Luis Gragera (FINALIST)
Radiating a tenacious spirit, say hello to singer Luis Gragera, Kumu x PARCINQ’s first runner-up.
The full-time streamer is not a neophyte on the live-streaming scene, as he already dabbled in it before finding a home and community in Kumu. From being a singing show contestant to being scouted by an agency, signing a contract tied up with the platform, and finally finding his support system in his supporters, also known as Luislicious, everything sort of fell into place.
Expressing his admiration for PARCINQ Magazine, Luis revealed that it spurred him to try out for the campaign.
(For those new to Kumu, Campaigns are livestream contests where content creators need to go live and earn specific virtual gifts to win prizes– these can range from gift certificates to unique experiences, billboard features, and more. You can click here to learn more about campaigns, how to join them, and how to earn the coveted diamonds.)
"Actually, nagagandahan ako sa mga shoot ng PARCINQ. Sabi ko parang maraming sasali kasi marami ‘pag billboard or magazine campaign. Pero this time, sinabi ko sa mga supporters ko na ‘Guys, kaya natin 'to. Labanan natin." (Actually, I admire PARCINQ’s shoots. I said plenty will probably join because that’s the case when it's a billboard or magazine campaign. But this time, I told my supporters, “Guys, we can do this. Let’s fight for it.”)
It is indeed challenging to find your footing in a sea of creators online, but Luis has his own way of establishing and maintaining connections with his community on Kumu. He pushes himself to remain grounded and commits to being a content creator who values every member of his audience.
"Ako lahat binabati ko. Kahit sinong pumapasok [sa stream ko]. Meron ‘dun mga Level 1 lang, parang bagong gawa lang. May iba kasi na hindi na binabati ‘yung mga lower levels, binabati na lang mga matataas. Ako lahat binabati ko kasi ‘di mo alam na mamaya, ‘yon pala ‘yung magiging supporter mo talaga." (I greet everyone who joins my stream. Some of them are just new accounts (Level 1). I know people who only greet higher-level viewers. As for me, I make sure to greet everyone because they might turn out to be my greatest supporter.)
With this admirable display of character, it’s no wonder that he has found an amazing support system and a growing community. Years from now, Luis envisions himself still on his Kumu journey, but with even greater opportunities and possibilities awaiting him.
FUN QUESTIONS
Q. Three things you can’t live without?
Luis: Phone, family, food
Q. Travel overseas or travel locally?
Luis: Travel locally
Q. Online shopping or physical shopping?
Luis: Online shopping
Q. Million followers or million viewers?
Luis: Million viewers
Q. If you could time travel, go rewind or fast forward?
Luis: Fast forward
Q. An artist on repeat in your playlist.
Luis: Ben&Ben
Q. Routine before coming up on stream.
Luis: Drink plenty of water.
Q. Livestream topic you’re most interested in?
Luis: Lifestyle
Q. A fun fact about you that your followers are unaware of yet.
Luis: Hindi ako naliligo kapag nagsi–stream. (I don’t shower when I’m scheduled to stream.)
Q. Name a digital content creator that you look up to.
Luis: Zarckaroo Vlogs
Q. Something you want to promote.
Luis: My KUMU channel, Instagram, and abangan ninyo kami sa ila-launch ng PPL Entertainment. (Watch out for us in PPL Entertainment’s launching soon.)
Q. Words you live by.
Luis: Live every day like it’s your last.
Marky Miranda (FINALIST)
Meet the multi-talented streamer and KUMU x PARCINQ’s second runner-up, Marky Miranda!
If you’re an avid watcher of the reality show Pinoy Big Brother: KUMUnity, chances are you know Marky and the potential he could bring to the table. The singer, actor, and entrepreneur first dabbled in KUMU through a friend who streams on the platform. Intrigued about how things are done on the app, he tried setting up his own stream and eventually took it to heart.
From his first stream up until now, it snowballed into opportunities that gave birth to his fandom, Markyleague. With his fans’ tremendous support, another campaign was ticked off his bucket list: KUMU x PARCINQ.
"I’m really excited for this because bago siya sa akin. Syempre, nagpapasalamat rin ako sa mga supporters na tumulong kung bakit ako nandito ngayon. First time, gusto ‘kong ma-experience maging model sa magazine. Parang pwede ko rin isama sa profile ko," Marky gushes on being part of this campaign. (I’m really excited for this because it’s new to me. Of course, I’m really grateful to my supporters who brought me here. I want to experience for the first time what it’s like to become a magazine model. I can include this on my profile, too.)
While Marky is a ball of sunshine with an air of positivity around him, he admits that being burnt out is the biggest challenge he faces as a content creator.
"Hindi kami laging okay [at] masaya. May mga problems din sa loob na ‘di namin pwedeng ipakita sa stream. Pinakachallenging sa akin ay parang dapat lagi kang naka-smile kahit may mabigat kang dala sa sarili mo." (We’re not always happy and okay. We have problems too that we cannot show on the stream. The most challenging thing for me would be having to force a smile even if you’re not okay inside.)
In spite of it all, Marky puts a premium on personality and positivity to shine amidst the vast KUMUnity. Wrapping up the conversation, Marky vowed to remain at KUMU because there he had found his home.
FUN QUESTIONS
Q. Three things you can’t live without?
Marky: Phone, ring light, wifi
Q. Travel overseas or travel locally?
Marky: Travel overseas
Q. Online shopping or physical shopping?
Marky: Physical shopping
Q. Million followers or million viewers?
Marky: Million viewers
Q. If you could time travel, go rewind, or fast forward?
Marky: Rewind
Q. An artist on repeat in your playlist.
Marky: Michael Pangilinan
Q. Routine before coming up on stream.
Marky: Vocalization
Q. Livestream topic you’re most interested in?
Marky: Comedy
Q. A fun fact about you that your followers are unaware of yet.
Marky: Kuripot (Stingy)
Q. Name a digital content creator that you look up to.
Marky: Benedict Cua
Q. Something you want to promote.
Marky: KUMU
Q. Words you live by.
Marky: Love yourself.
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Photography Rxandy Capinpin
Art Direction by Joe Andy Makeup by Lars Cabanacan
Hair by Mycke Arcano
Styling by Dave Arden
Videography by Pogs Francisco
Cover story and Interview by Kryzzle Cailing
Produced in partnership with Kumu
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