Filipino-Canadian host Queen V launches VIV Unfiltered, a Toronto interview show about the struggles behind success

Viviene dela Cruz, known as Queen V, premiered VIV Unfiltered: Voices Inspiring Victory on 4 October, with Minister Rechie Valdez as the first guest on a show that asks what people survived before they were called successful.

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Filipino-Canadian media personality Viviene dela Cruz, known as Queen V, has launched VIV Unfiltered: Voices Inspiring Victory, a Toronto-produced interview show about the setbacks, sacrifices and rebuilding that come before success, Mabuhay Canada reported. The show premiered on Sunday 4 October at 8 p.m. ET and is available on YouTube, Facebook and Spotify.

The pilot episode features Rechie Valdez, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State. Dela Cruz said she wanted to look past Valdez's accomplishments to the decisions, sacrifices and uncertainty that shaped her journey. "When someone has accomplished something significant, I'm interested in the human being behind the résumé," she said.

Produced by Joshua Legacy Studios, the show centres on one question: "What did they survive before we called them successful?" Dela Cruz said she often hears Filipino Canadians talk about starting over in Canada, separation from loved ones, rebuilding careers, loneliness and financial responsibilities across borders. "Calling someone strong should never mean we stop asking whether they are tired, hurting or need help," she said.

Dela Cruz hopes VIV Unfiltered will grow beyond an interview show into a storytelling community with future seasons, live conversations, collaborations and community events. The pilot episode's YouTube page lists CRD College of Healthcare, realtor and mortgage broker Jaena Alano, and Mitziville by the Lake in North Muskoka as founding partners.