‘Ano Ba Talaga?’ podcast marks 1st anniversary with second chances, full circle moment

May 26, 2026

Ano Ba Talaga? with Kuya Kim celebrated its first anniversary with a special two-part Live at the Pod recording at The Pod Network studios, bringing together authentic stories and moments with a live audience and community.

Hosted by Kuya Kim Atienza, the milestone event featured a deep, personal conversation with Gary Valenciano, followed by a crossover episode with The KoolPals, showcasing the range and evolution of podcasting in the Philippines today.

Gary shared candid reflections on his personal journey, including a near-death experience that left an impression on both the live audience and listeners.

“It’s the main left artery of the heart that was 95% blocked. And my doctor said, ‘Siguro, Gary, isa na lang na talon at maaaring pumutok ‘yon.’ If that happened, I would have been gone on national TV,” he said.

Gary V gets candid with Kuya Kim. | Photo: The Pod Network

The moment shaped the episode with lessons on resilience, perspective, and the urgency of living with intention. Gary also denied that he’s retiring, adding, “I’m transitioning into becoming a different kind of entertainer. Kung saan mas hinahanap ko ‘yung mga ganito, ‘yung mga mas intimate.”

The second part featured The KoolPals, marking a full-circle moment for Kuya Kim.

He first entered the podcast scene as a guest on The KoolPals and was inspired by the experience to start his own podcast. Now, Ano Ba Talaga? is celebrating its milestone alongside The Koolpals’ 7th anniversary.

With spontaneous banter, audience interaction, and signature no-filter humor, the episode highlighted the collaborative, community-driven nature of podcasting, where creators come together to engage audiences in new and unexpected ways.

Kuya Kim first got a taste of podcasting with The KoolPals. | Photo: The Pod Network

The anniversary event offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at how podcasts are created, while demonstrating how the format continues to evolve beyond audio into live, shared experiences.

From reflective storytelling to high-energy entertainment, the two-part recording captured the full spectrum of what makes podcasts resonate today.
As Ano Ba Talaga? enters its next chapter, the live anniversary recording stands as a strong example of how curiosity-led content can create not just listeners, but also a tight-knit community.