How Baus Rufo and Macoy Dubs turned 'Dogshow Divas' into a safe space
Four months in, yet this newly minted comedy podcast, Dogshow Divas, is already owning it in the charts.
Meet the content creators and comedians behind it: Baus Rufo and Mark "Macoy Dubs" Averilla. Though they began as strangers, Rufo and Averilla's paths were remarkably parallel: both spent years in advertising before finding their true voices on social media. Since 2017, Macoy has doing skits online; in 2021, Baus joined the fray. The two are bonded by an obsession with pop culture and a fearless ability to discuss absolutely everything—from nostalgic childhood memories to the latest showbiz tea.
And thus, Dogshow Divas was born.
For the most part, they have not shied away from any topic—from existential crises and workplace rants to jabs at politics, as well as Filipino casting on foreign series. Don't expect anything too serious, as at its core, it is purely mindless fun and entertainment. Everything falls under "dogshow" or playing around topics for humor and satire.
Its origin is something not really out of the ordinary. Rufo just guested Averilla in an anniversary episode (also dubbed as Dogshow Divas Episode 0) of his podcast Kaya Pa Ba? But as soon as clips of the episode went viral on TikTok, a new podcast was one that Filipino listeners now can't get enough of.
Both advertisers, it's easy to measure Dogshow Divas' success in the usual metrics: viral following, placing in the charts, number of listeners, and monetary gains. In November, they were able to put up a paid show with a live audience. And just this December, they guested Charo Santos.
This may be too much to wish for, but for Rufo, success is in the non-numerical.
"I think 'yun 'yung pinangahawakan kong success metric now is that meron kaming creative outlet, that we have a safe space to make a difference, discovery," Baus said. "It just so happens that the party for two that Macoy and I have is a party that people want to be a part of, and they're more than welcome to party with us. So I think that is a creative success that I feel is so, so very precious, especially at this time."
For Averilla, success is having an organic community outside small screens. "'Yung translation ng success it should be present on social media, but it should also be outside. What I mean to say is, when you go out—when you go to the mall, when you go to the public space—someone will recognize you," Macoy said. "For me, personally, we're happy that we achieved that... as long as we still have personal space."
Having a lived fantasy
What makes Dogshow Divas a standout among other podcasts is how spontaneous and unruly it can be. Essentially, it is free-flowing and doesn't follow a script or talking points. The conversation shifts as fast as dripping water changes its course on its way down a surface. They don't even have a strict publishing schedule.
Both creators view their podcast as a raw outlet for self-expression rather than an entertainment show.
This is especially true for Averilla; as an automotive enthusiast, the platform is not only a channel for his queer identity, but also a space to inhabit lived fantasies and a strategic springboard for his future ambitions.
It becomes an outlet for those parts of ourselves that we neglected. I think particularly in terms of expressing the different versions of our queerness throughout the years. — Baus Rufo
Averilla, who calls himself a frustrated actor, shares, "I guess 'yung outlet dito is the podcast is paving the way for us ni Baus to achieve what we want to be in the next 3 to 5 years."
Rufo confirms there is a strong catharsis or a healing to one's inner child in what they are doing, especially when they talk about experiences from childhood and as working professionals.
"It becomes an outlet for those parts of ourselves that we neglected. I think particularly in terms of expressing the different versions of our queerness throughout the years," he said. "And then somehow, our audience kind of finds the conversations entertaining enough."
Dogshow future: No topic is off the table
In a span of about 20 episodes, the duo has been fearless in tackling subject after subject, all in the name of "dogshow" humor. Admittedly, they find topics like religion and politics difficult, but will nevertheless take them head-on in a gracious manner.
"When we do it, it is because we want to exercise critical thinking and empathy and respect, and it is not out of shock value or just a very, very charged negative emotion," Rufo said. "So I guess in that sense, no topic is off the table."
With their audience rapidly expanding, the duo is staying true to their signature style while keeping a keen eye on the future.
"It's all about focusing on the moment and where the culture is, where the zeitgeist is," Rufo said. "We never come into a podcast saying, 'Okay, we're going to do this hot take, or we want this to be the funny bit.' A big part of what we do is we just focus on the process and the technique of listening."
"Improv, sketch, live shows, definitely that's something you can expect more from us. But I think at its core, what we really can only commit to is to be in the moment as much as possible," he added.
Averilla underscored the importance of having live performances offline with more of them in the future.
"The one we did last November, that won't be the last. Siyempre gusto rin namin yung nakikita kami sa labas, yung nagko-connect din kami sa audience in real life, not just on social media."
