Death by Garrote

Looking Back #3

by Ambeth R. Ocampo

Volume 3 in Anvil Publishing's series compiling Ambeth Ocampo's popular history column, Looking Back, featuring straightforward, thoroughly researched essays on Philippine history and culture packed with curiosity, controversy, and insight--as well as Dr. Ocampo's trademark wit and humor.

"The cause of history writing owes Ambeth Ocampo a great deal. By his extraordinary use of a relatively new genre, he has rescued history from the cold, forbidding halls of academe. He has made of history something amusing, entertaining... as immediate as a newspaper headline, as relevant as a rapper's song." --Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil

Genres: History, Nonfiction

100 pages, Newsprint

First published January 1, 2010

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

[K.D. Absolutely · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was 7 years old when I heard about these three priests who were killed by Spaniards. My teacher said that the Catholic priests were killed by garrote. Of course, somebody in the class asked what garrote was and the teacher explained that the priests were made to sit on a chair and a torture device made of steel was put around those priests' necks until they could not breathe. Imagine the horror that the story brought into our young minds. Catholic priests who our parents seemed to be fond of by forcing us to wake up early on Sunday mornings to spend at least an hour doing senseless stand up, sit down, kneel, murmuring meaningless words and singing boring songs.

Not to mention the pain, imagine the garrote being twisted slowly and so we pictured in our minds the limp heads hanging above the priests' shoulders. Then their bulging eyes, blood oozing from their mouths, nose and ears. Although our teacher did not elaborate the killing like this, my young mind was already working as I tried to imagine what the priests went through sitting down, protesting and claiming their innocence in that unfaithful event of 1872

The death of Gomburza opens this book 3 in the series of Ambeth Ocampo's "Looking Back." The death scene, however, is not as detailed as I wanted it to be. I found the one of Nick Joaquin in A Question of Heroes (4 stars) a lot better. I hope to find a history book, preferably a witness account, that describes the execution in details. I want to make sure that what I imagined in my 7-year old brain was true or not. Just fascinated with the thought of whether those images that I kept in my mind for four decades were true or not.

There are also some interesting, i.e., new, stories in this book for me. It has an article about President Ramon Magsaysay who my mother still claims as the most-loved president (mine of course is President Cory Aquino). There is also the article with Ocampo's interview of the late Doy Laurel with the latter telling the story how his family, with President Laurel sitting in the office, spending days at Mansion Park in Baguio City eating tuyo and camote. It was fun to learn how the president of the country also had to eat these lowly foods during the Second World War. Aside from those two, all the other stories in the book are known to me from the many other history books that I've read so they seemed rehash and a waste of time.

Well, anyway, on to the fourth.

[Ruby Escalona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Garrote is the third book in the Looking Back series by Ambeth Ocampo. But not to worry, you don't need to buy Looking Back 1 and 2 before you appreciate Looking Back 3. They are all standalone books which comprise of a series of editorial articles that Ambeth Ocampo wrote for the Philippine Daily Inquirer which revolve around Philippine history. These articles do not necessarily just delve in the heroes of the past, but also of various foods, establishments, and so much more!

What I absolutely loved about the Looking Back series is that they provide short glimpses of Philippine History without being too boring! They were written in such a way that is entertaining, informative, and fun! Unlike some of the other history books I read when I was younger [flashback of my Araling Panlipunan days back in high school where I fall asleep], this book would definitely interest you in Philippine history.

Oh, another noteworthy thing about the books, the title of Looking Back 2 and 3 is already an overview of the first few articles presented. In Looking Back 2, it was about Mabini's dancing [could you ever imagine, our most precious hero, dancing? Normally we just associate him with his wheelchair], and in Looking Back 3, it was all about the garrote. [Another note: Frankly, I also never knew what a garrote was. Uh.. dumdum moment again!! Thanks again to Google and this book to erase the stupid factor in me].

Can I just say - when is the next book out?? At 100 pages, it is enough to leave you hanging and wanting more. So, while there are no books out yet, you can discover some of the other Ambeth Ocampo books available in the local bookstores.

So, overall, this is a must read book. You may not be a history buff to appreciate all the articles, but maybe after reading this, you'll get to learn more about Philippine history and look at our heroes and past differently.

[Khonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading several books (in random order) from the Looking Back series has taught me not to expect the title to be the book’s theme (but I do badly want it to be). In Death By Garrote, there were many essays about food (which I enjoyed reading!). I also enjoyed the essays about our Philippine heroes.

[Delie Dell Chua · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it would be more fitting if the book has a different title? Only 2 essays on garrote, the most are about the Philippine revolution of the late 1800s (Emilio Aguinaldo)-second republic. Still, it’s and interesting read on Philippine history.

[Bianca (The Ultimate Fangirl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

From dying by the garrote to finding our sense of nationalism to the food we traditionally eat, Sir Ambeth Ocampo's compiled essays never fail to amuse me.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

What biting wit! Favorite parts: Marcos' karate chop, Tansan was bottled water, ads for Bear Brand and Carnation milk in 1926, Rizal historical markers in Hongkong.

