Kirby Araullo (Historian)
Kirby Pábalan-Táyag Aráullo is a renowned Filipino Historian, Culture Bearer, and currently the National Coordinator for Culture and Heritage the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns. He is a Dátû and Lakan by blood, a direct descendant of the last indigenous Paramount Kings of Luzon (of both Lakandúlâ of Tondo and Rája Matandá of Maynílâ), and of the anti-colonial revolutionary Katipuneros who fought for the liberation of the Philippines from colonialism. Kirby's upbringing exposed him to the contradicting worlds of traditional politics and grassroots activism.
With a keen interest in varying fields and a strong commitment to serve the community, Kirby studied in some of the world’s most prestigious universities, such as Harvard, UC Davis, and Université catholique de Louvain.
Dátû Kirby is an educator who is well-rooted in his culture and passionate about his heritage; he strives to decolonize Philippine history and democratize Ethnic Studies through knowledge and play.
Kirby Araullo (Historian)
🌿📚☀️⚔️ #Throwback to building this cozy corner 4 years ago. Probably my most consistent background setup in the 13 years of my current educational channel (honestly… maybe even in the 20 years I’ve been on YouTube!).
🎬 This little library has grown in the last few years and has seen hundreds of videos, countless drafts, and way too many all-nighters. 😅
🚚 Moving to a new place in the coming days! We're excited 🥳 but yeah… I gotta let go of some books tho. Downsizing kinda… but it’s also a big upgrade. (if that makes sense lol).
📸 Last pic is our first selfie at the new place ❤️
#TeamYaK #YeeAndKirby #WheresKirby #PinoyHistorian #KnowHistoryKnowSelf
1 month ago | [YT] | 58
View 3 replies
Kirby Araullo (Historian)
☀️ Here’s a selfie with my ancestor, Rája Sulíman of Maynílâ, depicted in a fierce standoff against the Spanish conquistadors. A vivid reminder of Manila's fiery defiance.
🔥 On this day, May 24, we remember the burning of Maynílâ in 1570, when the city was set aflame during a brutal clash between Spanish invaders and the native defenders of this precolonial capital. Imagine a city ablaze, its flames engulfing centuries of history in a single night.
☀️ Long before the Spanish conquest, Manila thrived as a fortified city known as Maynílâ, serving as a pivotal trading hub and a seat of power in the archipelago, centuries before Spain itself was even unified as a kingdom.
🔥 Who set fire to Maynílâ? Why was this once majestic city reduced to ashes? Was it a desperate act of resistance or a calculated move by invaders?
📺 Watch my video to learn more 👉🏼 "Manila 1570: The Battle That Burned a Kingdom!" (https://youtu.be/cbwfN3iuwOw)
🎨 Pictured are sections from the mural “Filipino Struggles Through History” by the great maestro, Carlos “Botong” Francisco (1964), currently on display at the National Museum of the Philippines.
#KnowHistoryKnowSelf #KnowOurRoots #Philippines #WheresKirby #Kasaysayan
3 months ago | [YT] | 245
View 15 replies
Kirby Araullo (Historian)
📣 I’m thinking of bringing my Baybayin course online. Would you join? 🤔
As many of you may already know, I’ve been teaching Baybayin for almost two decades, not just how to write it, but as a way to explore Filipino history, culture, and identity. I also taught it as a college-level course at UC Davis, and I’ve always wanted to make it more accessible ever since.
Now I’m planning to offer a series of paid online courses, starting with a beginner-level 4-week course (via Zoom or other platforms), open to anyone, anywhere. But this won’t be your typical passive online class. I want it to feel more like live coaching — interactive, guided, and rooted in community.
Would you be down to join? What would you want to learn most? Let me know 💬
3 months ago | [YT] | 28
View 8 replies
Kirby Araullo (Historian)
This Araw ng Kagitingan 🎖️ (Day of Valor), we honor not only the brave soldiers—but also the incredible Filipina women whose courage changed the course of World War II. 🇵🇭✨
They were guerrilla commanders, fearless spies, medics, inventors, and survivors of unimaginable horrors. Kumander Liwayway led ambushes in full uniform and lipstick 💄, Maria Orosa created banana ketchup to fight hunger 🍌, Josefina Guerrero, the “Leper Spy,” smuggled intelligence past enemy lines 🗺️—and so many more whose stories deserve to be told.
Let’s remember their sacrifices and make sure their valor is never forgotten.
5 months ago | [YT] | 46
View 1 reply
Kirby Araullo (Historian)
Heads up, everyone! The 'Battle of Manila' video originally scheduled today for 6pm PST 🇺🇸/10am PHT 🇵🇭 is facing some technical difficulties so I’m pushing back the release. Stay tuned, I’ll have it up as soon as possible. Salamat! 🙏🏽
6 months ago | [YT] | 250
View 7 replies
Kirby Araullo (Historian)
What would you like to know about the Battle of Manila (1945)?
This month marks the 80th anniversary of one of the most brutal urban battles of World War II. From February 3 to March 3, 1945, the Battle of Manila turned the "Pearl of the Orient" into ruins. While it was seen as a liberation by U.S. forces, the cost was staggering. Over 100,000 Filipino civilians lost their lives, and the city was obliterated. The atrocities committed by Japanese forces, combined with the indiscriminate bombing by the Americans, left Manila forever changed, literally reducing the once majestic "Pearl of the Orient" to ashes.
What aspects of this tragic chapter in our history interest you the most? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll do my best to cover them in my upcoming video.
6 months ago | [YT] | 73
View 18 replies
Kirby Araullo (Historian)
I just finished editing and uploading my first history video of 2025! 😊 Here's a little teaser of what's to come. It's now available for my YouTube Channel Members and will premiere for everyone at 6 PM PST 🇺🇸 (10 AM 🇵🇭). Stay tuned!
🤔 Can you guess the topic? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
📣 A huge thanks to 'Sining ni Sid' for collaborating with me and creating these incredible artworks! (screenshots 1 and 2)
8 months ago | [YT] | 52
View 3 replies
Load more