Consequences. Either you’ll be on cloud nine, or six feet underground. The bottom line is, you need to be on the tract of the context. That is why, always remember to “think before you speak”.

Human beings are gifted with the capacity to think and talk. In fact, humans have always something to speak of whether it’s an ideology, an information, or just something gibberish. It is part of human interaction that requires an accountability about the things we say. Unfortunately, this responsibility is often forgotten where uncontrollable consequences are deeply rooted.

In the application of this human interaction, the previous interview of the actress Ella Cruz while promoting “The Maid in Malacanang”- a movie that features the events of the past revolving the family of late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. inside Malacañan Palace during EDSA Revolution – resulted criticism after she conveyed her opinion. The actress is currently receiving backlash for saying “history is like chismis, filtered and biased”. A lot of people online are currently criticizing her when she compares history to “chismis”. Despite the fact that what she said was just a mere opinion, it costs her intellect about history to get questioned by most people online.

Filipino local historian Ambeth Ocampo said “History may have bias but it is based on fact, not opinion”. That draws the line that history sides with the truth backed up with proof and evidences that underscores its authenticity. Historians invested a large amount of time in reading, digging, and authenticating data to provide rightful information and not from a mere gossip flocking over opinions that is maybe baseless. Thus, I disagree that “history is like a chismis”.

It’s quite disappointing that historian’s efforts to give almost their lives to preserve rightful data and facts bearing our history was perceived only as a simile of “chismis”. The truth is, it’s never the same. History is never filtered nor sewed by the mouths of the real historians.

It’s true that we are entitled to our own opinion. Although we have the freedom of speech, we just can’t say whatever it is that we have in mind. Always remember that it is associated with consequences that inevitably surface.

Actress Ella Cruz’ remarks resulted to languish where she later resorted to a Facebook post asking for a sense of humanity to all the people that expressed their criticism towards her and her family.

“Bash me all you want pero ‘wag niyong idadamay pamilya ko. Have a little humanity, please,” the actress said.

You see, it’s a package deal like promos in fast food chains- buy 1-take-1. That is why, we should take responsibility for the things that we have said, are saying, or will say, especially online. Always remember that.

So, to you, whoever you are, always think critically and painstakingly deliberate every opinion that you wanted to speak of. Never misinterpret a fact based on mere opinions because facts should never be opinionated.

Column by Meraflor Pecore [Criticus]