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#RP612FIC 2023: Snake walk, lato-lato, and more memes to celebrate Independence Day

By Melanie Uson Published Jun 12, 2023 7:21 pm

It has been common practice for Pinoys to watching movies and visiting museums during the country's Indepdendence Day to remember the notable heroes who played a significant part in the country’s feat. 

Today, aside from participating in discounts and availing anything with the Philippine flag, millennials and Gen Zs commemorate the day with memes tagged #rp612fic.  

In case you didn’t know, “RP” stands for “Republic of the Philippines, “612” for June 12, and “fic” for fictional. It was birthed by Philippine Alternative Mythology writer Paolo Chikiamco in 2009, being a platform for the annual Philippine history-related memes. 

PhilSTAR L!fe compiled all the wittiest and funniest entries, which includes Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee’s snake walk, the ever-famous lato-lato toy, and rehashed versions of old memes, for this year’s celebration. 

MUPh 2023 Michelle Dee’s snake walk, as used by “katipuneras” 

MUPH 2023 Michelle Dee's snake walk passed the vibe check for this year's #rp612fic. With its unique and seemingly dodging moves, it somehow mimicked how one moves during a war or revolutions.

Bretman Rock as Sarimanok 

Remember that hilarious video of Bretman "Da Baddest" Rock, mimicking how his chicken cackles? It made it to this year's entries as the "rare footage of Sarimanok."

Sarimanok is a legendary bird of the Maranao in Philippine mythology. It is believed to bring great fortune and success.

rare footage of the legendary bird, sarimanok #rp612fic pic.twitter.com/c8GiDKrJEV

— kv (@klydvhmr) June 12, 2023

Lyn from Vegas recruiting soldiers for war 

The famous video of Lyn, a recruiter from Las Vegas, also made it to this year's entries. User @timracket re-uploaded the video and wrote, "A rare katipunera recruiting soldiers during the war. #rp612fic."

Lato-lato to ward off Spaniards 

Clackers or “lato-lato” is a famous toy from the 70s that made its way again to the limelight to entertain Gen Zs. But did you know that it was used to ward off Spaniards during the war? Jus kidding!

User @2AMevermore re-uploaded a video of a kid playing the "lato-lato," accompanied by "slaying" moves. He wrote, "Rare footage of a brave katipunera fighting off the spaniards with a special weapon #rp612fic."

SiZA after Crispin and Basilio went missing 

Still on the MCAI fever? User @isaaaccckkk "found" Sisa in the photo of American singer SZA for the cover of her album SOS. The netizen likened SZA to Sisa "emoting" after the disappearance of her children, Crispin and Basilio—characters from Jose Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere.

Two silk traders giving reviews

Aside from shopping, one can also be entertained by how other shoppers and sellers give feedback on e-commerce platforms. User @celjabido used one of the feisty exchanges of feedback from Shopee, posing it as an exchange of "silk traders of the Manila Galleon Trade" in 1565.

In the photo, a customer left a review: "Pangit yung tela," to which the seller replied: "Mas pangit ka."

"Slaying" during the Battle of Manila Bay

The Battle of Manila Bay played a significant role in Philippine independence from the Spaniards, as it happened during the Spanish-American war. For this year's #rp612fic, user @notwhatsupjared used a video of group of gays seemingly having a "face-off," showcasing their slaying strut, with talling wild grass as the backdrop for added flair.

TAGS: INDEPENDENCE DAY

About the author

Melanie Uson

Melanie Uson is a content producer and a fur mom. When she’s not drowning in deadlines, she is most likely watching sitcoms, crocheting, or thrift-flipping clothes.