Filipino filipino bebot bebot
In general, we value Apl.de.Ap’s willingness to be so openly and richly Filipino, especially when there are other Filipina/o Americans in positions of visibility who do not do the same, and we appreciate the work that he has done with the folks at Xylophone Films we like their previous video for “The Apl Song,” and we even like the fact that the Generation 1 version of “Bebot” attempts to provide a “history lesson” about some Filipino men in the 1930s. The depiction of the 1930s “dime dancers” was also cast in an unproblematized light, as these women seem to exist solely for the sexual pleasure of the manongs. However, as Filipina/o and Filipina/o American artists, academics, and community activists, we are utterly dismayed by the portrayal of hypersexualized Filipina “hoochie-mama” dancers, specifically in the Generation 2 version, the type of representation of women so unfortunately prevalent in today’s hip-hop and rap music videos. We, the undersigned, would like to register our deep disappointment at the portrayal of Filipinas and other women in the new music videos for the Black Eyed Peas’ song, “Bebot.” We want to make it clear that we appreciate your efforts to bring Filipina/o Americans into the mainstream and applaud your support of the Little Manila of Stockton. To Apl.de.Ap, Patricio Ginelsa/KidHeroes, and Xylophone Films: No cheeky post today! This open letter from some folks (I got it from another Filipino blogger) is representative of my sentiments. But if you do get bored, I advise you to go to another blog. I am posting this in the hope that the blogger who asked me about "Bebot" will read this and understand. Since I was caught unprepared (and as usual, I did not want to start a conversation which interests only me), I did translate the word but I did not go into what I as a Woman, Filipino, Asian thought of the video (read this as the Generation 2 since it's the one I saw) per se. Recently, I met up with 2 bloggers and I was asked about "Bebot." The only thing I can remember from that conversation was being asked what the word "bebot" means.