By Lara Charmaine Lagorra
Tagum City vlogger James Torres, better known online as “Bite King,” announced his retirement from food vlogging to focus on his personal life, career and future.
In his final vlog uploaded last May 21, he expressed his gratitude to those who stayed with him throughout his journey and watched him grow through his food-related content. He also thanked his supporters, whom he affectionately calls “Badi,” for continuously showing him love and support throughout the years.
Torres shared how his passion for cooking became his way of connecting with people and bringing them happiness. He said the experiences, adventures, and memories he gained from creating content will always hold a special place in his heart.
“Satisfied nako kung unsa akoang napakita sa inyoha og kinsa naman gud tanan, mura nalang siya na chapter sa kinabuhi na humana,” he said.
(I’m satisfied with what I’ve shown you and who you are; it’s just like a chapter in life that’s over.)
Torres also reflected on how different phases in life come and go for a reason. Through self-reflection, he realized that it was time to prioritize himself and focus on his own life, career, and future aspirations.
He said he was happy to have shared a part of his life with his audience, though he admitted that deciding to step away from vlogging was difficult.
Wanting to live a simpler life, Torres said he remains grateful for everything he experienced and believes it is now time to begin a new episode in his life.
He ended his vlog with a message to his viewers:
“Kung unsay makita niyo sa internet, ayaw mutuo, kay dili pasabot nga taas na og kaagi ang isa inyong nakita, kamo nabilin na. Kay kitang tanan lahi-lahi tag sturya sa kinabuhi, lahi-lahi ta og pamaagi unya dli taling sa atong kinabuhi – ang gabot sa atong kinabuhi kay ikaw lang og ang ginoo,” he said with a smile.
(If you see something on the internet, don’t believe it, because it doesn’t mean that the person who has reach high things in life, you are already left behind. Because we all have different stories in life, we have different ways of living, so there is no difference in our lives – the only one who lives our lives is you and the Lord.)
Throughout the farewell video, a montage of some of his most memorable moments played on screen, featuring clips of the communities he connected with, laughter-filled boodle fights, and first-time food reactions.
He then posted a TikTok series of snap compilations featuring his mukbangs, food trips, fan meetups, and community moments, set to heartfelt music, with the caption: “It was fun while it lasted.”
Bite King, who started creating content in 2021, became known for showcasing a wide range of culinary experiences. His four-year online career entertained audiences through mukbangs, Filipino street food features, cuisine tastings, cooking content, and food adventures, while also allowing him to give back to communities around the Philippines through food-related outreach initiatives.
Throughout his journey, several of his videos took viewers to places such as Cebu and Roxas, highlighting local dishes that are less familiar to audiences in Metro Manila. Through these regional food stories, Bite King helped bring attention to the country’s diverse culinary culture and connected viewers from different parts of the Philippines.
