Martial Law

Looking Back #15

by Ambeth R. Ocampo

This fifteenth compilation of articles by historian Ambeth R. Ocampo on his Looking Back series is based on the diaries of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, including articles on confidential diplomatic cables and documents that have been recently declassified by the United States and on contemporary attempts to rehabilitate the dictator after the controversial burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in 2016, and give him state recognition in its aftermath.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Lamberto 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.

Reviews

[Galatea · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book, especially given the current bullshittery of the Duterte administration.

This book carries a great sense of urgency, of someone bringing about dire, unwanted, yet vitally important news. Adding to this is the rough feel of the prose, with a few spelling errors (i counted 3, one on page 48, "possessoion", another I think on 80) and punctuation errors, as well as a postscript regarding the law proposing Marcos' birthday on 9/11 to be a holiday in his home province of Ilocos Norte.

Under normal circumstances, I'd take points off for the confusing way that some of the essays read, but these are not normal times. This is still something everyone should read, warts and all.

[Bianca (The Ultimate Fangirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for an extensive read about Martial Law, this is not it.

However, if you do want to supplement your knowledge on what the dictator wrote about himself in his diaries, then you are in luck. Sir Ambeth's commentary on the many things that we have overlooked over the past years regarding dark times in our history is well-written and actually neutral. He is true to his word on looking things at a perspective.

But let's be real here. As he points out, the problem is not historical revisionism. It's historical denialism.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

It doesn’t really show the events which lead to martial law, the events during, and those after in detail. It is more like a composition of quips and trivia that can be inserted to your existing knowledge about the martial law. Its a nice supplement to other books that have detailed and exhaustive accounts of the Marcos martial law period.

[jellybean]

not really an in depth exploration of marcos and the martial law era, more like trivia essays, but still very informative and interesting. really liked this line as it is very relevant with the upcoming elections: "the pro-marcos narrative continually foisted upon is is nothing but bare-faced lies and half-truths. this is not historical revisionism, it is historical denialism."

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anvill needs to proof read more thoroughly. However, I think this is still a helpful publication as it makes available an easy to read historian's take on entries of FEM's diaries. Ocampo juxtaposed the diary entries with newspaper articles of the time and the events that unfolded. Let's call a spade a spade is his call to action. No to historical denialism!

[SergioEavesDropping · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought in Solidaridad (desde 1965 / Manila’s biggest little bookshop).

`The pro-Marcos narrative continually foisted on us, especially in social media, is nothing but barefaced lies and half-truths. This is not historical revisionism it is historical distortion.’

Terminado en Gijón.

[Gabriela Francisco · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The pro-Marcos narrative continually foisted on us... is nothing but barefaced lies and half-truths. This is not historical revisionism, it is historical denialism."

I finished this book a few days after the living half of the conjugal dictatorship was given an award by the Chinese embassy for promoting intercultural ties. I'm continuously amazed at the amnesia of my own countrymen about the abuse our country went through, something that the whole world seems to know, and yet Filipinos ignore.

Which is why books and columns like Ambeth Ocampo's are very important. He seeks to shed light, a little at a time, with these simple articles that anyone can understand.

This fifteenth book in the LOOKING BACK series is probably the shortest, being only 98 pages long. But if I recall correctly what Mr. Ocampo said in one of his live lectures, this is only a preparatory book, a taste of what's to come when he publishes his book on the Marcos diaries.

I remember listening to the exciting story of how he got hold of a copy with bated breath, it would do James Bond proud.

How can we trust what Mr. Ocampo writes? Simple. He always mentions his sources. This complete transparency is what separates the honest man from the dishonest one.

I respect Ocampo for his meticulous mentioning of his references, always going to the primary sources. To illustrate the point, he said that he got in touch with the living children of Ferdinand Marcos so he could confirm whether or not the diaries had been written in their father's own hand (and they did confirm this).

Compare this to a family who lies so often they forget what is true: the false World War II medals of the patriarch, the false degrees they earned, the amount of money they stole.

In a country where we have not only forgotten but seem to have rewarded the crimes of this infamous family (where else can a deposed plunderer be buried in a cemetery meant for heroes?!), this is essential reading.

"All of this made me reflect on the value of history and historians against social media inundated by fake news and a world populated by those confronted with truth and yet believe what they want to believe."

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informed by both primary (Marcos diaries) and secondary sources (newspaper clippings and U. S. documents regarding Martial Law), Ambeth Ocampo presented a more attentive look at one of the dark periods of our history. There is new stuff on Ninoy Aquino and Jose Maria Sison. I also love the postscript regarding the proposed Marcos holiday in Ilocos.

[Joanne Aika Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very slim volume by Ambeth Ocampo that covers not so much the events of Martial Law but the interesting highlights of how and why it came about and the key people and their thoughts during that time in history.

Ocampo tells an engaging account of trying to piece together the Martial Law years using archival research and an upclose reading of Marcos Sr’s diaries. It’s incredibly interesting to me to read Marcos’s diaries. I couldn’t help but think how he and Imelda resembled the self-importance (and delusion) of Kim and Kanye. Ocampo definitely keeps things entertaining but not sacrificing depth and insight. It’s a must-read for young-ish people like me who wants to refresh their memory on what really transpired during that tumultuous (and now controversial) period in Philippine history.

