Dr. Ambeth Ocampo during the book signingDr. Ambeth Ocampo dug deep into the collection of the Lopez Museum and found gems in the archive that showcased unusual and elusive forms of political cartoons and sketches.

His lecture, “Telembang! Pakakak! Buntut Pague!,” showcased biting illustrations from the Spanish and American periods in Philippine history rendered by the likes of Jose Pereira, Jorge Pineda and Fernando Amorsolo, among others.

“The importance of ‘useless’ information,” flashed on the screen, eliciting laughter from the audience. From illustrations that accompanied the story of “The Monkey and the Tortoise,” superstitions on dealing with lice and a boy falling into a freezing pond, Ocampo pieced together anecdotes that contextualized these works in history.

The afternoon lecture showcased how journalists and artists from different publications utilized the medium for reportage while dishing out satirical tirades on the changes they wanted to see in society. Ocampo took the average history lecture and put a spin on it by injecting humor and wit to facts.

Ocampo interfaced with the participants during the open forum that followed. To close the program, guests lined up for a book signing. It was an afternoon of relearning history through rarely seen materials with one of the country’s foremost historians.

Telembang! Pakakak! Buntut Pague!” is a supplementary lecture to the museum’s current exhibition, Drawing the Lines, which runs until July 8, 2016.

The Lopez Memorial Museum is at the ground floor, Benpres Building, Exchange Road corner Meralco Avenue, Pasig City. Museum days and hours are Mondays to Saturdays, except holidays, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Avail of unlimited access to exhibitions and library resources by signing up for the Lopez Museum membership program. Members can borrow books from the lending section and get discounts on lectures, workshops and services for only P1,500.