Fast-rising YouTubers, HugKnuckles and HottSamn of HugKnuckles TV, got their wishes granted as the viral duo landed in the Philippines to sample cakes and pastry favorites at Red Ribbon Bakeshop.
More than a month after revealing their plans to visit the country, the YouTube content creators finally got their full slice of the Pinoy experience when they recently visited the Red Ribbon flagship store at SM Megamall in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.
Red Ribbon’s executives welcomed the two reaction stars with a hearty serving of hospitality and a delightful spread of Black Forest, Choco Mousse, Peach Mango Symphony, Cappuccino Creme, Ube Cake, Butter Mamon, Butter Puto and Ensaimada— some of the best-sellers and new offerings from the iconic Filipino bakeshop.
“We heard of HugKnuckles and HottSamn’s fascination with everything Pinoy, and we really wanted to make sure they don’t miss out on any of our cakes and pastries. The whole team was just excited to see their reactions when they finally took their first bite of Red Ribbon products,” said Kent Mariano, Red Ribbon marketing head.
The American vloggers were all smiles as they made their way to the bakeshop’s flagship store, greeted fans, met employees and customers, and sunk their teeth in Red Ribbon’s signature cakes and pastries.
HugKnuckles, with the real name Josh Brooks, enjoyed a slice of Black Forest Cake, with bits of cherries encased in moist chocolate chiffon and cream filling. His better half Sam, meanwhile, picked out Ube Cake as her favorite with its white cream and ube crumbs introducing an entirely new and delectable experience to the vlogger. She also raved about the beautiful stencil art and white flower topping on the newest coffee-flavored cake of Red Ribbon – the Cappuccino Crème.
Filipinos first took notice of the pair after they posted reaction videos to a series of online commercials from the country’s leading fast-food chain, Jollibee. Moved to tears, HugKnuckles and HottSamn became fans of Filipino culture, eventually making reaction videos for local television shows, music artists, and the Filipino food fare.
Jollibee flew in the HugKuncklesTV duo for a week-long engagement, which included visits to Google Philippines, tourist destinations around Manila, and the flagship store of sister company Red Ribbon.
The HugKnucklesTV channel has 71,421 active followers and a registered audience of 18,646,787 users in less than a year of going online.
Visit HugKnucklesTV YouTube channel to watch the duo’s reaction videos as they take soft and sweet bites at Red Ribbon pastries. You may also schedule your own sweet time by dropping by any of Red Ribbon’s nearly 400 stores nationwide, or by ordering online at www.redribbononlinestore.com.