“Bembang Pa More!” Goes Viral: Alvin Elchico Caught Off Guard by Gen Z Slang
ALVIN ELCHICO – Veteran news anchor Alvin Elchico went viral after cheerfully shouting “Bembang pa more!” on-air, unaware of its modern meaning.
Alvin Elchico recently found himself going viral after an unexpected moment on his DZMM TeleRadyo show, Gising Pilipinas. During a lively segment, Elchico enthusiastically shouted, “Gising Pilipinas! Energy, energy! Bembang pa more!”—unaware that the word “bembang” now carries a different and more controversial meaning for the younger generation.
According to Elchico, his understanding of “bembang” is that it refers to being scolded or reprimanded, which aligned with the serious tone of the commentary in their program. “Ang ibig sabihin sa amin, ‘pag nabembang ako eh, napagalitan ako nang todo,” he explained.
However, shortly after the clip aired, Gen Z netizens were quick to point out that “bembang” now has sexual connotations in their circles. What Elchico believed was a humorous and light-hearted remark quickly became a trending topic, drawing reactions and humorous corrections online.
“Kinuyog pala ako ng mga kabataan dito. Iba pala ibig sabihin ng bembang sa mga batang ito!” he said with laughter during the following day’s episode. Despite the unexpected stir, Elchico responded with grace and humor, acknowledging the generational gap in language interpretation.
He emphasized the importance of understanding that language evolves depending on age, time period, and culture. “Ang ibig sabihin sa amin, ‘pag nabembang ako eh, napagalitan ako nang todo,” he reiterated, noting that for people aged 40 and above, this was the common usage.
Rather than expressing anger or defensiveness, Elchico used the moment to highlight the natural evolution of language. He also pointed out the need for awareness of cultural shifts, especially those involving terms that may have taken on new meanings.
“Kailangan itong ipaliwanag dahil natural lang ang mga bagay na may temang sekswal pero hindi niya inakala na ganito na pala ang tingin ng kabataan sa salitang iyon.”
His good-natured reaction earned praise from fans of all ages, proving once again that even unintentional moments can spark meaningful conversations about culture, communication, and generational understanding.
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