Most of us came across Japanese content creator Rio Mizu as the “Green Flag Guy” from a viral StreeTok video, where his anime-like charm and easygoing personality instantly caught the attention of local netizens. But beyond that fleeting moment online, his relationship with local content creation has deepened, and he has since carved a space for himself in the Philippines as a multi-talented personality.

Now based in Manila, Rio has not only shared his looks for various brands and shows, but also his perspective as a Japanese creative making a home in a new country.

The Beat Manila hung out with the bubbly Japanese model to chat about his beginnings and what made him want to extend his stay in the Philippines. In our conversation, he opened up about what he loved most about the country, his journey into modeling and content creation, and what he hopes to bring to the local scene as he continues to grow his career.

Rio to The Philippines: Love at First Sight

Rio came to the Philippines with the intent of taking up English language lessons. What started as a study plan for three months has turned into an indefinite stay that would ultimately change the trajectory of his career as a creative.

He shared how he landed in Cebu two years ago, and was immediately captivated by the country — specifically by its people, who have welcomed him so warmly.

“I think it was day two here in the Philippines when I went to a mall in Cebu that I realized, ‘Oh my gosh! I want to stay here!’ I fell in love with this country immediately. I don't know why, but I just felt that this is my country, like I should stay here,” he expressed. “I love how people smile so much compared to other countries. I really admire the welcoming culture here.”

Determined to stay for good, Rio knew he had to find a way to make a living here. With his effortless charm and good looks, it wasn’t too difficult to figure out where he would fit. In fact, he was an idol trainee back in Japan and had received professional voice and dance lessons. However, after coming to the Philippines, he decided to venture into modeling instead.

“Filipinos are so talented in dancing and singing, so I kind of gave up,” he joked. “I was like, I cannot do this in this country, so let’s try modeling.”

Despite his natural charm, Rio had no experience in the modeling industry, a shocking revelation if we say so ourselves. A true self-made professional, the Japanese creative went out and made connections, using his main strengths: his charisma and friendly disposition.

“I came here alone, and I had no connections. So, I went out every day to places where people from the modeling industry usually go. I would say hi to everybody and introduce myself. I did that every day, and luckily, I got some gigs in Cebu. That’s how I started my modeling career.”

Rio had since carved a space for himself in the industry with his unique charm. Whether he was rocking those long, wavy locks or the K-Pop idol bowl cut, Rio is a natural when it comes to fashion, which made the transition almost effortless.

He has since been featured in several campaign ads and even had a magazine cover feature. He also took part in a couple of local TV series, having acting credits in “Tadhana” starring Marian Rivera and “The Write One” with Ruru Madrid and Bianca Umali. Rio’s determination, diligence, and love for Filipino culture are an inspiring reminder that you can still start from scratch and do well, so long as you set your mind to it.

On Showcasing Authentic Cultural Experiences

As a Japanese creative living abroad, it might be easy to assume that content creation would have been his natural first step. But with Rio starting in modeling, it shows that the daily vlogs he now shares, capturing snippets of his life in Manila, are far from performative. Instead, they feel authentic, grounded in his genuine curiosity and appreciation for the Philippines.

Being a foreigner in a new country, culture shocks are inevitable. When asked about the biggest differences between Japan and the Philippines, Rio immediately mentioned “Filipino time,” noting how he had to adjust since punctuality is deeply ingrained in culture. But alongside the challenges, he was quick to highlight the things he’s grown to love here — things he even wishes existed back home. Among them are Grab and Angkas, which he appreciates for their convenience and affordability compared to Japan’s costly transportation, and even Chowking, the Filipino-Chinese fast food chain he’s grown fond of.

In our conversation, we also talked about some of his favorite local dishes. One of them was Chicken Afritada, a dish he tried homemade by his good friend and fellow content creator, JinHo Bae. Rio’s vlogs are also quite humorous and would feature him doing mundane activities like eating street food, chatting up locals, and even trying public transportation. One of the appeals of watching lifestyle videos by foreigners is seeing their fascinating reactions to a particular place or experience. His videos remind us that more than the usual roads and streets we travel through or the food we are served daily, they can also be beautiful and meaningful.

When asked if he had a favorite among his vlogs, he replied, “The everyday videos; the ones when I'm trying Filipino foods or having a conversation with a stranger. I really enjoy doing them and I’m proud of it.”

“I want to show myself and share how beautiful this country is to the world — and to the Filipinos. Sometimes, I feel like you don’t know. *laughs* So I want you to know that your country is amazing, to remind you of it. That’s the kind of content I want to make.”

Rio also shared that his content creation was rooted in his desire to connect more deeply with the Filipino people. We also noticed how he already had a good grasp of the Filipino language, to which he admitted he’s currently learning.

“To be honest, I really don't need to study Tagalog to live here in the Philippines, but I really want to connect and communicate more deeply with them. That's why I felt the need to learn the culture, which is the language. I believe understanding the culture will help me build deeper connections.”

True to this, Rio plans to showcase deeper insights into Philippine culture for his upcoming content, specifically in agriculture. The creator shared with The Beat Manila how he had been visiting agriculture sites and was genuinely amazed by the work being done by farmers.

“I want to share a deeper side of what makes the Philippines beautiful. So in the future, I plan to focus more on tourism and agriculture.”

Rio’s positivity and sunny disposition gave his content a unique flair, even more than the fact that he’s a Japanese living abroad. When asked how he maintains his positive attitude, even on days when things are rough, he simply advised, “Sleep well, eat well, and avoid negativity. I just want to share my happy energy.”

Rio truly lived up to his “Green Flag Guy” title with that answer. If there’s one thing we can learn from his journey, it’s that positivity is a choice and that authenticity easily shines through when you’re doing something you love.

You can follow Rio’s city adventures on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.