Storytelling belongs to anyone willing to use it for others — that was the throughline of Kara David’s remarks when the shared Famas honor she received with Ivana Alawi came up during a talk show sit-down this week.
The veteran Kapuso journalist appeared on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” where the host raised the online argument that had followed the awarding: that digital creators and career journalists shouldn’t be judged in the same bracket. “FAMAS. Nag-tie kayo ni Ivana [Alawi], maingay ito. May mga nagsasabi, halimbawa, na dapat hiwalay ang online content creators, at ang mainstream journalists, at marami pang iba,” Abunda put to her.
David did not treat the distinction as a slight against either side. “Ako nirerespeto ko ‘yung iba’t-ibang platforms. Nirerespeto ko at natutuwa ako na maraming iba’t-ibang tao na gumagamit ng kapangyarihan ng storytelling para makatulong sa iba,” she said.
She went on to draw the line she was comfortable drawing — not between who deserves recognition, but around what the work is ultimately for. “So, I acknowledge na iba-iba tayo ng platform. So, iba ‘yung platform ni Ivana, iba ‘yung platform ko, iba ‘yung platform ng iba’t-ibang tao. Sana lang, pag nag-public service talaga tayo, it’s really for the public, not for ourselves,” she added.
The two women were named Best Host for Public Service at the inaugural Famas Broadcast Arts Awards, staged at The Manila Hotel on July 20, 2026. The event marked the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences’ first expansion of its citations beyond film, extending recognition into television, radio, documentary, podcasting and digital content.
Alawi’s inclusion in the category drew scrutiny from parts of the online public, some of whom questioned whether a vlogger’s charitable output should sit alongside decades of investigative reporting. As the Manila Times reported, several commenters pointed specifically to David’s long record on “I-Witness” and her focus on marginalized communities as a different order of public service. Others countered that Alawi’s “Ivana For All” series has channeled her large following into direct aid for families in need.
David’s own haul at the ceremony extended well past the contested trophy. She was cited for Best Documentary for “Embalsamador de Motor,” an “I-Witness” episode, and took Best Public Affairs Talk Show for “I-Listen.” She is also a Peabody Award recipient and teaches journalism.
The timing sharpened the debate. According to the Inquirer, the recognition landed not long after Alawi came under fire for a giveaway of high-end smartphones tied to an online gambling platform she endorses — a promotion that had already put her credibility in question among some viewers before the awards were handed out.
