For years, “Kikay” and “Bebot” were labels used to box Filipinas in—one dismissed as “too maarte,” the other as “too street” or “jejemon.” But as we navigate a digital era flattened by globalized beauty standards, a new generation of Filipinas is looking backward to move forward. This is beyond a makeup or TikTok trend, it is a full-scale reclamation of our beauty spectrum, proving that our identity has always been too big for a single lens.

Inspired by the Black Eyed Peas’ song, the “Bebot” trend has been dominating the feed, with entries nailing that historically accurate, early-2000s looks, including the trends’ founding mothers Bella Pauleen and Monique Libres, followed by some of our favorites Lash Omadto and Belle Rodolfo.. Their entries are by far the netizen’s favorite because of its accuracy, proving that Bebot beauty can be both nostalgic and high-fashion.

The Resurrection of the Kikay: Maximalism with Heart

The “Kikay” was never just about the color pink; it was a subculture of hyper-femininity born from the Jolina Magdangal blueprint. Today, that energy has evolved into a deliberate embrace of playfulness as a form of self-expression.

BINI Maloi

The undisputed queen of “Maloi-core,” she has turned butterfly clips, crochet textures, and DIY bag charms into a high-fashion rebellion against minimalism. Maloi also loves to promote locally-sourced items that inspires their fans, aka Blooms, to channel their own kikay.

BINI Stacey

As the group’s resident princess, Stacey masters the “hyper-pink” and glitter-heavy side of the spectrum, proving that being “maarte” is a top-tier aesthetic.

Chill Paloma of FINA

Our “conyo young stunna” brings a sophisticated, “Preppy-Kikay” twist to the trend, showing that soft colors and feminine silhouettes can work perfectly in a structured, high-fashion context.

Caprice Cayetano

A walking mood board for the Y2K-Kikay revival, Caprice effortlessly balances a bubbly, “sweetheart” persona with the polished, more dainty style of the early 2000s.

The Return of the Bebot: From Street Legend to Global Alpha

If the Kikay is the heart, the “Bebot” is the swagger. Originally popularized by the SexBomb Girls and the versatile energy of Rufa Mae Quinto, the Bebot look has officially gone global. It’s no longer “jeje“—it’s alpha.

While the aesthetic is a collective movement, these four women are the definitive faces of the modern Bebot evolution with an energy that is unapologetically palaban.

Sophia Laforteza of KATSEYE

As the leader of a global girl group, Sophia is the primary exporter of the Bebot spirit. She’s proving that the Pinay “street” look isn’t just local; it’s world-class.

Sara Joe

She is one of the most bebot-wired icons of showbiz. Known for her captivating aura on and off cam, she’s the go-to muse for anyone who wants to see how 2000s nostalgia can look like it’s from the year 3000.

Andrea “Blythe” Brillantes 

The Visual Chameleon Blythe has the rare ability to bridge the entire spectrum, she’s showing her millions of followers that you can be the country’s sweetheart and a street-style authority at the same time.

Krissha Viaje 

The Effortless Cool Krissha brings a “University Series” grit to the trend. Her version of the Bebot is less about the stage and more about the streets; it’s effortless and genuine that fans and casuals adore her.

A Spectrum of Our Own Making

This movement is “cute” on the surface, but it’s radical underneath. By embracing these terms, we are rejecting beauty standards that often favor “quiet” or Eurocentric features. The Kikay and Bebot spectrum allows us to be loud, colorful, matte, or glittery—all while remaining authentically us.

Whether you’re a Maloi-coded kikay or a Monique-coded bebot, 2026 is about realizing that “Filipina Beauty” isn’t a single look. It’s a spectrum that we finally, fully own.

PHOTOS from MONIQUE_LIBRES, TCLPCJ04013027 and BELLERODOLFO (Screenshot via TikTok), BINI_MALOI, BINI_STACEY, _CHILLPALOMA, CAPCAPRICE,SOPHIA_LAFORTEZA, IAMSARAJOE, BLYTHE, and IMKRISSHAV (via Instagram)