Amid burnout from dating apps, IRL Manila's Pitch-A-Friend event revives face-to-face matchmaking by friends pitching their single pals. Held at a Quezon City restaurant, participants present their friends to potential partners. The goal is to foster genuine connections rather than online swiping.
For many Filipinos, modern dating has been dominated by apps like Tinder and Bumble, especially during COVID-19 lockdowns. However, fatigue from endless swiping and superficial interactions is driving a desire for more authentic encounters. This has led to the creation of Pitch-A-Friend, a regular event by IRL Manila inspired by New York City's Pitch and Pair.
Founder Mark Armas said, 'In my head, I was like, ‘Wow, this is such a fun-looking and unique kind of dating event.’ That time, I hadn’t seen anything done here in Manila so I wanted to bring this to the city.' The event targets adults, with editions for those 21 and up, and the latest for 30 and above. On a Friday night at a Quezon City restaurant, participants—mostly women—prepare three-to-five-minute presentations about their single friends, covering work, hobbies, and partner preferences.
This is followed by a five-minute Q&A where the audience anonymously asks questions, from natal charts to opinions on close friendships. The crowd rates the pitchers, leading to a Best Pitcher award. Co-founder Tatyana Gonzaga noted, 'We tried to invite more men. We really pushed it. But we realized it’s the women who are really out there. The guys need a bit more push.' While not everyone finds a romantic match, many attendees become friends.
Armas added, 'Even before starting Pitch-A-Friend here, I always had that feeling that meeting someone in person or organically is always better and feels more fun or more special.' The event promotes community and celebrates single friends, offering an alternative to dating app exhaustion.