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Looking Back #7
Storm Chasers
This is the 7th volume of Ambeth Ocampo's "Looking Back" series of essays on Philippine history.
"History shows that in the end, Filipinos do survive and overcome, but despite the twenty typhoons that ravage parts of the country every year, why are we not better prepared for the next one? Our long history of, and experience with, typhoons should make coping with disaster second-nature to us, but as Yolanda has shown, it is not history that repeats itself, rather it is we who repeat it." (from the Preface by Ambeth R. Ocampo)
"History shows that in the end, Filipinos do survive and overcome, but despite the twenty typhoons that ravage parts of the country every year, why are we not better prepared for the next one? Our long history of, and experience with, typhoons should make coping with disaster second-nature to us, but as Yolanda has shown, it is not history that repeats itself, rather it is we who repeat it." (from the Preface by Ambeth R. Ocampo)
- GenresHistoryEssaysNonfiction
98 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
5 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Ambeth R. Ocampo
69 books409 followersLamberto R. Ocampo better known as Ambeth R. Ocampo (b. 1961) is Filipino historian, academic, journalist, cultural administrator and author best known for his writings about Philippines' national hero José Rizal, and for his bi-weekly editorial page column in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, "Looking Back." He became the Chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2002 until 2010, and was appointed as Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2005 until 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 16, 2022
Ambeth Ocampo is the most popular historian in the Philippines. He is a professor, writer and well-known speaker. When he opens his lectures on history to the public, many young people would buy the expensive ticket and intently listen to him.
Why did Ocampo become popular? He is able to bring the boring history classes that schools and universities require us to finish, to digestible fun snippets. He regularly writes in one of the country's leading newspaper, Philippine Daily Inquirer and teaches history in one of the exclusive universities, Ateneo de Manila. He also takes government-commissioned works that give him access to the rare records in National Museum, National Library, etc. Lastly, as he became popular, other well-known historians or relatives of the key players in the pivotal events in the country's history agree to be interviewed by him. All these led to his many history books including this Looking Back series that you can take to the toilet and read 1-3 essays and it will make your normal everyday morning routine more intellectually-stimulating.
Not sure how many for the earlier issues of the series I have read. This one is #7 and I got the motivation to read this because our book club, Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books voted this as our January 2022 read. This particular issue talks, in its first 4-5 essays, about the tragedy of typhoon Yolanda in relation to the distant past when 2 similar destructive typhoons hit the country traversing the same path: Leyte in particular Tacloban City. So, the question that Ocampo asks is: if we are experiencing 20-22 typhoons, on the average, per year? How come we are still ill-equipped in preparing for the typhoons to minimize their risks and impact to the citizenry?
And of course, your answer is as good as mine.
Why did Ocampo become popular? He is able to bring the boring history classes that schools and universities require us to finish, to digestible fun snippets. He regularly writes in one of the country's leading newspaper, Philippine Daily Inquirer and teaches history in one of the exclusive universities, Ateneo de Manila. He also takes government-commissioned works that give him access to the rare records in National Museum, National Library, etc. Lastly, as he became popular, other well-known historians or relatives of the key players in the pivotal events in the country's history agree to be interviewed by him. All these led to his many history books including this Looking Back series that you can take to the toilet and read 1-3 essays and it will make your normal everyday morning routine more intellectually-stimulating.
Not sure how many for the earlier issues of the series I have read. This one is #7 and I got the motivation to read this because our book club, Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books voted this as our January 2022 read. This particular issue talks, in its first 4-5 essays, about the tragedy of typhoon Yolanda in relation to the distant past when 2 similar destructive typhoons hit the country traversing the same path: Leyte in particular Tacloban City. So, the question that Ocampo asks is: if we are experiencing 20-22 typhoons, on the average, per year? How come we are still ill-equipped in preparing for the typhoons to minimize their risks and impact to the citizenry?
And of course, your answer is as good as mine.
April 19, 2015
When I went last Thursday to DLSU for my graduate school class, there was a mini book fair. To my delight, I found this book.
Once again, the most famous popular historian in the Philippines has dished out another great and fun read. I found myself thinking about serious stuff like historical typhoons in the Philippines, Andres Bonifacio and the Tejeros Convention, the Marcoses and the Tripoli Agreement; and I could not help but laugh in the library when I read Ocampo talk about farts. The most interesting tidbit in the book is the debunking of the myth that the model for the UP Oblation statue was Fernando Poe, Sr.; it was actually the assistant of Guillermo Tolentino, a National Artist for Sculpture and the one who built the Oblation.
Once again, the most famous popular historian in the Philippines has dished out another great and fun read. I found myself thinking about serious stuff like historical typhoons in the Philippines, Andres Bonifacio and the Tejeros Convention, the Marcoses and the Tripoli Agreement; and I could not help but laugh in the library when I read Ocampo talk about farts. The most interesting tidbit in the book is the debunking of the myth that the model for the UP Oblation statue was Fernando Poe, Sr.; it was actually the assistant of Guillermo Tolentino, a National Artist for Sculpture and the one who built the Oblation.
June 20, 2017
The Looking Back series have always been a source of relief and reflection since I was able to get a copy of the first book (even before these came in small-size paperback editions). It has always reminded me that history is first and foremost a collection of stories that call for critical analysis and reflection without missing the fun and curiosity it brings. The only thing that I find disappointing at times is that Sir Ambeth sometimes leaves things hanging, putting the nosedive on hold and leaving things to ourselves. But then, who would in these crucial times?
