When we think of the term "livestream," some of the things that come to mind are: watching the latest Miss Universe competition in real time or streaming Coachella performances as if we were there ourselves.
But did you know that there are apps and platforms that allow people to go live and just talk to their audience for hours? It's kinda like using Instagram Live or Facebook Live. You could also think of it as vlogging, but in real time! People who do this are actually called "livestreamers."
One such platform is Kumu, a livestreaming app that lets you connect with Pinoy audiences! The best part about it? You can actually earn from the app! We got to talk to five amazing livestreamers who use Kumu and who have been able to build a solid audience through the app.
Camille Fajardo, 30
Camille—or Miles, as everyone calls her—is a doctor, a professor, and a public health researcher! During her downtime, she sings and plays the guitar and the drums. Miles started livestreaming in 2018 and she hasn't been able to stop since then!
On what she usually streams: "I always advocate for mental health positivity—realistic positivity. There's a difference between just being positive and not recognizing the bad things that are happening. I want everybody to realize the truth of things and act on it in a more positive light. That's what I always do on my streams, I want to inspire them all.
"I want to continue doing that, especially with my passion for health education. I want to continue educating people about their health, about living a good life, and maintain a very friendly atmosphere and a place for aspiring livestreamers and other content creators."
On what she loves most about livestreaming: "I love the fact that whenever I livestream, I don't need to prepare so much. When you vlog, you need a script, you need to prepare the editing process, and you need people with you to hold the camera. Since I do a lot, I don't have as much time for that. With livestreaming, I can create something without actually going through all those preparations. I'm able to just sit there with my camera or with my phone and just share stuff with my viewers. If I want to sing right now, I would, and if I want to teach about health education, I could bring that to my stream.
"With Kumu, I love the fact that the community is just so warm and accommodating. The first time I went live, the crowd welcomed me, taught me how to use the app, and they're still like that until now. We also gain new friends on that app. Our audiences are not just our viewers, they're also our friends. That's how we treat them, and we hope to keep it that way. "
Jie-Jie Flores, 26
Before she started livestreaming, Jie was a travel blogger and vlogger who managed her own website and YouTube channel! Right now, Jie works as a full-time business development manager in the BPO industry and is taking up her master's degree in Business Administration.
On what she usually streams: "I do travel streams and I do challenges! Sometimes, I also discuss love tips and anything related to lifestyle."
On what she loves most about livestreaming: "I started livestreaming in December 2018. The nature of Kumu is really direct. There's a comment feature where you can engage with audiences on the spot and what I love about it is that the viewers are really supportive! The best thing about livestreaming is connecting to a lot of people and inspiring them to do what they're passionate about. The love and support that I'm getting from them [the audience] is really something that I treasure."
Inna Morata, 21
Inna is primarily a livestreamer for music and lifestyle but on the side, she does some administrative work. Her many hobbies include performing (singing and dancing) and playing sports such as basketball and swimming.
On what she usually streams: "I livestream music and lifestyle content. I usually sing and I do worship streams. I also stream games! I have this content called 'Ina-mal's musical charades.' I twist different challenges or games that are similar to the ones na alam ng mga tao and make it my own."
On what she loves most about livestreaming: "I started officially streaming for Kumu in January of this year. What I love about Kumu is that we build families there. We build friendships. You get to interact with A LOT of strangers. And when I say a lot, it's really a lot. Plus, I'm a communications graduate and I get to practice my degree [through livestreaming]! I want to share what livestreaming is to the world. As far as we know, livestreaming here in the Philippines is not that known and there are still some negative notions about it. I want to change that."
Mc Pol Cruz, 22
Mc Pol loves traveling and writing for his own website! As a livestreamer on Kumu, his advocacy is to promote gender equality and to diversify the Filipino audience. His day job? He's a data engineer for an IT company!
On what he usually streams: "I stream about everything related to lifestyle. I don't really sing, so chika-chika ganyan. Most of the time, a lot of my viewers ask about my life as part of the LGBT community, so I talk about that. I also do cooking, eating, and makeup streams!"
On what he loves most about livestreaming: "I started using the Kumu app in January 2019. Natuwa ako kasi iba yung audience sa Kumu. With the past streaming app that I used, it was a mixed Southeast Asian market. Dito, Pinoy talaga, and everyone can relate to you.
"Good vibes lang siya! Everybody is very accepting. Yung stigma na once you're from my community, the LGBT community, wala talaga. They [the audience] are so welcoming and they're very warm. Kung ano yung gawin ko, they're engaging, and napapatawa ko sila."
Kat Sundiam, 29
Meet Kat, a social media influencer, a singer, and a music producer! Kat has been livestreaming since 2018 and has found not just a fanbase, but also dear friends on the Kumu app.
On what she usually streams: "Music and lifestyle. I sing and talk about stuff such as my favorite vacation spots, where I'm traveling next, or what the latest hangout place in the metro is. Sometimes, my topics depend on the engagement from the audience."
On what she loves most about livestreaming: "Livestreaming is a career, basically. Sa ibang bansa, like China, ito na yung mainstream nila. This is like their television. Ganoon rin yung gusto namin gawin sa Philippines. Kasi nandito na siya e, may lifestyle streamers and music streamers, may categories kami. Ang maganda sa livestreaming, you earn ng walang masyadong effort because you're just being you. You appear on a stream and kausap mo lang yung viewers mo because you also create a fanbase here. Walang pressure, you gain friends and fans.
"What I like most about the Kumu community is that the people are mostly Filipino, unlike other apps. Dito, mas compact siya, mas tight yung community, and may mga OFWs rin from different countries. I know my audience more and automatic na you have something in common."
*Answers have been edited for clarity.
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PRODUCED BY: Jacinda Lopez
CO-PRODUCED BY: Lily Tabanera
PHOTOGRAPHY: Mixi Ignacio
ART DIRECTION: Jico Joson
SHOOT COORDINATOR: Lou Ferrer
SITTINGS EDITOR: Ysa Singson
HAIR: Marie Tan and Carlo Roblico
MAKEUP: Christine Lavina using NARS, and Joyce Ignacio
STYLING: Bela Vitug
ASSISTANT STYLIST: Allan Yabut of Styled by Bela #TeamBelaVitug
On Camille: Pants: Forever 21
On Jie-Jie: Dress (used as top): NUMAD, Pants: Forever 21
On Ina: Tube top: NUMAD, Robe: Forever 21, Pants: Forever 21
On McPol: Top: Forever 21, Jacket: Forever 21, Pants: Forever 21
On Kat: Top: EXZTRA plus-size clothing, Skirt: EXZTRA plus-size clothing
