Want to be a YouTube sensation? Lloyd Cadena says, 'just be yourself'

The name Lloyd Cadena may not instantly ring a bell, but once you see his photo, video or meme against a pink wall background, you will say, “ah, siya pala ‘yun.”

One might think that this 2013 Globe Tatt Awards Best Comedy on YouTube winner was out partying with his friends or doing another hilarious video this lazy Saturday afternoon. To my surprise, he was attending a “boring” event for his Financial Management course at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

In a short phone interview Saturday afternoon, I had the impression Lloyd was energetic, charming and like your usual gay friend. He joked around my questions but provided witty answers.

So, when I asked the 19-year-old Globe awardee what it takes to be a famous YouTube comedian, he said: “Ang payo ko lang kung gusto mo sumikat, ‘wag ka magpadala sa force ngayon na kung ano yung patok [ay] ‘yun din ‘yung gagawin mo.”

“Maging sila lang sila,” he said. “Kung ano ako doon [sa Youtube channel ko], ganoon talaga ako sa personal.”

And his secret that brought him to fame? “Wag ka mahiya magpa-share o magpa-like sa mga kaibigan o kakilalala mo. Ikaw ang maghanap ng viewer, hindi ‘yung viewer ang maghahanap sa iyo.”

“Hanapin nila ‘yung right timing [saka] hindi lahat ng tao dahil gumawa ng isang video boom agad,” he added.

Lloyd’s YouTube channel entitled “Gay and Everything” has more than 129,000 subscribers, while his Facebook has more than 52,000 followers.

His videos, which include topics on love, life, and school, get hundreds of thousands of views each. Apart from videos, Lloyd is also the face behind funny memes on Facebook.

But what inspired Mr. Cadena to get started? “Una, bored lang [talaga ako]. Past time kasi single at walang magawa para maging busy-busyhan,” he quipped.

Like any other YouTube stars, Lloyd had his share of ups and downs after he started his video channel two years ago. His first try on YouTube was not as successful as his second video channel, but it did not stop him from creating funny videos.

 Lloyd said he did not expect his online video channel to make it this big – like having nominations from known online polls. “Hindi ko talaga ini-expect kasi nung una, 100 views lang. Nung una nga araw-araw tinatally ko pa kung ilan ‘yung dumadagdag [sa views], kung may naglike o dislike.”

According to the Fourth Year college student, his first video that caught the attention of the public was a video-blog about love. “Ang daming nag-add sa akin as in shocking galore!”



Path to showbiz stardom?

Not known to many, Lloyd was a self-confessed frustrated singer, but unlike others, he does not want to be an actor as he does not want to be bossed around.

No acting or hosting gigs are proposed to him yet, but he noted there are some TV guesting offered to him.

It is no surprise when Lloyd said he idolized Ai-ai Delas Alas or Vice Ganda, but he also mentioned that he is a fan of “old comedy” giants such as Dolphy and Babalu.

Generous son

Through his video channel, he said he has been able to help some finances at home. He disclosed to GMA News Online that he earns at least P40,000 a month from advertisement on his YouTube page.

“Ako na ang nagbabayad ng tuition ko at [minsan] nagbibigay ng pang-grocery,” he said crowing about how much he made his parents proud.

“Tuwang-tuwa sila kahit nung hindi pa ako nagbibigay sa kanila. Alam nila ‘yung mga videos ko. Minsan ‘di nila gusto kaya pinapayuhan nila ako,” he added.

After finishing his course, Lloyd wants to continue making hilarious videos and take up another course related to Communication Arts.

And for his love life, this single-since-birth guy would like to have his partner soon. “Gustong gusto ko na nga po. Puro landian na lang. Atat na atat na ako.” — LBG, GMA News