Confronted by a tense exchange on a broadcasted show, Pinky Webb did what she had to do—keep her calm and well, throw in a hair flip for good measure.
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Remember when Alex (Lucy Liu) commanded Natalie (Cameron Diaz) to “flip your goddamn hair” through gritted teeth over the phone in the seminal classic remake of Charlie’s Angels? Yes, that scene. In one swift motion, she flicks her hair and time slows down, drawing to attention a blinding smile and an electric tension with Pete. Right then and there, the connection was signed, sealed, and yes, delivered.
You have to admit, there’s something inherently satisfying about a hair flip. No matter the length of your hair or whether you’re in a situation that calls for it, nothing quite comes close to that swell of confidence as you flick and whip your hair. In fact, we’re pretty sure some would play this out in front of an imaginary camera—as if in slow motion—to really wring out the sass of the scene.
In the modern-day guide to language, the hair flip has graduated from being just that 90s version of a 60s hairstyle (think Jackie O meets Drew Barrymore) hairstyle where the ends are flicked outwards to a nonchalant tossing of the tresses from one side to another. Whether it is to compliment, to dismiss, or to clap back, there exists a pervasive defiance to it that naturally emboldens, so much so that when all else fails, you leave it to the trusty hair flip to the damn job of what is typically left unsaid.
Recently, the population of the Internet lost its marbles when broadcast journalist and CNN Philippines anchor, Pinky Webb did a subtle, but ultimately majestic hair flip in the middle a tense exchange with Presidential Spokesperson, Harry Roque Jr. In the transmission of The Source, Pinky Webb brought up a reaction that UP Journalism Professor Danilo Arao wrote on Twitter saying: “CHALLENGE: UP faculty and alumni who are Duterte’s top-level officials should denounce Lorenzana’s letter terminating the 1989 accord. This disregards everything that UP stands for. Should they remain silent, a six-word question: Where is your honor and excellence?”
After expressing that he has offered to facilitate and perhaps mediate discussions between the University of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense, Pinky Webb probed further. “Let me ask you, sir. Are you denouncing this letter by Secretary Lorenzana as a UP student and as a former UP professor? The word is denounce, sir. Dine-denounce niyo ho ba ‘to?”
Without directly answering the question, Roque would go on to explain his position on the matter, before going back and expounding his thoughts on the Danny Arao fragment. “I have to highlight the fact that I think the question on Arao was unfair. In the first place, why am I duty-bound to follow anything that Professor Arao says?” he asked. What would follow was a heated back-and-forth, with a visibly miffed Harry Roque Jr. alleging a hot pursuit by Pinky Webb in the conversation, who as it appears, was only trying to get a word in and simply ask for his reaction based on the tweet. “It’s implying that I should follow what Danny Arao says. And where is the basis? Tell your viewers now. Where is the basis that I should follow what Danny Arao says? It’s not just you asking for a reaction, you were pursuing, ‘Will you denounce?’” he said. “You have to be fair.”
At this point, Pinky Webb replied in a surprising state of calm, “I am trying to be fair, Secretary Roque,” followed by the now Internet-famous hair flip that has since set social media ablaze with Twitter comebacks, memes, and conversations about the um, striking situation. A broadcasted confrontation aside, it was all in a day’s work for the news anchor who not only handled the unraveling with grace, but also managed to take control of the interview and steer it back to the path of pressing issues and matters to thresh out. Really, your faves could never.
Acknowledging the public approval of her act of defiance, Pinky Webb who tweeted: “Hair flip is life. Pero baka ponytail muna bukas.” Naturally, this was made immortal online in a gif that she has attached to her Twitter sentiment. Honestly, a ponytail hair flip would be just as fierce. You know, in case something similar goes down in the future. Give us that swish and flick, please.
Take it from Pinky Webb, Alex Mundy, and the rest of the sassy assemblage listed below, when there is nothing left to say and you want to still make a point (or lasting impression), just flip your goddamn hair.
Brad Pitt
Cameron Diaz
Catriona Gray
Cher
Gigi Hadid
JaBoom Twins
Justin Bieber
Justin Trudeau
Leni Robredo
Rita Hayworth
Sandara Park
Selena Gomez
Taehyung
(Photos courtesy of Hollywood Reporter, Koreaboo, CNN Life, Pageanthology 101, Columbia Pictures)
