About
"Making it happen Vlog" is operated by Austrian national Mike Holaschke. Launched on January 16, 2015, the channel has built 591,000 subscribers and 137 million views through travel, food, and lifestyle content based primarily in the Philippines. Behind the vlogs is a diversified business spanning coffee shops and real estate — and a growing body of online criticism questioning the brand's authenticity.
Making it happen Vlog: From Austrian Couple Travel Channel to Solo Philippines Expat Brand
The channel began as a joint travel project between Holaschke and his then-partner of 14 years, Nelly Hrnic (also Austrian). Around 2017-2019, they pivoted to focus exclusively on the Philippines after a trip to Palawan, relocating to Manila. The pair earned features in GMA Network and Pop Inquirer as European expats embracing Filipino culture.
A seismic shift came in mid-2022 when Holaschke and Hrnic publicly announced their separation. Hrnic launched her own brand, "Nellyslife." Holaschke temporarily relocated to Cape Town, South Africa, before returning to the Philippines as a solo creator in 2023. The content transformed to document his solo expat life and new relationship with a Filipina partner, Grae, along with his growing business ventures.
Making it happen Vlog Content: Philippines Lifestyle, Expat Life, and Business Documentation
The channel evolved from general travel to Philippines-centric expat content to its current form: a blend of travelogues (Ho Chi Minh City, Budapest guides), personal life updates, and direct promotion of Holaschke's businesses. The "GOOD VIBES" ethos remains consistent, though critics note a shift toward more "click-baity" content compared to the earlier era.
How Making it happen Vlog Makes Money: Coffee Shops, Real Estate, and Digital Products
Morse Coffee: Holaschke founded this specialty coffee shop. The flagship is at Public Eatery food hall, Robinsons Magnolia, Quezon City. Future branches planned for Makati and Tagaytay. The launch was a recurring vlog topic.
Real Estate: Actively markets high-value Manila condos — ₱29.7M unit in McKinley West, ₱12.9M studio in BGC — offering ₱300,000 referral commissions to his audience.
Digital Products: "From Manila to Malaysia: Your Hassle-Free Travel Guide" sold via Stan Store.
Additional revenue: merchandise store (makingithappenvlog.store), YouTube Memberships, Buy Me a Coffee, Patreon, and sponsorships (including Merlin AI, code "MIH5" for 75% off). A secondary channel, "Making It Happen Music," hosts music from the vlogs.
Making it happen Vlog's Philippines Creator Network
Holaschke collaborates with David's Been Here, The Juicy Vlog, Martin Solhaugen, and 8 Miles from Home. Commercial partnerships include Shake Shack and Toyo Eatery for Manila events. He was a featured speaker for GoPro at CameraHaus Vlogcon 2024 in Taguig.
Making it happen Vlog: "Pinoybaiting" Accusations and Authenticity Debates
On Reddit, significant skepticism exists around the channel's motives. The primary criticism: alleged "Pinoybaiting" — using exaggerated reactions to Filipino culture to court views. Commenters cite "very click-baity titles" and multiple dramatic "forced to leave the Philippines" videos where he remained in the country.
More serious allegations include claims of financial misrepresentation — viewers questioning his projected wealth after he toured luxury properties, and criticism for listing condos at "over inflated" prices. On r/Philippines_Expats, some characterize the operation as an "expat scam" targeting a local audience with what they see as inauthentic content.
Making it happen Vlog Today
Mike Holaschke operates a profitable media brand that doubles as a marketing engine for his Philippines-based businesses. The channel's story reflects the central tension of the expat creator economy: strategic monetization and audience engagement on one side, persistent authenticity questions on the other.