The recently concluded Binibining Pilipinas 2022 had some interesting moments. One of which was actor Joshua Garcia’s legendary question: “Personally, how do you distinguish a historian from a marites?” Many assumed it was a reference to actress Ella Cruz’s controversial “history is like chismis” statement. Nevertheless, it was a timely question, and it was answered perfectly. But what about what netizens think?

Here’s how folks on the internet answered Garcia’s question.

Historian: Cites sources
Marites: Assumes

“A historian [double-checks] before publishing their findings,” wrote one netizen.  “A historian has due diligence to fact-check all of the information that they have and their goal is to inform the people about what really happened. The marites [does] none of that. The information they have is assumptions at best.”

If you’ve only got 30 seconds to study the difference between a historian and a marites, this is it. Marites are the assumeros and chismosas of this world.

Historian: Balances facts
Marites: Biased

“Historians balance facts. Historians never judge nor write his personal opinions as facts,” said another netizen. “Historians welcome new facts and new findings hidden or limited before. They are not dogmatic nor biased nor partial… Marites is the opposite.”

You can never really trust what comes out of a marites’ mouth, they’re partial to one side, never mind the facts. They only spread things that would benefit them one way or another.

Historian: Aims to learn from the past
Marites: Gathers unreliable facts

“A historian has proven something relevant like a study and is aiming for a change and appreciation of the past. A marites has gathered unreliable facts be it sound as truth or a lie itself for as long as it serves its purpose — to satisfy the selfish imagination or paranoia of their lords, err, to feed [the delusions of grandeur of those in power],” answered a netizen.

If something — say, a movie — is based on history, it wouldn’t mask the ugly truth about the family of a dictator. It would instead hope to open people’s eyes to the truth and change the future. But if the said movie is based on lies to gain public sympathy, that’s the work of a marites.

Historian: Recognizes both pain and triumph
Marites: Talks about rumors and hearsay

“A true historian not only recognizes our painful past but also our triumphs. A true historian is not biased and looks at the two sides of a coin with no prejudice,” tweeted yet another netizen. “A Marites always talks about rumors and hearsays but sometimes these hearsays are proven to be true eventually.”

Historians will want a battered country to rise from the ashes while marites gossip for the thrill of watching the world burn. These days, they’ve evolved into what we call “online trolls.” And speaking of trolls..

Historian: Uses knowledge for educational purposes
Marites: Spreads fake news

“The difference between a historian and a marites is, a historian is using his knowledge and his voice for educational and historical purposes with facts, while a marites is just watching over other people’s lives and spread fake news and false issues while they cannot mind their own life,” answered one netizen.

Historians actually care about a country’s legacy so they attempt to preserve history warts and all. This sadly does not matter to a marites who is keen on spreading fake news like it isn’t damaging at all.

Whatever your definition for both is, one thing’s for sure…

Both a historian and a marites can change a narrative. Historians can direct people to the truth while supporting their arguments with facts while a marites can spread lies and disinformation to twist said truth. Sometimes it’s ultimately up to the public to discern what to believe in and what to filter out. However, when it comes to issues of a country’s history — how many people a dictator has killed, why his family should not rise to power again — that is history and should never be up for debate.

For you, what’s the difference between a historian and a marites?

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