Our Historians Make Me Cry, And I Am Not Filipina Actress Ella Cruz! History Vs Bias That Historians Have And Would Not Admit

Historians and non-historians reacted negatively when Filipina actress Ella Cruz said what she said about history and gossip, during the press conference for her new movie, “Maid In Malacañang,” a film about the last 72 hours of the Ferdinand Edralin “FM” Marcos family before flying out of the presidential palace for Hawaii, ending the coup that Juan Ponce Enrile had ignited, leading to People Power Revolution, ending Martial Law.

What did she say again? Patricia Taculao says Ms Ella said (04 July 2022, “Actress Ella Cruz’s ‘History Is Tsismis’ Comment Draws Flak From Netizens,” Manila Standard, manilastandard.net):

History is like tsismis. It is filtered and dagdag na rin, so, hindi natin alam what is the real history. Andoon na iyong idea, pero may mga bias talaga. As long as we’re here alive at may kanya-kanyang opinion, I respect everyone’s opinion.

(“History is like gossip. It is filtered and also added to, so we don’t know what is the real history. The idea is there, but the bias is there surely. As long as we’re here alive and with our opinion, I respect everyone’s opinion.” – my translation)

Reactions to Ms Ella’s statement were negative. ANN says (Author Not Named, 22 July 2022, “Ella Cruz Responds To Pokwang, Agot On ‘History Is Tsismis’ Controversy,” ABS-CBN News, news.abs-cbn.com):

A tearful Ella Cruz responded to critical comments from showbiz personalities, including her former co-stars Pokwang and Agot Isidro, over the actress’ controversial remark comparing history to “tsismis” or gossip.

Cruz spoke at length about what she described as the “darkest point" of her life in an interview with TV host Boy Abunda, in an episode of “The Interviewer” released on Friday.

She first sought to clarify the context of her statement, recalling she was asked for her point of view on the history of the Marcoses, in relation to her starring role in “Maid in [Malacañang].”

The film is billed as an alternate perspective on the People Power Revolution in 1986, which ousted former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The project’s release coincides with the return to power of the Marcoses, with the patriarch’s namesake son being elected [President] in the May 2022 elections.

(Ms Ella plays Irene Marcos in the movie.)

Are our historians, Filipino or foreigners, to be 100% trusted when they declare that such and such is an historical fact? Absolutely not! We have to check them out.

Let me give you my favorite example of our historians being all wrong – this is about the “Declaration of Philippine Independence on 12 June 1898” – I non-historian say that is a historical falsehood. Tsismis lang yan, gossip only. Why, because in the Aguinaldo Declaration itself is found this phrase: “… under the protection of the powerful and humanitarian nation, United States of America”!

Historians have their own biases, or do not do enough research. Now, I challenge the historians to prove me wrong! No, historians are not always right! Now, now, Ms Ella Cruz, you can stop crying.@517