Did we finally make the right person viral? 

Netizens agree that the good-natured Ian Mark Kamangkang is indeed the right one.

A viral moment can make anyone famous—but staying relevant for the right reasons is a different story. For many Filipinos online, Ian Mark Kamangkang is proving he might be one of the rare ones worth rooting for.

From viral beat to meaningful platform

In a recent post, Race Del Rosario urged followers to look beyond the viral persona of Kamangkang, popularly dubbed “Pitik Queen.”

“Kapag tinignan mo nang mas malalim, hindi doon nagtatapos ang kwento niya,” he wrote—pointing to a narrative far richer than internet fame.

Kamangkang first caught national attention through the viral track “Hawak Ko Ang Beat,” a catchy, high-energy sound that dominated TikTok feeds and dance challenges. The song’s infectious rhythm—and Kamangkang’s now-iconic “pitik” moves—quickly turned him into a household name, especially among younger audiences.

A story rooted in culture and purpose 

Kamangkang hails from Lake Sebu and belongs to the T’boli community. A teacher by profession, he represents a first-generation professional—his parents had no formal education, yet he managed not only to finish his studies but also help his siblings graduate.

Del Rosario highlighted how Kamangkang carries both personal ambition and cultural pride, using his platform to spotlight where he came from.

More striking, however, is how he used his first earnings from virality—not for luxury, but for service. According to the post, Kamangkang led efforts to deliver aid to a remote sitio in Lake Sebu, a journey that required 16 hours of walking across eight mountains and five rivers—a place rarely reached by government assistance.

“For once, we made the right person famous”  

That sentiment quickly echoed across X (formerly Twitter), where netizens expressed rare collective approval over a viral figure. Many pointed out that Kamangkang’s rise felt different—less about empty entertainment and more about substance. Some users wrote that, “for once, viral fame went to someone who actually deserves it,” noting that he is “hindi lang patawa—may puso.” Others highlighted how his story challenges the usual narrative of fleeting internet fame, saying Kamangkang proves “hindi lahat ng sumisikat, walang substance” and calling for more people like him to be amplified. Another sentiment that gained traction referenced his journey from dancing to “Hawak Ko Ang Beat” to helping remote communities, describing it as “the kind of influencer we need more of.”

The phrase from Del Rosario’s post—“For once, we made the right person famous”—became more than just a line. It turned into a shared realization.

Beyond the trend

As with many viral figures, the real test lies in longevity. Del Rosario himself expressed hope that Kamangkang’s platform goes beyond a passing trend—becoming a sustained channel for impact.

Because in a landscape crowded with noise, controversy, and quick fame, Kamangkang’s story offers something different: a reminder that sometimes, virality can still lead somewhere meaningful.

And maybe, just maybe, the algorithm got this one right.

 

 

Did the algorithm finally get it right? From ‘Pitik Queen’ to T’boli community hero, discover why the internet agrees that Ian Mark Kamangkang is the ‘right person’ to make famous.

 

 

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