[Matthew Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This legacy of criminal impunity is the result of decades of entrenched state violence in the aftermath of the Martial Law regime during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos (1972-1986) of unbridled corruption, mixed with enforced disappearances, murders, tortures, and summary executions committed by the State that touched not only politicians but students, activists, religious leaders, workers and even ordinary people like you and me. This fitting compilation of poignant articles by Ambeth R. Ocampo based on the diaries of the late dictator placed into the proper historical context helps us counter the pro-Marcos historical denialism being propagated now on social media.

[Ylla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Martial Law book may not be a complete source for curious youth wanting to grasp knowledge about the past, as there are an array of sources only waiting to be found, this book is still recommended if you want a quick and easy read. Mr. Ocampo on the other hand did a great job on narrowing down these compacted inquiries and details encapsulating the reasons for the events before, during and after the September 23, 1972 declaration.

[Gab of Green Gables · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the Conjugal Dictatorship, I was already familiar with some of the contents in this book but it offered new information that I haven't read yet.

Ambeth Ocampo showcased his expertise in historical analysis based on the Marcos' diary for instance in this one.

Truly, this book is an important piece of literature among the numerous written works on the darkest era of Philippine history.

[Bianca Nagac · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is honestly my least favourite among the Looking Back books of Sir Ambeth. But this is because it is not the martial law-themed book for me. I've read many books about Martial Law era in the past. This is the reason why a huge chunk of articles became recurring for me. Nevertheless, I recommend this to the curious youth, wanting to learn more about Marcos and the Proclamation No. 1081.

[Sai theengineerisreading]

If you read any of Ambeth's previous books, you'll be underwhelmed since this one is a small collections of flash essays depicting some of the notable events of Martial Law based on Marcos' diary entries and other recently declassified reading materials from US.

This is a great warmer if you plan to read more about Martial Law.

[Bobbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of Ocampo's Essays ruminating on the Martial Law era and the implications of it on the Duterte Administration. A good material if you wanted a historian's *glimpse* at Marcos' terror reign, but not extensive and holistic enough to be considered eye-opening.

A good light read for an anxious soul during these alarming times.

[V, The Reading Turtle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is slim. I would enjoy this book more if Ocampo included more essays in it. But overall, the book's okay. The writing is okay. It provided important information.

This was my first book on Martial Law, and I'm hoping to read more.

This was also my first 'Looking Back' book. I'm planning to collect all volumes (if I could fine them.)

[jini]

This book delves into the rationale behind Martial Law, historiography on Philippine presidents, how Marcos's diary entries reflect who he was, and his legacy.

I wish it included articles on the victims of Martial Law. They were excluded from the narrative Ocampo attempts to create in this collection of articles.

[Carlos Montes · Rating 3 out of 5]

There seems to be something lacking about the way Ambeth Ocampo comments about Marco's personal diaries, and his essays are somewhat disjointed and confusing. However, what I do appreciate about the book is that it sheds light on sensitive and important material regarding the atrocities committed during the Martial Law era, so it's still a good read.

[Alyssa Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If not for this book, I would not know that Marcos has a well-kept diary during Martial law, and I wouldn't be aware that the late dictator and Senator Benigno Aquino had this seemingly well-bred relationship. Nice work Ambeth!

[Ja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought this expecting to read a short and yet in-depth narrative of what happened during Martial Law. But the book is just like clippings, opinions, something you collect before starting your research paper. And boy was I bored. Kinda a letdown from the first Looking Back I first read.

[Maiko Jean Zyrra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introductory read — learned a few things here and there but not really as much as I was expecting to. Nonetheless, it was interesting to be able to read a few excerpts on Marcos' diary during his term + some confidential diplomatic cables and a few declassified US documents.

[Jun S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Ambeth Ocampo's take on history and the way he presents it. . Not tedious (at all) . Excited to read this 15th of his Looking Back series - Martial Law.

[Janelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good historical account, but as the author kept on repeating— this is just a “proverbial tip of the iceberg”.

[Hanna Del Rey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cringe every two or three pages. Not just because it’s Marcos, but also because this little booklet was poorly (barely) edited – tons of spelling, punctuation, and other typographical errors.

[Francine · Rating 3 out of 5]

was left reading for more. oh well, it did the job for me!

[Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An apt reading for the times.

[Wienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

"This is not historical revisionism, it is historical denialism."

[Albert Rejas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good, especially when you are looking for bite-sized historical information and trivias, and primary accounts/documents of the Marcoses' regime. You will acquire historical insights and narratives through these compiled short essays.

It is just that these essays are not enough to comprehensively educate us and supplement our historical knowledge and awareness in this particular period. Thus, read this book, but make sure to read other extensive and deeply-researched Marcos history books that will provide you enough historical narratives and facts to overcome the proliferation of historical disinformation and denialism regarding this particular period.

[Anna Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a very nice quick read for someone who knows little about martial law :)))

[Regel Aggabao · Rating 4 out of 5]

Around 3.5 - 4

Grabe,ang daming plot twist beh HAHAHA. Baka nanalo na tayo ng Emmy nito, keme