Kwentong Kumunizen: Spiking Numbers and Building Bridges

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Volleyball star Tots Carlos connects with friends and fans on Kumu, and wins more than just trophies.

Some might be astonished to learn how popular volleyball is in the Philippines when it’s often overshadowed by other sports in most conversations. They would be even more shocked to hear just how fierce the fandom is, spurred by a longing to connect with players and get to know them. But, when armed with that knowledge, it comes as no surprise at all that players from the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) regularly stream on Kumu to do exactly those things.

Cheerful and unassuming, 24-year old opposite hitter Diana Mae “Tots” Carlos actually discovered Kumu long before PVL entered a partnership with the social entertainment app. What started as cheering her friends on from the sidelines of their stream, she soon began to guest and host streams herself, talking about the ins and outs of her sport.

Hailing from Lubao, Pampanga, she traveled to the metro specifically to do what she loved, and quickly became a highly sought-after recruit over UAAP Season 78. Landing in the University of the Philippines’ varsity team as an outside hitter, she has since bagged the title of Most Valuable Player several times over—in 2018, 2021, and 2022—clearly a force to be reckoned with. But her one frustration with the game has been the lack of interaction with fans, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finding Her Tribe

“Wala akong kilala noong talagang nagstart ako magstream sa Kumu, apart from my friends,” she recounts, “and hindi man ako humingi ng tulong, people I didn’t know wanted to help me!” Soon enough, she bridged the gap between herself and her avid supporters, and made those interactions the highlight of her streams.

“In my hometown, athletes get the same treatment,” says Tots, “banners, tarpaulins, a warm welcome when you come back. Ngayon, online posters and messages of congratulations, ganon. Being on Kumu feels the same, but these are my fans, people I would never meet if not for Kumu, who really want to support me. Kaya I really take care of that relationship.”

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

“Ang gusto ko talaga sa Kumu is it’s safe,” says the athlete on what differentiates Kumu from other digital spaces. “May rules, may good censors, kaya may respeto. Pwede kong ipakita kung ano at sino talaga ako and I’m safe, and more importantly, the fans are safe.” This contradicts what most of us know to be true about the internet—don’t speak to strangers who offer you gifts—but the watchful eyes of the moderators, also known as the Kumu Police, allow those new connections to flourish with minimal, if any, risk. Apart from these important duties, they keep interactions positive in every stream.

This unique feature of the app is one of the biggest pillars of its success, especially for users who would otherwise be marginalized. As a woman who is open about who she is and who she loves, Tots is a perfect example of how someone can thrive even outside of that identity when they are given the space to show their truest self.

Diamonds Are a Girl’s (Other) Best Friend

But it just wouldn’t be Kumu without the campaigns, or the contests that almost turns live streaming into an extreme sport all its own. Creators go live and earn virtual gifts from those watching, and get the chance to win prizes that range from a little bit of cash to having one’s face on a billboard. And while Tots doesn’t necessarily need to join them—she openly admits that her status as a volleyball player has boosted her numbers on more than one occasion—she sees the fun and takes the opportunity to spread the joy.

“If I do win something, I share it with my loved ones,” says Tots. “And what I earn there is a big help. Noong nagtuloy-tuloy na ako, pinapadali niya ang buhay ko. You don't even have to spend the whole day streaming, just once in a while. Talagang inaabangan ka ng followers. Just keep doing the streams, and you’ll build your audience.”

For Tots, Kumu is a platform ripe with opportunities not just to earn through live streaming, but to connect with people she otherwise would never get to know; people who can truly enrich someone’s day-to-day. Follow her on Kumu (totscarlos_) to get insider volleyball knowledge, meet other players, or just to see Tots flourish in her own digital habitat. Otherwise, experience it for yourself; download the app now through the App Store or Google Play. Your community awaits you, so get ready to show what you’ve got and start your live stream soon!

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About Kumu

Kumu is a powerful social media platform that brings the voices of Filipinos from all over the globe at the forefront. Aside from presenting users with real-time earning opportunities as a live streamer, chances to win prizes in various game shows, and engagement in campaigns, Kumu also fosters communities that ignite relevant discussions among Filipinos. According to mobile-app performance company App Annie, Kumu is not only the first Filipino app to be the #1 top grossing social app in the Philippines, but one of the highest grossing social apps in the world, ranking top 10 in multiple markets including Canada, Australia, Middle East, Europe, Hong Kong, and Singapore app stores. Visit www.kumu.ph and follow @kumuph on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to keep up to date with the latest events and surprises from the favorite Pinoy live streaming platform.

