Podcast Summary: Chente Ydrach - "RECAUDAMOS $50K EN HONOR A IDEL - TUHUMORFEST"

Episode Date: November 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special episode, host Chente Ydrach and his close collaborators recount the conception, execution, and emotional impact of the inaugural Tumor Fest (TuHumorFest)—a three-night comedy festival honoring the late Idel “Idelectrox”, with the goal of raising funds for patients with brain cancer. The episode delivers a behind-the-scenes look at how they raised $50,000, the creative and emotional decisions made along the way, and the personal meanings embedded throughout the tribute.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins of Tumor Fest: From Sombrero to Festival

• Initial Idea: The event started as a much smaller concept—passing a hat around at a get-together to collect donations for someone in need.

• Naming the Festival: The team wrestled with finding a name that struck a balance between lightheartedness and respect. Victor Villamil’s suggestion, “TuHumorFest,” was initially controversial but eventually embraced as something Idel would have loved.

  “Aider le hubiese encantado. Obviamente este debate está sucediendo porque estamos considerando como que una falta de respeto. ¿Es muy fuerte, no?” – Chente (02:21)

• Location & Scale Change: Originally meant for “el tótem”, the festival shifted to the historic Teatro Tapia, thanks to available dates and growing ambition.

2. Branding & Emotional Toll

• Art Direction: Early artwork featuring an MRI image of a brain was emotionally overwhelming, especially for those personally affected by the disease.

  “Cuando él me envía ese arte, yo dije, fuck, o sea, esto está ya muy fuerte.” — Maru (05:33)

• Iconography: The final logo cleverly incorporated a brain, a flower, and a negative-space 'T', drawing on personal symbolism. The color palette moved away from the traditional grey (for brain cancer) to something more uplifting.
• Tattoo Motif: Many members carry a tattoo drawn by Maru during Idel’s life, symbolizing hope and resilience. (07:52)

3. Production Challenges & Team Effort

• Festival Logistics: Bringing together local and international comedians for three themed nights was a huge undertaking, from housing and transporting artists to managing busy professional schedules.

  “Producir un festival de un fin de semana entre seis y ocho comedia entre seis y ocho actos, todas las noches, actos internacionales... Fue una labor titánica.” — Chente (11:22)

• Community Support: Nearly everyone involved donated time, skills, or services, notably the team from Tricat, who managed the livestream production pro bono after cancer impacted their own family (29:48).

4. The Emotional Backbone: Selecting Recipients

• Direct-to-Patient Donations: The funds went straight to three individual brain cancer patients, a decision made early in the process to avoid bureaucratic intermediaries.

  “Queríamos que el dinero terminara en los bolsillos de alguien. No solamente terminaron los bolsillos de alguien, terminaron en los bolsillos de tres personas el mismo domingo del cierre del festival.” — Chente (16:24)

• The Power of Numerology: The number 16 is repeatedly referenced as a personal and spiritual symbol for Idel and Maru. Remarkably, the individual donation amount wound up as $16,400 per recipient—a coincidence perceived as a sign.

  “El número 16, o sea, lo hemos visto en cheque, lo hemos visto, tú lo has visto en tablilla, lo hemos visto en un boleto, mira la silla que me tocó. 16, o sea, ha sido una cosa... de múltiples señales semanales.” — Chente (18:32)

• Recipient Stories: Each recipient's story brought unique challenges and emotional resonance, chosen via network referrals and call-outs on TikTok. The impact was immediate and moving; one recipient’s father cried on receiving the check, saying they could now pay for his daughter’s treatment (23:01).

5. The Festival Experience: Onstage and Backstage

• Multi-Stage Experience: While comedians performed on the Tapia stage, a simultaneous backstage podcast/livestream captured candid interviews and reactions, broadening the reach and engagement of the event.

  “Pudimos hablar con todos y siempre nos daba tiempo de poder hacerle preguntas goofias... tenían un tipo de historia de Venezuela, me tuve que ir de Venezuela, la cuestión política, la cuestión cubano, o sea, fue bien gufiao.” — Panel (32:36)

• Comedy Diversity: The festival featured top talent from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. All styles were welcome—family-friendly to “subido de tono”—reflecting the unifying power of comedy in service of a cause.

