What Does “Bebot” Mean in Filipino Slang?

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Slang expert Jemaree Jay explains what “bebot” means & why it’s trending on TikTok

Co-authored by Jemaree Jay and Annabelle Reyes

Last Updated: February 27, 2026 Fact Checked

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Bebot Meaning

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About the TikTok Trend

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About the Black Eyed Peas Song

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When scrolling through your TikTok FYP lately, you might have come across a few videos of people turning themselves into “historically accurate bebots.” But what exactly is a bebot, and where did this term come from? And what about the song of the same name by the Black Eyed Peas? If you’re looking for answers to these questions and more, you’ve come to the right place! In an exclusive article with wikiHow, a slang expert explains what “bebot” means and why it’s trending in 2026. Keep reading for everything you need to know!

Bebot Meaning: Quick Overview

Slang expert Jemaree Jay says “bebot” is a Filipino slang term for a baddie or attractive woman. It’s used as a term of endearment, like “babe” or “boo.” The term gained popularity with the Black Eyed Peas' song “Bebot” in 2005. It went viral in 2026 after Filipino women posted “bebot” transformation videos on TikTok.

Section 1 of 4:

What is a “bebot”?

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“Bebot” is a Filipino slang term for an attractive woman. According to Jay, a “bebot” is an old Filipino slang term for a “baddie” or an attractive woman. Basically, any woman who is super beautiful, hot, or eye-catching!^{[1]
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Jemaree Jay
Slang Expert

Expert Interview} It’s often used as a term of endearment, the same way you might use “babe” or “boo,” or as a way to call someone a “hot chick.”^{[2]
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- The slang term itself has been popular in the Philippines since the 1980s. However, it became more popular when the Black Eyed Peas dropped a song called “Bebot” in 2005, says Jay.^{[3]
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- As a result, the term “bebot” is often used to describe a beautiful Filipino woman from the early 2000s (though it can refer to someone from any time period).
- In early 2026, a TikTok trend emerged inspired by both the slang term and the Black Eyed Peas song, which we’ll cover below! Jay says this term is peaking due to this recent trend.^{[4]
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Meet the wikiHow Expert

Jemaree Jay is a slang and trend expert based in Miami, Florida. He shares his content on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube (@jemareejay), with over 70k followers and over 11.5 million likes on TikTok alone.

Section 2 of 4:

What is the bebot TikTok trend?

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The “bebot” TikTok trend celebrates beautiful Filipino women from the early 2000s. It involves Filipino women applying makeup the way Filipino baddies did in the 2000s, says Jay. It comes from people “embracing their Filipino faces and features” online!^{[5]
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Jemaree Jay
Slang Expert

Expert Interview} Users post a classic transition, complete with early 2000s-inspired makeup, hairstyles, and outfits. In the background, the Black Eyed Peas song “Bebot” plays, and usually some version of the caption “Turning myself into a historically accurate bebot” appears on the screen (see @lolydlplr’s TikTok for reference). Here are a few other examples and variations of the trend to check out:
- This TikTok by @pereylierge shows the user transforming herself into a bebot with silver metallic eyeshadow, thin and sculpted eyebrows, and the iconic Y2K bump/poof hairdo.
- This TikTok by @leilanigreen is another example of the makeup transformation trend.
- In this adorable take on the trend, TikTokker @nurse.hera posts a video showing her mom currently and then flashes to photos of her mom in the early 2000s. The caption reads, “Mom is still a bebot and forever will [be] 💅🏼✨”
- This TikTok by @angelxerys is a slideshow of example photos that capture the bebot aesthetic.
- This TikTok by @ey3kon_18 includes a slideshow of photos of Filipino musician Sophia Laforteza from Katseye with the caption, “a true bebot.”

Section 3 of 4:

“Bebot” by the Black Eyed Peas

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“Bebot” is a song from the Black Eyed Peas’s 2005 album Monkey Business. The song is entirely in Tagalog (the language spoken in the Philippines), and it’s rapped by Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.ap, who is Filipino.^{[6]
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Research source} Throughout the lyrics, Aple.de.ap weaves in references to his hometown in the Philippines, and the song ultimately feels like an energetic and enthusiastic celebration of Filipino culture.^{[7]
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- You can check out the official music video for “Bebot” here and the lyrics to the song here!