MANILA, Philippines – Historical revisionism on Independence Day?
In what has become a yearly tradition, Filipinos online once again took to social media to share their jokes and memes about Philippine history on the 121st celebration of the country’s independence from Spanish rule.
The viral hashtag #RP612fic – which means "Republic of the Philippines June 12 fiction" – is once again making rounds on social media as it instantly earned the top trending spot on Twitter. (READ: #RP612fic: Netizens imagine PH heroes on Independence Day 2018)
Writer Paolo Chikiamco started the online trend in 2009, and it has since become an annual tradition for the Philippine creative writing community to start a conversation on alternative historical narratives.
This year's entries for #RP612fic features references to the recent elections, 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray, Dante Galupa and many more.
Some poked fun at politicians like senators-elect Bong Go and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.
Jose Rizal listening to his mother on the story about the "Batang Gamugamo"#RP612ficpic.twitter.com/kHjGxD5hI6
— I'LL SEE TWICE (@Poteytoooo) June 11, 2019
rare footage of filipino man performing a ceremonial dance ritual #rp612ficpic.twitter.com/IFeiEEZAp7
— mira (@miraquelevidal) June 12, 2019
Duterte, Go, Revilla, and Dela Rosa after the recent senatorial "election" #rp612ficpic.twitter.com/jRGZepj3aI
— לוציפר (@DegzMcAwesome) June 12, 2019
Meanwhile, some used the hashtag to express thinly veiled criticisms on the current state of the country or to take a jab at certain public personalities.
The Bataan Death March #rp612ficpic.twitter.com/jafGBlPKZg
— Cassie Mondragon (@BekiPoz2013) June 11, 2019
A comparisson picture of the 1916 Senate (Digitally Restored) and the 2019 Senate (HD Camera) #rp612ficpic.twitter.com/LKvspmpMiP
— Mabuhay, Pilipinas! (@heyyyrobsss) June 12, 2019
a rare footage of duterte and marcos performing in drag #rp612ficpic.twitter.com/mTzbERbiMs
— Jeric(h)o(e) (@jerichowithouth) June 11, 2019
Actual video of Mt. Mayon as it walks from Albay to Naga, according to Miss Mocha Uson #rp612ficpic.twitter.com/pOwNNlbj39
— Jhonas (@itsjojojhonas) June 11, 2019
Rizal's friends to his mother:#rp612ficpic.twitter.com/qCl86v3Q7T
— ron (@aaaronjp) June 12, 2019
When one of Jose Rizal's girlfriends is looking for him #rp612ficpic.twitter.com/obNqw2RHka
— Madam (@madamces) June 11, 2019
Leonor Rivera when she found out Jose Rizal wrote letters to other girls too. #rp612ficpic.twitter.com/fW0fAbV3P8
— tired!chingu (@chingoals) June 11, 2019
Josephine Bracken to Rizal’s ex-girlfriends: “Ako Legal Wife” #rp612ficpic.twitter.com/GmopmzFUct
— jake (@jakedlcrzz) June 12, 2019
These are just some of the #RP612fic circulating on social media. What’s the wittiest one you’ve seen? Share them with us! – Rappler.com
Nicolas Czar Antonio is a Rappler intern and a Psychology major at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He tweets at @Nicolas_Czar.