“Tsismis”. This is quite the popular word nowadays after an actress who portrayed one of the former dictator’s daughters in a movie issued an ignorant statement likening history to gossip. Goodness. Maybe she thought or didn’t think, that having a role in a film supposedly showing the last days of the Marcos family in the Palace before being flown to Hawaii would make anything she says relevant. But instead of praise, all she got for her cerebral explosion were criticisms, funny memes, insults, and humiliation. There were academicians who politely disagreed with her and explained the sheer differences between “tsismis” and history.
“Tsismis” is what it is, gossip. There may be some truth but at the same time may have no factual basis at all. In other words, it cannot be trusted or accepted at face value. It is necessary if one is using his or her head, to fact-check or verify before accepting. History is not like that. Historians ensure the information they gather is correct before putting it into words for everyone to read. No gossip there. If history is based on gossip, it should not be accepted or believed.
This may be the norm of supporters of the new administration. They may have become so accustomed to spreading false information or uttering idiotic statements not based on fact or even deleting or revising history which have all been instrumental in catapulting or returning the Marcoses back to power. Another example is a legislator’s proposal to rename the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Ferdinand E. Marcos International Airport because the said airport was built under his administration. Those who knew the history of the Manila airport acted immediately and showed the legislator's proposal was based on incorrect information. That airport was operational long before Marcos became president. If he had only read history, he would have seen that. Or maybe there is another reason why he wants it renamed.
It seems like another attempt to erase or forget history. That airport was named after the murder of Benigno Aquino Sr. when he landed in Manila. Ninoy was a staunch critic of Marcos Sr. That is what happened under his administration. No “tsismis” there, only facts. Perhaps they don't want to be reminded Ninoy was killed right there at the NAIA tarmac. And changing the name to Ferdinand E. Marcos? Unbelievable. Hopefully, it doesn’t pass Congress. But we cannot say for sure. The brown-nosing in Congress will surely continue as it did during the last administration. This may be the first of many moves to be in the good graces of the current president. But changing the name of NAIA will only further widen the toxic political divide we have been experiencing since the last administration.