 |
| (Image Source: NYLON Manila) |
At a time when forging human connections are now becoming more important for social beings, YouTube returned for the second virtual edition of the YouTube FanFest (YTFF) 2021 which not only provided entertainment from home but was also a celebration where Filipino talent, diversity, equity and inclusion triumph anew on the spotlight. Held last August 27-29, 2021, fans were treated to three days worth of entertainment - Island Life, Everyone Is Beautiful, The Finale - centered around the wealth of diversity among YouTube creators.
Kickstarting this year's showcase, various Cebuano YouTube creators joined the FanFest for the first time in The Island with Medyo Maldito, Snake Princess Raphiel Shannon and The Juans serenading the audiences while Indai Allyn left viewers craving for mouth-watering dishes such as kinilaw na bariles (tuna ceviche), chicken inasal with palapa (grilled chicken with traditional Maranao spices), and biko (sweet rice cake made with coconut milk and brown sugar). True to YouTube's mission of diversity, equity and inclusion, this year's FanFest continued to see more representation from the Pride community with lifestyle content creators About RAF and Madam Ely joining beauty creator Raiza Contawi in hosting the second episode Everyone Is Beautiful.
YTFF also showed that entertainment can go beyond the usual sight of on-stage song and dance performances as we also look at various hobbies and channels to binge while on quarantine. One case in point is the series of cooking shows graced by Chefs RV Manabat and Tatung along with costume design and make-up challenges. In the end, YTFF is all about bringing people together which remains more crucial in challenging times. Joining the diverse line-up in the three-day affair were performances from Lesha, Renee Dominique, Zack Tabudio and SB19 with Andree Bonifacio as well as lifestyle and beauty creators Hazel Quing, itsclaudineco, and ThatsBella; the Guerrero siblings Ranz Kyle, Niana and Natalia; Benedict Cua and Team Lyca.
Those who may have missed the show and want to catch up on what happened or who can't get enough of the three-day affair can head over to the YouTube FanFest channel to discover (and rediscover) what makes YTFF a one-of-a-kind unique celebration for the Filipino YouTube community and its millions of followers here and across the globe.