Generation G in Full Swing: Kumu partners with GlobeOne for latest live talent search

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Over the month of October, fifty content creators battled it out on leading social entertainment app, Kumu, to become the final sixteen to be on Generation G: GlobeOne Creator Camp, a show produced in collaboration with GlobeOne, the app that contains everything you love about Globe—from managing your account to getting exclusive gifts and discounts.

Hosted by KC Montero, also Kumu’s VP of Content, and featuring celebrity judges Kimpoy Feliciano, Anji Salvacion, Benedix Ramos, and Eian Rances, this competition can be watched on Kumu’s own channel (@kumusocialtv on the app) and will be streaming live at 7PM PST on the following dates: November 15 and November 22, with the finale set for November 29. The first episode went live last November 8, which saw Dom Real come out victorious.

A “wildcard winner” will be selected to enter the finale to really shake things up, determined by the total number of GlobeOne app downloads they generated throughout a livestream challenge before the finale. In the original pool of fifty creators, there were already some considerable wins, with prizes ranging from a year-long GPlan Plus 799 to a Globe at Home Prepaid WiFi LTE Advanced Broadband setup. The grand winner will receive Php 500,000 in cash at the finale.

Unlike previous campaigns, which focused on particular and more categorized talents, Generation G gives a wide berth for creativity in its search for the next big content creators. “We’re anticipating that those watching will be inspired by what the finalists produce,” says Roland Ros, CEO and Co-founder of Kumu. “As a company, that’s exactly the kind of future we’re hoping to play a part in—we want to help stabilize and bridge the gaps in the creator economy, to rightfully reward originality and inventiveness.”

This is only one of many of Kumu’s fruitful partnerships. Names like The House of Collab, Philippine Volleyball League, Penlab, and Pinoy Big Brother have all touched the kumunity in varying degrees, establishing spaces for special interests and nurturing the people who are drawn to them.

“Social media and entertainment apps feel like gathering places now—much more than just an icon to tap when you’re bored,” says Rexy Dorado, President and Co-founder. “Not only are Kumu and GlobeOne inclusive stages for anyone who has something to share, but they’re also productive—people can really build a career and a community this way. As for Generation G in particular? Let’s just say I’m excited to see what happens when the wildcard winner gets thrown in!”

Watch it all unfold live on Kumu, available for download for iOS and Android; or get updates on discounts and other deals on the GlobeOne app, available for download here. Follow and use the hashtag #GlobeGenerationG for updates on the show and the finalists.

 

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About Kumu

Kumu is a powerful social media platform that brings the voices of Filipinos from all over the globe at the forefront. Aside from presenting users with real-time earning opportunities as a live streamer, chances to win prizes in various game shows, and engagement in campaigns, Kumu also fosters communities that ignite relevant discussions among Filipinos. According to mobile-app performance company App Annie, Kumu is not only the first Filipino app to be the #1 top grossing social app in the Philippines, but one of the highest grossing social apps in the world, ranking in the top 10 in multiple markets’ app stores, including in Canada, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

 

About GlobeOne

GlobeOne is the ultimate Globe app that lets you track your load and data, pay your bills, redeem rewards, and subscribe to the latest promos at any time. Your digital companion lets you do more with your Globe account, right in the palm of your hand. Learn more about GlobeOne through their page on the Globe website, Facebook, Instagram (@enjoyglobe), or Twitter (@enjoyGLOBE). Download the app here.

Mang Inasal wins Miss Earth Australia 2022 Sheridan Mortlock's heart in her mukbang

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Mang Inasal, the country's Grill Expert, has a new fan -- Miss Earth Australia 2022 Sheridan Mortlock!

In one of her recent posts on her Instagram Story, Mortlock shared with fans her excitement over getting to try Mang Inasal for the first time.

“We’re eating good tonight”, she gushed in one post, where she can be seen holding Mang Inasal’s latest offering, the Mang Inasal Family Fiesta.

She invited fans to join her on Kumu, where she livestreamed her Mang Inasal mukbang. Sheridan evidently enjoyed her meal and thanked Mang Inasal for the delicious treat.

“(I was) so excited to try such an iconic local foodery and I was not disappointed. Definitely going back for round 2,” Mortlock happily shared on her Facebook post.

The Family Fiesta is the latest offering of Mang Inasal. Starting at Php 709 for takeout, the Family Fiesta comes in four different bundles, complete with a platter of Java Rice. The bundles are good for 4 to 6 people.