August 29, 2022
Terrible, I am in disbelief.
Lengthy review for looking back 6 coming soon
Lengthy review for looking back 6 coming soon
September 2, 2022
This book is meaningful to me. I bought it at my local book store when I was at 9th grade, looking at an affordable book & grabbed it bc of the covers also(I think I looked smart for buying it). I putted it off for lots of months to years because I can't put myself to read more 'boring' chapters talking about history & uncomprehending story of storms. Yes, I wasn't interested. Until late December 2021, I finally tried to understand it and that was the best idea I've done cause for following chapters till the end, I was speechless! It was amazing, humour wise, wisdom learnings from looking back into history!
I loved & treasured this book esp. the letter of Manuel to his oldest daughter.
Learned: Grab the opportunity to learn and do your best in the education system cause it isn't against you nor anyone, it is a privileged to learn, relearn, the lesson of others, & of course the history is not repeating itself, it's us who make it.
I loved & treasured this book esp. the letter of Manuel to his oldest daughter.
Learned: Grab the opportunity to learn and do your best in the education system cause it isn't against you nor anyone, it is a privileged to learn, relearn, the lesson of others, & of course the history is not repeating itself, it's us who make it.
May 22, 2017
"History? Fun? Yes! History, after all, is a collection of stories, complete with characters, settings and plots. History, in Filipino, is “kasaysayan,” which means “salaysay na may saysay.” That translates to 'meaningful stories.' People like stories, right? More so if they bring meaning to them. Some of these stories can be found in the Looking Back series by Ambeth Ocampo." Continue reading our post here.
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Please note: We don't use ratings but for this purpose, we tag books with three stars by default.
Would like to be a reviewer/contributor to Bookbed? Sign up here!
We also accept review requests. More info here.
December 10, 2020
Not as cohesive as the previous books in the series, making it read like the essays were put together in haste. The topics switched faster than my next page flip, haha, but I did enjoy the range - from typhoons to food taboos to Marcos to the Tejeros convention to Quezon's letter to the Oblation and then to Nicanor Abelardo. For a 150 something pager, it was a lot. Idk how long I'll remember all the info, but looking back like this always makes me wonder when we'll ever be liberated from the mistakes, nay, lessons of our past.
Everything I read in 2020 here :)
Everything I read in 2020 here :)
December 1, 2021
The facts, rumors and other hearsays I did not learn from my student days in history is long gone. Ambeth Ocampo definitely filled a lot if information in my mind for the last three days I'm reading this book. Definitely informative for someone who loves history.
November 20, 2024
High four stars. The book was good, though I felt it was a bit inferior to previous works. Could be personal taste of course, but this is a good time as any to distinguish between the books in the series for me.
October 23, 2023
fun informative read
November 26, 2016
Actual rating 2.5
”It is not history repeats itself
rather it is we who repeat it.”
I was a little kinda disappointed. Maybe due to the topics presented here didn’t appealed to me like Rizal’s teeth, Bonifacio’s Bone.
The book is similar to the other looking back series, it is a compliation of Mr. Ocampo’s articles. It starts with the articles on devastating typhoons that hit the Visayas region before Yolanda, dating back to 1897.
Then, he weaved the discussion about weather to ancient houses. Then jumped to an adventure of a saint in the Philippines, then to the martires (martyrs). Next is about the names and acronyms of partylist and associations which I find funny and witty. One example is the story behind the name of Loyola School of Theology. (This part is my favorite).
Interesting history tidbits on foods and a séance conducting National Artist. Which decoded the writing on the ancient Calatagan pot.
Marcos era also made its way in Storm Chasers. Which I find some funny notes on the late controversial president of the Republic of the Philippines.
But still, reading is is much enjoyable than reading history textbooks.
“In time of crisis, news should generate more illumination than heat.”
”We teach history so that we can liberate ourselves from the past.”
”It is not history repeats itself
rather it is we who repeat it.”
I was a little kinda disappointed. Maybe due to the topics presented here didn’t appealed to me like Rizal’s teeth, Bonifacio’s Bone.
The book is similar to the other looking back series, it is a compliation of Mr. Ocampo’s articles. It starts with the articles on devastating typhoons that hit the Visayas region before Yolanda, dating back to 1897.
Then, he weaved the discussion about weather to ancient houses. Then jumped to an adventure of a saint in the Philippines, then to the martires (martyrs). Next is about the names and acronyms of partylist and associations which I find funny and witty. One example is the story behind the name of Loyola School of Theology. (This part is my favorite).
Interesting history tidbits on foods and a séance conducting National Artist. Which decoded the writing on the ancient Calatagan pot.
Marcos era also made its way in Storm Chasers. Which I find some funny notes on the late controversial president of the Republic of the Philippines.
But still, reading is is much enjoyable than reading history textbooks.
“In time of crisis, news should generate more illumination than heat.”
”We teach history so that we can liberate ourselves from the past.”
October 8, 2014
I actually found myself chuckling. Nice curated entries on Storms, the Marcoses, Elections and Guillermo Tolentino. I think it's better that there are main topics where essays are focused on instead of one big hodgepodge of things.
April 26, 2016
Another gem for Sir Ambeth. The stories about Bonifacio and elections in the Philippines were my favourite. The last chapter left me with a lot of questions and a challenge. I wish I would become a historian someday.
August 24, 2016
It is a delight to read snippets of history as Mr. Ocampo mixes topics that make the past alive.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews