LA PLATICA – “Bretman Rock Takes Over La Plática”
Date: February 9, 2026
Hosts: Sebastián Robles (“Sebas”) and Josh Leyva
Special Guest: Bretman Rock
Episode Theme & Purpose
This lively episode features iconic internet personality Bretman Rock joining Sebas and Josh for a freewheeling, vulnerable, and hilarious “plática.” Bretman, celebrated for blending humor and authenticity, takes over the studio with stories from his Filipino upbringing, thoughts on fame and identity, cross-cultural connections, and trademark wit. The episode’s purpose: not just an interview, but a deep dive into what makes Bretman unique—touching on representation, masculinity, friendship, self-care, and gratitude, all filtered through the hosts’ authentic, emotionally mature lens.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Origin Story & Social Media Rise
- Bretman’s Viral Beginnings ([21:38], [23:38]):
- Bretman reminisces about blowing up during his senior/junior year in high school, not via Vine as popularly believed, but through Snapchat and eventually Instagram.
- Quote: “Basically, I was friends with my whole entire high school, and I would literally just spam everyone the whole day. … Over a span of like, eight days, I got 10k followers just, like, locally.” ([25:10])
- Contrary to influencer cliches, Bretman notes his schoolmates didn’t care about his newfound fame—grounding him in realness.
2. Filipino & Latino Cultural Overlaps
- Shared Colonial Histories & Language ([07:44], [29:00]):
- Both cultures bond over Spanish roots, colonization, and even kitchen vocabulary.
- Cross-linguistic quiz segment reveals dozens of near-identical words (e.g., “kamusta”—‘how are you’ in Tagalog, like “¿cómo estás?” in Spanish).
- Quote: “We have the same colonizer...We have the peso, everything.” ([07:44])
3. Hair, Looks & Online Persona
- Signature Hair Talk & Self-Expression ([08:40], [10:50], [12:11]):
- Hair is “on point”—a mark of the Bretman brand, but he’s unbothered by the pressure, more attached to “mid-length” than today’s long-haired look.
- “I feel like more people are attached to it than I am. … I look the most Bretman Rock when it was mid-length.” ([09:24])
4. Influence, Representation & Podcast Crossover
- Being a “Filip Primo” on a Latino Platform ([07:44], [14:24]):
- Bretman, rarely a guest on straight/Latino shows, discusses the viral demand for this appearance.
- “Usually…you guys have like Latinos in here, but like, I’m Filip Primo girl. … We have the same colonizer.” ([07:44])
- On podcast choices: “Most of the time… I’ve gotten offers to do podcasts with straight people, but I’m literally like, what the fuck are we going to talk about?” ([15:00])
- On Representation:
- Celebrates cross-cultural understanding and finding common ground.
- “I just love talking to people. This is my first straight podcast.” ([14:34])
5. Gender, Masculinity & “Man Baddies” Energy
- Debate over “man” labels in beauty/fashion ([15:39]):
- “Just because you put man in front of something, it doesn’t make it more straight or man. Man bun? Bitch, it’s a bun.”
- Discussing merging “man baddie” energy and breaking gender norms, flipping machismo on its head.
- Confidence & Emotional Maturity:
- The hosts model vulnerability and respect—dismissing old-school macho posturing.
6. Personal Growth, Wellness & Solitude
- Thriving Alone (Not Lonely) ([45:35], [47:54]):
- “I love my own company… I was always alone and playing with myself. Not in that way.” ([46:47])
- All discuss the difference between being alone vs. loneliness, embracing independence, and “thriving” solo, especially as public figures.
- Quote: “Just because I like being alone doesn't mean I’m lonely.” ([47:14])
7. Relationships, Love, and Boundaries
- Tales of Exes & “Brujería” ([41:02]):
- Bretman recounts relationship trauma, including exes and a wild story about his Mexican ex allegedly putting a brujería curse on him—causing a four-year celibacy and self-discovery phase.
- “I never found men attractive for two years after—you took that feeling away.” ([43:09])
- What He Wants in a Partner ([86:02]):
- Smart, simple, secure people—“I don’t want to date a famous person. … I love, like, regular, real people.”
- “A lot of the guys that I talk to, they let their insecurities get to them… that's one way to lose me.” ([87:03])
8. Life in Hawaii & the Philippines
- Home Pride, Food, Landscape ([53:52], [54:52]):
- Passionate about Hawaii and Filipino roots—sharing the “magical” feeling and grounded values of island life.
- “Doesn't Hawaii feel like not America? … It's its own culture.” ([54:23])
- Plans to one day “rest in peace” in the Philippines: “America is so… They do not deserve my dead body. I don't want to be buried here, I’m sorry.” ([87:57])
- Backyard (and Animal Sanctuary) Flex ([61:08]):
- Bretman owns an acre, a “hype dome,” 37 chickens, and six dogs—raising and hatching chickens himself and refusing to eat eggs from “his girls.”