Order the Mang Inasal Family Fiesta now through takeout or by visiting http://manginasaldelivery.com.ph/. You can also place an order via the Mang Inasal Delivery App, or through other food delivery apps like GrabFood and foodpanda.

Want more Mang Inasal exclusives NOW? Visit www.manginasal.com for the latest updates, https://manginasaldelivery.com.ph for delivery deals, and follow Mang Inasal on social media!

Kumu is 4 U and You and You: The Philippines’ Leading Social App Celebrates Four Years with Stars and Fans Alike

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Now in its fourth year, social entertainment app Kumu marked the occasion with a bang at the Samsung Hall in SM Aura Premier, in partnership with Globe and Sunsilk; with media partners Spot.ph, Candy Magazine, Pep.ph, One Music PH, When in Manila, and Geektalk PH; and wardrobe sponsors Dave Ocampo, Designers Circle Philippines, and Mabuhay PH. Kumu gathered roughly 1,000 guests, comprising the biggest streamers, the most active users, and a huge roster of the talents that had their dreams of stardom—however unorthodox—through the app.

Celebrating Homegrown Talent

Seasoned host and television personality KC Montero—also Kumu’s VP of Content—opened the show with the official Kumu story, reflecting on how far the app has come since 2018. Alongside him were co-hosts Samantha Bernardo, Kelly Canoza, Kimpoy Feliciano, Aldwin Steven, and Prince, all of whom have been power users and supporters of Kumu throughout the last few years. They later welcomed two of the Kumu is 4 U campaign winners, Andrea Roxas and Princess Jeal, as co-hosts for some segments throughout the evening.

Super groups BINI, BGYO, VXON, KAIA, CALISTA, G22, and Press Hit Play are just some of the names attendees who later graced the stage, as well as solo acts like Anton Diva, Vinz Tiu, and JM Bales—just to name a few. There was also a special performance from the winners of Top Class, the recently concluded reality competition hosted by Catriona Gray.

As the night progressed, it became clear that the Philippines’ local music industry has only just begun to thrive. With the rise of P-Pop also comes a resurgence of OPM, thanks to new drops and covers alike. This was highlighted by a solo performance by certified hitmaker and proud Kumunizen, Adie, along with some more campaign winners—Shone Ejusa, Eunice Janine, Jhiefel Naguit, Maica Bermejo, Pauline Denum, and Mitzi Faye Borja—whose prize was the chance to perform onstage with Sofronio Vazquez, FANA, and Sing Pilipinas grand champion, Chloe Redondo.

The voice of Kuya from Pinoy Big Brother also made itself known, introducing the current lineup of PBB Housemates—Kobie, Andrea, Ralph, Gail, Jordan, Karen, Rob, Maxine, Laziz, Isabel, Zach, Seham, and Benedix—before their group song and dance number.

"This Kumu concert is a celebration of not only our Kumunity, but also everything we went through the past four years as a company,” says James Rumohr, Co-founder and Chief of Staff of Kumu. “We’ve had highs and lows, successes and challenges... this concert shows the very heart of Kumu—our passion, our relationships, and being there for each other in this journey, even in the years to come. And there will be more."

To cap off the evening, Montero introduced the founders and current chiefs of Kumu, showcasing the company’s fast-paced growth over just four short years. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a celebration without wishing Karlito—the Kumu tarsier mascot—a proper happy birthday. As for what’s next for Kumu? It seems only time will tell. “The way we’ve grown is crazy, but it seems we’re just getting started,” shares Alex Tshering, Chief of Growth at Kumu. “It started out as this humble goal of connecting Filipinos around the world, but now it’s about making new friends, finding new talent, exploring new possibilities—from everywhere.”

Kumu and Wattpad Partner to Adapt Filipino Hit Kiss Master as a Fan-Driven Streaming Series

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• Kiss Master fans will have a chance to guide the 8-part series adaptation of Jamille Fumah’s Wattpad hit

• The branded entertainment partnership follows a series of successful collaborations between Wattpad and Kumu

Kumu and Wattpad are tapping into the power of fandom! Kumu, the leading social entertainment platform in the Philippines, and Wattpad, the global entertainment company and leading web novel platform, today announced a partnership to adapt Jamille Fumah’s (@JFStories) Wattpad hit Kiss Master as an 8-episode series for multi-platform distribution. What’s even more exciting is that through the power of real-time engagement via Kumu’s interactive livestreams, fans will have the ability to influence the project’s casting, storyline, and more.

