Thoughts on Pinoy Vloggers - Go with Mel
As a Filipino living in the US, I’ve found myself gravitating toward Go with Mel lately. There’s something uniquely comforting about their content that keeps me hitting play every time they drop a new vlog. Here’s a bit of a breakdown of why I’m a fan, but also some constructive feedback I’ve been sitting on.
What I Love: The Authenticity & Jologs Charm
The biggest draw for me is their genuineness. In a world of over-produced, hyper-curated travel vlogs, Mel and Enzo bring a raw-ness that feels like you’re just tagging along with friends.
The Jologs Energy: Their approach is unpretentious and incredibly entertaining. It’s that "pasyal" vibe where it’s less about the aesthetic and more about the actual experience of being there, coupled with their extreme katipiran that makes it truly them.
The Lakwatsa Vibe: Watching them feels like a literal lakwatsa: spontaneous, messy, and fun.
Budget Perspective: I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a budget traveler, but I really appreciate their perspective on mindful spending. They share practical (or not?) info on how to manage expenses abroad without making it feel like you’re depriving yourself of the experience.
Areas for Improvement
As an avid viewer, I want to see them level up because I think they have so much potential.
Do the Homework: Sometimes the commentary feels a bit like they’re reading bedtime stories, just reciting basic facts straight out of a Google search. I’d love to see them come in with more well-researched insights that add depth to the places they visit, rather than just surface-level data.
Mindfulness on Record: There are moments where they need to be more careful with their phrasing to avoid coming across as politically incorrect or unintentionally offensive.
Fact-Checking "On the Fly": A recent example was the Mongolia vlog. They mentioned Ulaanbaatar being highly polluted because of the dust/visibility. However, a quick look into the geography suggests that the haze is often due to its proximity to the desert/arid environment rather than just "pollution" in the traditional sense. These kinds of generalizations can be a bit jarring for viewers who want a more accurate picture of the destination.
I also appreciate the positive change and growth Mel has been showcasing recently. He no longer “bullies” Enzo when the latter is in an uncomfortable spot.
Final Verdict
I truly enjoy the channel and will keep watching for that signature Filipino humor and authenticity. I just wish we could get a little more "substance" alongside the lakwatsa. I want to feel like I’m learning something unique about the world through their eyes, not just watching a highlights reel of a trip.
Anyone else following them? What are your thoughts on their recent series?