Why this history blog

Writing history is a very lonely job. Ask Rolly B. and Charo C. or any  history buff, and he or she will tell you it isn't that easy. For one thing, there are very few of us who are taking it seriously, digging for primary sources, often sitting long hours at the archives trying to figure out what to do next. There is hardly anybody you can talk to sensibly about what you're doing, unless you'e prepared to get some blank stares or listen to some stupid queries.

See, from time to time, the historian needs to discuss his insights and interpretations about past events and, unless you're talking to somebody who knows what you know, you're bound to confront a tabula rasa or more of the same. (Indeed, ignorance has its blissful moments, one can see that.)

I had this idea before that history can and should be written by several individuals, but now, I''m almost 100 percent convinced that writing history is like writing a manifesto. It cannot be written by a committee - only by individuals.

But I still believe that knowledge of historical events should be shared to arrive at a shared insight, a collective interpretation of what transpired. This is the reason why I am opening up this page to all history buffs in the region so we can share our insights and hopefully encourage each other to write our own versions and interpretations of events as we see fit, in the style that can be most appreciated by prospective readers.

I am currently immersed in reconstructing events at the turn of the 20th century .when Leyte and Samar were both embroiled in social and political conflicts that reached dramatic heights. I think it is interesting to write about this period because it subjected  people to a test of fire and brimstone. It was in this setting that our leaders were tempered, their leadership tested to the hilt. It was in this same vein that segments or classes of the population were shown for what they truly were.(Next)

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