With 7.7 million reads (and counting), Kiss Master follows young heroine Sussie five years after Arkanghel Wolfgang broke her heart. The playful bad boy, once head over heels for Sussie, has since turned into a cold and arrogant billionaire CEO. Now separated not only by their social status but also personal issues that could separate them for good, their worlds seem even further apart. But when Arkanghel reappears in her life and attempts to mend their broken ties, will Sussie ever be able to forgive her first kiss?

Jamille Fumah (@JFStories) is one Wattpad writer to watch out for, with 1.5 million followers and more than 30 stories published on the platform. Fumah has also published five books with Bliss Books, Wattpad’s joint imprint with Anvil Publishing in the Philippines. Her latest release, When I First Met You, was a National Book Store bestseller.

The Philippines is one of Wattpad’s largest markets with six million members and counting. The country is also a home to some of the platform’s most influential authors and fandoms, where writers like Abigail De Silva (@CeCeLib), Gwy Saludes (@4reuminct), Tina Lata (@blue_maiden), Maxine Lat Calibuso (@maxinejiji) have amassed millions of reads and followers.

Modern Methods for Modern Stories

Making this vision a reality is the team behind Black Sheep Productions, known for local cinema hits such as Exes Baggage, Alone/Together, Fan Girl, and Whether the Weather Is Fine. Their work, both mainstream and independent, has audiences enraptured with engaging, relatable stories—made even more so now, with the reader-first, fan-driven nature of the endeavor. “We believe in Black Sheep’s capacity to adapt this story,” says Angelo Mendez, Kumu’s Chief Content Officer and co-founder of Kumu. “Listening primarily to the fans isn’t easy, but it’s what drives Kumu, and we’re confident we can work together to stay true to that principle.”

 Kaori Oinuma

Kyle Echarri

Joao Constancia

It seems only appropriate to bring in more local talent for the project; Chad Vidanes leads the way as the director while also working on the hit rom-com series, He’s Into Her. Bringing the character of Sussie to life is Kaori Oinuma, whose face may be especially familiar to Kumu users through Love at First Stream; Kyle Echarri, who rose to stardom on ABS-CBN’s On the Wings of Love, takes on the role of main love interest, Arkanghel. Throwing a wrench in this romance is Hugo, played by Joao Constancia, who has worked with Vidanes before and is known for his role in Four Sisters Before the Wedding.

An Enduring Partnership

“We here at Kumu are proud to find capable partners in Wattpad and Black Sheep, both tastemaking powerhouses that value Filipino creativity as we do,” Mendez adds. “Our expanded partnership with Wattpad is the next project in a series of fan-influenced adaptations. We’re excited to work with them to innovate the future of storytelling through this web series, encourage aspiring writers, and give the fans the best, heart-warming experience possible."

“Like Wattpad, Kumu has built a massive, passionate, and engaged community,” says Dexter Ong, Managing Director, International, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios. “Working with Kumu, we’ve already seen incredible engagement in the past year, connecting Wattpad authors with their fandoms on Kumu. Together, we’re creating a new frontier of the Creator Economy, developing new ways for Wattpad’s biggest influencers to monetize their work, and activating built-in fandoms to create on-screen hits.”

The partnership was developed between Wattpad Brand Partnerships and Kumu, along with marketing agency Culture Group supporting strategy and commercial negotiation. This is Wattpad's first Philippines-based Branded Entertainment project, after launching the new offering in 2021. Wattpad WEBTOON Studios will produce the new series alongside Kumu.

The collaboration follows a number of successful campaigns from Wattpad and Kumu in 2021, designed to bring Wattpad’s Filipino fandom closer to the authors and stories they love. In 2021, the companies launched exclusive Wattpad livestreams from the official @WattpadPH account on Kumu. The weekly Friday “Write With Me” livestream series brought together fans and aspiring writers to discuss all things storytelling. The successful livestream series generated more than 200k views on Kumu, and was followed by the very first Wattpad Fan Fest in October. The multi-day virtual event gave fans, readers, and authors a chance to celebrate the Filipino Wattpad Community, complete with writing tips and tricks, appearances from Wattpad authors, and information about writer programs at Wattpad. Fifty local Filipino Wattpad influencers have taken part in the partnership to date.

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About Wattpad

Wattpad’s vision is to entertain and connect the world through stories. A leading social storytelling platform and home to a community of more than 94 million people who spend over 23 billion minutes a month engaged in original stories, Wattpad has democratized storytelling for a new generation of diverse Gen Z writers and their fans. Alongside Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, the company’s TV, film, and publishing counterparts, Wattpad combines art and science to unearth incredible stories and cultivate the fandoms driving the future of entertainment. The company is proudly based in Toronto, Canada.

