What started as a playful online tradition has become an anticipated Independence Day event. Every June 12, Filipino social media turns into a stage for historical fanfiction, pop culture mashups, and witty reimaginings of the past—thanks to the annual return of #RP612fic.
Short for “Republic of the Philippines June 12 fiction,” the viral hashtag encourages netizens to create fictional or satirical takes on Philippine history. Heroes like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and Gabriela Silang are reimagined in modern settings—sometimes as K-drama leads, memes, or even vloggers caught in trending issues.
Originally popularized on Twitter in 2009 by Paolo Chikiamco, #RP612fic has evolved into an Independence Day tradition marked by humor, creativity, and cultural commentary. Many posts weave in viral memes, celebrity references, and current events to make historical figures more relatable to today’s audience.
Over the years, the hashtag has taken on forms ranging from short scripts and fake news alerts to teleserye scenes and online memes.
But beyond laughs, the trend has become a modern form of historical engagement, especially among young Filipinos. It reflects a collective desire to make sense of the past using the language of the present—through memes and internet culture.
