Parents of ‘Pabebe Girls’ share thoughts on viral video

MANILA, Philippines – Their children may have become famous because of the video, but the parents of the ‘Pabebe Girls” (or Michelle Alfonso, 11, and Janet Ricabo, 12) admitted they were concerned about the feedback from social media users about their daughters’ video.

In an interview on Gandang Gabi Vice, Sunday, July 19, Ojhe Tomiyama and his wife Glynis said that they have mixed feelings about their daughter Michelle’s fame. (READ: Who are the ‘Pabebe Girls?’)

“Parang kasi na-bubully yung anak ko ngayon e. May mga pumupuna, may mga nababasa din akong comment na hindi maganda..hindi lang sanay,” Ojhe Tomiyama said.

(It’s like my daughter is being bullied now. Some criticize her and I read some very mean comments…I’m just not used to it.)

Michelle’s mom Glynis said: “Meron nga kumakalat na video. Ayun hanggang sa nabasa ko yung mga comments. Pinagsabihan ko na huwag na niya uulitin. Kasi ang daming mga masasakit na salita,” she shared.

 (There is this video that’s spreading, then I read the comments and I talked to her about it, not to do it again, because many are saying mean things online.)

Rosalie Ricabo, Janet’s mom, talked more about her daughter, describing her as a studious and serious student, who is also a member of the track and field team at school. 

Michelle talked about how the video came to be.

“Wala lang po kami magawa, kaya naisipan po ni Ate Vhelpoe na gumawa ng video,” she said.

(We had nothing to do so Ate Vhelpoe thought of making a video.)

Both Janet and Michelle said that the video is all just an act, and they aren’t as aggressive in real life. Given a chance, they said, they would like to enter showbiz.

Michelle and Janet got social media users’ attention when their video showing the pair acting sassy and fierce went viral. Their video was a big hit, with artists like Kim Chiu and Alex Gonzaga impersonating them. Vice Ganda even has a new song called “Huwag Kang Pabebe,” and the girls will be part of the music video for the song.  

Here’s the video:

A third Pabebe Girl named Vhelpoe Garves, 22, who told Vice she identified as transgender, was also featured in the GGV interview. The 3 Pabebe Girls told fans to watch out for their next video, saying the contents would be a surprise. – Rappler.com