About Kumu

Kumu is a powerful social media platform that brings the voices of Filipinos from all over the globe at the forefront. Aside from presenting users with real-time earning opportunities as a live streamer, chances to win cash in various game shows, and engagement in campaigns, Kumu also fosters communities that ignite relevant discussions among Filipinos. According to mobile-app performance company App Annie, Kumu is not only the first Filipino app to be the #1 top grossing social app in the Philippines, but one of the highest grossing social apps in the world, ranking in the top 10 in multiple markets’ app stores, including in Canada, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Kumu partners with The House of Collab to evolve online reality shows for Gen Z content creators and their fans

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This season, step inside an exciting partnership between The House of Collab (THOC) and kumu to experience the most interactive online reality show yet!

As the home of social media superstars, THOC brings together different content creators of unique personalities and backgrounds under one roof to live together, collaborate, and create exciting content for your viewing pleasure. Now, with kumu as an official collaborator, old and new fans have the opportunity to engage with their favorite content creators through different live stream segments on the platform.

THOC Managing Partner Jayvee Advincula believes in the collaboration’s spark, sharing, “The opportunity to go side by side with KUMU matches the vision of The House of Collab, our show is about authenticity and reality which goes hand in hand with live streaming. Not only do we show challenges or performances by our content creators, but we also show the roots and the grind our content creators go through in their daily lives.”

As the first of its kind in the country, Advincula shares that one of THOC’s goals is to “train [our] content creators not only for social media but also in real life. Plenty of young creators with millions of followers and viewers need to be guided to become their best version and with The House of Collab, they now have a platform that can showcase their skills and talents. Together with KUMU, our reach easily grew tenfold and new skills on live streaming have been unlocked for these content creators.”

Watch The House of Collab 24/7 livestream on Kumu for exclusive and almost unlimited access to what’s happening inside the house. “We’re always on the lookout for unique content that makes our Kumu audiences smile. Working with The House of Collab provides a unique perspective of a 24/7 stream, with a real, unfiltered look at Gen Z content creators. We’re excited to be pushing the boundaries of reality entertainment and live streaming as well as uplifting a new set of talented creators to achieve mainstream recognition.” says Angelo Mendez, Chief of Content and co-founder of Kumu.

If you’re looking for a more engaging session with your favorite content creator, you can also hop into one of their solo streams— each of the content creators will stream on the kumu platform daily for 1-3 hours depending on the activity in the house. Your favorites can also participate in campaigns designed specifically for them and earn coveted diamonds.

Sprouting up in the app is the avid fan base forming around this content house. “We are seeing more and more Gen Z communities forming fan clubs around The House of Collab’s brand and creators,” adds Mendez. “There is a growing fanbase that is uniting Gen Z audiences around the world behind this show, and it's very inspiring to watch.”

Kumunity fans can get a chance to enter the THOC mansion for as long as 7 days and become a co-content creator for a week through kumu campaigns. Open to all kumu users, one lucky winner will be selected each week. So, are you ready to meet your favorites?

The House of Collab Season 2 is now on kumu! Discover the content creators that will be joining the club here and don’t miss a beat by following them on kumu (@thehouseofcollab and @thehouseofcollab247).

A New Star Is Born: Shanne Gulle, Kumu’s Sing For The Stars First Grand Champion

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A gentle-spoken young woman with a powerhouse singing voice launches into her music career in the aftermath of Kumu’s first virtual singing contest.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better word to describe Shanne’s hard-won victory than the word “Deserved”. Hailing all the way from General Santos City, in the southern part of the Philippine archipelago, Shanne sang her way to the finish. Winning was no easy feat, but she had what it takes: talent, dedication, and the courage to take a leap of faith. And let’s not forget the final piece of the puzzle: the technology to reach the farthest corners of the globe, which is where Kumu comes in handy.

The Trajectory To Victory

If you want to reach the stars, you have to break the stratosphere, which is a need answered by having the best technology can offer. Kumu’s Sing For The Stars was the vehicle aspiring singers and musicians rode to see how high they can reach. Hundreds of aspirants joined the country’s first-ever virtual singing contest and called upon their supporters to fuel the journey via the giving of virtual gifts. And much like an actual rocket launch with parts disengaging along the way, there were eliminations that narrowed down the contestant number from 100 down to 30, to 15, and finally, the top 3.

