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Have you ever received a compliment that left you unsure whether to smile or frown, wondering if it was sincere or sarcastic with just saying the term pabibo?
This afternoon, as I walked home from class with some of my classmates, I overheard one of them say to another, “Alam mo? Pabibo ka!” The recipient of this remark looked puzzled, caught between offense and confusion, though he tried to mask his reaction.
Curious, I imagined myself in his position. How would I feel? Is being called with the term pabibo really an insult, or could it be taken as a compliment?
Before diving into that question, let me provide some context. I’m in a major course on entomology, where students from both molecular biology and entomology programs gather. We were assigned a significant task: to prepare a research topic, preferably aligned with our interests, as part of a meta-analysis project.
When our professor reviewed and collected our proposals, some of us shared similar ideas, but any overlap was quickly resolved. However, one student stood out. After getting his topic approved, he promptly prepared an outline and submitted it right there in class. On our way out, another classmate confronted him with the remark, “Alam mo? Pabibo ka!”
According to Google, “pabibo” is a Filipino word describing someone who wants to show off or outshine others. But does this classmate really fit that description? Was he trying to outdo us, or was he just being proactive? Who’s the real victim here—the one being labeled “pabibo” or the one throwing the term around? I don’t think it’s fair to label someone just because they took initiative.
What if this person simply enjoys the course and wants to get ahead? Maybe they have other priorities that require them to complete assignments early. Or perhaps they just had some extra time and used it productively. Why should that be seen as a bad thing?
This situation made me realize that in today’s world, standing out often leads to negative labels. If you deviate from the norm, you’re sometimes seen as a threat, even if you’re doing the right thing. The real question is, why are some people so afraid of being outdone?
Read about Things To Know About Appreciation.
In my perspective, here are some reasons:
- Insecurity: Someone else’s hard work can highlight our own shortcomings. In a world where we’re pressured to appear perfect, this can sting.
- Competition: While competition is natural, it can turn unhealthy when we start tearing others down instead of uplifting ourselves. Instead of mocking someone for being “pabibo,” why not use it as motivation to improve?
- Belief: Cultural and religious beliefs often teach us to be humble, which can sometimes create the false idea that being proactive or different is boastful.
I feel for the classmate who was called “pabibo.” I hope he stays true to his values and doesn’t let this label discourage him. I pray that he understands there’s no shame in being motivated.
To the person who made the remark, this is a reminder to be mindful of our words. It may sound cliché, but our words often reveal more about our own insecurities than about the person we’re criticizing.
