If there’s one thing we all can agree on about being a Filipino, it’s that we are naturally funny with an appetite. We love to eat and laugh. But who would've thought food and humor would mix well? Luis Azcona and Sharlene Gumpal did.
Listening to Luis narrate his fiancé, Sharlene’s cooking videos is undeniably a comical breakthrough. Puns and jokes in the entire videos were hidden in between ingredients presentation, clumsy errors, and the fun process. "Hello sa inyo, mga bata!" impersonations. Vanilla jokes. Strawberries na nakipagsapalaran sa Maynila. Nanay ng almond. These are just a few of "Luis Azcona Videos'' hidden gems.
The 32-year-old music and video producer with a natural sense of humor, paves his way to an original social media content. His videos are very much unique and pure that it makes one unconsciously smile at a cooking tutorial. And he's not even trying too hard.
In an exclusive interview with Metroscene Mag, Luis and Sharlene unveils how they find inspiration and motivation to create this one-of-a-kind content.
Kitchen stories
Just like his real-life heroes, Anthony Bourdain and Elon Musk, Luis is a visionary and prefers to live in the moment. It’s a strategy he calls “just having fun.” According to him, his motivation comes from the fun that goes along with the entire process of filming.
“My motivation is the fun that we experience during production, and interacting with our subscribers," he said.
Creating unique and valuable content is a multifaceted challenge, and for our dear Sharlene, it's a challenge accepted.
“Na-cha-challenge 'yung inner artist ko, how I will execute in a creative way especially the plating. I look up to Joshua Weissman, Adam Liaw and Marion’s Kitchen. Mel Thompson for makeup,” she shared.
The imperfect recipe for perfection
One strength of their content is how they do not cut out the mistakes in cooking--in clumsy holding or filling, breaking eggs, or missing out an ingredient. It's an added ingredient to what makes it so natural. A testimony that says: one's flaws does not make one flawed. Otherwise, clean it up then grow from it.
“I think it's the fact that we don't hide the mistakes in the process. We are home cooks that make mistakes all the time and I think our viewers can resonate with that. Plus, I think the rhymes, the puns, the humour in the voice over instructions help too,” Luis answered as to what makes their content unique from others.
Aside from their online cooking shows, Luis first started uploading musical content, travel vlogs, and educational and witty videos like Tagalog-Bisaya Tutorials and Bokabularyo ni Yorme. Now, Sharlene's make-up tutorials made it to the ensemble still alongside Luis' funny remarks.
Dealing with the bad eggs
Although social media really gives everyone a platform to showcase their talents and creativity, it is also filled with bored trolls. Luckily, the couple is blessed with supportive and loving fans.
“Not really. There's maybe 1% of them. We're very lucky to have a nice, supportive community,” they answered when asked about handling online criticism.
A pinch of life lessons and a smidgen of wisdom
Just like in cooking, the couple have had their fair share of trial and error in terms of finding the right content that suits everyone's taste. The couple now has more than half a million followers on Facebook and almost eighty thousand subscribers on Youtube, and counting. The couple has proved that the secret to achieving success in one's life is doing what you love and loving what you do.
“Create what makes sense to you. If you're on a beach and you got a surfboard, make a surfing video. Obsessed with gardening? Gardening channel. And so on. That way, you will never fail, because if no one watches it, at least you had fun. Most of the time, fans can sense if the creator is having fun and that kind of appeal converts to shares and views.”
If you're reading this, know one thing or two: you love food or you just love watching videos in general. If that's the case, Luis and Sharelene's channel might just be the perfect thing for you!
The couple uploads their videos every week on Facebook and Youtube.
Text by: Kyle Cadavez & Mark Baccay
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