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“I wanted people to see the real life I was facing here,” she says. “Even if life is hard in a foreign land, if you have dreams, you can chase them and achieve them.”
When you think of Filipino vloggers in Germany, one name always brings a smile, Ellen Chan, or as many know her online, “Bohol Girl.” With her warm voice, candid storytelling, and an authenticity that feels like a comforting chat with an old friend, Ellen has built a digital diary that’s as heartfelt as it is inspiring.
Ellen’s story begins in Bohol, where she spent her younger years filling notebooks with diary entries, her snapshots of everyday life, hopes, and heartaches. “As a kid, I used to write diaries until I graduated nursing school back in the Philippines,” she recalls. But everything changed when she got her first camera phone. “I switched to photo and video filming as my digital diary. That’s when it all began.”
In 2017, Ellen moved to Germany as an Au pair, and her diary evolved once again, this time into vlogs. Her videos became not just records of her experiences abroad, but reflections of resilience, faith, and finding joy far from home.
“I vlog whenever I can. I want my videos to be true to life, not scripted. I just live the moment and capture it.” – Ellen
Today, Ellen wears many hats: mother, wife, nurse, and content creator. Balancing it all isn’t easy, and she’s the first to admit it. “Most of the time, yes, I feel overwhelmed,” she says with a laugh. “Keeping up with algorithms and content is hard, especially now that I have a baby. But my priority is my family. Luckily, I can still do both.”
Her vlogs have adapted with her life, more spontaneous, more real. “I don’t follow a strict schedule,” Ellen shares.
For Ellen, vlogging was never about chasing fame, it was about cherishing moments. “Documentation is very important to me,” she explains. “When I watch my vlogs from years ago, I realize how every little moment really matters. It can be cringy, but it’s also funny, it’s my life!”
Through the lens, Ellen has also learned to see herself differently. “I’ve learned to value moments with family and friends, and to live in the present,” she says. “Vlogging taught me to be kind and sensitive to others. Not everyone will like what you post, but I do it because it makes me happy.”
“I’m always surprised when people abroad tell me they’ve watched my videos,” she says. “It’s an honor, and it fills me with gratitude. I feel their love and support even from afar.”
Of course, life online isn’t all sunshine. Ellen is open about dealing with negativity, too. “Honestly, the hardest part is hatred from people who don’t know the real story,” she admits. “It hurts when people judge you for just living your life. But I try to focus on kindness and keep doing what makes me happy.”
“My goal isn’t to stay relevant, It’s to live the life I’m blessed with and through hard work and perseverance, inspire others to do the same.” – Ellen
Collaborating with other creatives, brands, and groups, including ISLA Magazine, has opened even more doors. “It’s such a wonderful experience,” she beams. “It gives me that euphoric feeling that I matter. That I can help others be seen.” While she’s modest about calling herself an “influencer,” Ellen’s purpose shines clear: to live meaningfully and inspire through authenticity.
Her message to her viewers is simple yet powerful: “Keep on fighting and dreaming.”
“We tend to give up when things don’t go our way,” she says. “But if we just keep working hard without expecting too much, life gets easier. Do the work, be kind, let go of worries, and let fate lead you where you’re meant to be. Work and pray, that’s my key to success.”
In a digital space often ruled by perfection, Ellen chooses honesty.
“I don’t mind if I get more views or not,” she says. “Being true and genuine is more important than attention. Living a life to please others isn’t the life I dream of.”
What keeps her grounded is her humanity, her openness about struggles and dreams alike. “I have my share of worries, hardships, happiness, and success,” she admits. “Just like everyone else. I’m human, but with a purpose.”
From handwritten diaries in the Philippines to digital memories in Germany, Ellen Chan’s journey is a reminder that storytelling doesn’t need filters or fame, just honesty, courage, and heart. Whether she’s sharing her motherhood moments, travel adventures, or quiet reflections, Ellen’s vlogs remind us to live fully, document bravely, and dream endlessly. Because sometimes, the simplest stories, the real ones, are the ones that inspire the most.