[Zai Zai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised that the topics here would be all over the place. I thought the title would serve as the theme. It was not. Glad it wasn't... maybe I couldn't stomach a book that was too specific about garrote deaths lol.

Learned alot of trivia and fascinating stuff I have already forgotten. Didn't know Bonifacio was into minors ughhh.

The food topics were great. Spoke to my mom about em for hours! The canned stuff were my fave haha.

[Reg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to Ambeth Ocampo through my college history professor, and I will forever thank him for that.

Aside from Rizal Without the Overcoat, Death by Garrote was one of the top of my must read from the author. It took me years to finally start reading this and it does not disappoint. The author writes about our national heroes and traditions in a way that makes me want to know more. I especially love the "useless information" (his words) he injects.

The only thing that was not to my taste, which I just discovered while reading this book, is the talk of food. I know I'm not a foodie, but I realized when I was reading this is that I zone out when it comes to talk about food. My attention was only there when the topic leaned more towards the origin of the name of the food or how the food came to be. When it leaned towards the description of it and how it tasted, yeah my mind flew out the window. But this is a me problem.

I have a ton of short books written by Ambeth Ocampo and I'm excited for what more he can offer. They're great companions for quick reads. I'm also thankful that I am reading them in an era where I can look up more info about the topic with a few taps on my phone. The author gives enough information to keep interest but also leaves out enough to drive curiosity and let the readers read more on the topic at their own pace and time. He does not spoon feed.

[Sol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This being the 3rd installment for his series "Looking Back," this is also the first book that I've read from both the author and the series/trilogy. Containing fascinating fragments, sections, and bits of information in regard to history that is not quite talked about—at least, from what I've heard lately! There are also some (rhetorical?) questions at the end of some chapters, an invitation to think and remain critical throughout.

Ambeth Ocampo's casual style (while inclined more on formality) of writing for this book is a fun read. Containing his first-hand experiences with events/personalities while also inserting his very own thoughts in-between the topic or matter currently at hand (if I may call it that). His curiosity with food is also what I adored in regard to the entirety of the book, which also piqued my interest lately. Overall, the entirety of the book is fascinating in nature, for—once more—the information in this 100-page book is not usually talked about. ^^

[Bookbed · Rating 3 out of 5]

"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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[Monzenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another breezy read from the Looking Back series. This time the highlights are of course the first story about the garrote (relevant as Gomburza had a movie recently), goes through the usual 19th and 20th century stories, and ends with tales of food and names - which seems to be Ambeth's go-to topic. Great stuff as always, and the newspaper-during-your-birth activity may be something I might want to try.

[renzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

my first ocampo book very much enjoyed wows. the back cover said its an engaging way to read about history or something along those lines? and yes it was right i was hooked, i almost read it all in one sitting until i forgot about it. Picked it up in nbs and i did not regret it

[emil · Rating 5 out of 5]

all the looking back essays are super cool ngl hehe

[Paransis · Rating 4 out of 5]

actual score : 3.5/5

dangggg, Emilio Aguinaldo came into the world with a bang.

literally. 💀

[Jan Mark]

fghkljkdfdsf

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so thrilled with my acquired special signed copies of the Looking Back books that i managed to finished the third one in a single sitting, hahah. Death by Garrote includes tidbits on how executioners kill using garrotes (mechanism and all), stuff about food (truly, the way to know a nation's history is also through the people's stomach), Magsaysay's death, Quezon's many faces, the famous Marcos karate chop, Pope Paul VI's assassination attempt during his visit in Manila 1970 (the culprit is an artist/painter-gone-mad), the history of the first ice plants, other interesting gastronomic goodies, funny signs, the Mamon stories, another essay about Andoy and Oriang, traces of Filipino history in Hongkong, heroes and their birthdays, and many more. Intriguing read, highly recommended!

[Japi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great essay collection by Ambeth Ocampo. A must read for history buffs who wants to have a go on history outside of what we are used to i.e. the ones read in textbooks.

Highly recommended.

[Trixie Garvida · Rating 4 out of 5]

This edition of Looking Back does not only talk about how significant people in our history have died, the author also tried to kill its readers by craving for the food choices listed. Although I am not familiar with some, he gave enough description that you can almost taste the food on the menu.

[Yan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me on a journey of thought and palate. Ambeth Ocampo has done it again - he made reading history a pleasure.

[Eddelyn]

awesome! <3

[Carlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has a nice cover though. :)

[Wogie · Rating 3 out of 5]

History at it's finest!

[Kohi · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best Filipino books. :) <3

[Mars · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the entries about food! Should really research about local food history when I get a stable internet connection.

[Adrian Cruz]

aaasasasa

[kwesi 章英狮 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenges:
Book #151 for 2011