‘Just like history’: Filipino writer calls out US state environmental department for similar tweet

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources in the United States won the internet when it posted a tweet that spoke to several online users who were just downright fed up with work.

“To avoid straining your eyes at work, use the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, go for a 20-minute hike and spend the next 20 years in the woods.”

The tweet itself was seen over 7 million times, with nearly 25,000 retweets.

There’s just one thing: Filipino writer Lakan Umali wrote an extremely similar tweet that also went viral last year.

The OG tweet read:

“To avoid straining your eyes when you’re continuously working, use the 20-20-20 rule: After 20 minutes of work, look at something 20 feet away, then spend 20 years in the forest.”

The resemblance was not lost on the writer, who took to the platform and posted a screenshot of her own post.

“Of course an American would steal from a Filipino. Just like history,” she wrote.

The irony of it being posted on the week of Philippine Independence Day was not lost on her followers, either.

“Happy Independence Day,” one wrote beside a clown emoji.

“Nawt the CIA stealing from you, Mx Lakan!” Another said.

But did the US agency steal the tweet from the writer? The environment bureau later acknowledged this in a reply to a tweet who called them to “try giving credits at least.”

“Yeah, a few folks tagged us in this today. Wasn’t aware that tweet existed – let alone went super viral last year! In fact, our inspo for this tweet was actually this meme, so it appears to be a popular format. No disrespect intended, @jacques_lakan!” The page claimed, posting a copy of the supposed meme.

It seems Lakan was satisfied with the response, eventually responding with: “We both got engagement from this so that’s what matters in the end.”

“And yours considerably more so,” the department replied.