Eduard Bañez: From PH Media Host to PE Teacher in Hollywood
Filipino singer-host Eduard Bañez
“I applied online and took the exam,” Bañez began. Fortunately, he passed with flying colors.
However, he admitted that his American journey was far from glamorous. It was filled with adjustments, paperwork, interviews, and moments of doubt.
“I applied like everyone else. I waited. I followed up. I prepared carefully. I didn’t walk in expecting entitlement—I walked in ready to prove myself.”
For Bañez, being a PE teacher is not just about sports—it is about mentorship, discipline, and encouraging students to believe in themselves. This reflects the way many Filipino teachers guide—with both firmness and care.
Teaching Good Manners
“I teach children good manners and right conduct. I give them good physical exercise every day and structured routine activities,” he added.
Beyond teaching, Bañez has also been part of a Hollywood Nickelodeon series and has worked with celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Sia, and Ed Sheeran.
Eduard Bañez (in violet jacket) in Nickelodeon series.
A health-conscious advocate, he strongly emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition.
“Consume a healthy and balanced diet, be aware of nutrition facts, choose whole, clean foods with clear labeling, and consistently incorporate worthwhile physical activities into daily routines,” he said.
In addition to teaching, he also works as an administrative coordinator, handling patient insurance, responding to emails, and assisting administrators with admissions.
“As a Filipino, you carry certain traits with you: respect, humility, and a strong work ethic. I leaned on those. I showed up early. I listened more than I spoke. I adapted to a new system while holding on to my values,” he shared.
SPLUK.PH Publisher
“Spluk.ph connects worldwide daily news, publishing fast-paced information and covering events and special happenings across the globe. It empowers voices and creates meaningful connections,” explained Bañez, a former TV news anchor and international VJ.
Spluk.PH supporters with spluk.PH editor-in-chief Chino Hansel Philyang (2nd from right).
“I started spluk.ph in January 2025 with my journalist friend, Chino Hansel Philyang, our editor in chief. It was driven by passion—to continue connecting international news to the Philippines. We are still learning the ropes of daily news engagement and exploring broader media exposure,” he said.
He recalled that Spluk was not always a formal media company.
“A few years back, Spluk wasn’t a formal media company. It was simply a feeling—that Filipino stories, especially those bridging Hollywood and the Philippines, deserved to be told with dignity and depth. As Filipinos, we value kwento. We value connection.”
He started small, guided by sipag and tiyaga (hard work and perseverance).
“No big capital. No loud launch. Just quiet consistency. Spluk comes from the idea of spilling stories—sharing them honestly. It began with late nights, self-funded coverage, and a lot of diskarte (resourcefulness).”
In the early days, he relied heavily on courage and pakikisama (fellowship).
“I introduced myself, built relationships respectfully, and showed that I wasn’t there to sensationalize but to support and amplify. Some emails were ignored. Some invitations didn’t come. But as Filipinos, we understand patience. Trust is earned, not demanded.”
Today, content comes from a mix of press releases, collaborations, event coverage, and interviews—but remains rooted in relationships.
“Media, for me, is not just distribution—it’s community. Like bayanihan, where everyone contributes to lift something meaningful.”
He added that contributors now include student interns from schools in the United Kingdom and the United States, along with content from Reuters and AP News.
Eduard Bañez is the co-founder of the TAIMI dating app.
One-Man Team
“Spluk started as a one-man team. I wrote, edited, coordinated, and even carried equipment myself. It was humbling, but it taught me every layer of the work.”
Now, the team includes editor in chief Chino Hansel Philyang and a small but passionate group of contributors.
“We are not a large corporation. We are lean, hands-on, and collaborative. That reflects the Filipino work ethic—adaptable, resilient, and willing to step outside job descriptions.”
As for its growth, Bañez describes it as steady and intentional.
“Spluk.ph is growing—not aggressively, but with purpose. I don’t measure success purely by numbers. I measure it by trust—by the messages from readers and the creatives who allow us to tell their stories.”
He has built a platform that bridges Hollywood and Asian media, bringing global stories to Filipino audiences. With his background in entertainment, journalism, and content creation, Bañez continues to position spluk.ph as a dynamic force in digital media.
“Our platform showcases compelling narratives, trending stories, and in-depth features that inform, entertain, and inspire. We strive to celebrate culture, inspire minds, and foster community,” he emphasized.
He added that spluk.ph remains committed to delivering high-quality content that sparks conversations, fosters connections, and highlights voices that matter.
“Whether it is entertainment, lifestyle, news, or inspiring human stories, we aim to be a go-to source for Filipinos seeking meaningful and relevant content in today’s fast-paced digital world,” he said.
Career in the Philippines
Bañez began singing at the age of five and entered the Philippine entertainment industry at 15. By 17, he gained recognition in dating blogs as Lilsaint.
“I attended Star Magic workshops and became part of Star Magic Batch 15 of ABS-CBN. I hosted MTV Asia in Singapore and Hong Kong and became a Nickelodeon star for a Nick Jr. series,” he recalled.
He also hosted programs on NET25 and TV5, worked as a commercial model for Goldilocks and Globe Telecom, and appeared in a teen magazine.
Model Eduard Bañez (Photo by Sthanlee B. Mirador)
He later pursued music more seriously after his rendition of Sharon Cuneta’s Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko, composed by Rey Valera, garnered over 120,000 views on YouTube.
“I started singing at age five and performed at events as a teenager. Audiences were entertained and amazed by my voice,” he said.
Immigrating to the US
Bañez immigrated to the United States in 2015 when his family settled in North America.
“I preferred a land of more opportunities,” he said.
His father, Eduardo, is a chief ship engineer, while his mother, Zarina, is a businesswoman.
Born in Baliuag, Bulacan, Bañez earned a BS Nursing degree from Manila Central University and later took courses in political arts and media history at UCLA.
He admitted that his American journey was far from glamorous. It was filled with adjustments, paperwork, interviews, and moments of doubt.
“Education in the United States is very different from the Philippines. Personal independence and self-reliance are essential here,” he noted.
America sharpened his independence, but his Filipino roots kept him grounded.
“No matter where you are in the world, character travels with you. That’s what I bring into Spluk—resilience, resourcefulness, and heart.”
Despite living in the US, he continues to be featured in major Philippine broadsheets and television networks.
Bañez, a Pinoy in the heart of Hollywood, concluded with a simple message:
“Happiness is the most important thing in life. Don’t give up. Stand on your own. Be independent. Be generous. And be a servant of God.”
Rogelio Constantino Medina is a freelance writer based in Fairfield, California. He is an Associate Professor III in the Philippines and an award-winning journalist, columnist, and academic researcher with contributions to international media such as Far Eastern Economic Review (Hong Kong), Gulf News (Dubai), and The Japan Times (Tokyo). He is also a credentialed member of the U.S. Department of State’s State’s Foreign Press Centers in Washington, D.C. and New York City.
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