New 'TypeKita' app provides chat-style novel platform for Pinoy writers

CAINTA, Philippines — Good news for purveyors of the written word: These days, novels and other stories are not only published in print—as in pocketbooks, magazines, and special sections in the lifestyle pages of daily newspapers. They can now also be read online in blogs, social media posts, and other creative platforms.

Just recently, another platform has opened its doors to good stories — funny, dramatic, romantic, mysterious, whether fact or fiction. It is called TypeKita, and it’s a newbie-friendly, chat-style novel platform for Pinoy writers. The newly launched app aims to empower young Filipino story-tellers by rewarding their creativity with accessible and self-determined monetization while gifting readers with an interactive and visually stimulating reading experience. While Millennials and Gen Z readers are being criticized for choosing shorter, digital formats, TypeKita promises to inspire and encourage the diversity already present in reading materials available today.

At TypeKita’s official launch, which took place last August 16, Head of Growth Ysabel Yuzon, Vice President of Strategic Management Dana de la Vega, and Creator Manager Erich Valdevioso took questions from attending members of the press and detailed the ins and outs of the app, as well as presenting its growing potential to, as Yuzon puts it, “open doors even for those who may not have considered writing before.”

Live readings of current TypeKita favorites "Babalik Sa’yo" (Rej Martinez), "The Day I Said Goodbye" (Miyuki Jeishi), and "Hush Lucas" (Arki Aaron) were performed by rising stars Nour Hooshmand, Ian Pangilinan, and Benedix Ramos, thus bringing to life all the ups and downs of romance in fiction. Finally, singing champion and Silver Badger Featured Live Kumu Streamer Kathleen Anne wrapped up the program with some contemporary classic love songs, as well as her own single, "Nagkulang."

The app is a localized version of the Thailland’s Joylada and is further powered by homegrown social entertainment platform Kumu It is a partnership that speaks to the growing online fiction community.

“We have always been on the lookout for talent of all kinds, and TypeKita is the space we’re