Ella Cruz stands by ‘history is like tsismis’ claim in vlog with Senator Imee Marcos
Ella Cruz collaborated with Senator Imee Marcos to explain her “history is like tsismis” statement that drew the ire of netizens and historians alike.
In a vlog posted on the VinCentiments YouTube channel on Sunday, July 10, the actress stressed that she only likened history to gossip and didn’t exactly claim it as one. “Hindi ko naman sinabi na history is tsismis tapos diyan nalang sila nag-focus, hindi na sa paliwanag,” she said in a scripted chat with Senator Imee, who added that Ella only gave her opinion as a student and celebrity—not as a historian.
“Isa pa, hindi ko naman sinabi na matalino ako. Hindi rin naman ako nagmamagaling. Pero Sen, nagbabasa naman ako ‘no. Nag-aaral naman ako,” said Ella.
“At totoo naman na ang kasaysayan ay tsismis na napatunayan dahil sa ebidensya at sa research,” she added.
Senator Imee agreed and said: “History is tsismis with methodology, analysis, and proof.”
Ella then described history as “opinionated,” saying that one cannot be a historian if they don’t know how to interpret things.
“At ang pag-iinterpret ay personal na pakiwari. History is opinionated because one cannot be a historian without being opinionated. Kapag sarili mong interpretation, edi may halo nang opinyon. Pero dapat, based sa pananaliksik,” said Senator Imee.
Ella asked: “Kung ‘di mapatunayan?”
“Dapat agresibo rin yung mga historians na magsabi kung kalian opinyon lang nila ang pinagsususulat. Opinyon at feeling nila na wala namang evidentiary support,” Senator Imee answered.
“’Yan ang tsismis,” they both said as they looked directly at the camera.
The local star made the rounds online on July 2 after her interview with TV reporter and The Philippine STAR columnist MJ Marfori on her upcoming Marcos film Maid in Malacañang. “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,” she said.
Ella is set to portray Irene Marcos in the Viva Films-produced movie, which will give Filipinos a look at “the last 72 hours of the Marcoses inside the Palace through the eyes of one reliable source,” according to director Darryl Yap. It’s slated for a July 20 release.