Political vlogs are now a staple in everyone's algorithm. For the past few years, I wasn't really into these things, but recently, I've found myself tuning in more often.
These channels offer commentary, sharp critiques, and insights from broader perspectives on our current situation. Mapapaisip ka talaga, and they will tickle your brain—though most of the time, you'll just end up getting upset or angry at our political environment.
First is Kwatro Alas, which is also broadcast on TV. It features four men from different backgrounds who trade political puns and banter while offering insightful commentary grounded in their respective fields. They also interview prominent political figures to grill them on pressing issues, unpack current events, and give viewers a raw, unscripted look at local politics.
I commend their insightful segments, such as Bardagulan with Ronald Llamas, where he—to put it bluntly—says unhinged things toward politicians in layman's terms, much like how people talk during a casual drinking session. There is also German Cut with Alan German, where he ponders, discusses, and explains important matters point by point, as well as Upo at Patola of Michael Fajatin, where they break down trending issues and address political hot takes with sharp humor and commentary.
However, if I have one major disagreement or critique regarding their show, it is how they handled their interview with Sandro Marcos. They humanized him and failed to ask tough questions about his family's history—specifically regarding their ill-gotten wealth, especially in light of his father's recent claim that no such wealth exists. By painting him in a positive light, they inadvertently aid in a dangerous narrative, especially given widespread concerns that the President is grooming his son as the next successor in the Marcos dynasty.
Second is Facts First by Christian Esguerra. A veteran journalist turned independent political blogger, Esguerra is known for delivering in-your-face, hard-hitting views on the political landscape. He is never afraid to call a spade a spade. Recently, he has been doubling down on calling out disinformation, holding public officials accountable through sharp, deep-dive interviews, and giving viewers a non-nonsense perspective on critical national issues.
Lately, he has been targeted by pro-BBM bloggers for his critical comments toward the President. Instead of backing down, he doubled down with trademark sarcasm, casually dropping lines like, "Huy, wag n'yo namang sabihang masama ang Presidente!" to highlight the absurdity of their defense.
I really enjoy his dynamic with Ronald Llamas—their playful banter brings out a lighter side of Christian, showing his personal self in contrast to his usual serious demeanor.
If I want to catch up on the impeachment trial, I tune in to Chris Tan. His 1-hour vlog discussion of what happened in the impeachment trial, along with key snippets, is a must-watch. His ability to describe what happened while offering his commentary on legal and political implications makes complex courtroom developments easy to digest without having to sit through hours of continuous live coverage.
I also like his segment with Ronald Llamas on Heckle & Jive, with Llamas as the ultimate political heckler. If Chris is more pragmatic, Llamas is more funny, sharp, and brutally sarcastic—making their dynamic the perfect mix of high-level political strategy and pure entertainment.
Though Chris tends to be softer on the current administration—often commending their efforts and looking for the positive side—he still offers constructive criticism when policies fall short.
Lastly is "Deep Dive" by Richard Heydarian. I first watched him around the 2022 elections. His well-thought-out explanations and predictions are compelling; he is a political analyst, to be fair. His vlog is a mix of personal and serious content. I remember his live stream when Atty. Leila de Lima was about to be freed. He was teary-eyed and showed a lot of emotion on emotion on how the Duterte presidency destroyed the character and dignity of De Lima.
His style is more casual converation at times, but he uses highfalutin words that a normal person doesn't understand that much. He also references philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche and Antonio Gramsci, whom, to be honest, I didn't know about. But it will make you think and research into his references, and you'll end up agreeing with his narratives.
Sometimes his content is depressing since he lays out the possible outcomes in our politics, and they don't look pretty. I hope that the "adults" in our government, will listen to the insights of political analysts. From his "meta" style to now having a more polished studio and nice set-up, it is clear how much his channel has evolved.
In hindsight, they are all men talking about politics. I can also mention "The Lovely Show," which also features Ronald Llamas. I am just starting to watch this, and I think it is also a mix of fun and serious talk.
Realizing it now, this list has one thing in common, and it's Ronald Llamas, haha. The "Dalai Llamas" is in every "legit" political vlog/show. His way of explaining things resonates with the masses. But when things get serious, he can also go very deep, talking about philosophies and what not. It is that rare mix of street-smart political savvy and deep intellectual grounding that keeps me tuning in.
So, if you are a BBM supporter or a DDS, sorry, but your shows are not on the list. I don't listen to that kind of garbage.
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