Timeless Musings: Ambeth Ocampo's Books on Rizal & F. Sionil Jose's Take on the Duterte Phenomenon

I didn't know what happened. 

We went to good ole National Bookstore with the original intent of buying books for my son. There was nothing strange about that. What was somewhat unusual was that I purchased more books for myself than for him!  

I didn't regret buying Mr. Ocampo's books at all for the author can make Philippine history interesting and brimming with so much life. He is indeed a master storyteller, so effective in fact that I continually asked myself whether I was reading history or reading the synopsis of a Korean Drama! 

Mr. Ocampo successfully separates Rizal the Man from the Myth, thanks to the author's painstaking research from the hero's first-hand works and letters. While reading my Ocampo Book Haul, I can't help but see Rizal as an ordinary man struggling with similar dreams and fears.

In the book Meaning & History, Mr. Ocampo explains this concept further. "So by dissecting Rizal the myth and juxtaposing this against the real historical Rizal, one attains a glimpse of this "imagined" national identity. 

We create Rizal in our own image and likeness using both memory and amnesia to suit our ruffled conscience. How we will see Rizal in the coming century will be a clear expression of how we see ourselves. Rizal both in life and in death showed the Filipino people a capacity for greatness. Only when we share this view can we fully understand Rizal and consequently ourselves?" ( Chapter: Memory and Amnesia, page 19)

April Book Haul:
Rizal's Teeth, Bonifacio's Bones by Ambeth Ocampo
Ambeth Ocampo's Meaning & History
Death by Garrote by Ambeth Ocampo

Mr. Ocampo further noted "...that what made Rizal the hero he is today was his capacity to rise above his physical limitations and to attempt great deeds."

Mr. Ocampo's highly-esteemed colleague, National Artist F. Sionil Jose, echoed a similar view during one of his talks which I was fortunate enough to attend. 

He said, "Rizal matched wits with any white man" which garnered the world's respect. The proof is that many nations have adopted Rizal as their hero as seen in many landmarks and statues from around Asia, Germany, and Spain, Mr. Jose added. 

A Candid Shot of National Artist F. Sionil Jose 
During One of His Talks

Many regard Mr. Jose as a sage of our times, for he can make sense of history, politics, and current events like no other. No wonder some of our kababayan want to know the National Artist's thoughts on the 2016 Presidential Elections.

On April 27, Mr. Jose posted his views on his Facebook Page, emphasizing the supposed "Duterte Phenomenon."

"Why Duterte" by F. Sionil Jose

This was not the first time the National Artist shared razor-sharp views on how the government should be run, as seen in his now famous Open Letter to Noynoy, published in the Philippine Star on May 23, 2010.

He ended the letter with a passionate plea for the CHANGE he longed to see but couldn't for many years.

"I am 85 and how I despair over how three generations of our leaders failed! Before I go, please let me see this unhappy country begin to be a much better place than the garbage dump our leaders and people have made it..."

F. Sionil Jose's Official Facebook Page

Ambeth R. Ocampo's Facebook Page