Ambeth R. Ocampo's Blog, page 239

Tokyo isn't a place to be homesick, barely a week since I arrived in Sophia Univ...

Tokyo isn't a place to be homesick, barely a week since I arrived in Sophia University I have had the pleasure of seeing friends visiting from Manila. Historians Lydia Yu-Jose (Ateneo) and Rico Jose (UP) went over my photos of Artemio Ricarte (Vibora) who will be the topic for a future lecture.

Meeting friends for lunch at the Imperial Hotel tomorrow. If they want to burn s...

Meeting friends for lunch at the Imperial Hotel tomorrow. If they want to burn some calories afterwards we will cross the street to Hibiya Park and pay our respects by the Rizal statue that commemorates his visit to Japan in 1888.


History

"Room with a view" is a novel by E.M. Forster. My office in Sophia University, i...

"Room with a view" is a novel by E.M. Forster. My office in Sophia University, in the center of Tokyo, looks out into St. Ignatius church where Filipinos gather for mass on Sundays. Its a room with a view that will make my sabbatical very productive.

Most Filipinos associate the word Guardia Civil with Rizal's novels and oppressi...

Most Filipinos associate the word Guardia Civil with Rizal's novels and oppression during the Spanish period. We all thought those are extinct like Padre Damaso but in Cadiz I was amused by this police car part of the King and Queen's escort.


History

Yesterday was all smiles in Sophia University, graduates showing off their diplo...

Yesterday was all smiles in Sophia University, graduates showing off their diplomas, the women in traditional dress. This university will be my home till March 2013.

Finally got internet connection in my office after three days. I am Visiting Pro...

Finally got internet connection in my office after three days. I am Visiting Professor in Sophia University and will be in Tokyo till March 31, 2013 but my columns and FB posts will continue from here.

Sorry for the delay. My Inquirer column today on Aguinaldo's birthday that didn'...

Sorry for the delay. My Inquirer column today on Aguinaldo's birthday that didn't meet the deadline last Friday.


'Desgracia, desgraciada'
opinion.inquirer.net
March 22 was Emilio Aguinaldo's 143rd birthday. In his memoirs, Aguinaldo narrated how he came into the world with a bang in 1869. His mother had started a long and difficult labor, so to speed things up his father lit a big firecracker under their bed, producing a loud explosion that jolted baby Em...

This prewar postcard of the Ateneo Municipal in Intramuros gives us an idea of t...

This prewar postcard of the Ateneo Municipal in Intramuros gives us an idea of the stage where Rizal received his diploma. Today I will endure the heat and hassle of commencement exercises to share in the joy and triumph of my former students.


History

No column today sorry, Didnt make the deadline.

No column today sorry, Didnt make the deadline.

Eteched in stone are the names of the delegates from Spanish America who were pr...

Eteched in stone are the names of the delegates from Spanish America who were present when La Pepa or the 1812 Cadiz Constitution was proclaimed. On the right of the door to the Oratorio de San Felipe are the names of the representatives from the Philippines one of whom, Ventura de los Reyes of Vigan, was a signatory to La Pepa.


History