Hindi Tsismis Ang Kasaysayan Reflective Essay

“The study of history requires investigation, imagination, empathy, and respect.
Reverence does
not enter into it.” –Jill Lepore
In the informative video involving the history professor and the historian, Xiao Chua
himself, he emphasized and further clarified the notion of history, its impacts, and what it really
is for a thorough understanding. This is because recently, there have been a lot of false premises
and preconceived judgments that history, just like gossip or tsismis in the Filipino language,
convey some resemblances. Thus, this creates the promulgation that indeed, history is just like
gossip–and if anything, it is disturbing and concerning at the same time. History, Gregorio
(2022) asserts that history is not just a study of the past, but the integration of the past itself to
comprehend both the present and the future; meaning that it does not rely on irrelevant pieces of
information, but only on accurate and verified ones. To say that history is like a tsismis is a
downgrade to its essence, that is why it is imperative to correct this form of thinking, so that it
will not further foster. Just like Professor Chua (2022) indicated, history is not something that
should be mocked or undermined, but rather, it is an understanding that must be taken seriously
because it allows us to further delve in towards fathoming the essence of the past when
integrated with the present.
Garcia (2022) indicated that while history is never perfect for it also encompasses some
biases, such biases and subjective implications are always based on facts, substantial pieces of
information, and concrete collections of evidence. It is not just an invention that has been made
up in order to prove something; it is an understanding of the found data to further analyze a
certain event. Implying that history is a form of tsismis completely discredits all the efforts,
patience, time, and foundation of historians to understand our past phase so that we will do our
best in the future even more. To even indicate that history is a pinnacle of gossip certainly
justifies the premise that all forms of gossip are accurate; it is never the case. Just like Professor
Chua (2022) indicated, history’s very foundation is always the truth and is always limited to the
truth. There are no false premises or inaccurate pieces of information, everything must be
thoroughly checked and assessed. This is where the need for selective checking of basis will
come through–history is not just about accepting the information as it is, but the ability to select
choices that are equipped with validity. Tanaka (2022) also emphasizes that history helps us be
more clarified in terms of our essence in this world; it serves as the very foundation of the things
that we should do, we must do, and we ought to do. It is not a joke that should be taken lightly,
but a discipline that must be taken with clear emphasis and motives. History must be treated with
utmost consideration, sheer regard, and deep respect for it is something that helps us understand
who we are immensely, not a form of a social fiasco intended to wreak havoc or deteriorate
everyone and everything else.
Further, for us to realize the essence of history even more, we must see to it that we are
taking it seriously and that we are willing to do whatever it takes to fully indulge the insights
obtained from the discipline seamlessly. To do this then, we must have the collective drive to
engage in healthy discourses involving historical distortion or revisionism to somehow alleviate
the concerning implications of fake news and hoax information. The least that we can do is to
perpetuate historical facts, while also realizing that there is some information that requires
revisionism, only in a good way and for good reason. As students and as Filipinos who are
deeply imbued with our complex notion of history, we must consider this chance to do
everything to let more people be more informed and engaged. This way, the threat towards
historical inaccuracies will be eradicated, and a common historical understanding for our origin
will be upheld and promoted.

References
Buono, R. A. D. (2015). Reimagining Social Problems: Moving Beyond Social
Constructionism. Social Problems, 62(3), 331–342. Retrieved from
https://www.jstor.org/stable/26370853
Garcia, N. (2022). 'history is like Tsismis'? historians weigh in on Ella Cruz's now-viral
claim. Philstar Life. Retrieved from
https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/351940-history-is-like-tsismis-historians-
weigh-in?page=2
Gregorio, X. (2022). For Filipinos, fake news is a problem they blame on social media
influencers. Phil Star News. Retrieved from
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/10/11/2215867/filipinos-fake-news-
problem-they-blame-social-media-influencers
Hindi tsismis and kasaysayan. (2022). YouTube. Retrieved February 24, 2023, from
https://youtu.be/bixqNClHPxY.

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“The study of history requires investigation, imagination, empathy, and respect.

not enter into it.” –Jill Lepore

integrated with the present.

up in order to prove something; it is an understanding of the found data to further analyze a

everyone and everything else.

engage in healthy discourses involving historical distortion or revisionism to somehow alleviate

will be upheld and promoted.

Buono, R. A. D. (2015). Reimagining Social Problems: Moving Beyond Social

Constructionism. Social Problems, 62(3), 331–342. Retrieved from

claim. Philstar Life. Retrieved from

influencers. Phil Star News. Retrieved from

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