Meet Raffy Tulfo: The YouTube star Filipinos want as their next president?

Millions of people have been enthralled by Raffy Tulfo, a well-known media personality and YouTube star in the Philippines, thanks to his social media presence and public affairs program.

After almost two decades in the TV industry, his influence has skyrocketed, propelling him into a lucrative political career. Tulfo now stands at the intersection of media and politics, representing the aspirations of many Filipinos for justice and efficient governance as calls for him to compete for the nation’s highest office intensify.

From Radio to YouTube Sensation

In addition to being the host of the highly regarded current affairs program ‘Wanted sa Radyo’  which translates to Wanted on Radio in English, 64-year-old Raffy Tulfo founded the wildly successful YouTube channel Raffy Tulfo in Action.

In the Philippines, it is the biggest fan base for a person with over 28 million users. His nearly two-decade career in radio and television has been boosted by his YouTube presence, which has helped him enter politics by securing a Senate seat and topping surveys for prospective presidential contenders.

The Rise of ‘Idol’ Tulfo

Tulfo’s influence extends beyond traditional media. Lawyer Ranny Randolf Libayan told Rest of World that, “Aside from being part of the media for so long, — which already makes him an influential person — his YouTube following definitely played a part in advancing his political career.”

Despite Tulfo’s repeated statements that he is not interested in running for President in 2028, his fans remain hopeful he will change his mind.

A Career Built on Public Service

Before taking a job as an anchor on Philippines’ Most Wanted, Tulfo worked as a disc jockey and news reporter. He left college early. When he started Wanted sa Radyo in 2011, his aggressive approach immediately became well-liked. “Take him to Tulfo” or “Ipa-Tulfo mo yan” became a slogan for pursuing justice.

Raffy Tulfo in Action was introduced in 2016, and the epidemic caused a spike in his subscription base. 16.5 million Filipinos have viewed the 11,000 vlogs on his channel, which has 58 million subscribers on YouTube. Tulfo’s successful 2022 independent Senate campaign was a result of his faith in his online following.

Celebrity Politicians in the Philippines

Celebrities have a history of entering politics in the Philippines. Actor Joseph Estrada was elected president, and boxer Manny Pacquiao also made the switch to politics. Many analysts say that Tulfo stands out due to his use of strongman rhetoric and celebrity status to appeal to a people disenchanted with weak governance.

Addressing the Public’s Needs

Tulfo’s intervention is highly demanded. Every day, hundreds of appeals are received by his office, and his staff makes sure each one is legitimate. Even though the show frequently features contentious interactions, participants can get legal and mental health support from the professionals.

Controversies and Criticisms

Tulfo’s practice of making private disagreements public has drawn criticism for perhaps undermining social ideals. Critics contend that the program has the power to trivialise important subjects. But Tulfo doesn’t let it stop him from carrying out his program.

The Future: Presidential Hopes?

Tulfo would probably stop doing his show and dedicate all of his attention to the problems facing the country if he decided to run for president. Although there are no legal restrictions on Tulfo’s ability to host the show while serving as president, his chief of staff, Garreth Tungol, emphasises that solving more important national concerns will come first.

Driven by a combination of public service and internet influence, Tulfo’s rise from media sensation to political figure illustrates his enormous impact on Filipino society. His reputation as an advocate for the common man endures, regardless of whether he chooses to run for president.