In the age of social media virality and spliced content, it’s easy for young personalities to fall victim to public scrutiny.
One such case is that of ‘Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11’ winner Fyang Smith — a vibrant, free-spirited Gen Z actress whose every move, joke, and expression has become fodder for online judgment.
Recently, a resurfaced clip from the ‘PBB Gen 11’ concert held last April 5 at SM North Edsa Skydome sparked intense online debate. The video, which went viral in July, shows Fyang playfully teasing fellow housemate Dingdong Bahan on stage. In the clip, Fyang is seen laughing and making gestures, including a moment interpreted as wiping saliva on Dingdong’s face — a gesture that some netizens labeled “bastos,” “unprofessional,” and “attention-seeking.”
But what many fail to acknowledge is that the clip was heavily spliced and stripped of context — something fans and observers believe was a deliberate move to discredit the young actress. “Bakit ngayon lang kinalat ang lumang video? Dahil ba sikat na siya at maraming endorsement?” one fan commented. “Fyang is not perfect, but she’s real. And that’s what makes her special.”
Dingdong himself showed no visible reaction to Fyang’s antics during the event and continued speaking without pause — a sign, fans argue, that the interaction was far from offensive within their circle. The bigger question remains: why are we so quick to tear down young women who express themselves boldly?
For many Gen Z personalities like Fyang, authenticity is everything. She has always been candid about her journey, emotions, and even mistakes.
When asked about her generation’s record-breaking performance on PBB, Fyang said: “Walang makakatalo sa batch namin kasi lahat kami very genuine, very authentic. Akala nga namin walang nanonood kaya gano’n ‘yung mga ugali namin. Pagpasensiyahan n’yo na.”
While she made this comment with self-aware humor — even saying “joke lang” — some critics still chose to twist her words. Comedienne Pokwang later advised Fyang on X (formerly Twitter) to “be humble,” sparking another wave of backlash, especially after netizens realized the video Pokwang reacted to was incomplete.
Fyang’s fans were quick to rally behind her, pointing out the generational gap in understanding Gen Z behavior. “She’s being punished for simply being young and unapologetically herself,” said one supporter. “Not everything needs to be interpreted with malice. Kulit doesn’t always mean disrespect.”
Fyang’s track record also speaks for itself. As ‘PBB Gen 11’s’ Big Winner, she helped set an unprecedented milestone in Philippine digital entertainment, with the season’s finale raking in 2.26 million concurrent views — the highest in Kapamilya Online Live history. This feat outpaced even the more recent ‘PBB Collab’ edition, which logged 1.05 million views (or 1.55 million including Kapuso Stream).
The continued attacks on Fyang highlight the harsh reality that many young stars face in today’s media landscape: where every joke can be twisted, and every smile scrutinized.
Rather than tear her down, maybe it’s time to listen more and judge less. Fyang Smith, with all her youthful candor and quirks, is navigating a high-pressure industry with resilience. And in a world where so many hide behind curated personas, her rawness is a refreshing — if misunderstood — reminder that it’s okay to be real.
