Darryl Yap doesn’t think being a historian is a real profession

Controversial director Darryl Yap is again under fire for saying that being a historian isn’t a legitimate job.

In an interview with Boy Abunda, Yap said everyone could be a “historian” and have different views on history.

“Sa tingin ko, lahat ng tao naman ay historian eh. Sa palagay ko, lahat tayo, may pinanghahawakan sa kasaysayan, at may iba-iba tayong tingin sa kasaysayan. Hindi kayang ikulong ng libro o ng isang panulat o ng isang historian ang sa palagay mo’y nangyari,” he said.

Yap said he refuses to accept that books solely rely on the research of historians without any “personal interpretation.”

“I don’t believe that historians should be a profession. I believe that historians are researchers. Masisipag sila na kumakalap ng mga impormasyon pero para sabihin na lahat ng isusulat nila ay 100% true at walang personal interpretation, ‘yun ang hindi ko matatanggap.

“Kasi lahat ng tao, para makapagsulat ka, makapag-compile ka meron at meron kang emotional attachment at ‘yun ang nagiging bias mo. 

“Kaya tayo nananatiling may diskurso. Kaya ang history ay hindi natatapos isulat dahil may mga bagong lumalabas na datos, may mga bagong lumalabas na kaganapan dahil lahat ng mga historyador ngayon ay wala noong panahon ng kanilang kinukuhaan ng kasaysayan,” he added.

Historian Xiao Chua didn’t take kindly to what Yap said and blasted the director.

“Being a historian SHOULD not be a profession? I am just an ordinary person, but with whatever little power I have, I will give my middle finger to you.” Chua tweeted.

Yap responded, seemingly unfazed.

In a recent post without mentioning anyone, Yap fired back at historians criticizing him.

The debate about Philippine history started when “Maid in Malacañang” actress Ella Cruz likened history to “tsismis.”

“History is like tsismis. It is filtered and dagdag na rin, so hindi natin alam what is the real history. Naro’n na yung idea, pero may mga bias talaga. As long as we are here at may kaniya-kaniyang opinion, I respect everyone’s opinion,” Cruz said in an interview.

“Kasi struggling na eh, last three days! Kahit naman sila struggling right now, ‘di ba? Paano kaya iyon na there so much pressure on their side during those times?”