Philip Hernandez, the Filipino comedian better known online as "Davao Conyo," was named Content Creator of the Year at the TikTok Awards 2026 in the Philippines, and used the moment to offer direct advice to aspiring online creators: build content around what you are good at.

"My advice is find your niche," Mr. Hernandez said when asked what guidance he would offer people hoping to succeed in content creation. "There are a lot of ways to make people happy and inspire other people. Don't go the route of rage-baiting or doing something negative," he added.

Known for his comedic skits, Mr. Hernandez took home the night's most anticipated award, Creator of the Year, besting fellow nominees Ayn Bernos and Fujicko, both of whom have amassed millions of views on TikTok.

His acceptance speech blended humor with heartfelt acknowledgments, as he thanked God, his family, his manager, the brands he works with, and his supporters for helping him earn the recognition.

"I would like to thank God, the original creator," he said, drawing cheers from the crowd. "I would also like to thank my mom, the only person who made me feel unconditional love. I would also like to thank my family, boyfriend, manager, and fans who have supported me," he added.

His award anchored a night that recognized ten creators in total. Beyond the top prize, TikTok Philippines also honored nine other content creators across a range of categories, including Sports Creator of the Year, Entertainment Creator of the Year, Beauty and Fashion Creator of the Year, and Food Creator of the Year, among others.

Mr. Hernandez will go on to serve as one of the Philippines' representatives at the first-ever TikTok Awards Southeast Asia, which will be held in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 27. The Bali ceremony marks the first regional edition of the awards program, giving the country's honorees a Southeast Asia-wide stage following the national recognition.

— Edg Adrian A. Eva, BusinessWorld