These content creators, comedians use humor to make people think about good governance

MANILA, Philippines – A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.

This was the analogy that content creator Raco Ruiz used to describe why comedy and humor can go a long way in taking the edge off heavier topics such as politics. He added how humor can help bring forward issues, start conversations, and open up discussions if one is purposeful about it.

In a panel discussion moderated by Rappler reporter Bea Cupin, comedians and content creators Ansis Sy, Raco Ruiz, and Monica Cruz of SPIT Manila shared how they use their platforms to talk about crucial issues in the country, and the role of comedy in conversations on corruption and good governance.

“Tatawa ka muna, and then magagalit ka…. Funny pero nakakagalit rin (You’ll laugh at first, then you’ll get mad later. It’s funny but also maddening),” said Sy, a content creator and comedian.

The discussion was the highlight of Rappler and Linya-Linya’s “Mabuti Pa: Pag-usapan Natin ang Good Governance” event on Saturday, January 24, at the Linya-Linya Headquarters in Libis, Quezon City.

The event served as the hard launch of the Mabuti Pa campaign, a joint campaign by Rappler and Linya-Linya to involve young Filipinos in a movement for good governance and political leadership.

Opening up the conversation

Sy shared that comedy is a good way to ease people into talking about critical and overlooked issues in the country, as most people don’t like the feeling of being scolded or told directly that they are wrong. Sy is more popularly known for his skits impersonating a duster-wearing Filipino-Chinese auntie. He’s also made short, viral videos and skits commenting on recent issues, such as the flood control corruption scandal in the Philippines.

POWER OF HUMOR. Content creator and comedian Ansis Sy shares how humor can help make discourse on current events less intimidating during Rappler and Linya-Linya’s event on January 24, 2026, at the Linya-Linya headquarters. Photo by Jay Ganzon/Rappler

“Because you’ve earned your audience’s trust, being their way to escape what’s happening right now, so, once in a while, when you bring up important topics, they listen to you more. I think it’s a good way to ease people in and to start talking about these issues without them feeling like they’re being scolded,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino, pointing out that his comedy skits have offered a safe space to open up conversations on issues such as politics.

Ruiz also expressed that audiences would be less resistant and more likely to change their minds if the content is easy to digest and understand, while coming from a funny place or coming across as a message from a friend. While known for his skits depicting different conyo personalities and mall impersonations, Ruiz has also made short skits tackling current events. Among his videos is a skit where he impersonates a privileged kid’s unrelatable struggles with flooding in the country.

As a content creator, he shared that even small steps, such as opening up conversations on issues, can still make ripples of change.

“If I am able to influence another person who might be able to influence more people, that’s already like a win for me, [because] I think it’s all about baby steps for us people who are not the government,” Ruiz said.

Sy and Ruiz both highlighted that while they understand why other content creators choose to remain silent about issues in the government, they hope that in speaking out using their respective platforms, they can encourage others to follow suit.

“Even as content creators, even as performers, we should do our part. If we can influence people to buy a chicken from a restaurant for our jobs, for a paid campaign, we can influence people to vote for the right people,” Ruiz said.

BEING VOCAL. Content creator Raco Ruiz points out the immense potential of content creators helping promote good governance during a panel discussion by Rappler and Linya-Linya on January 24, 2026, at the Linya-Linya headquarters. Photo by Jay Ganzon/Rappler

Meanwhile, Cruz, as a performer with SPIT Manila, shared that turning government issues into stories, songs, or jokes during their live shows doesn’t water down the weight of these issues but instead makes them more memorable, sparking a conversation that wouldn’t be talked about otherwise.

“We’re not actually trying to be funny, we’re trying to be truthful. Funny is a by-product of it,” Cruz said of SPIT Manila’s approach to their improv comedy during their live shows.

Power of youth

Ruiz highlighted that both the youth and the internet have the power, as the next generation of voters is active online.

“What I love about TikTok and Reels, there’s no more excuse to gatekeep knowledge and the ‘more high-value and correct’ opinions about the future of our country…. As long as we keep sharing these videos, the kids will see this…. The kids will be voting in 2028 and, [in] the years to come, will be learning from us now,” Ruiz said.

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP. Monica Cruz of SPIT Manila encourages people to take part in conversations on good governance in a panel discussion held by Rappler and Linya-Linya on January 24, 2026, at the Linya-Linya Headquarters. Photo by Jay Ganzon/Rappler

Cruz also urged the youth to care about politics. She pointed out that being part of conversations on good governance and the issues in our country would allow the youth to know how to support and safeguard their future and the future of those around them.

“There are some things, even if you do your best, hindi pa rin, because may system na nag-fail. So, if wala kang access to better education, to better care, to better anything, basically, kasalanan ‘yun ng sistema. And you should care because hindi kayo dapat fine-fail ng sistema na ito,” Cruz said. 

(There are some things, even if you do your best, that are still not enough, because there is a system that failed. So, if you don’t have access to better education, better care, better anything, basically, it is the system’s fault. And you should care because the system shouldn’t fail you.)

Rappler and Linya-Linya’s Mabuti Pa campaign, launched in the lead-up to the 2028 Philippine elections, urges Gen Z and millennial Filipinos to be more involved in calling for better governance, given that a majority of registered voters are aged 18 to 45 years old. The campaign comes with the limited-edition “Mabuting Pamamahala” T-shirt, available on Linya-Linya’s website. – Gabie Torre/Rappler.com

Gabie Torre is a Rappler volunteer from the University of the Philippines-Diliman. She is a junior taking up Bachelor of Science in Community Development.