Dr. Ambeth R. Ocampo, the award-winning Filipino historian, academic, journalist and author best known for his writings on Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, will deliver a series of lecture on topics touching on Philippine history and politics in the last week of August, in celebration of Philippine National Heroes’ Day, which is held on 30 August every year.

Dr. Ocampo has played an important role in promoting an open-minded nationalism and international exchange. He studied in the Ateneo de Manila University, but did his undergraduate and MA at the De La Salle University in Philippine Studies.
In 1985 he began to write regular columns and essays on history and culture in newspapers and magazines, which he compiled into two best-selling books, “Looking Back” and “Rizal without the Overcoat”, published in 1990. He then went to London to study at the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University.

To date, he has published over thirty-two (32) books and publications, compilations of his essays and writings on Philippine history, arts and culture. He is a professor at the Ateneo de Manila University and writes a column on Philippine history for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

He also served as Chairman of the National Historical Institute, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Department of History of the Ateneo de Manila University. In 2010, he was conferred with one of the highest civilian awards of the Philippines, the Order of Lakandula, Rank of Bayani for his contributions in cultural administration and the popularization of Philippine history.

The invitation for Dr. Ocampo to visit Honolulu, Hawaii was made by the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, in partnership with the University of Hawaii -Center for Philippine Studies and the Filipino Association of University Women, with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Philippine Airlines. The Knights of Rizal Hawaii and the UH-Leeward School of Asian and Pacific Studies are also co-sponsors.

To kick-off Dr. Ocampo’s three-part lecture series, Philippine Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin will host a Welcome Reception for Dr. Ocampo on 29 August 2017, where the latter will also deliver his first lecture entitled “Mukhang Pera: The Politics of Banknotes in the Philippines.” This event at the Consulate is by-invitation only.

“Mukhang pera” literally means “looks like money” but is often taken to denote a “greedy or materialistic person.” This lecture plays on this double meaning by showing how politics influences history and the way it is represented in the banknotes of the Philippines.

Dr. Ocampo will also give lectures on 31 August and 1 September at the UH-Leeward Community College, and the East-West Center, respectively. As an academic, Dr. Ocampo’s lectures and writings reflect his own personal views and beliefs and do not necessarily represent those of the Philippine Government. (END).