Ambeth R. Ocampo's Blog, page 72

Politicians gave crocodiles a bad rep by association. Visitors marvel at "Lolong" now in the National Museum of Natural History ...

Politicians gave crocodiles a bad rep by association. Visitors marvel at "Lolong" now in the National Museum of Natural History who holds the record as the biggest saltwater crocodile captured. Lolong's vital statistics are: 6.17m length and 1,075 kg weight. In 1918 Emilio Aguinaldo shot a croc in Pampanga that held the record at 6.096m length and 3,000 kgs weight. Aguinaldo's croc was displayed in the prewar U.P. Library on Padre Faura (now the Supreme Court building) until it was lost or destr...

Long before politicians gave crocodiles a. bad rep by association, we marveled at "Lolong" now in the National Museum of Natural...

Long before politicians gave crocodiles a. bad rep by association, we marveled at "Lolong" now in the National Museum of Natural History who holds the record as the biggest saltwater crocodile captured. Lolong's vital statistics are: 6.17m length and 1,075 kg weight. In 1918 Emilio Aguinaldo shot a croc in Pampanga that held the record at 1,096m length and 3,000 kgs weight. Aguinaldo's croc was displayed in the prewar U.P. Library on Padre Faura (now the Supreme Court building) until it was lost...

This 19thC studio photograph of a Chinese “aguador” or water carrier reminded me of a reference in the first chapter of the Noli...

This 19thC studio photograph of a Chinese “aguador” or water carrier reminded me of a reference in the first chapter of the Noli where Rizal wrote about:
“…an arm of the Pasig River, known to some as the Binondo River, that like many streams in Manila okays the varied roles of bath, sewer, laundry, fishery, means of communication, and even drinking water if the Chinese water-carrier finds it convenient.”
A drop of Pasig River today will probably kill an elephant.
Photo from the Pardo de...

Bombshell Blast from the Past.While researching on the early Philippine antiquities trade, I came across this obscure news item...

Bombshell Blast from the Past.
While researching on the early Philippine antiquities trade, I came across this obscure news item from 1969. I was surprised to learn that the former President’s mistress was a collector of antiquities. National Museum Director at the time was former Beauty Queen Gemma Cruz Araneta. One day I will follow the story from this stray lead. Who was the dealer sued? What was the vase declared fake by the National Museum?



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First of three days in the Philippine Book Festival. Found these in the Children’s section. See you at Booksigning tomorrow and ...

First of three days in the Philippine Book Festival. Found these in the Children’s section. See you at Booksigning tomorrow and Sunday 1-3pm.



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Batangas placenames reflect history. Tanauan was a look out point Tanaw-an. Calatagan from latag means to lay flat and signified...

Batangas placenames reflect history. Tanauan was a look out point Tanaw-an. Calatagan from latag means to lay flat and signified a preSpanish burial ground. Balisong is a fan knife but what about Tulo? Is it my green mind or does Tul-0 mean something else?



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One of the finest late 19th century studio photos of Filipinas in formal wear made me wonder how much time and effort went into ...

One of the finest late 19th century studio photos of Filipinas in formal wear made me wonder how much time and effort went into getting into these clothes and posing for the camera.



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There is something about the way old photographs of Filipinas are composed and posed that makes it different from the snaps we t...

There is something about the way old photographs of Filipinas are composed and posed that makes it different from the snaps we take with our smartphones. It’s not sepia filter either. Can’t place it. Anyone wants to hazard a guess?



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Carlo Tanseco needed a photo of Rizal’s rosary for a painting he is working on. Though I had sent him a file photo I visited the...

Carlo Tanseco needed a photo of Rizal’s rosary for a painting he is working on. Though I had sent him a file photo I visited the Ateneo Archives last week to take a more recent pic. I first saw this rosary when I was a freshman in the Ateneo High School. That early I learned to see and know Rizal beyond textbooks and monuments. It was a long process to get to “Rizal without the Overcoat” first published in 1990. After college, I attended the Las Pinas Bamboo Organ Festival twice with Fr Jose A. ...

The Basilica of Taal, completed in 1878, and dedicated to St Martin of Tours is the biggest church in the Philippines (and they ...

The Basilica of Taal, completed in 1878, and dedicated to St Martin of Tours is the biggest church in the Philippines (and they claim in all of Asia). It is a testament of faith that this small town built so impressive a church. It should be better known and studied.
Compare the church circa 1900 (Top) with that in May 2023 (Bottom). I wish I knew how to take better pictures. Off-hand the new steeple resembles a baby bottle nipple.
The church exterior shorn of its plaster covering or "p...