Kara David says no issue with Ivana Alawi on Famas, Boss Toyo over documentary

Kara David addressed the controversies surrounding her recent Famas award tie with Ivana Alawi and her documentary issue involving content creator Boss Toyo.

During her guest appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” on Wednesday, July 29, David was asked about tying with Alawi for the Best Host for Public Service award at the inaugural Famas Broadcast Arts Awards

The recognition came shortly after Alawi faced criticism over a smartphone raffle linked to an online gambling platform she endorses.

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Responding to the issue, David said she respects the different platforms people use to reach audiences, while stressing that public service should remain focused on helping others.

“Ako nire-respeto ko ‘yung iba’t ibang platforms, nire-respeto ko at natutuwa ako na maraming iba’t ibang tao na gumagamit ng kapangyarihan ng storytelling para makatulong sa iba. So I acknowledge na iba-iba tayo ng platform,” explained the broadcaster.

“So iba ‘yung platform ni Ivana, iba ‘yung platform ko, iba ‘yung platform ng iba’t ibang tao. Sana lang kapag nag-public service talaga tayo, it’s really for the public, not for ourselves,” she added.

David also clarified that there is no conflict between her and Boss Toyo following his comments questioning the findings of her “I-Witness” documentary on an illegal dumpsite in an Aeta ancestral domain in Subic, Zambales.

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“Wala kaming away ni Boss Toyo. Ang issue namin dito ay may basurang tinambak sa gubat, sa ancestral domain. At ang gusto lang namin noong ginawa namin yung dokyu na ‘yun, hindi siraan ng kung sino man o kalabanin ng kung sino man. Gusto namin matanggal ‘yung basura,” David said.

The award winning journalist added that she was pleased with the response after the documentary aired as she expressed hope that the local government actions should continue.

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“We’re very happy pagkatapos umire ng docu, nagkaroon siya ng suporta sa mga netizens. Nakakuha kami ng balita na naglinis daw yung local government. Tinanggal daw nila ‘yung basura doon. Pero seven years kasi nilang tinambak ‘yung basura doon so hindi mo naman matatanggal ‘yun in one week. So yung cleanup na ginawa nila doon sa gubat sana magtuloy-tuloy,” she said.

The issue stemmed from Boss Toyo’s social media posts questioning the documentary’s findings after he said he visited what he described as the “ground zero” of the Subic dumpsite with Aeta residents living near the area.

The content creator later apologized following the backlash. At the time, David said that her team spent more than a month investigating the issue before the documentary aired, interviewing Aeta residents and seeking the side of the local government. /ra