- “I can't eat the eggs because I know who laid it. … It feels like my grandkids that I’m eating!” ([68:01])
9. Wellness & Fitness
- Training Regimen ([48:28]):
- Two trainers, 6 days a week: “bodybuilding style” and “HIIT.”
- Touches on supplements, energy levels, and his dad naming him after wrestlers (“The Rock” and Bret “Hitman” Hart).
10. Whiskey, Food & Random Delight
- Drinking Rituals & Food ([17:17], [75:06]):
- Prefers whiskey over tequila (“tequila makes me want to wrap it up, we gotta go”) and delights in Filipino, Mexican, and Hawaiian food.
- Mango Segment & Food Language ([103:04]):
- Live demonstration of the Egyptian-style mango cut.
- Delights in the crossover of food words (“manga”), and jokes about the best-tasting mangoes being “phallic.”
11. Language & Humor Games
- Tagalog-Spanish Crossover Challenge ([29:03], [114:04]):
- Word games—"Fake Primos” (same word, different meaning), e.g. “puto”: rice cake in Tagalog, slur in Spanish.
- “Bobo” = ‘dummy’ in both.
- Jokes about “Smeg” vs. “LG” Fridges ([70:24], [71:46]):
- Comparing personalities to fridge styles: “You give smeg energy … industrial LG."
- Farting with His Throat ([111:19]):
- Bretman’s “secret talent” revealed with live demo, to chaotic joy.
- “Throat farter. Okay. Kinda what that throat do? It farts.” ([112:16])
12. Final Words, Daps, and Authenticity
- Learning the Dap ([133:51]):
- Bretman seeks a “nasty” dap tutorial, seeking to master straight bro greetings (“Don’t dap me up. I would never dap you up, by the way, but can y’all teach me how to dap?”).
- Hilarity as the group fails and succeeds in synchronizing the perfect bro handshake.
- Expression of Mutual Respect and Connection ([143:02]):
- Josh: “I feel like I’ve known you for a long time, and I’m impressed by your authenticity. … You’re a beautiful soul.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Shared Cultural Roots:
“I’m Filip Primo, girl… We have the same colonizer, like, for real.” (Bretman, [07:44])
-
On Fame at School:
“I came home with a dress and the crown, and not a single bitch asked me how my trip to the Philippines was. Nobody cared. And I loved it.” (Bretman, [22:42])
-
On “Man” Baddie Labels:
“Just because you put man in front of something, it does not make it more straight or man… Like man bun? Bitch, it’s a bun.” (Bretman, [15:51])
-
On Relationship Self-Knowledge:
“I can’t help someone figure out who they are… I’ve always known who I was.” (Bretman, [45:12])
-
On Being Alone:
“Just because I like being alone but not lonely…” (Bretman, [47:14])
-
On Life in Hawaii:
“Doesn’t Hawaii feel like not America? … It’s its own culture.” (Bretman, [54:23])
-
On Chickens:
“I order the eggs on eBay…because I want chickens that are, you know, pretty like me.” (Bretman, [62:33])
-
On Secret Talents:
“I could fart with my throat. Would you guys like to hear?” (Bretman, [111:17])
-
On Crossover Appeal:
“I love, like, regular, real people…I don’t want to date a famous person.” (Bretman, [87:14])
-
On Legacy:
“America is so…They do not deserve my dead body. I don't want to be buried here. I'm sorry.” (Bretman, [87:57])
Timestamps – Key Segments
- Bretman’s viral origin story: [21:38]–[26:16]
- Language similarities game: [29:03]–[32:32], [114:04]+
- Signature hair & brand talk: [09:24], [12:11]
- Brujería story: [41:02]–[45:12]
- Self-care and thriving alone: [45:35]–[47:54]
- Island life & cultural pride: [53:52], [54:25], [61:08]
- Chickens & animal raising: [61:08]–[68:01]
- Fitness routines: [48:28], [98:24]
- Mango segment & fruit discussion: [103:04]–[108:33]
- Fart with throat secret talent: [111:17]–[112:34]
- Learning the perfect dap: [133:51]–[139:20]
- Heartfelt thank-yous & wrap-up: [140:53]–[143:38]
Overall Tone
Playful, candid, chaotic, and refreshingly honest. Bretman’s blend of self-assurance and self-deprecation finds perfect reflection in the hosts’ emotionally intelligent, affectionate style. The episode is a celebration of culture, self-acceptance, and chosen family.
Conclusion
“Bretman Rock Takes Over La Plática” is as nourishing as the shared mangoes: cross-cultural, generational, multifaceted, and full of joy. With laughter and deep moments in equal measure, this episode is essential listening—or reading—for anyone invested in new forms of community, hybrid identity, and the future of Latino/Filipino internet culture.