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Professor Ambeth R. Ocampo talks about the significance of various maps of the Philippines, their long and complicated narrative in relation to Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, and to the emergence of the Philippine nation. |
WASHINGTON D.C. – In partnership with the US-Philippines Society (USPS) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. hosted one of the foremost authorities on Philippine history, Professor Ambeth Ocampo, in a presentation entitled, “Rizal, Maps, and the Emergence of the Filipino Nation” on 07 September 2023 at the Embassy’s Chancery Annex. This event was organized as part of the Embassy’s commemoration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness (MANAMo) Month celebrated every September.
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Chargé d’affaires a.i. Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr. welcomes guests to the “Rizal, Maps, and the Emergence of the Filipino Nation” lecture. |
During his welcoming remarks, Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Jaime Ramon Ascalon, Jr. said that Professor Ocampo’s presentation was an opportunity to reflect on Dr. Jose Rizal’s life, legacy, and his integral role in shaping our nation as well as trace the footprints of Philippine history through maps and cartography starting from the 16th century.
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(L-R) CDA Ascalon together with Prof. Ambeth R. Ocampo, Dr. Frank Jenista, and US-Philippines Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson. |
Professor Ambeth Ocampo is a Horacio de la Costa Professor in History and the Humanities at the Ateneo de Manila University. His research and works covers the late 19th century Philippines – its art, culture, and the heroes, who played a pivotal role in the birth of the Filipino nation. He also served as the Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
Professor Ocampo discussed the importance of maps and the research of Dr. Rizal in understanding Philippine history and geography, emphasizing that “…not only did he (Dr. Jose Rizal) read maps, write about maps, but he actually created one of the first relief maps that I think inspired this iconic relief map, which is now in Luneta Park in Manila.” He discussed how maps are important, particularly how the shape of the Philippines not only defines us (Filipino people) but becomes something that is a source of pride.
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Dr. Frank Jenista shares his insights on PH-US relations. |
Following the presentation, Dr. Frank Jenista, a former American diplomat who served in the Philippines twice and a specialist in Philippine history, reflected on on Philippines-U.S. relations stating that “the complexities, the contradictions, and sometimes even the craziness of the relations is what has fascinated me over the years… While we always wish that our government officials or diplomats will be able to continue having success negotiating issues between our governments, at the end I think the ever enlarging foundation of Philippine-American relations is the invisible relations (of the personal Filipino-American connection).”
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Professor Ambeth R. Ocampo talks about the significance of various maps of the Philippines, their long and complicated narrative in relation to Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, and to the emergence of the Philippine nation. |
MANAMo is the Philippines government’s annual celebration to harmonize, integrate and synchronize programs that will raise national consciousness on maritime and archipelagic issues and policies of the Philippines. This year’s national theme for the MANAMo celebration is “Kapuluan, Kabuluhan, Kaunlaran” (Archipelago, Significance, and Development) to underscore the essence of our archipelagic nation’s unique identity and emphasize the crucial role that our archipelago and its marine resources play in our journey toward sustainable development. Learn more about MANAMo here: https://sites.google.com/dfa.gov.ph/dfamanamo23/home?authuser=0 .
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