• Unique Moments: Many comedians—typically uncomfortable working with strict set times—adapted to the challenge for this festival. The audience’s energy was consistently high across all sets.

6. Family, Legacy, and Healing

• A Family Affair: Personal stories abounded, notably Maru’s children (Máximos and Loreta) attending, with Máximos even appearing on stage and soaking in the atmosphere.

  “Después de que él se baja de escenario él me decía mamá, yo voy a entrar de nuevo... cuando me pregunten, el movimiento que le decía, el movimiento no puede parar nunca, Te amo papá...” – Maru (48:39)

• The Tribute Video: A carefully crafted intro video with Idel’s motivational words played each night. Creating and experiencing this video was deeply impactful for all involved.

  “Ese vídeo yo lo tengo... es súper motivacional el vídeo, las fotos, todo. De verdad, Comba hicieron arte.” – Maru (55:28)

7. Reflections & Looking Ahead

• First-Year Success: Raising $50,000 was seen as a major achievement for a first-time event, but the panel dreams of someday raising $1M.

  “Difícil recaudar dinero es difícil recaudar dinero es difícil. País pobre...” — Chente (25:12)

• No Strings Attached: Emphasized, recipients are not obligated to use the funds solely for treatment—whether it's rent, experiences, or comfort, quality of life is key.

  “Haz lo que te salga los cojones, paga renta... no, no, vete para Disney si tú quieres.” — Chente (26:19)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|---------|------------------------------------------------------| | 04:38 | Maru | “[El arte con el MRI] me dio como un PTSD bien fuerte... sentí que las familias que estén pasando por eso también iban a sentir lo mismo.” | | 09:04 | Chente | “Miren lo bien pensado que está un logo Tu humor, la T está en el espacio negativo de la H...” | | 17:14 | Chente | “Queríamos que el dinero terminara en los bolsillos de alguien... terminaron en los bolsillos de tres personas el mismo domingo del cierre del festival.” | | 23:01 | Maru | “Su papá se arrodilló y estaba llorando y le decía ya te podemos pagar tu tratamiento, ya te lo podemos pagar...” | | 24:21 | Chente | “Un fin de semana de risa... generó 50 mil dólares, o sea, eso es bichote.” | | 32:36 | Panel | “Todos tienen una historia y eso era lo que yo quería como que transmitir también con la historia de cada comediante...” | | 41:20 | Chente | “Carlos Sánchez... para mí que él fue lo mejor de todo el festival, de verdad rompió.” | | 48:39 | Maru | “...mamá, por favor, dame ese micrófono, por favor, ya yo sé todo lo que yo voy a decir...” | | 55:28 | Maru | “...el vídeo, las fotos, todo. De verdad, Comba hicieron arte.” |

Important Timestamps

• 01:00 - Opening gratitude, explaining Tumor Fest’s origin.
• 04:38 - Emotional impact of initial art concepts.
• 09:04 - Breakdown of final logo and symbolism.
• 16:24 - Philosophical choice to give directly to patients.
• 18:32 - Significance of Number 16 and anecdotes around it.
• 23:01 - Emotional donation handoff; stories of recipients.
• 29:48 - Live production/Livestream donations and support teams.
• 32:36 - Livestream podcast dynamics and comedian diversity.
• 41:20 - Highlights of best performances from the festival.
• 48:39 - Máximos’ memorable stage moment with Maru’s family.
• 55:28 - Impact and meaning of the tribute video for Idel.

Tone & Style

The conversation is honest, vulnerable, and conversational, peppered with humor, spontaneous story-telling, and inside jokes. Chente keeps the tone light, while panelists like Maru openly reflect on the emotional challenges behind planning such a meaningful event.

Conclusion & Call to Action

The Tumor Fest was more than just a fundraiser—it was a collective act of love, healing, and community, both celebrating Idel’s memory and directly impacting lives. The team hints at plans for growth and even bigger ambitions for the future, steeped in the spirit of resilience and creative joy.

This podcast episode stands as a testament to how comedy and solidarity can drive tangible change, turn personal grief into collective action, and remind communities of the power of laughter in the face of adversity.