HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED AT YOUTUBE FANFEST 2020
WITH most of the world having to go on pause since the pandemic exploded, more people have been pressing the play button on their gadgets to while the time away with the avalanche of content on the net. It should therefore come as no surprise that the 2020 YouTube FanFest (YTTF) edition on October 11 — its first virtually — emerged as its biggest event in history. Moreover, with bans on large gatherings still implemented in many countries, the virtual set up allowed Asia Pacific acific countries to be part of one celebration all together for the very first time as well.
Netizens streaming from the Philippines were thrilled indeed to see their their favorite local content creators and of course their picks from across Asia Pacific and around the world side by side albeit virtually. Defined as a platform for both online creators and their fans, YTFF certainly celebrated everybody’s “freedom to be heard, to be in the know, to be what’s next, and to belong.”
A live event all the same, performances, meet and greets and brand new collaborations unfolded on streaming,
Among 150 participating YouTube stars, featured were popular K-Pop group ITZY; Alex Wassabi who is known for his comedy vlogs and challenge videos; dancer and choreographer Matt Steffanina; singers and actresses Merrell Twins; and mystery and food vlogger Mike Chen, who all boast of millions of subscribers on their channels.
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ biggest content creators who took part in the star- studded online extravaganza were dancers and siblings Ranz Kyle, Niana Guerrero and Natalia Guerrero; comedy vlogger and social media influencer Mimiyuuuh; former “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate turned YouTuber Fumiya or FumiShun Base; gamer and cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao; and dancer AC Bonifacio.
Of the local music acts with huge online following, folk band Ben& Ben performed their hits “Lifetime,” and “Pagtingin,” whereas P-pop boy band SB19 sang and strutted to their singles, “Love Goes,” and “Go Up.” The Philippine show was hosted by beauty vlogger Raiza Contawi, who kickstarted the program with community stories including a brief tribute to Lloyd Café Cadena and Emman Nimedez, young YouTubers who tragically passed away this year and considered pioneers in the industry. Cadena was best known for his comedic videos filled with love and humorous honesty on how dreams come true. Gone too soon at 26, years old, this beloved YouTube star died from cardiac arrest following a positive test for Covid-19. Cadena had 5.298 million subscribers at the time of his death. Nimedez also posted funny videos on his channel and was popular for his cinematic yet comedic approach. He started on YouTube in 2011 and finally gained famed in 2017 because of his KDrama parodies. He eventually pursued acting and music alongside YouTube with his first single “Teka Lang,” amassing 33 million views as of this writing. Only in his 20s when he died, Nimedez succumbed to acute myeloid leukemia in August.
Besides the established YouTubers, the fan fest also spotlighted a new breed of online creators who were born from the pandemic. Their channels were noted for their relevance with such themes as dealing with Covid-19, working out at home, online schooling, planting, mounting virtual concerts, and of course everything about baking and cooking.
To wrap up this year’s YouTube FanFest whose message was clearly that no one is alone in this pandemic, a video collaboration of YouTubers from different parts of the world showed beauty vloggers, food vloggers and performance vloggers coming together despite their differences and presenting content for every netizen.