I was just 9 years old when my family immigrated from the Philippines to the U.S., wide-eyed and still adjusting to everything from snow to cereal for breakfast.
But one change I didn’t expect to throw me off so much was... the bathroom.
Let’s talk about the tabo—that trusty plastic dipper, a staple in every Filipino bathroom. It’s used for bathing, rinsing, and the all-important post-number-two cleanup. If you grew up Pinoy, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s not just a tool, it’s a way of life. So when I found myself in a new country, standing in an American bathroom with nothing but a roll of dry toilet paper... I panicked.
Years passed, and while I secretly kept a tabo under the bathroom sink, I eventually discovered the bidet. Not the fancy standalone kinds you find in European hotels, but the modern attachable version that hooks onto your toilet. One online order and some YouTube tutorials later, it was installed. I felt like I had achieved peak hygiene.
“When I told my dad I installed a bidet, he laughed so hard he nearly cried. ‘Nagpakasosyal ka na, ha! You just need a tabo!’”
Turns out, the bidet isn’t new. It was invented in France in the 1700s. The word itself means “pony” in French (apparently, because you straddle it). While Europe and Asia have long embraced the technology, Americans are just catching on. The bidet gained traction here during the 2020 toilet paper shortage—Filipinos were already ahead with our tabo skills.
Today, I proudly have both. A bidet for the convenience, and a tabo tucked away, just in case. It’s the perfect blend of tradition and tech. Being Fil-Am means adapting to new norms while never forgetting what made us who we are—yes, even if that’s a plastic scoop with a cracked handle.
📣 Calling All Filipino-Americans 🇵🇭
Whether you're a first-generation immigrant who journeyed here from the Philippines, a second-generation Filipino-American born and raised in the U.S., or like me—a 1.5‑generation Filipino—you belong here. PinoyBuilt is a space for all of us to celebrate our roots, share our stories, and build community.
🌟 Words That Inspire
“I’m Olivia Rodrigo. I’m a Filipina, I’m a lumpia fan, I’m a daughter, a granddaughter and a great‑granddaughter.”
— Olivia Rodrigo
“I wanna say proud Pinoy ako, my Tagalog isn't so good, but I'm working on it.”
— Olivia Rodrigo
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