Recently, I was asked to do an interview for the June issue of Pinoy Ads. This is a Filipino news magazine from the east coast. With Mary Grace's generosity, she has given me an opportunity to have an interview for their news magazine. It's very flattering and I thank her and her Father for this chance. I sent her the interview questions on May 18, 2008 and the news magazine Pinoy Ads was released in June with the article covering me. ^_^ It's just funny to me still because, I'm just an average person and I'm not used to being exposed. Thought I'd share with all of you the interview. Really huge THANK YOU to Mary Grace Sunga and her Father for covering me. These are the interview questions:
1. Why do you prefer to go by Kits? Is there a special meaning behind it? If so, what?
Kits is actually my nickname since I was a baby. It’s so Filipino. It’s actually Kitoy. I don’t even remember how I got Kits from Kitoy. You know how Filipinos give funny nicknames.
2. Where did you grow up? Can you speak/understand/read/write Tagalog or any other Filipino dialects?
I actually grew up in the Philippines. Came here when I was 11. I can still understand/speak/read and maybe write a little Tagalog. Tagalog can be so deep sometimes though. Tagalog is my only other language other than English.
3. You said you choreograph ethnic dances for PCN… What is PCN exactly? How do you come up with your ideas for the choreography? Any background education (lessons, college majors/minors, etc) on it?
Funny story, I really wasn’t interested in Filipino dances until I got involved in it. PCN is an acronym for Pilipino Cultural Night. Every spring, different colleges and high schools have PCNs here in California. Choreography ideas, I get from seeing other dance troupes, and just sort of combine them altogether to make my own. And I ask experts in that field of the arts. It’s just my hobby, and I still have a lot to learn about it since every dance is very detailed and true to its tribe.
4. Who has inspired you to start creating videos for YouTube? How has their inspiration developed your interest in filming?
I always loved film making since I was a kid. I love movies and seeing the “behind the scenes.” There’s always that excitement seeing the sets and how films are done. I use to make little shows and movies with my cousins. As of inspiration to create YouTube videos, Christine Gambito (a.k.a. HappySlip) has shown the possibility of creating your art and sharing it to the world. And how you can just reach out to many that way.
5. What kind(s) of camera(s) did you start with? What do you use now?
I began with one those huge Sony video cameras my Uncle had then. Then later on, I got my own Sony video camera that I used for events and now for YouTube. As of now, I’m using Sony DCR-TRV350 as my actual video camera.
6. What editing program do you use? Have you done anything to expand your knowledge of the use of the program (read books, etc) ?
I am using Sony Vegas for video editing. It’s funny, the manual that came with it doesn’t help too much at all. I got ideas from YouTube and just through experimenting. Later discovering I can incorporate my graphic design like doing logos for my videos like “Idea Green” and “Undep.”
7.Where do you get your ideas for your videos? What theme do you think your videos revolve around (blogs, Filipino/Fil-Am culture, love stories, etc)?
My ideas usually revolve around different inspirations, and some are from Saturday Night Live. I was a fan of SNL during the 90’s. My videos are usually random themes. I categorize them to Regular Vlogs, Action Vlogs, Series, and Commercials, and possibly other things that I come up with. A Filipino video may be out sometime later. It’s in the works for now.
8. How long have you been making videos? What audience reaction were you expecting to get from the videos when you first started?
I joined YouTube in 2006 as a viewer. I attempted to do my first Vlog in July of 2007. After watching it I felt a little embarrassed cause it was different. I already expected that people would either love or hate my videos. I was anxious about that whole thing at first. But I learned that you just have to keep doing what you love doing.
9. Do you think you're evolving in your knowledge or style every time you have a new video come out? How?
When I do get a new idea, I write it out, and then later on the idea changes when a new one comes in. So sometimes the original video idea may change based on what’s come up. Then I mix them up all of a sudden. And trying out different styles are great. Like for the 1st season videos. You notice they’re all sepia toned.
10. Do you feel any pressure to create videos? How does it feel having over a thousand subscribers?
I would have to say yes. I know there are a bunch of viewers out there waiting. My videos span to like about 1 to 2 weeks. 3rd week will be the latest to post a video. For subscribers, I’m just very thankful that a lot of people actually appreciate the things that I do and put out. Sometimes, you know that people just accept you for who you are and the kind of things you like to share.
11. Do you tend to read all the comments and messages you receive? What has been the best or most memorable for you? What has been the funniest or weirdest?
Yes, I’m still able to catch up to all of them. I like to read and respond to the ones I can. I want to make sure that I can reach out to all the viewers and that I am there for them. =D The most memorable comment is when one of my viewers said I’m always inspiring. There are a lot of uplifting comments that I do appreciate, and it let’s me know the Lord uses us as instruments to reach out to other people. The funniest comment was from someone who freaked out cause I remembered their name and that I commented their video. And the weirdest, someone made rude racial remarks.
12. If you woke up the next day and found out that your YouTube days no longer existed, what would you be doing instead to take place of your time spent doing those videos? (don't take it personally haha ..)
I believe that the Lord always has a purpose for everyone. If it doesn’t work out for me, then I know that he has better things planned since our lives are already written by Him. You can’t change your destiny. =]
13. Which video (or character), that you have done so far, is your favorite? Why?
This is funny but Riana is the one that cracks me up! It’s because she’s so exaggerated and manly looking. And her character itself is already funny naturally once she pops on screen.
14. What do you do with your personal time?
Personal time, I like spending time with family and friends, going to the beach, relaxing and having Starbucks, playing video games, indulging in junk food, relaxing to jazz music and other relaxing music, and praying.
15. How would you describe yourself? Personality and film making wise? Strengths? Weaknesses?
I’m a mellow person when you meet me. I’m a very shy and serious person. But once I’m comfortable, I can just be myself and mess around and try to make you laugh. And in my videos, the camera just tends to change me and make me comfortable. That’s why I’m able to act out these different characters and just be goofy. Strengths… When I’m inspired I’m really pumped up and ready to entertain, I just become positive and happy. Weakness… There goes “Negativity.” That’s why I created that video. Just a little behind the scene story for you. Because sometimes, I really do feel down just like others do.
16. Do you have any goals that you would like to achieve out of creating YouTube videos? Where do you see yourself in a year, with YouTube and life itself?
My goal is pretty much to master the different and many ways of editing and videography. And to also grasp many people so I can share my work and hopefully inspire them and make them happy. In a year, I hopefully will have more viewers. And I’ll probably be working in a big company for graphic and web design. *Crosses Fingers* But I really have this burning passion to do outreach in any part of the world. I want to help others in need.
