Vloggers, content creators go mainstream with ‘Geng Geng Network’

Boss Toyo (third from center right), Rendon Labador (sixth from center right), and fellow content creators part of Geng Geng Network. Image: Facebook/Geng Geng Network

Jayson Luzadas, best known as Boss Toyo, is taking another step in his career as he launched “Geng Geng Network” for the D8TV channel, in hopes of bringing content creators and social media influencers to a bigger platform.

Luzadas, together with Rendon Labador and fellow content creators, will be appearing in programs covering entertainment, fashion, fitness, family, and inspirational-centered programs.

For the “Pinoy Pawnstars” lead, bringing a community of social media personalities to free TV is one of the main aspects that makes the network unique.

“It will be a different kind of network kasi binubuo ito ng social media influencers at content creators na gustong-gusto maghatid ng iba’t ibang klase ng show,” Luzadas said at a launch in Quezon City.

Jayson Luzadas or Boss Toyo. Image: Facebook/Geng Geng Network

He added that while they aim to provide different forms of shows, they gave assurance that their show will strictly follow the guidelines of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB).

Moral responsibility

“Gusto naming maging role model sa kapwa naming content creators na magkaroon ng responsibility sa mga tao,” Labador said, agreeing with Luzadas’ remarks.

“Mahirap sa social media is hindi regulated, ang daming nagmumura at gumagawa ng [hindi maayos na] content sa mga bata. Makikipagtulungan kami sa MTRCB para magkaroon ng standard para sa content sa mga Pilipino,” he further added.

(We want to be role models to our fellow content creators to be responsible with the content we put out. Social media is not being regulated properly, which explains why you see a lot of cursing and content that is not kid-friendly. We will be working with MTRCB to ensure that standards are applied in producing Filipino-friendly content.)

The content creators and social media influencers who will be part of Geng Geng Network during a launch event. Image: Facebook/Geng Geng Network

When asked if Luzadas feels pressured into going mainstream, he said that it’s his dream to have a network of his own.

“Hindi lang ito para sa sarili ko, kasi gusto ko yung maraming nakakasama magtrabaho… Mahilig ako magsama ng mga tao kahit hindi ako sigurado sa ginagawa ko. If mag-work, edi okay. Kung hindi, at least nasubukan namin. I’m a very positive person and I know it will work,” he said.

(This is just not for me. I want to work with different people. I want to work with a lot of people to ensure that I’m doing well. If it works, then okay. If it doesn’t, at least we tried. I’m a very positive person and I know it will work.)

Beating negative stereotypes

Touching on the purpose of “Geng Geng Network,”, Luzadas said he wants to defeat the negative stereotypes on social media influencers. “Totoo ngang may notion na influencer lang ‘yan, vlogger lang ‘yan, lagi kaming nasasabihan nang gan’un. Bakit lagi nila kaming dinudumb down pero pinapanood pa rin kami?”

“Kaya lalo kong pinupursigi para mapatunayan namin na [hindi kami mas mababa] sa mga artista,” he continued. “We’re here to prove that we’re not just content creators or social media influencers. We’re here to prove na kaya naming magbigay ng saya, entertainment, aral, at drama.”

(It is true that there’s a certain notion that we’re just influencers or vloggers. We always receive those remarks. Why are we always dumbed down yet people still watch us? This is why I’m working hard in this to prove that we’re not lower than celebrities. We’re here to prove that we’re not just content creators or social media influencers. We’re here to prove that we can give joy, entertainment, lessons, and drama.)

Jayson Luzadas or Boss Toyo (second from left) during a launch event for Geng Geng Network. Image: Facebook/Geng Geng Network

Labrador then stressed that “influencers are the new celebrities,” saying they aim to show the realities of what people go through on a wider platform.

“Ang mainstream, nagbibigay sila ng false hope sa ating mga kababayan. Nakikita niyo kami sa social media at alam naming nakakarelate sa amin ang mga followers namin. Feel namin ito ang magiging strength ng Geng Geng Network, ang pagpapakita ng totoong buhay and totoong nangyayari sa isang ordinaryong Pilipino,” he said.

(Mainstream gives false hope to our countrymen. You see us on social media, and we know that our followers can relate to us. We feel that this is the strength of Geng Geng Network, to show the lives and what happens in an ordinary Filipino’s life.)