Cong TV win over ‘Pepito Manaloto’ ignites FAMAS backlash anew

Critics slam upset victory, question category mixing TV giants with digital creators at inaugural Broadcast Arts Awards.

“Cong TV’s” FAMAS win sparks debate after beating “Pepito Manaloto,” with fans questioning fairness between digital creators and TV shows.

“Is this for real? Turns out there’s something even worse than Ivana tied with THE Kara David.”

The criticism surrounding the inaugural FAMAS Broadcast Arts Awards intensified after “Cong TV” took home Best Comedy Show (Long Form/Short Form), beating nominees “Pepito Manaloto,” fellow digital creator Davao Conyo, as well as “Bubble Gang,” “Benta Nights,” and “Malupiton Official.”

The result reignited debate over FAMAS’ decision to place mainstream television programs and online content creators in a single category, with many arguing that the two formats should not be judged against each other.

One viral post read, “Really, FAMAS? ‘Cong TV’ over ‘Pepito Manaloto?’ Online content should be in a separate category from mainstream TV. Ang lala niyo!”

Others questioned the outcome even among digital creators, writing, “And over ‘Davao Conyo?’ Like if we remove ‘Pepito Manaloto’ from the contenders, ‘Cong TV’ still lags behind.”

Several netizens also called for separate awards for online creators instead of having them directly compete with television productions. “Sana hiniwalay na lang nila mga vloggers, like may sarili silang set of nominees,” one commenter wrote.

The latest backlash comes days after FAMAS drew criticism over Ivana Alawi tying with veteran journalist Kara David for Best Host for Public Service, fueling broader discussions on the criteria used in the inaugural Broadcast Arts Awards.

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