A whirlwind of engaging conversations, satisfying audio experiences, and fun face-to face interactions, "Hear For It" successfully carried out its mission: to be the very first festival for the Philippines’ podcast community.
Held at Glorietta Palm Drive Activity Center in Makati on Oct. 20, the whole-day affair brought together four of the industry’s biggest podcast producers—ANIMA Podcasts, PumaPodcast, Spotify, and The Pod Network—and shone the spotlight on the creators and followers that make podcasting the rapidly growing medium that it is.
Avid followers of established shows and newbies eager to explore fresh content assembled to immerse themselves in the world of podcasting, watch and listen to podcasts as they unfolded, and celebrate the diverse voices behind the country’s favorite topics—love and relationships, life, comedy, and pop culture.
Buji Babiera—himself a storyteller and podcaster— and Nicki Morena assumed hosting duties, presented the festival’s slate of 10 podcasts and engaged the audience all day. “Queertuhan” started things off, where hosts Roanne and Tina talked about being heard in the LGBTQ+ space, followed by “Paano Kung... ”where Joelle had listeners contemplating on life’s what ifs or “paano kungs.” Bianca Gonzalez took to the festival stage past lunch for an energetic episode of “Paano Ba ‘To?!” with the King of Talk Boy Abunda, no less. The banter between Bianca at Tito Boy piqued the interest not just of the festival goers but of everyone else at Glorietta that half-hour.
Witty, comical podcasters followed as if by rapid fire succession: Ali Sangalang spun humor to the topic “Falling Out with Friend” for his podcast “The Linya Linya Show,” viral Victor Anastacio interviewed James Caraan talked about stand-up comedy for “Intellectwalwal,” and The Koolpals kept the audience laughing as they discussed community in the world of podcasting.
Well-loved couple Jim Bacarro and Saab Magalona shared about out raising a generation of podkids and opened the floor for a Q&A for Wake Up with Jim and Saab, while the director duo of Tonet Jadaone and JP Habac brought the house down as they dispensed life advice with riotous Inah Evans for “Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast.”
The event shifted gears anew as “What’s AP?’s” Sab Schabel and Ceej Tantengco Malolos collaborated with “The Colonial Dept.’s” Lio Mangubat in probing things in Philippine History we didn’t know about. Rounding up the day’s activities were K culture vultures Kristel Fulgar and Moy Esguerra of “Anyare Saeyo?” who dissected the South Korea that Pinoys love—from both a K-Drama and reality POV.
Podquest, an initiative by The Pod Network aimed at discovering and fostering new podcasting talent, revealed the winner of their search for the newest concept to join their roster. The winner, radio DJ Nikki Porter’s and her love and relationships podcast “Nuggets of Nikki,” was awarded a podcast production package worth P1 million including a fully-produced 12-episode season.
"Hear For It" also featured interactive zones where attendees could try their hand at recording short podcast segments, experiment with sound design, and listen to podcasts from the festival’s participating studios. It was an excellent opportunity for budding podcasters to learn the ropes and for listeners to appreciate the artistry that goes into creating their favorite shows.
“We are delighted to have gathered podcast producers and creators and their followers under one roof at the same time. It also felt good how we were able to provide opportunities to those who’d like to break into the industry and show fans the technology that makes podcasting such an interesting way to tell stories today. More than a festival, Hear For It felt like a true community gathering. I am optimistic for podcasting’s growth in the year ahead,” exclaims ANIMA Head of Podcasts Mel Lozano-Alcaraz.
Hear For It was powered by ANIMA Podcasts and co-presented by Globe and KROMA Entertainment, in partnership with Spotify and The Pod Network. The festival was sponsored by You Beauty and Anker, with Ayala Malls as the official venue partner. Special thanks to KonsultaMD and media partners Esquire Philippines, Manila Bulletin, Spot.ph, Philstar Life, and Wonder.ph.