No rocket launch is complete without people to guide its trajectory, which here comes in the form of our guest judges: Grammy Award-winning Michael Bublé, and Tony Award-winning Lea Salonga, along with other big names in the music industry such as KZ Tandingan and Ben&Ben.  It isn’t really the end for those who didn’t make it to the top—a diamond in the rough is still a diamond beneath the surface, and during Sing For The Stars’ virtual press conference, Lea Salonga mentioned that aspiring musicians can still get discovered even if they did not win the singing competition they joined, which is a very encouraging statement to hold on to. Many can start their music journey, but only one can call herself Sing For The Star’s Grand Champion and enjoy the perks that come with it—the title belongs to Shanne Gulle alone.

The New Star Under The Telescope

The now Grand Champion was then a regular Kumunizen live streamer who started her Kumu journey in 2020 at the fresh young age of 16. She had a burning desire to grow her confidence and self-esteem, saying “I wanted to be a live streamer because I wanted to grow and interact with people”. She found the Kumunity to be a very welcoming place, filled with people generous with their time and support, and surely, her confidence began to grow. As Shanne put out her music content, she saw a promotion for Sing For The Stars on Instagram, showing two faces of two huge music industry names, one of which caught her attention: Ms. Lea Salonga. Her friends rightly pointed out that these types of singing competitions are not common, and was encouraged to give it a shot, to which she excitedly obliged.

The stars aligned for Shanne, and she beat more than a hundred other aspirants to the top. Kumunizens’ kind nature was also properly represented in the rapport Shanne had with the other finalists, Archie Aguilar and Christian Bahaya. The three bonded behind the scenes as they watched the finale stage being set up. With her Kumu friends along with her that day, she came home bagging the grand prize: $10,000, a one-year contract with Warner Music Philippines, and her own Kumu concert, which happened last April 24. In it she sang huge pop hits such as Olivia Rodrigo’s “Happier” and “Driver’s License”—good song choices to highlight her winning vocals. Last on the prize list was a one-on-one coaching session with Michael Bublé himself—a zoom session Shanne mustered up more of her confidence to join.

An Advice From Michael Bublé

“I got anxious, I was already overwhelmed because of the win, and then suddenly, it was time to get into the zoom call with Michael Bublé—I was really worried about my English”, Shanne recalled. The call came and went without a hitch, and Shanne experienced what could be one of the most memorable zoom calls she’ll have in her whole life. She came prepared with a lot of questions, one of which was asking Bublé how to overcome the fear of performing in front of a huge audience. “Always surround yourself with positive people,” Bublé answered, as they—unconsciously or deliberately—will lift you up. He also reminded Shanne to prepare herself spiritually for a performance, saying “pray before beginning, and don’t forget to say thank you afterwards.” Finally, he invited her to sing with him when he performs in the Philippines in a possible future opportunity.

Of all the lessons she learned during her whole contest experience, Shanne remembers her lesson in “Consistency” the most, saying “you need patience and determination to make it into the top 30, top 15, all the way to the top 3. If you really want it, you need to strive for it”.

What’s Up On Kumu?

The Kumu-verse is a galaxy filled with various types of content that will cater to anybody’s tastes, may it be comedy, music, art, lifestyle, and many more. Get in on the live streams, or start your own content and see how great the Kumu-nity can be! Here’s how to get the app for free:

●       Go to the Google Play Store or the App Store and search for Kumu.

●       Download the app and create your account for free.

●       Start following content creators in the genres you prefer, OR start creating your own content for everyone to experience.

 

About Kumu

Kumu is a powerful social media platform that brings the voices of Filipinos from all over the globe at the forefront. Aside from presenting users with real-time earning opportunities as a live streamer, chances to win prizes in various game shows, and engagement in campaigns, Kumu also fosters communities that ignite relevant discussions among Filipinos. According to mobile- app performance company App Annie, Kumu is not only the first Filipino app to be the #1 top grossing social app in the Philippines, but one of the highest grossing social apps in the world, ranking top 10 in multiple markets including Canada, Australia, Middle East, Europe, Hong Kong, and Singapore app stores. www.kumu.ph

ABS-CBN searches for the next online singing sensation in "Bida Star Singer"

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ABS-CBN's online talent competition, "Bida Star," begins its search for the next online singing sensation in "Bida Star Singer" with mainstay hosts Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza, who will be joined by “Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10" housemate Anji Salvacion.

Anji believes that her experience as a former "Idol Philippines" contestant will help her impart lessons to aspiring singers. "I experienced the same thing as they do. I'm grateful to be able to host a singing contest since this is where I started," she said.

