Who are the ‘Pabebe Girls?’

MANILA, Philippines – A video of two sassy teenagers has gone viral, turning Janet and Michelle, better known as the “Pabebe Girls,” into stars practically overnight. 

The pair from Bulacan are “babaeng walang kilay” (girl with no eyebrows) and “babaeng utal,” (stuttering girl) as they’ve named themselves on the first “pabebe video,” posted on Facebook by user Senyora Santibañez. In the video, they told people to leave them alone for being “pabebe,” or cute, saying “walang makakapigil sa amin.” (No one can stop us).

In an interview with ABS-CBN, the girls said that they didn’t expect their video to become such a hit. “Hindi naman po namin aakalain na pagkakaguluhan ‘yung video namin,” said Michelle. 

(We didn’t expect there to be so much attention over our video.)

 

Senyora Santibañez’s video, titled “PABEBE GIRLS: Summa Cum Bebe,” was a response to another viral video of a girl social media users are calling the “Mamon Girl.” In her video, Mamon Girl acts cute while eating mamon, a popular sweet cake.

 

Here’s another: 

 

The Pabebe Girls turned into an online hit, with a number of people – including local celebs – embracing their “pabebe” attitude. Actresses Alex Gonzaga, Kim Chiu, and Maja Salvador, for example, dubbed themselves “the new pabebe girls” on ABS-CBN‘s show, “ASAP 20.”

 

Actresses Lovi Poe and Alessandra de Rossi also posted two videos on Instagram of her parodying the Pabebe Girls. 

First attempt!! #Patol #Pabebe @msderossi

A video posted by Lourdes Virginia M. Poe (@poevirginia) on Jul 17, 2015 at 7:30am PDT

 

Second attempt!! @msderossi

A video posted by Lourdes Virginia M. Poe (@poevirginia) on Jul 17, 2015 at 7:35am PDT

 

It wasn’t long before comedian and entertainer Vice Ganda decided to record a song under Star Records called “Huwag Kang Pabebe.” (“Don’t be Pabebe.”) He invited the original Pabebe Girls and the Mamon Girl to be in his music video. He has also invited them to be on an episode of his show, Gandang Gabi Vice. Watch him perform the song on ABS-CBN‘s “It’s Showtime” in the video below.

 

Vice and the Pabebe Girls have been teasing behind-the-scenes looks of the music video on social media. Aside from pictures from set, the Pabebe Girls also invited their fans to watch the video.   

 

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The PABEBE GIRLS invite you to watch the #WAGKANGPABEBE MUSIC VIDEO. Wala na talagang makakapigil sa kanila, kaya pabebe na rin tayo!

Posted by Star Records, Inc. (Official Fan Page) on Thursday, 16 July 2015

 

GANDAng umaga mga pabebe!!!

A photo posted by Jose Marie Viceral (@praybeytbenjamin) on Jul 15, 2015 at 9:04pm PDT

 

People have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the Pabebe Girls. 

“Wala kayong pake kung mga #PABEBE girls kame.”—Vice Ganda I agree!

— KAYLAGONZALEZ (@kgonzalez0804) July 7, 2015

 

I just love #Pabebe girls.

— Nil Mandia (@teenyweenynil) May 8, 2015

 

And while some are embracing the new term, not everyone is happy with the Pabebe Girls’ popularity or Vice Ganda’s song. 

Vice Ganda, just because a word or phrase is famous doesn’t mean you should write a song about it. #Pabebe

— Christian John (@TheHallucinator) July 17, 2015

 

Just watched pabebe girls videos…. ano na nangyayari sa kabataan ngayon? What did I miss? #pabebe

— Shiela Cruz (@shielageorge11) July 14, 2015

 

In the same interview with ABS-CBN, the pair said that they just smile when it comes to criticism they receive, especially when they are joked about in school. “Ngitian na lang daw po namin,” said Michelle. (“We were told to just smile at them.”)

What do you think of the Pabebe Girls? Tell us in the comments below. – Rappler.com