Roi Fabito, also known as ‘Guava Juice,’ has become a rising star of today’s digitally connected audiences. With over 16.8-million subscribers and 8.6-Billion views on his YouTube channel, Roi has mastered the art of creating captivating content. Born and raised in North Carolina, with roots in the Philippines, Roi has managed to build an ever-expanding, multi-million dollar business. Known for his insane challenges, silly DIYs, and random shenanigans – he has been able to capture the hearts of many and remind us that we should always embrace our inner child. Roi recently released “The Guava Juice Show”, a 26-episode animated series on Youtube, at the end of December 2021. The series airs new episodes weekly.
Roi’s impact has expanded over the years from his videos to a toy collection, an album of original songs, a gaming app, as well as hosting for Nickelodeon amongst others. He has collaborated with a number of notable brands such as MATTEL, Mastercard, and LEGO. Not surprisingly, he has also been the recipient of a number of awards, including the Teen Choice Awards, Kids Choice Awards, Streamy Awards, and Shorty Awards. Roi has also partnered with The Make-A-Wish Foundation to help those in need. With his lively spirit and entertaining productions, Roi is paving his way as a successful digital entrepreneur. The Untitled Magazine got a chance to catch up with Roi to talk about all his latest projects, how he got started, as well as future projects including an NFT art series in the works.
Tell us about your moniker GUAVA JUICE? What inspired that?
My grandparents had a guava tree in their front yard that my younger brother and I would climb and eat guavas from. When I was name-storming, I was trying to figure out a name that no one used yet. Back in 2015, no one knew about guavas as much as they know them now so I took the opportunity and used it. I slapped the word Juice at the end for a touch of flare because it rolls off the tongue smoothly.
Where are you from? Can you share a bit about your background and where you grew up?
I was born in the Philippines. I moved to Durham, North Carolina, USA when I was 2 but moved back to the Philippines when I was 8. I solely remember the guava tree that I would climb everyday to hang out in and how untouchable I felt being in a tree so high up, but then it was cut short because I moved back to Durham when I was 10. Durham was cool. Very slow and pleasant compared to Los Angeles, where I live right now. I was bored most of the time which allowed me to be creative and taught me how to improvise to find fun in any situation. That boredom eventually steered me create my YouTube videos which now last until today!
How did you get into creating your animated videos?
I wanted a way to express the core values of the channel: positivity, creativity, and fun. It’s very limiting what I can film in real life – so I thought having an animated show would fill the void and allows me to create an entire new universe.
How has your background from the Philippines influenced your productions?
Filipinos love to entertain people whether it’s through singing, dancing, or art. It’s in our culture to be extremely hospitable and make sure everyone is happy. This mindset was a great source that allowed me to entertain and make my audience laugh through whatever media I can tap into.
Where do you draw your creative influences from for your challenges and experiments? How do you come up with your concepts?
The audience is a huge part of where I get my ideas from. A lot of my audience range from 8-13. When I come up with ideas and concepts, I visualize myself as my 8-year-old self and what I would love in this modern-day world.
Looking back what do you think has been your most fun or challenging project so far?
YouTube. YouTube is still my biggest challenge. It is constantly a challenge year by year trying to adapt and understand what not only the audience wants, but understanding what the algorithm wants. It’s literally a 24/7 job trying to keep up with it!
Who or what have been your biggest influences as a game-changing digital influencer?
Believe it or not, my biggest influence has been my mistakes. I make a lot of them and I try to find the positives in them and allow myself to use it to make sure I can propel myself as a person and my career forward.
You are presenting a 26-episode animated series on Youtube called “The Guava Juice Show” – can you share details of the show, and what we can look forward to from the series?
The show is about a trio: Roi, who tries to see the positive within every situation and person, Guava, who is always cautious and finding the safest route in every situation, and Jenny, who is fearless and always tries to tackles things head first. They all work in a curio shop that has a magical bathtub, which can travel in multiverses, in the back of the shop. Whenever a customer needs an item we don’t have, we use the tub to obtain it. Or whenever the trio wants to go on a fun-filled adventure, they take the tub.
How do you create each episode of your shows?
We have an amazing team. A huge source of the episodes come from the talented writers Dan Williams, Lienne Sawatsky, and John Hazlett. We make each episode have a moral that the viewer can learn in the end. Like in Episode 1: Spicy Challenge – It’s all about doing challenges and how challenges can actually bring people together and elevate us all into a better place.
What resonated with you most about sharing and inspiring your audience with life lessons?
Growing up, I didn’t have mentors or anyone to look up to. I was the eldest sibling so I was constantly trying to figure myself out while trying to be a good role model for my siblings. I made a lot of mistakes along the way, but I always did my best to be the best brother and son. I want a way to be a big brother and mentor to my audience since I didn’t have one. I wanted those who didn’t have one to have a least someone who they can look up to.
You have worked with a lot of impressive brands from MATTEL, to NBC Kids, Mastercard, Nickelodeon, and LEGO – tell us about some of these inspiring collaborations?
They are all amazing brands to work with. The fact they can align with my vision and my internet persona meant a lot. I was able to use my platform to create videos that can not only help promote products for the brands, but allowed me to be creative to make this all happen. For Nickelodeon – they allowed me to be a game show host to their show Spongebob Smartpants, a game show about Spongebob Trivia.
You partnered with The Make-A-Wish Foundation – can you tell us about that project and what it meant to you to work with them?
I love Make-A-Wish. I remember when I got a request from them, I literally cried in my car. It was an enlightening affirmation that my work was powerful enough to bring smiles and laughter to a kid’s face. Make-A-Wish really do all they can to make a kid’s day the best it can be and I am honored to be a part of that.
If you could collaborate with anyone on the planet living today who would it be and why?
Justin Bieber. I love him.
Do you have any plans to get into the NFT market? I see you have been collecting?
Yup! I’ve been in the works of a collection. I have a solid team working with me on it, and I plan to release it sometime in the near future. A lot of people don’t know this, but I love art. It has always been my favorite subject in school. I have been drawing ever since I could pick up a pencil. I feel like this space is a great way for me to showcase my artistic skills in the digital space where I have lived for the past 16 years.
Do you have a personal motto or words of wisdom you live by?
Be mindful and be present. The world moves too fast; we often think about the future or linger in the past. It was a lesson I learned during the pandemic. Mental health is important. Make sure to live in the present and appreciate all the little things you have as much as you appreciate the big things.
What can we look forward to from you in 2022? Any other plans on the horizon you would like to share?
The rest of the 25 episodes of The Guava Juice Show, Guava Juice NFTs, and 21 videos a week on the YouTube channel starting March 1st!
Interview by Indira Cesarine for The Untitled Magazine
For more follow Guava Juice on Instagram, Twitter and Youtube
