Timow's Turf

FOR DECADES , Philippine entertainment was controlled by gatekeeping, with success tied to playing by the "Press Clubs" or private organizations' rules for TV awards.  But last week, FAMAS—the country’s oldest and most prestigious award body—decided to stop watching from the sidelines. The inaugural FAMAS Broadcast Arts Awards , set for May 4 at Manila Hotel, is more than a new event date. It's a deliberate move to challenge the "antiquated mindset" that has caused Philippine TV awards to fall into favoritism, network bias, and irrelevance. The PMPC Problem: A Legacy of Favoritism To understand why the FAMAS expansion is crucial, we must confront the elephant in the room: the PMPC Star Awards for TV. Since 1987, the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) has held a near-monopoly on recognizing television excellence. However, longevity does not always equate to integrity. The Star Awards have long been marred by whispers—and often shouts—of network favoritism. T...