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When James Caraan and Nonong Ballinan walked into the Lucky Me × Linya-Linya collaboration event, they weren't just comedians anymore -- they were entertainers representing The KoolPals, a podcast that began as a simple barkadahan but grew into something far bigger.

“Kami po ay kinuhang entertainer for the Lucky Me and Linya-Linya collaboration. Kami naman sa Linya-Linya, lagi kaming nagko-collab. Pero hindi namin in-expect na magkakaroon ng ganitong klaseng attention,” said James about getting corporate gigs because of their podcast show.

Nonong added, “Nakakatuwa rin na marami na ring nanonood at dumadami na rin ang mga comedian. Nakakatuwa rin kasi parang naging hanapbuhay na rin namin dahil nakasama kami rito. Nakakatuwa na nare-recognize din kami.”

James then said in jest, “At nabigyan din po kami rito ng 10 million pesos!”

On a serious note, the two members of The KoolPals were very grateful that their online program, which shows raw, real, and often ridiculous conversations among friends, struck a chord with listeners across the country.

James told GMANetwork.com, “Nakakatuwa po kasi hindi namin in-expect na magkakaroon ng ganitong klaseng attention. Kasi, ang gusto lang naman namin sa podcast ay kuwentuhang barkada lang, e. So, hindi namin inakala na nagre-resonate din siya sa iba't ibang barkada.

“Ang comment nila sa amin is parang, 'Nami-miss din namin ang tropa ko kasi parang ganyan din kaming magkuwentuhan, no holds barred.' Yun yung nagustuhan ng mga tao sa amin, na hindi kami nagpapanggap at kung anu yung gusto naming sabihin, sinasabi namin.”

The KoolPals members were the perfect fit for the event, which unveiled limited-edition merch-- two shirts and a tote bag--blending everyday sarap with pop culture flair.

“Lucky Me! has always been a part of Filipino lives, not just on the table but in every kuwento that brings comfort and joy. With Linya Linya, we're taking that comfort to a new space, making it wearable, shareable, and truly part of pop culture,” said Gen Dela Peña, Integrated Marketing Communications Head of Monde Nissin, in a statement.

Related gallery: Internet sensations who entered showbiz

Podcast Like a Reality Show

Meanwhile, James likened The KoolPals to a reality show because of their unfiltered and spontaneous conversations.

He explained, “Kung ano ang kinaiinisan namin nung time na yun o kung ano ang nabasa namin sa social media, kung gaano kami kabuwisit sa korupsyon dito sa Pilipinas, yun lang din ang ginagawa namin. Kasi, sa tropa hindi naman sinasabi na, 'O, ito ang pag-uusapan natin, ha.'

“Bigla na lang may mag-o-open up. Kasi, dahil sentimyento ko siya, sentimyento na rin siya ng ibang mga nakaka-relate sa akin. Kumbaga, kanya-kanya tayong opinyon and lahat yun lumalabas sa isang episode. Basta magbibigay lang kami ng topic, hind inga kami nag-uusap, e. Sasabihin lang namin kung ano ang pag-uusapan.”

Nonong further described KoolPals style of comedy, “Ang pinaka-model talaga namin ay yung long table inuman. So kahit ano talaga mapag-uusapan, no holds barred. So, ang maganda rin sa amin, parang nagiging kasama na rin namin ang audience, hindi kami naja-judge, lalo na minsan nabubuksan namin ang isip nila, nasasabi na rin nila sa amin na parang nagte-thank you sila, yung naiisip nila, minsan sila pa nag-uudyok sa amin kung ano yung pag-uusapan. Mas maganda at mas malaya rin kami.”

James Caraan at the Lucky Me × Linya-Linya collaboration event.

Despite their no-holds-barred reputation, James and Nonong admit they've learned to be careful-- not by censoring themselves completely, but by understanding context.

“Kaya hindi na kami nagpo-post ng material online,” James said. “Laging nami-misinterpret, out of context. Kaya binubuhos na lang namin sa live shows o sa podcast.”

For them, it's not about silencing their thoughts but protecting the intent behind the joke.

As a standup comedian, Nonong said, “Yung stage din kasi parang yun yung lugar para malaya kaming sabihin lahat. Yung audience, yung nakakaintindi sa amin mismo sa event, na itong mga sinasabi namin ay joke lang din lahat.

"Nagkakaroon lang ng misinterpretation kapag may nag-post ng joke namin, doon na kami maja-judge, doon na magkakaroon ng sari-saring comments sa joke namin.

"Pero kung nandun ka sa comedy event, maiintindihan mo yung comedian na lahat ng mga sinabi niya ay point of view lang niya at lahat ng mga sinasabi niya ay hindi intensiyong manakit kundi para mag-entertain doon sa mga tao.”

Nonong Ballinan at the Lucky Me × Linya-Linya collaboration event.

As the Koolpals grows, James and Nonong's hopes remain simple.

The former said, “Sa akin siguro, hindi naman kami titigil, e. Ang hope ko lang ay huwag kaming mag-away-away. Yun lang para masaya rin. Kasi, nagkaroon kami ng kasunduan ng mga 'to na tuluy-tuloy lang kahit anong mangyari.

The latter agreed, “Actually, hindi kami naghahabol ng titulo, hindi kami naghahabol kung saan kami mapunta. Ang gusto lang namin ay yung sama-sama kaming pagdaanan lahat ng tagumpay, lahat ng failure, at saka lahat pa ng maabot pa namin.”

Before they concluded, James smiled, half-joking, half-serious: “Sana sumikat na kami. Kapag may nag-a-approach sa amin, natutuwa ako kasi mararamdaman mo na lumalaki.

"Natutuwa lang kami na wala siyang pinipiling demographics. Doon lang namin ramdam na may naidudulot palang maganda at saka may saysay kahit gaguhan lang siya.”