From briefcases to food vlogs with Naomi Peña

“Naomi! Buksan mo na!”

That iconic shout still echoes in the minds of Filipino viewers who spent their afternoons glued to Deal or No Deal, watching 26 glamorous briefcase girls bring suspense, sass, and style to every episode. Among them was Naomi Peña, who, years later, is no longer opening briefcases but opening hearts and appetites as one of today’s rising food vloggers.
But Naomi’s story didn’t start with a camera in the kitchen. It began, like many showbiz dreams, with a simple goal: “Pangarap ko talaga mag-artista.”

The start of something big

Before the bright lights and viral food content, Naomi was hustling behind the scenes. She worked as an extra in TV shows and movies, even standing in as a body double for none other than Anne Curtis. “Kahit nakahiga lang sa kama at kunwaring tulog,” she shares with a laugh.
Then came an audition that would change everything: Kapamilya Deal or No Deal. Out of over a thousand hopefuls, Naomi was one of the 26 chosen to become a briefcase girl for the hit game show hosted by Ms. Kris Aquino.
“Grabe yung training!” Naomi recalls. “Sayaw habang naka-heels, lakad naka-heels, at disiplina sa timing. Pero dahil ginusto ko talaga, tiniis ko lahat. Worth it naman.”
And it truly was. Naomi became a familiar face to millions of Filipinos, with fans eagerly anticipating the moment when her name would be called to open her case. The tension, the anticipation, the drama. Even for the briefcase girls, the excitement was real.
“Nakaka-miss talaga manuod ng Deal or No Deal,” she shares. “Yung kaba kahit hindi ikaw ang player, grabe talaga!”
For the record, Naomi confirms a long-standing viewer question: “Hindi talaga namin alam ang laman ng briefcase. Bunutan kami ng number kung anong case ang mapupunta sa amin, lahat random.”

From TV to Tiktok

After the show’s run ended, Naomi found herself at a crossroads. The glitz of television was fading, but her creativity and charisma remained.
Enter the pandemic and the boom of digital platforms. Naomi leaned into one of her lifelong passions: food. What began as casual posts of home-cooked meals and food trips soon evolved into a full-fledged content brand. Today, her food vlogs brim with personality, authenticity, and honest-to-goodness Filipino flavor.
From taste-testing trending snacks to reviewing small eateries and sharing heartfelt cooking memories, Naomi’s content resonates with audiences who appreciate her warmth and realness.

Staying grounded

Despite her online success, Naomi has remained grounded. She often pays tribute to her Deal or No Deal roots and the journey that led her to where she is now.
“Kung hindi ako sumali doon, baka hindi ko rin natutunan ang kumpiyansa at disiplina na bitbit ko ngayon,” she reflects.
Whether she’s unboxing a dish from a local eatery or experimenting in her kitchen, Naomi brings the same sparkle that once lit up game show stages.

Naomi Peña’s journey from extra to briefcase girl to beloved food vlogger is a testament to grit, grace, and reinvention. While she may no longer wear heels under studio lights, she walks proudly in her path, sharing joy, flavor, and a piece of herself in every post.

From “Naomi, buksan!” to “Guys, tikman niyo ‘to!” she’s still opening up something exciting. Only now, it’s not a briefcase but a whole new world of possibilities.