Meet Maine Glorioso, the Gen Z Content Creator Who’s Nostalgic for the '90s

You may have contributed to the 5.2 million views on Maine’s “Picture Day 1999” video on TikTok, where she embodied different kinds of students and dressed how they would’ve back in the day.

Perhaps you’ve also seen her content on Instagram Reels, particularly her video recreating old photographs of Filipino mothers. That one has amassed more than double the aforementioned views—18 million, to be exact, in less than three weeks.

Maine, at 24, may be a shocking revelation—not because of how she appears, but because of how well she captures the ‘80s and the ‘90s. “I like recreating and reimagining those small details that people might have forgotten, then turning them into something relatable today,” she explains.

She credits comfort and familiarity as contributors to people’s reception of her content. “A lot of people have said na it feels like a hug or a love letter from the past, lalo na yung detail na may sulat pa sa likod ng developed photos. May emotional connection talaga.”

The content creator, who is also a marketer of Gimik Cafe and an aspiring filmmaker, began her journey casually in 2019 and formally in 2020. According to her, it all began when she was outside her house, vibing to the music on her MP4. She recorded and posted it for fun, without expectations, and it branched out into different ideas. Her account eventually became a visual diary of her imagination.

Nostalgia for Maine is hard to explain despite being a “very specific” feeling. She expounds, “Yung parang may naaalala ka, pero hindi mo ma-explain fully. Yung parang, on a random day, may naamoy kang naamoy mo nung bata ka—basta ikaw lang ang nakakaalam ng amoy na yun. Parang ganun yung gusto kong ma-capture through content.”

Of all possible niches, why did you choose to focus on nostalgia and the Philippines’ 90s culture? What preparations do you do to capture the period’s vibe and essence?

“Sounds cliché, pero dahil sa love lang din talaga. Feeling ko hindi ko siya pinili—parang kusa lang siyang nangyari. Habang gumagawa ako ng content, doon ako mas nagiging comfortable at mas nag go-grow creatively, so sinundan ko lang siya.

“For preparations, medyo deep dive talaga. Nood ako nang nood ng old Filipino movies, especially Star Cinema and Viva Films, kasi doon ko nakukuha yung acting style, pacing, at overall mood. Nanonood din ako ng music videos and even karaoke videos kasi sobrang rich din nila visually. Inaral ko lahat from color grading, production design, etc.

“Aside from that, mahilig din ako mag-browse ng old magazines at mag-collect ng physical media—CDs, cassettes, VHS tapes. Malaking tulong sila kasi hindi lang sila references, parang nararamdaman mo mismo yung era. Mas nagiging authentic yung recreation kapag galing sa ganung sources.”

How has your career as a digital creator opened doors for you? Tell us about the most memorable experience you’ve had so far!

“One of the most memorable experiences for me happened last year. After a special screening [of “Ex Ex Lovers”], nameet ko sina Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal. Sobrang surreal moment siya. Hindi nga ako makapagsalita masyado kasi naiiyak ako—parang nag-sink in lahat, na sila yung isa sa pinaka naging inspiration ko sa paggawa ng content, tapos bigla ko silang kaharap. Paulit-ulit pa nilang sinasabi na finally nag meet na kami, and sabi pa mismo ni Ate Jolens na lagi niya raw akong pinapanuod. Para akong nananaginip nun.

“Aside from that, it also led me to the job I have now. Sobrang aligned yung personality ko with Gimik Cafe since ‘90s-themed siya. Honestly, hindi siya nagfe-feel like work kasi sobrang na e-enjoy ko yung pag-create at pag-market ng content for the cafe.

“Even with all that, tuloy pa rin yung dream ko to work in film or media. I still see myself growing in that direction, hopefully in the near future.”

For those who want to pursue content creation, what tip or advice do you have for them?

“Pinaka-advice ko is don’t overthink it. Start with what feels natural to you. Gawa ka lang nang gawa kahit simple lang. Hindi mo kailangan hanapin agad yung ‘perfect niche’ kasi minsan, kusa lang siyang lumalabas habang gumagawa ka.

“Also, consistency over perfection. Okay lang kahit hindi polished or hindi man high production. Mas nagco-connect ang tao sa sincerity kaysa sa sobrang perfect. Lastly, enjoy the process kasi mararamdaman yun ng audience. Kapag ginagawa mo siya dahil gusto mo talaga, mas nagiging authentic yung output mo, and yun yung mas tumatagal.”