The Kiko Fabcast / Fabcast: Behind The Scenes

After a long time in the U.S., Migs is back, and the Fabcasters are back again! Here is the first of our latest Fabcasts—our interview with Kiko, who described himself as someone who doesn’t have “a gay bone in his body.”

LISTEN: (33 minutes)

Download this podcast (right click and save - 32 MB)

(Music credits: “If You Were Gay” from Avenue Q)

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The idea of doing a podcast was floated early on by Migs. But it wasn’t until we became fans of The Dan & Rye Show that we seriously considered pushing through. Perhaps Migs and Gibbs realized that a gay podcast is viable. I personally was just envious that Dan and Rye were having so much fun in their podcast; it was similar to how we three would chats and converse, and I wanted to capture that kind of atmosphere—friends having fun yet speaking their minds out intelligently.

We started out as the Troikasters because there were just three of us: Migs, Gibbs and I. And the dynamics were different back then. Migs as the main host was both arbiter and facilitator; Gibbs was the serious academic (Migs called his lectures “sermons”); and I was the one who often butted in with a lot of non-serious side comments. But each one of us had our individual turns to say our piece regarding whatever topic we tackled.

In the beginning the comments reflected our clear roles; I remember a listener or two being critical of my side comments. At first I was worried but Migs and Gibbs assured me that my side comments provided the necessary break within our Troikasts, preventing them from sounding too somber and serious.

It was after we had Lobster_Tony and Corporate Closet as guests for the topic “long distance relationships” that we considered widening the group. The Troikasters were rechristened The Fabcasters, and the two became permanent additions to the podcasting. After we guested AJ of Bakla Ako, May Reklamo?, we included him as the sixth Fabcaster. For the past few Fabcasts though, AJ has been unable to join the recording for several schedule and health reasons.

I find it funny that the roles have evolved. I still do my side comments, but as I review the Fabcasts I realize it’s now Gibbs whose every other comment has a punch line at the end. The others all chime in with their own jokes too. Migs is still the main host and arbiter, Tony is quick to raise a contrary point of view or point out a hasty generalization, and CC remains our favorite punching bag. Meanwhile I’ve consciously taken a backseat, because during the recording I put on my producer’s cap and monitor the recording.

As producer my task is simple. First I make sure that the venue is conducive for recording—ambient sound must be kept to a minimum, and the place must not be too echo-y. Then I try as much as possible to capture the spontaneity and the fun that goes on. It’s like reality radio—what happens, happens. But when editing I am conscious of keeping the pace quick and entertaining, which is why I shorten Gibbs’ numerous “ahhs” and “uhms” (I too am guilty of that). And the primary consideration is to make sure that sentences and trains of thought are connected and finished. But I try to keep the rowdiness intact; it is what keeps us in stitches, and that I believe the reason we continue to remain friends is because we make each other laugh.

To those who continue to enjoy listening to the Fabcasts, thank you, thank you very much!