Liberating ourselves from our past | Ambeth Ocampo | TEDxDiliman

Summary

The speaker reflects on the Philippine national hero Rizal, whose image is ubiquitous yet misunderstood. They discuss the portrayal of Rizal and other historical figures like Mabini and Luna, emphasizing their humanity and the need to see them beyond the myths. The talk delves into the importance of understanding history in its full complexity to avoid repeating past mistakes, highlighting the enduring relevance of Mabini's insights on governance and the pitfalls of hero-worship.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The speaker discusses the ubiquitous presence of Ral in Philippine culture, from birth to death, and how he is depicted in various everyday items.
• 😐 Ral is seen everywhere but not truly known; he's on money but often overlooked, reflecting a disconnect between the public and historical figures.
• 😹 The speaker humorously recounts the campaign to make Ninoy Aquino smile on the 500 peso bill, highlighting the humanization of heroes in currency design.
• 📚 In 1990, the speaker published a book titled 'Ral without the Overcoat,' aiming to humanize Ral by depicting him without his iconic coat and showing him smiling.
• 🕺 The script includes rare and humorous images of Ral and his contemporaries in casual and unconventional poses, emphasizing their humanity.
• 🤔 The speaker challenges the audience to see historical figures in a new light, questioning the traditional portrayal of heroes as untouchable and perfect.
• 🎬 The recent popularity of the film 'Heneral Luna' has reignited interest in Philippine history, particularly focusing on the character of Antonio Luna.
• 🧐 The film's portrayal of Apolinario Mabini raises questions about historical accuracy and the public's understanding of his paralysis, attributed to polio, not syphilis.
• 📝 Mabini's writings, particularly his analysis of the Philippine Revolution, are highlighted as insightful and relevant, with his observations on governance still resonating today.
• 🗳️ The speaker touches on the historical election fraud in the Malolos Congress, suggesting a cyclical pattern of political dishonesty in the country's history.
• 📚 Mabini's legacy as a writer is underscored, emphasizing the importance of reading and understanding history to break the cycle of repeating past mistakes.
• 🌐 The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to learn from history to liberate themselves from its burdens and to shape a different future.

Q & A

What significant change was made to the 500 peso bill in 2010?

In 2010, the 500 peso bill was updated to show Ninoy Aquino smiling, and his wife and son were also included on the bill, with the son signing the paper bill.

Why did the author decide to remove Rizal's overcoat in his book?

The author wanted to portray Rizal as a human being and make him smile, rather than just a national hero, to show that heroes can also be relatable and have a human side.

What did the author discover about the depiction of heroes in the Philippines' educational system?

The author discovered that the educational system often omits the humanizing aspects of heroes, such as their casual and humorous moments, to maintain a more heroic and serious image.

What misconception about Apolinario Mabini's paralysis was corrected after his bones were examined in 1980?

The misconception that Mabini lost the use of his legs due to syphilis was corrected; it was actually polio that caused his paralysis.

Why did Mabini not become the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

Mabini was denied the position because the commission on appointments believed he could not fulfill the duties due to his lameness, despite his insistence that the job did not require a lot of walking.

What did Mabini do during his exile in Guam?

During his exile, Mabini wrote many things, including his analysis of the Revolution, and from memory, he wrote out the entire 'Florante at Laura', a significant piece of Philippine literature.

What was Mabini's opinion on the failure of the Revolution?

Mabini believed the Revolution failed because it was not well-guided, with Aguinaldo only appreciating people he liked, which led to a lack of unity and proper leadership.

What historical event is referred to as 'dagdag-bawas' and when did it occur?

The 'dagdag-bawas' refers to election fraud, specifically ballot rigging, which occurred as early as 1897 during the elections following the Malolos Congress.

What lesson does the author hope people will learn from revisiting history and the actions of figures like Mabini and Aguinaldo?

The author hopes that by understanding history, people will recognize the patterns of past mistakes and work towards not repeating them, thus liberating themselves from the cycle of history.

Why is it important for the author that history is accurately represented and taught?

Accurate representation of history is important because it allows people to learn from the past, understand the mistakes made by leaders, and strive for better governance and decision-making in the present and future.

What role did gossip and misinformation play in the historical events discussed in the script?

Gossip and misinformation played a significant role in shaping public opinion and the political landscape, leading to the removal of key figures like Mabini from power and the assassination of others like Luna.