In the Philippines, an “ipis” or a cockroach is one of the most hated household pests (aside from a family member that our mothers would refer to as “damuho”) and one’s initial reaction to seeing an ipis is to scream, jump out of fear, or grab a slipper and slam it on the unsuspecting cockroach to kill it. God knows how frantic we’d be if a flying ipis approach us; you’d definitely hear a scream that would awaken the whole neighborhood!
But now all the years of fear and phobias relating to ipis just ended. We’ve now entered a new era where we welcome ipis with open arms and treat them as a “friendly neighbor” — and it’s all thanks to Liza Soberano.
In a now viral video from a popular watch brand, Liza Soberano takes on the “What’s in a Box Challenge” and changed the way we view cockroaches. She was given items to guess based on what she thinks her hands are touching inside the box.
Liza, a girl blessed by the gods in so many ways, raised the bar again for us average humans when a cricket crawls on her hand and mindlessly asked if it’s “ipis.” Walang alarm, walang anything! You’d expect her to scream or ask “P*#$^@ !*$, ipis ba ‘to??” But with Liza, it’s “Oh cockroach, where’d it go?” when the insect crawled out of her hand.
This led to several Pinoys changing their perspective about cockroaches and decided to start a new life where they treat ipis with respect and kindness.
Liza Soberano basically stripped off our right to be scared of cockroaches and make “inarte” when the insect approach us. Because if a girl as gorgeous as Liza can be chill around ipis, then an average-looking girl like me should calm the F down. I mean, the ipis would probably tell me: “gurl, konting hiya naman, please.”
People have commended the actress for being so calm and brave around what many of us would’ve freaked out for.
Liza Soberano just ended our fear of ipis and created a budding friendship between cockroaches and humans.
And finally, all the ipis can celebrate that they’re now accepted in society.
