An initiative born on social media became a story of social and human impact that moved thousands of Colombians. Julian Pinilla, a Colombian content creator known on social media as ‘El Chico de la Ruana,’ took more than 50 grandparents from Raquira, a town located in Boyaca (in the center of the country), to see the sea for the first time in their lives. For many of them, the trip to Colombia’s Caribbean coast represented the fulfillment of a dream that once seemed unreachable.
A viral video by ‘El Chico de la Ruana’ made the dream of 50 grandparents come true
The idea emerged spontaneously. In one of his videos, Pinilla said a phrase that quickly went viral: “If they don’t move, I’ll take them all.” What initially sounded like a joke ended up becoming a promise that the influencer decided to keep. With logistical support from the company On Vacation, the project became a reality, allowing more than 100 grandparents to travel from rural Boyaca to the Caribbean coast.
During their stay, the older adults enjoyed the beach, the sound of the sea, and the vastness of the ocean for the very first time. Images shared on social media showed the grandparents touching the water, walking along the sand, and expressing their emotions through smiles and tears. The content quickly went viral, generating thousands of reactions and messages of support that highlighted the social value of the initiative.
The trip was not only a tourist experience but also a symbolic recognition of a generation that has devoted its life to farm work and, in many cases, never had the opportunity to leave its region. For Pinilla, the goal was to demonstrate that social media can be a powerful tool to create real and positive change.
Who is ‘El Chico de la Ruana’?
Julian Pinilla is 24 years old and was born in Boyaca into a family of farmers. Although he is a business administrator by profession, his recognition came through social media, where he began creating content during the pandemic using a borrowed cellphone. From his very first videos, he intended to tell stories about his homeland, reclaim rural identity, and proudly showcase his ruana, his accent, and Boyaca’s traditions.
Over time, his authentic style — blending humor, carranga music, and rural pride — turned him into one of the country’s most followed influencers, with more than 2 million followers across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Beyond entertainment, Pinilla has promoted social projects focused on rural communities, education, and support for vulnerable populations.
His impact was recognized in 2025, when he received the India Catalina Award for Best Content Creator, cementing his position as a leading example of how rural culture can become a trend in the digital world.