About
Jan Guerzo and Ann Liwanag, the Canadian-Filipino couple behind the YouTube channel “Jan and Ann,” are a example of the modern creator economy. They are not merely travel enthusiasts with a camera; they are the architects of a carefully constructed digital media business built on a foundation of cinematic production, a relatable narrative, and a strategic, life-altering pivot. Their brand, which has attracted an audience of over 184,000 subscribers, is centered on a powerful premise: leaving behind conventional “9-to-5” jobs in Canada to relocate to the Philippines and pursue a life of global exploration. Here is the story of how that single, calculated decision became the catalyst for a multi-faceted international brand.
Jan and Ann: History and Growth
The “Jan and Ann” YouTube channel was established on June 20, 2016, operating for its first several years as a side project. During this early period, from 2016 to 2020, the duo documented their travels, such as a 2018 trip to Hawaii, while maintaining their primary careers in Canada. These initial videos served as a proving ground, allowing them to hone the filming and editing skills that would later define their brand.
The year 2021 marked the channel’s critical inflection point. Guerzo and Liwanag made the decision to transition into full-time content creation, a move they anchored with a physical relocation from Canada to the Philippines. This was not just a lifestyle change but a shrewd business strategy. The move, chronicled in their “MOVING TO THE PHILIPPINES!” playlist, significantly lowered their cost of living, providing a crucial financial runway to establish their creative enterprise. It also placed them in a content-rich, globally appealing location, allowing them to produce their most extensive video series to date—a 92-video playlist dedicated to the Philippines that became the bedrock of their audience growth.
With a sustainable model established, the period from 2022 to the present has been characterized by aggressive global expansion. Building on their success in the Philippines, Jan and Ann embarked on extensive tours across East and Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, and China. This phase cemented their reputation and attracted partnerships with major international brands, completing their evolution from hobbyists to a commercially viable and professionally managed media entity.
Jan and Ann: Content and Style
Jan and Ann’s content consists almost exclusively of long-form travel vlogs known for exceptionally high production values. Media analysis from the communications firm M2Comms, in a June 2025 feature, described their work as creating a “movie-like experience” through “visually stunning cinematography.” Their videos avoid the common tropes of luxury travel, instead focusing on what the feature called “inspiring and achievable” experiences. A core theme is their dynamic as a couple, with M2Comms noting their focus on “maintaining their relationship quality while exploring the world” as a key differentiator.
Their commitment to quality is evident in their technical execution. The couple’s publicly disclosed list of equipment includes a professional-grade kit featuring DJI drones like the Mini 3 Pro, the DJI RS3 Mini Gimbal for stabilized shots, and multiple cameras, with Final Cut Pro X as their editing software of choice. This investment in technology underpins the cinematic quality that distinguishes their channel. While their content library is global, their most comprehensive work covers the Philippines (92 videos), Japan (18 videos), and Korea (17 videos).
How Jan and Ann Makes Money
Jan and Ann operate a well-organized, multi-stream business that extends far beyond standard YouTube ad revenue. Their professional affairs are managed by the talent agency Spark It PH, which represents Ann Liwanag for travel, lifestyle, and fashion, and lists Jan Guerzo as “the other half of Ann Liwanag.”
Their revenue model is diversified across several key pillars: * Brand Sponsorships: They have secured partnerships with a portfolio of international brands including Bellroy, Anker, DJI, Nomad, Insta360, and Headspace. * Affiliate Marketing: This appears to be a significant and mature part of their business. They maintain a long-standing partnership with the travel booking site Klook, consistently promoting unique discount codes like JANANDANNKLOOK and JANANDANNHOTEL. They also run an Amazon Storefront under Ann Liwanag’s name (itsannliwanag) to earn commissions on their recommended gear, and promote other services like Airalo with the code J&A3 and The Luxe Nomad with JANANDANNXTLN. * Direct Audience Support: For viewers who wish to contribute directly, they maintain a presence on Buy Me a Coffee and provide a public PayPal address, [email protected].
This structure demonstrates a deliberate strategy to create a resilient business not overly reliant on any single income source.
Jan and Ann's Collaborations
The duo’s professional network is centered on commercial and creative-service relationships rather than peer-to-peer creator collaborations. Beyond their representation by Spark It PH, they credit specific creatives for their channel’s branding elements. Their outro music is consistently attributed to Instagram user @djefx, and their intro sequence is credited to @heyitsjodee. There is no public record of them producing joint-vlog content with other travel creators, indicating a strategic focus on building their own distinct brand identity.
Jan and Ann: Public Reception
A comprehensive review of public records and online discussions reveals a notable absence of controversy associated with Jan and Ann. Their public brand is characterized by a “drama-free” presentation that resonates positively within online communities. Forum discussions on platforms like Reddit are overwhelmingly favorable, with users frequently praising their authenticity and the high quality of their content.
Their positive reputation is bolstered by media features, such as the June 2025 M2Comms article “Top Filipino Family-Friendly Travel Vloggers to Follow in 2025,” which lauded their “exceptional production values and storytelling approach.” The identity of Ann Liwanag, the vlogger, is distinct and has been disambiguated from Dr. Leslie Anne Laygo Liwanag, a prominent academic in Philippine Studies at De La Salle University, with whom she shares a name but has no professional or personal affiliation.
Jan and Ann Today
Jan Guerzo and Ann Liwanag have successfully transformed a passion project into a thriving global media business. Their journey, built around the narrative motto of “Living, not surviving,” was catalyzed by a calculated relocation from Canada to the Philippines that proved both financially prudent and creatively fruitful. By combining a “movie-like” production quality with a multi-faceted monetization strategy and a controversy-free public image, Jan and Ann have carved out an authoritative space in the competitive world of travel vlogging, proving that the biggest adventures can begin with a single, well-planned leap.