by Edna R. Bautista, Ed.D.
The “bebots” are back!
Two decades after the global hip hop/dance-pop group Black Eyed Peas (BEP) released “Bebot,” a music clip from that song has become the soundtrack to viral videos on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, where fresh-faced Filipinas (as well as women and men of other ethnicities) are instantly transformed into glamorous girls.
Originating from the 1980s, “bebot” is Tagalog slang for “hot chick, “babe,” or “baddie,” according to UrbanDictionary.com. In general, “bebot” refers to an “attractive woman.”
However, “bebot” style makeup itself dates to the mid-2000s, coinciding with the release of BEP’s music video featuring plenty of pretty Pinays with thin and sculpted eyebrows, black eyeliner, frosted or metallic eyeshadow, shimmery lip gloss and bronze facial contours that proudly highlight brown skin. Sexy clothing and big hoop earrings reflect the decade’s fashion and Y2K aesthetic.
Now, a new generation around the world is rediscovering Filipino culture and celebrating the “Pinay Morena Glow” through the “#bebot” social media trend.
BEP’s “Bebot” on the Global Stage
Allan Pineda Lindo (a Filipino American known by his stage name apl.de.ap) co-wrote “Bebot” with his best friend and fellow BEP bandmate William Adams (will.i.am) and released the track 20 years ago on “Monkey Business,” the group’s fourth studio album.
Even though Pineda, who was born in Pampanga, Philippines, raps entirely in Tagalog, its catchy beat and rhythms have made the song a huge hit at weddings, birthdays, and dance parties all over the world, catapulting Filipino culture onto the global stage and transcending language barriers.
Adams once asked Pineda how to say “hot chick” in his language. When he replied “bebot,” Adams started rapping what would become the opening lines and title of the track.
“Filipino” is also proudly chanted throughout the song. Other lyrics give specific cultural examples, such as eating with hands (“kamayan”), chicken adobo, and balut, working hard and supporting the family, and praising the beauty of Filipinas.
On April 25 in Makati, Philippines, Pineda invited all to celebrate the official 20th anniversary of “Bebot” at a dance party and concert at Annex House. Attendees were encouraged to dress in iconic “bebot” style.
Music Videos with Generational Appeal
Two music videos were produced for “Bebot” and released online (watch them on YouTube). California-based Fil-Am filmmaker and director Patricio Ginelsa of Kid Heroes Productions had conceptualized one “historical” video to showcase Filipino life in America during the 1930s and in the mid-2000s. But a low budget and lack of support from the record label led to BEP independently financing two separate versions.
The first music video, “Bebot: Generation One,” was set in “Little Manila” (Stockton, California) in the 1930s and featured Filipino immigrants’ social life at dance halls and community clubs in the district. The video won the President’s Award from the California Preservation Foundation in 2007.
The second music video, “Bebot: Generation Two,” was approved for public release by the record label in 2006. It showed Filipino friends having fun in a contemporary setting and at a house party.
Jasmine Trias—The Original “Bebot”
Two American Idol runners-up from Season 3 (2004) appear in the videos. Camile Velasco from Haʻikū, Maui, whose stage name is Eli-Mac, the 9th runner-up, makes a cameo.
Jasmine Trias, 3rd runner up, had a more prominent role, playing Pineda’s baby sister in the second version.
Trias, who grew up in Mililani, O’ahu, and now resides and works in Las Vegas, is the original “bebot;” the pink t-shirt she wore in the video is imprinted with the word itself.
She said that “Bebot” has endured for 20 years because it was “more than a song—it was a cultural moment.”
“In 2006, when I was asked by the BEP and apl.de.ap to be in their music video, Filipino representation in mainstream media was still limited, so it really meant something and seemed significant, even back then,” Trias said.
“I felt that same Pinoy pride during my journey on American Idol in 2004, when Filipinos around the world showed me such incredible love and support.
“Looking back, I realize how important that was and the positive change it represented. Competing and becoming a Top 3 finalist on a global hit TV show was bigger than me—I was carrying the flag for Filipinos everywhere,” she continued.
“‘Bebot’ carried that same energy of celebrating who we are. Seeing it resurface now shows that message of representation is truly timeless.”
Like Pineda, who wanted the Filipino culture represented more in the mainstream, Trias said that “‘Bebot’…was important then because it gave Filipinos a chance to see themselves—confidently and unapologetically—on a global stage.”
“Growing up in Hawaii, during my experiences on American Idol, and later traveling to perform in the Philippines, I saw firsthand how much that visibility and representation meant to our Filipino community,” she said.
“Today, it still matters. Seeing a new generation embrace the viral ‘Bebot’ beauty trend on social media shows just how far we’ve come—from seeking representation to now influencing mainstream culture. At its heart, it’s about Pinoy pride.”
In today’s chaotic world, people are feeling nostalgic for simpler times. “Bebot” brings back fun memories as well as celebrates Filipino culture.
“Being part of ‘Bebot’ is something I’ll always be proud of. Getting tagged on social media and receiving so much love—with people calling me the original ‘Bebot’—always puts a big smile on my face,” Trias said.
“I’m grateful to the Black Eyed Peas, apl.de.ap, and director Patricio Ginelsa for asking me to be part of what has become a Filipino anthem. Seeing this recent wave of love has been so special—it’s amazing to watch a new generation connect with ‘Bebot’ in their own way. And yes, I still have the original ‘Bebot’ tee shirt from the music video! It’s a beautiful reminder of a moment in time that continues to inspire and celebrate Filipinos around the world.”
Trias, a Hawaii-born and raised Filipina American, is an American Idol star and international platinum-selling recording artist.
She is currently a headliner in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she regularly performs with her husband Ben Stone, a British singer and entertainer.
Follow Trias on Instagram @jasminetrias to stay updated.
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