A rising online content creator, who goes by the creative handle “Kalinti by TBON” or simply “Kalinti”, made waves on his arrival in the Philippines and in his hometown, Bacolod City.
The local media influencer, who resides in Dubai, has gained a big following in the country, especially from Bacolodnons and Ilonggos, for his candid online talks on daily life, growing up in the 90s, fitness, travels, passion, and experiences.
Kalinti was back in the city to visit family and experience the Bacolod Chicken Inasal Festival. He said that even while he was in Dubai, he would frequently share his love for chicken inasal and other delicacies Bacolod is known for, such as piaya.
The vlogger was joined city councilors Celia Flor, Jason Villarosa, and Em Ang, during the opening of the Inasal Festival at SM City Bacolod May 26.
Together with fellow content creators, Lexplorations PH, Akireality, Maueee’s Happy Feet, and Manang Reiann, they held a meet-and-greet at SM Atrium on the first day of the Chicken Inasal Festival.
The combined forces of Kalinti and the vloggers brought together 1.2 million followers online and more than a thousand fans, who came to the meet-and-greet to see their idols in person.
Kalinti describes his rise to modest stardom as, “something of a surprise”.
“I made videos and content just to share my personal views but it is only when I arrived in Bacolod did I realize (the videos’) impact to so many,” the online sensation said in local dialect.
He added that everywhere he went, people had been quick to approach him. He has since been obliging fans and followers for photo opportunities (selfies) nonstop.
In his younger years, he had dreamed of being a doctor but due to circumstances, he shifted to nursing instead. While pursuing job opportunities in his chosen field, he was presented with an opportunity to be a personal fitness trainer in Dubai.
He is an experienced mixed martial, Muay Thai, and jiu-jitsu fighter.
The video blog, in which he manages all creative direction, is popular to a wide demographic of all ages, gender, education level, and income due to his light and jestful manner of speaking and his engaging online persona.
Fans have found his content relatable; the middle-aged crowd agreeing to the difference of how kids of the 80s and 90s would react to parental discipline of baby boomers, for example, versus parenting millennials and zillennials.
Meanwhile, the same young market – digital natives – find the channel an engaging source of lesson-filled entertainment due to the many characters “Kalinti” spoofs.
The online creator believes that the young generation needs to build their resilience in order to adapt to the changes of the world. Through digital means, he hopes to impart lessons to young adults.
The name “kalinti” itself is also a major contributor to the vlog’s popularity.
Translated, the word “linti” may refer to a bolt or strike of lighting. In local dialect, it is often used as a cuss word, a word of anger or rage, like how one would throw a curse upon another.
Aside from the different sights to see and visit in Bacolod, Kalinti and his family and team also explored the SM City Bacolod mall and Manokan Country for his fill of chicken inasal, which he has missed of all his favorite Bacolod dishes.
“My heart is filled with so much happiness that the people of Bacolod have wholeheartedly embraced Kalinti by TBON,” he said.
The vlogger will return to Dubai in June./PR
