Bugbog o Dignidad Student Joaquin Montes Faces Backlash After His Resurgence Online

October 19, 2025 Off By GamePOW

Joaquin Montes recently appeared on the show Pinoy Pawnstars where he told host Boss Toyo that he plans to start making content online. Shortly after, he launched a TikTok account (@therealmontes) to begin his content-creator journey.

However, his online re-entry has triggered notable backlash. Many users on Reddit and other social platforms are actively calling for his TikTok account to be reported and de-platformed. One Reddit thread stated:

“So Joaquin Montes has a TikTok account, huh?” — Reddit user on r/Philippines
In a news article summarizing the situation it was reported:
“Reddit users are allegedly reporting the TikTok account of former viral bully Joaquin Montes, just weeks after he was featured on Pinoy Pawnstars.”

Why the push-back?

The backlash centres on past behaviour attributed to Montes, notably his earlier viral “bugbog o dignidad” (“beat‐up or dignity”) incident as a youth, which many online recall when seeing his resurgence. Critics say that his attempt to build a public platform ignores the harm associated with his past actions, and that he has not sufficiently addressed or demonstrated accountability for his prior behaviour.

What’s next

Montes’ social-media move raises several questions about accountability, redemption, and whether individuals with controversial pasts should be given new platforms without public reckoning. At the same time, the volume of reports against his TikTok suggests that the community is actively exercising its power to influence what creators are allowed on major platforms.