UP Student Accused of Being Privileged Fights Back
UP student Bethany Talbot defends herself against accusations of being ‘burgis,’ stating, ‘Self-sustaining student po ako!’
Bethany Talbot, a model and football player studying at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, recently defended herself from accusations of being privileged after a netizen questioned her presence at the state university.
In a two-minute video on her TikTok account, Bethany addressed a comment that labeled her as “burgis” (bourgeois), indicating that she comes from a wealthy family.
Bethany explained that while she did attend a good private school until high school, her family still faces financial challenges. She clarified that her father is a retired senior citizen, and her mother works abroad to support their family.
Despite their struggles, Talbot was able to pass the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) and entered UP as a student-athlete. She also addressed the perception that her social media posts reflect a life of luxury, explaining that everything she owns and does comes from her earnings.
“Lahat po ng binibili ko, ng nagagawa ko, dahil ‘yon sa trabaho ko. And I am so beyond lucky that I am able to have this line of work. Self-sustaining student po ako, and tumutulong din po ako sa pamilya ko sa kaya ko,” Talbot said.
@bethany.talbot Replying to @aia 🪐 ♬ original sound – bethany talbot
The female athlete proudly stated that she is a self-sustaining student who also helps her family when possible.
In her message, Bethany acknowledged that many people oppose the presence of affluent students at UP, but she urged others not to attack students like her without understanding their situations.
Following her video, several netizens expressed their support for Bethany. Some pointed out that UP is not only for the underprivileged but for all qualified students, regardless of financial status. Others praised Bethany for her humility and hard work.
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The term “burgis,” typically refers to middle-class individuals.
The social media users expressed their reactions to the video:
