Hello, mga Eaties!

Popular food vlogger Kevin Michael Garcia reminisces about his first food video, which sparked his passion for food. He has also shared meals with famous personalities in the country.

When asked to recall his first video as a vlogger, Kevin said, "It was a simple coffee being endorsed by former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno." He was talking about KapeTolyo, Manila City Hall's world-class coffee shop, which opened in 2020.

Four years later, Kevin said he also enjoyed food with several celebrities, including award-winning news anchor Rico Hizon of the defunct CNN Philippines.

"Nag-guest ako sa show niya noon. And in return, nag collaborate kami sa isang video, Kumain kami sa eatery somewhere in Taguig City. Sobrang dali niyang pakainin walang ka-arte arte," said Kevin, during an interview at Tindeli Lang by Chef Tatung at Gateway Mall II in Araneta City recently.

(I was a guest on his show then, and in return, we collaborated on a video. We ate at an eatery somewhere in Taguig City. We enjoyed each other's company.)

Kevin's immense knowledge and passion for food have led to him being invited as a guest on numerous television shows to share his expertise. His insightful discussions on food are always captivating and leave the audience with a greater appreciation and understanding of the culinary world.

"Nag-guest din ako sa "Sarap, Di Ba?" with Carmina Villaroel. Nag judge naman ako sa cooking contest nila," he said, adding that he also appeared in "Unang Hirit" and "Eat Bulaga." (I was also a guest on 'Sarap, Di Ba?' with Carmina Villaroel and a judge in their cooking contest.)
 

Dream collab

Asked about his dream collaboration, Kevin said: "Gusto kong makasama mga vloggers din kasi we belong to the same space. Gusto ko si Ivana Alawi at sana makasabay ko siyang kumain. Gusto ko rin si Ninong Ry."

(I also want to be with vloggers because we belong to the same space. I like Ivana Alawi, and I hope I can eat with her. I like Ninong Ry, too.)

Amid the pandemic, Kevin boldly explored his passion for food by creating his food vlog "Eats A Small World." He knew this was the perfect time to share his food adventures. With almost 500K followers on social media, Kevin has built a following of food enthusiasts eagerly anticipating his latest videos.

"Noong pandemic ang gusto lang naman ng mga tao kumain, manood ng TV at bonding with the family," he said. (During the pandemic, people just wanted to eat, watch TV, and bond with the family.)

Kevin enjoys wearing many hats. His food vlog has been consistently active since its launch four years ago, even though he works as an IT manager on graveyard shift. He graduated from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila with a degree in computer science.

"I work as an IT manager at night. Nakaw na lang ang tulog ko. Before I go to work, I need three hours of sleep. Or after my work, mga four hours naman ang tulog ko," he said. (I work as an IT manager at night. I steal my sleep. Before I go to work, I need three hours of sleep. Or after my job, I sleep about four hours.)

Kevin creates a bucket list and watches online shows to research his vlog. Sometimes, while strolling in the city or provinces, Kevin accidentally discovers restaurants. 

However, Kevin said he makes sure his posts are balanced, meaning the videos were taken at the malls, hotels, and eateries on the side streets. "Habang namamasyal ako, I still shoot."

Going to restos

Kevin tries to be a regular guy when he enters a restaurant. "I become one of the regular customers para ma-experience ko yung pag-aantay ng order ko. Hindi ako nagpapakilala. Mahirap kasi kung magpapakilala ako sasarapan nila yung luto. Tapos magkakaroon na ako ng responsibilidad sa kanila. Kasi nililibre na nila ako. Then yung owners nagpa-follow up na sila kung kelan daw ilalabas yung video. Ang problema wala pa ako sa mood i-post yung video. I had it several times."

(I became one of the regular customers who experienced waiting for my order. I won't introduce myself. It's hard because if I introduce myself, they will do everything to make the food perfect. Then, I will have a responsibility to them because of how they treated me. Then, the restaurant owners follow up on the release of the food video. But the problem is that I'm not ready to post the video yet. I have had it several times.)

Ever since that incident, Kevin has become more selective with the restaurant invitations he accepts. He also brings his friends to the restaurants to validate the taste of the food.

"Hindi ko kinakain lahat ng food. I share it with my friends. Laging may kasama ako pumunta sa restaurant so that I can discuss with them ang lasa ng food."

(I don't eat all the food. I share it with my friends. I always go to a restaurant with someone to discuss the taste of the food with them.)

Kevin also shared some advice for people who want to venture into food vlogging.

"They should enjoy doing food vlogging. Kasi magre-reflect sa video if you're happy or not. Huwag mo ring kalimutan ang health mo. And pag-aralan din nila ang editing at angles," he said.

This hardworking guy expressed immense pleasure in knowing that many people visit the restaurants he featured on his vlog. "Yun talaga ang gusto kong mangyari na tangkilin ang mga pagkain na ina-upload ko or restaurants na napuntahan ko." (That's really what I want to happen: to patronize the foods I upload or restaurants I've been to.)

Freedom

Kevin admitted to enjoying the freedom of vlogging but acknowledged the potential consequences.

"The advantage is the freedom. Walang filter and walang MTRCB. Pero kapag napasarap ang freedom mo, may tendency na ma-cancel ka ng society. Mas prone ka sa bashing. So careful din tayo," he said.

(The advantage is freedom. There is no filter, and there is no MTRCB. But when you abuse your freedom, society has a tendency to cancel you. You are more prone to bashing, so we are also careful.)