As I mentioned a long time ago in one of my electronic diaries, when someone tells you, "Tumaba ka", what it means is, "Once upon a time you were gorgeous, but now, you no longer are."

So, yes, it is meant to be insulting. But the person making the remark has every right to decide who is gorgeous to him and who is not.

If you feel offended, it is you who are remiss in not keeping yourself in shape. Vanity is never exclusively for oneself but also for The Other.

That being said, if you wish to lash back, here are a few suggestions:

--"At ikaw, hanggang ngayon, pangit pa rin."

--"Bakit ako mangangayayat, e lagi naman akong mayaman?"

--"E ano, asawa ba kita?"

--"Ano ang mas masahol, ang mataba o ang makapal ang mukha?"

--"Kesa ba naman sa iyo, na mataba ang _____?"

Oh, and make sure that EVERYBODY hears you.