Bebot videos: feminist critiques

by erin pangilinan and krystle ignacio
posted 11/30/06

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In July, Allan Pineda Lindo, a.k.a. Apl.de. Ap (Black Eyed Peas) or Apl, made a significant contribution to the Pilipino community. Funded independently from their record label, Interscope Records, Apl, together with his music group--The Black Eyed Peas, embarked on making not one, but two videos for the song “Bebot” from their 2005 album “Monkey Business.” The lyrics of “Bebot” are completely versed in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines. Bebot translates into “beautiful woman” or more loosely “hot chick.” The videos, directed by Pilipino American (PilAm) director, Patricio Ginelsa, (“the Apl song,” The Debut, Lumpia) are meant to introduce a positive representation of Pilipinos/PilAms into the mainstream media and instill PilAm pride. The videos aired on youtube and received comments that would indicate to Interscope Records that there is a present demand from an audience. MTV, VH1, and other music channels were willing to give the video airplay based on this similar need.

The first video, called “Generation One,” set in historical “Little Manila” located in Stockton, CA during the 1930s. The video intended to showcase Little Manila Foundation, which is in need of $2 million to build a museum and cultural center to restore the surviving buildings of this historic town. The second video, “Generation Two,” also attempts to celebrate Pilipino pride, but exists to appeal to the masses. In effect, it fits in with the majority of popular hip hop videos in the mainstream media today with sure hit selling points: glamour and sex. This is where the controversy begins and some people start getting upset.