Joy Barcoma, Baus Rufo reflect on their journey to mainstream TV

June 30 ------ Joy Barcoma and Baus Rufo celebrated this year’s Pride Month and their unexpected journey to mainstream television as celebri-peeps in GMA’s new game show “The People Have Spoken.”

In a recent interview sent to Inquirer Entertainment, Barcoma used Pride Month to reaffirm her support for the LGBT community and called for the passage of the SOGIE Equality Bill. “Masayang-masaya ako dahil ipinagdiriwang natin ang buwan ng mga bakla,” she said. “Lagi ninyo pong tatandaan na kaisa ninyo po ako, kaalyado ninyo po ako pagdating sa pakikibaka at paglaban para po sa pagpasa ng SOGIE bill.”

Rufo echoed a similar sentiment, saying Pride is about embracing the uniqueness that God has given every person. “It is your God-given right to live a life that you are proud of and happy with,” said the influencer-turned-TV host. “So I feel like the more I am myself, the better I can represent this amazing community that I am a part of.”

The duo, who also serve as guest-hosts in the morning show “Unang Hirit,” also opened up about their path to becoming TV hosts. Barcoma admitted it still feels surreal to be on mainstream television, recalling that she merely tweeted in 2021 that she hoped to become a TV host someday. “Sobrang saya ko for all the opportunities, and I’m just so thankful for all the people who have helped me to be here. Kasi alam kong hindi madaling makarating kung nasaan kami ngayon, hindi madaling makuha ‘yung pangarap mo, but with perseverance, grit, and talent, you can do it,” she expressed.

Rufo, meanwhile, said his transition from podcasting to television felt natural because all of his work revolves around connecting with audiences. “It is me just trying to engage the audience in front of me, being able to figure out the best way to make them laugh. So, while these are different designations, more or less the muscle I use, the experiences I have gathered are all the same thing,” he expressed. Barcoma added that they “manifested” their on-screen partnership after she guested on Rufo’s podcast “Dogshow Divas.”

Source: inquirer.net