Ever get that feeling you get when you set out to do one thing and somehow end up doing something completely different? Errr, like opening YouTube to watch a five-minute tutorial and then two hours later, somehow you’re knee-deep in a documentary about 17th-century pirate cats?
Well, that’s exactly what happened to me. I had some extra time for research and—being the history-loving, AI-curious nerd that I am—I ended up making a Pinoy Historical Writing Assistant GPT.
What’s This New GPT Sidekick For?
Basically, I made a custom AI to help with historical writing, specifically Filipino history. But because I like my research assistants with a bit of kulit, I made sure this one wasn’t just a boring, fact-spitting machine. This GPT doesn’t just answer your questions—it pokes at the hidden, unusual ones lurking in your brain.The kind of questions that, until a little cheeky AI points them out, you didn’t even realize you had.
For example, here’s a test essay chat I did with it. I just rolled with it and pretended to be a student:
Threads of Power: How Chinese Trade Shaped Tondo’s Influence and Foreshadowed Modern Fashion Dependencies. (dont let the title scare you!)
We all know that pre-colonial Tondo led by the master trader Lakan Dula was a thriving trade hub, with Chinese merchants rolling in with their silk, porcelain, and probably some hard-to-resist buy-1 take-1 promo deals. But wait, what if I told you that these centuries-old trading dynamics still echo in our modern-day fashion industry? For real?
GPT: Wait, so you’re saying that when I buy my Lazada and Shopee “branded overruns,” I’m basically participating in a trade cycle that started in the 1400s?
Exactly. So while today’s imports are mostly fast fashion farts and TikTok gadgets, the economic pull remains the same as before. As you know, (or if not please read William Henry Scott) , Tondo’s power back then wasn’t just about warfare or land—it was about controlling trade. Access to Chinese goods gave it an edge over rival polities. Fast forward to today, and we see a similar dependency on imported textiles and trends, especially with the rise of globalized online shopping.
GPT: So… If I start selling high-quality barongs made from local piña fiber, does that mean I’m reviving Tondo’s ancient trading spirit?
Now you’re thinking! That’s the kind of unusual angle I wanted my assistant to spark—connections between past and present that aren’t always obvious at first glance.
Why You Might Want to Try This Writing Assistant
If you love history, a student of history (with an essay assignment lol), if you’re a writer, or if you just enjoy deep (and occasionally weird) historical conversations, this history GPT might be up your alley. It’s designed to:
Challenge mainstream narratives – Because let’s be real, history isn’t just a list of dates and dead people.
Dig into the cultural side of things – Fashion, food, trade, politics—everything is interconnected.
Push you to ask better questions – The kind that make your research (and writing) way more interesting.
It won’t just hand you generic answers—it’ll throw unexpected questions your way, making sure your brain gets a proper workout.
So, if you ever find yourself wondering “What would Rajah Sulayman think of Supreme hoodies?” or “How did galleon trade logistics compare to Shopee Express?”, this AI might just be your new best friend.
Who knows? You might start with a simple history paper and end up rewriting how we see the past. Or, at the very least, you’ll have some very interesting takes for your next late-night deep dive.
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