (laughs)

Over time though, I started seeing the potential to turn it into something more altruistic. I could create content that inspires, educates, and/or entertain. So I slowly worked my way to making content that would give more value to my audience. Of course, I still wanted to do it authentically. I still had to be just me so that I could still enjoy the process.

NS: Can you remember how you made your first video ever?

DB: I can’t really pinpoint what my first video was! It’s been so long. But I started out by just sharing pictures and clips on Instagram. They just eventually started getting longer and more varied. Pretty soon, I was using YouTube as a platform. TikTok came not long after.

NS: Did you have difficulty being in front of the camera?

DB: I was a part of the web series ‘Usapang Arnis.’ It’s on YouTube, and it’s 20 episodes long. That experience of hosting the web series got me more comfortable talking and being on camera.

I started making content on YouTube around the time of ‘Usapang Arnis.’ Before, all my content was just short demo clips. After my hosting experience, I started adding variety to my content. I started making vlogs sharing my thoughts and tutorial videos of arnis moves.

Left: Daniel shooting the opening sequence of Usapang Arnis; Right: on set with Lourd De Veyra

NS: Did you have to learn new skills as a content creator?

DB: Oh, definitely. I spent a lot of time learning SEO strategies, photo editing, video editing, using my camera, and more. I watched vlogs of various filmmakers as well to get inspiration on how to go about my presentation when I create content. For inspiration, I watched videos of Paulo Rubio, another martial art content creator. I also watched videos of content creators in general, like Casey Neistat, Peter McKinnon, and Matt D’Avella.

At the same time, arnis is an art that requires continuous learning, so, yeah, I never stopped training. It wasn’t easy doing two things at the same time, let me tell you. (laughs)

NS: So the answer to this might be obvious, but why arnis as content? Why not something else?

DB: As I mentioned earlier, I saw the potential to make content that was inspiring, entertaining, and educational. And even though arnis is our national sport, a lot of Filipinos don’t practice it outside of PE classes. So I just want to spread awareness about it even more. It’s not just playing around with two sticks – it’s something beautiful and artistic.

Looking back at how much time I’ve given to creating content about arnis, I feel a sense of pride in being someone who encourages people to celebrate arnis more or to try this sport and art.

NS: Would you say that’s one of your best accomplishments in your role as a content creator?

DB: Yes, definitely. I can’t really measure it with numbers, of course. But I do get a lot of joy and fulfillment when people tell me they started doing arnis or that they plan to do arnis, and it’s all because of the content I make. That’s definitely an accomplishment for me!

Spreading the love of arnis/Filipino Martial Arts

NS: What are the challenges of being a content creator?

DB: (laughs) It’s so hard to stop thinking about content! I’m actually thinking about how to make content about what I’m sharing with you now! Also, since I’m a content creator, I sometimes forget to live in the moment. For example, I was on a beach vacation to (makes finger gestures) relax. I had to stop myself from creating content all the time. I had to set days for myself when I could vlog and when I should chill. I was successful… mostly. (shrugs and laughs)

Another challenge is that my interest in an idea can sometimes be fleeting. I sometimes end up abandoning projects halfway through. Also, sometimes I get ideas when it’s really late at night. I end up getting up from bed and writing it down, so I get less sleep!

NS: What’s the best thing about your new role as a content creator?

DB: I think the best thing about being a creator is that it’s a nice culmination of my different interests. Aside from arnis, I have always been interested in shooting photos and making videos. I also get to express myself through the content I make. I see each post I make as a form of artistic expression. Whether it’s a 7-second TikTok or a 20-minute YouTube vlog, I’m sharing myself in each post.

Also, I have struck up friendships with other content creators and people with similar interests. Content creators and martial artists have very big communities, if you can imagine. So I have made a lot of new friends.

Daniel’s videos have helped him connect with martial artists all over the world, like the Budo Brothers.

NS: Do you ever run out of ideas?

DB: Honestly, I have never run out of ideas. I actually have a huge archive of scripts and concepts that I haven’t gotten to yet. Hopefully, one day I will (laughs).

NS: Do you think you’ll stop making arnis content in the future?

DB: I don’t see that happening anytime soon. For now, I’m happy with the content I’m sharing.

NS: Just theoretically, if you weren’t going to make arnis content anymore, what would your new videos be about?

DB: Maybe I’ll just incorporate more aspects of my life into my content. For example, I love video games. As I mentioned, I practice psychology. I’m also into things like minimalism and more recently, financial literacy. Maybe something along those lines.

Or maybe I’ll find myself becoming passionate about something completely new, and I end up wanting to document my journey on that. I’m getting excited thinking about it.

(Noel’s update: if you like Pokemon, you’re going to love Daniel’s latest content!)

NS: So you’ve mentioned that a lot of people really like your content and find it inspiring. Have you encountered people who don’t like what you put out?

DB: Oh, I get a lot of negative comments. I just take the feedback as a sign of growth. Sadly, the reality is that there are people out there who just want to be negative. I just try to look at where they’re coming from. I’m fine with people who have very different opinions from mine.

What I don’t like is if they try to impose their opinion on me. I only pay attention to people who are also open to dialogue. I might end up learning something, right? Worst case, we end up agreeing to disagree. But I just ignore the people who criticize for the sake of criticizing.

NS: For context, what exactly do people criticize about your videos?

DB: So arnis is known as a self-defense art, right? People who know me and people who practice arnis as much as I do know that a lot of what I post lean toward performance art and sport more than actual combatives or self-defense.

But sometimes, I get visitors who don’t know me. They see my content and immediately assume I’m trying to pass these off as self-defense moves. So they leave comments like, “It’s not going to work in a real fight!” I find it funny because I sometimes agree with their sentiments, but they’re picking a fight with me about it. (laughs)

NS: They should be glad you don’t challenge them to sparring matches! So anyway, what’s the future for you and your content?

DB: Well, I don’t want to box myself. I like to just go with the flow. I really can’t answer you what my content will be years from now. But what I do know is that I’ll constantly strive to keep it aligned with myself and my passions. Authenticity is that important to me.

Always looking to the future of arnis and content creation methods and ideas

NS: Do you have any message or words of wisdom for aspiring content creators out there? Especially ones who plan to make niche content?

DB: Sometimes, we just tend to overthink and worry about what we’re putting out there. Like it has to be perfect before we post it. But it ends up paralyzing us from sharing what we want to share. Just do it!

I like to compare it to competing in tournaments. Whether I win or I lose, I get plenty of experience. I learn a lot. So I know I’m going to do better in my next fights. So just keep creating!

Your first video is likely going to be your worst video. And the minute you accept that, the quicker you get at making content. You’ll improve over time and with plenty of practice.

NS: So just to close, since you don’t know the future yet, like a friend of yours asked, will you be opening, say, an OnlyFans account in the future? (laughs)

DB: Who knows where life will take me? (winks and laughs)

Catch Daniel’s content on his YouTube, his Tiktok, and Instagram!

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