It is the first singing edition for “Bida Star” wherein aspiring singers will showcase their talent in exciting challenges like "The Cover," a live singing showdown in front of their judges, "Online Gig," wherein the contestants take over Star Hunt's kumu account, and a "Bida Star Bagsakan."

"I'm excited to see how the contestants will give a new flavor to the songs that a lot of people have performed before,” shared Karina. " I'm excited about what new things will they offer to the Kapamilyas. We are all unique, so I expect to see it.”

For his part, Aljon shared how the online talent search has helped him hone his hosting skills. He shared, "I learned how to listen to the guest than focusing on the suggested questions. I learned that communication and connection are key to hosting."

The contestants are in for an exciting journey with their judges, which include ABS-CBN singing coach Anna Graham, head of "It's Showtime" and Polaris Reily Santiago, and a weekly celebrity guest judge from Polaris. The “Bida Star” winner will win an ABS-CBN management and recording contract, a special trophy, and a cash prize of P50,000.

Filipino citizens aged 18 years old and above, who have a talent for singing, can audition to become the next Bida Star Singer until March 18 (Friday) by visiting forms.abs-cbn/bidastarsinger for more information and fill out the audition form.

“Bida Star” Star has fulfilled the dreams of young and talented Filipinos like Dustine Mayores, who is now a "PBB" kumunity teen housemate, and Ruth Paga, who is now a Star Hunt artist. Both Dustine and Ruth became the Ultimate Bida Stars in the past seasons after getting the highest votes from viewers and their mentor Direk Rahyan Carlos for the acting skills they showed in the competition.

To know more about “Bida Star Singer,” follow Star Hunt on Facebook (@starhuntabscbn), Kumu (@starhuntabscbn), Twitter (@starhuntabscbn), Instagram (@starhuntabscbn), and Tiktok (@starhuntabscbn

Bianca, Melai, and Enchong Bring Good Vibes on ‘PBB Kumulitan’ Show on Kumu

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Fun conversations and juicy updates about the upcoming 10th regular season of “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) will abound as Bianca Gonzalez, Enchong Dee, and Melai Cantiveros team up for the “PBB Kumulitan” show on Kumu.

Bianca revealed on their Livestream last (September 27) that the lineup of official celebrity housemates for “PBB Kumunity Season 10” is being finalized as they are the first batch to enter the famous house.

But before the big reveal to the public, the selected celebrities will undergo quarantine and go through psychological, physical, and COVID-19 tests to ensure their health and safety before they will be named as official celebrity housemates.

Enchong on the other hand shared that he is excited to find out who are the celebrities that Kuya will be welcoming into his home.

Meanwhile, the Online Bahay ni Kuya on Kumu for Kumunizens with bronze and silver badges ended on Monday (September 27). Two from the top 50 live streamers will be chosen as official celebrity housemates.

Who will be the personalities that audiences will see inside the “PBB” house? Watch the updates on “PBB Kumulitan” online show with Bianca, Enchong, and Melai every weekday at 5:30 pm on Pinoy Big Brother’s official Facebook and Kumu accounts. 

Join Sky Quizon of “PBB Otso” for more fun and laughter for the weekend edition of “PBB Kumulitan.”

Search for “Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10” housemates begins this September on Kumu

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ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Kumunity Season 10” begins its search for new housemates as it gears up for another season that will show to the world the excellence, strength, resourcefulness, and goodness of Filipinos.

Toni, Bianca, and Robi, back as main hosts

After last week’s big announcement on the return of the popular reality show, auditions for the Adult Edition will officially open on September 1 to 30 via the Pinoy community platform Kumu. The upcoming tenth regular season of “PBB” will also feature Celebrity and Teen Editions.

“We wanted to give viewers something new. Matagal na rin kasi na wala tayong celebrity housemates na group. The last one was Lucky Season 7 pa. Ngayon sila ‘yung magsisimula ng season then followed by adults and teens then sa dulo may mangyayaring twist na dapat abangan,” said “PBB” creative head Marcus Vinuya in the virtual media conference held on Monday (August 30).

Also present in the event were ABS-CBN entertainment production head and Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi and hosts Toni Gonzaga, Bianca Gonzalez, and Robi Domingo, who expressed excitement for the return of the program.

“Doing ‘PBB’ is like a part of our lives already, nina Bianca and Robi. This is our second home. And it’s always a big blessing when we are given an opportunity to the another season para sa ating mga Kapamilya,” said Toni, who has been a part of “PBB” since it started in 2005.

According to Bianca, who was part of “PBB Celebrity Edition 1,” the entire “PBB” family is grateful to be together again to bring light and joy to viewers during this pandemic.

