Bebot

Bebot, by the Black Eyed Peas, could not have come out at a more opportune time. When it debuted in Monkey Business, 2005, we were living in Japan. My kids, who are of Chinese, Filipino and Japanese descent, were going through an identity crisis of sorts. Their classmates accepted them as Japanese. Through the diligent efforts of my wife, the kids spoke fluent Japanese though they were born in the USA. They also looked native, or nearly so. The fact that my kids spoke English so well caused their friends to question just what kind of Japanese they were, which in turn sparked some introspection in my girls.

"Bebot" is a diminutive term of admiration applied to women and children, in the song it refers to beautiful girls. As an anthem for Filipinos in America (or in our case, Japan), the immigrant experience, Bebot struck a chord in me. The catchy refrain attracted my kids even though they didn't understand the lyrics. Soon enough, they were shouting out "sige" with gusto.

bebot bebot bebot be (3x) you are my
bebot bebot bebot be (3x) you are my
bebot bebot bebot be (3x) you are... Filipino (4x)

Verse 1:

Hey man, you've got to hear what I/we have to say
I/We am/are a/the true Filipino/s
Straight from the humble small-town of *"Sapang Bato"
Went to abroad/L.A. to try and make a living
I/We did it to help out my/our mom/family
I/We had to do it in order to survive a difficult life
Despite of how hard it was, my/our colorful life was still blessed
When I/we eat **rice and *** "chicken adobo," we still use our **** hands
With ^^"balut", let's buy it from the street corner,
Fill up the glasses, man
Let's drink up to this song!

[Will]

Filipino (4x)

bebot bebot bebot be (3x) you are my
bebot bebot bebot be (3x) you are my
bebot bebot bebot be (3x) you are... Filipino (4x)

Verse 2:

Take a closer at the beautiful Filipina/Filipino people
I can never get enough of your grace
I can never get enough of your gentle-nature
I would really like to be with you
Like a house or the ^ "kubo"
Your passion is really true [Will: Ha!]
My/Our heart/s is/are always beating because of you. [Will: Ho!]

Filipino (8x)
bebot bebot bebot be (3x) You are my
bebot bebot bebot be (3x) You are my
bebot bebot bebot be (3x) You are my
bebot bebot bebot be (3x) You are my
bebot bebot bebot be (3x) You are my
bebot bebot bebot be (3x) You are... Filipino (4x)

Come on, if you're Filipino, shout for me! [Will: Ha!]
If you possess the Filipino's beauty, shout for me! [Will: Ho!]
If your life matters to you, shout for me! [Will: Ha!]
Thank you for all you've done for me! [Will: Ho!]


Filipino (repeated several times...until fade)

[Fergie]

lalala-lalala-lalala-lalala-loooh-wooh
lalala-lalala-lalala-lalala-lalala-loooh
(transcribed and translated by: Bizmarckie; Winnipeg, Canada; June 7, 2005; Revised June 19, 2005)