TikTok content creators Fhukerat (left) and Queen Dura (right). Youtube/Karen Davila

MANILA — TikTok content creators "Queen Dura" and "Fhukerat", who are real life best friends, shared on Thursday a similar story of hardship and sacrifices before they were able to amass high following from the platform.

Queen Dura or "QD" told ABS-CBN News' Karen Davila in an interview that she had to wake up early in the morning to help her grandmother in selling meals.

"Kailangan ko sumama [sa lola] para maghiwa ng sibuyas... For ulam, sopas, bitbit ko 'yun nilalakad lang. May time pa na kailangan gumising [pero] naglalakad ako nang nakapikit," QD mentioned.

She said that she uses her earnings as "baon" for her schooling.

But in campus, QD also encountered bullies who mocked her for her Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression, and Sexual Characteristics (SOGIESC). Her older sister already warned her about the inevitable discrimination.

"Nakikita ni ate pano bully-hin mga bakla sa high school. [Sabi niya] 'Hindi ka pwede maging bakla dahil madalas silang bully-hin sa school, ayoko gawin nila sayo yon'," she shared. 

But just like in her content where she has an alternate "self" or a fighter version of herself, she learned to be strong.

"Kasi kapag alam nilang bakla ka, [iisipin nila] bakla 'to, mahina 'to. Doon ko pinutol na kapag bakla ka hindi ka minamalait," she added.

Meanwhile, Fhukerat revealed she had to leave her family in the province and find a better livelihood in Manila.

But upon arriving in the metro, she realized life is much harsher in the city.

"Mahirap 'yung buhay sa probinsya, pero mas mahirap dito sa Manila. Lahat ng galaw mo rito, pera," Fhukerat mentioned.

She said she witnessed her family suffer from medical emergencies or hunger, thus she had to risk in Manila.

"Kailangan ko umalis hindi para iwan ang pamilya, aalis ako para mabigyan sila ng magandang buhay" she emphasized.

On being twinnies

The two originally did not know each other, though they could ocassionally see each other's content online.

"Ako talaga matagal na akong nagti-TikTok, 4-5 years. Napapanuod ko siya. Mga words niya parang same [sa words ko]. Napapanuod ko siya sa Facebook," QD narrated.

Fhukerat said she even cried after she was noticed by QD, since the latter was one of her inspirations in content making.

"'Di ko pinangarap na maging influencer. Dumating lang siya, spontaneously. Gumagawa lang ako ng video not knowing na may paparoonan pala," she shared.

They became mutuals after that until they decided to do a duo live session on Tiktok, entertaining their followers. Now, both of them already have a huge following as their friendship grow stronger.

 Youtube/Karen Davila

QD has over 2.7 million TikTok followers, while Fhukerat already earned 2 million subscribers.

The latter confessed that she learns a lot from QD not only as a friend but also a mentor. 

"Ang pagtuturo niya sa akin, hindi niya ipapamukha sa akin na mali ako. Tinuturo niya sa akin para matuto ako, hindi [para saktan ako]," she stressed.

As for QD, she said she saw the potential in Fhukerat that's why she took her in.

A welcoming home

Yes, Fhukerat now lives with QD, and so are her other friends (mix of content creators and just regular colleagues).

Four of them are staying in one small bedroom where QD also does her live. Sometimes, more TikTok personalities also stay at her place.

QD, Fhukerat and some of their friends.  Youtube/Karen Davila 

"Mas masarap sa pakiramdam 'yung tumutulong kaysa ikaw ang tinutulungan," she emphasized. "'Yung iba kinupkop ko lang kasi inabandona."

 Youtube/Karen Davila

QD shared Fhukerat once called from the airport, asking if she could stay on her home. The latter only had a P3000 pocket money that time.

Fhukerat said this is a testament of real love.

"Pinatira niya ako, hindi naman niya dapat gawin pero ginawa niya," she highlighted.

QD's parents are already separated but she is still close to them, and both of them are proud of her achievements.

As she continuous to rise as a content creator in TikTok, she also plans to repair the 2nd floor of their house where some of their items are stored.