“Kita mo ‘yung saya nung tao…‘yung fans na sobrang excited na sumaya, ma-inspire. Kasi in the middle of everything na pinagdaraanan natin grabe ‘yung joy, ‘yung inspiration, ‘yung hope na nabigay nung last season sa napakaraming manonood,” she said.

Robi revealed that they have been wishing for another season as early as the “PBB” Season 9 Big Night.

“Just like the theme, ‘yung pangarap pwedeng magkakatoo. Saktong-sakto few months after the Big Night eto na we’re gonna have the auditions for the tenth season of PBB,” said the runner-up of “PBB Teen Edition Plus” who is now one of the most in demand hosts and respected youth advocates in the country.

Lauren, meanwhile, expressed his joy of seeing the trio together again for another “PBB” season, as well as other ex-housemates who have also remained part of the show in one way or another.

“Every time I see ex-housemates also getting their lives better, it gives us the motivation and the drive to continue with ‘PBB.’ Kasi ito talaga ‘yung patuloy na kahit papano nagbabago ng buhay. That experience alone, of auditioning and being a housemate, talagang may maidudulot itong mabuti sa inyo. On behalf of ABS-CBN management, we would like to thank Kumu for partnering again with us for this new season,” he said.

Meanwhile, other ex-housemates shared their memorable experiences and lessons learned inside the “PBB” house and also gave tips to aspiring housemates during the “PBB Kumunity Season 10” Party last Friday (August 30) on Kumu.

“Natutuwa akong malaman na hanggang ngayon ay pinapahalagahan ninyo ang mga alaala ninyo sa loob ng aking bahay at patuloy na isinasabuhay ang mga aral na natutunan ninyo bilang housemates. Naway patuloy kayong maging ehemplo sa mga susunod pang magiging housemates ng aking bahay,” Big Brother told them.

To audition for “PBB Kumunity Season 10,” hopefuls just need to download the Kumu app, create an account, and upload a 1-minute Kumu clip where he or she will introduce oneself and say why he or she is deserving to become a housemate, and use the hashtag “PBBKumuAdults.”

Auditions for Adult Edition for those who are 20 to 40 years old will be until September 30, while auditions for the Teen Edition, for those 15 to 19 years old, will begin on December 1 to December 31 and will use the hashtag “PBBKumuTeens.”

Stay tuned for more exciting announcements about “PBB Kumunity Season 10” on Facebook (@PBBABSCBNTV), Twitter (@PBBABSCBN), and Kumu (@PBBABSCBN).For other ABS-CBN updates, follow @ABS-CBNPR on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram (@abscbnpr) 

"Pinoy Big Brother" returns this pandemic for its 10th season

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Big Brother is back as he opens his famous yellow house again in the middle of the pandemic to spread happiness, inspiration, and bring together Filipino communities in “Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10.”

This was the big announcement that Vice Ganda and former housemates Ryan Bang, and Teen Big Winner Kim Chiu revealed on “It’s Showtime” on August 27 as they introduced the new season, which will have adult, celebrity, and teen editions.

“Binigyan ako ng task ni Big Brother para sabihin sa lahat na magbubukas na ulit ang bahay ni Kuya para sa Season 10 ng ‘Pinoy Big Brother.’ Naka-10 seasons na pala tayo,” Kim said.

Ryan added, “Sabi nga sa labas ng bahay niya…a new community will rise soon.”

Ryan was referring to the “PBB” house covered in blue construction cover with the message, “a new community will rise soon.” The photo of the house-made rounds on social media, confusing netizens on the fate of “PBB” and if it meant Big Brother’s farewell.

It was then followed by a huge poster of the number 10 beside the “PBB” gate that sent social media abuzz too. It also caught the attention of former housemates, including Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Lou Yanong, Maris Racal, Maymay Entrata, Ryan Bang, Sam Milby, and Seth Fedelin.

Just like in “PBB Connect,” Pinoy community streaming platform Kumu will also play a huge part this season. Auditions for the adult edition will be held on Kumu starting on September 1, while auditions for the teen edition will start on December 1. It can be recalled that the online auditions for last year’s edition was record-breaking with 177,524 audition entries.

Also happening is the “PBB Kumunity Season 10 Kumu Party,” a virtual reunion of Big Brother’s housemates from different seasons since the program started in 2005. Bianca Gonzalez will host the celebration that will stream at 3 pm on Kumu.

For more announcements on “PBB Kumunity Season 10,” follow (@PBBABSCBNTV), Twitter (@PBBABSCBN), at Kumu (@PBBABSCBN).