Ambeth R. Ocampo's Blog, page 164

My column today on lives and gruesome deaths of saints.http://opinion.inquirer....

My column today on lives and gruesome deaths of saints.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/79682/gruesome-deaths


Gruesome deaths
opinion.inquirer.net
���Halloween��� may be the title of a series of gruesome slash-and-kill films; it may be associated with pumpkins with a carved face, or wearing costumes, or children knocking on doors yelling ���Trick or treat!���

Don't keep it a secret! My last Ayala Museum lecture for 2014 is on Saturday, N...

Don't keep it a secret!
My last Ayala Museum lecture for 2014 is on Saturday, November 29.
Will reveal the password of the Katipunan to those who attend also the identity of the genius who made my engaging posters. Pls share.


2014

Sorry, forgot to upload yesterdays column.http://opinion.inquirer.net/79543/sec...

Sorry, forgot to upload yesterdays column.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/79543/secret-of-the-virgin-queen


Secret of the Virgin Queen
opinion.inquirer.net
Growing up Catholic meant that I immediately associated the words ���Virgin��� and ���Queen��� with Mary, Mother of God, but anyone who has read some British history would associate the same words with Elizabeth I and the image of a strong face, paled by heavy white makeup, set in an elaborate costume, wig���

Some years ago I saw one of these relics of the Chinese Cultural Revolution in a...

Some years ago I saw one of these relics of the Chinese Cultural Revolution in a Hong Kong antique shop. The shopkeeper told me the two glass domes with replicas of green mangoes made of jade were made to commemorate Ferdinand Marcos' gift of a basket of mangoes to Chairman Mao. I'm glad I didnt buy them because the mangoes were actually presented to Mao by the Pakistani Foreign Minister in 1968. (Photo from Reitberg Museum, Zurich).


2014

My Inquirer column today,http://opinion.inquirer.net/79485/tra...

My Inquirer column today,
http://opinion.inquirer.net/79485/tradewinds


Tradewinds
opinion.inquirer.net
The Chinese junks travelled during the northeast monsoon around March to the Philippines and Indonesia, then around June the traders rode the southwest monsoon back.

Why are bad tasting things like ampalaya good for children while good tasting th...

Why are bad tasting things like ampalaya good for children while good tasting things like candy bad? Cod liver oil was forced on children in the past and it didn't help that Rizal in Dapitan was usually overheard prescribing it as "Emulsion de Scott."


2014

Met an industrious kabayan outside the Kyoto cathedral selling Pinoy chichiria f...

Met an industrious kabayan outside the Kyoto cathedral selling Pinoy chichiria from the boot of her van. Almost bought a bag of chicharon that is made in Thailand! Since when have the Thais appropriated our cholesterol special?


2014

My Inquirer column today.http://opinion.inquirer.net/79359/whe......

My Inquirer column today.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/79359/when-the-earth-quaked-in-1645


When the earth quaked in 1645
opinion.inquirer.net
The heritage churches of Bohol brought to ruin by an earthquake remain as they are a year after they were toppled. These churches are now history and will be remembered only through photographs and memory.

I was told that at a recent French event in the Metropolitan Museum of Manila my...

I was told that at a recent French event in the Metropolitan Museum of Manila my photo was flashed on the walls. I hope it was not the one that recorded when the insignia of Officier of the French Order of Arts and Letters was conferred on me in 2008. The pin punctured my barong and my flesh to insure it was not a dream. Lesson learned: when you are to receive a medal it is best to wear a suit so it can be pinned on your coat not on your heart.


2014

Books on Japan and the Philippines usually cover World War II so I am going back...

Books on Japan and the Philippines usually cover World War II so I am going back to the 16th century to write something new.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/79309/rusontsubo-luzon-jars


���Rusontsubo,��� Luzon jars
opinion.inquirer.net
When Francesco Carletti arrived in Nagasaki from Manila in June 1597, customs police boarded the vessel and asked the passengers and crew to declare any pottery they had on them. There were many names for these jars (���tsubo���) but the customs officers were searching for jars from Luzon (or ���rusontsub���