Dr. Ambeth Ocampo Lectures on Maps and Maritime in Jakarta for MANA Mo 2024

Dr. Ambeth Ocampo discussing his lecture in the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (Jakarta PE Photo)

JAKARTA 01 October 2024 —Dr. Ambeth Ocampo conducted one of his lectures to showcase the rich maritime heritage of the Philippines and its role in shaping the concept of Filipino nationhood on 22 to 23 September 2024.

In line with this year’s celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) and the 75th anniversary of the Philippines-Indonesia diplomatic relations, the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta invited renowned public historian Dr. Ambeth R. Ocampo to deliver a series of lectures showcasing the rich maritime heritage of the Philippines and its role in shaping the concept of Filipino nationhood. 

Entitled “Maps and the Emergence of the Filipino Nation,” the lectures were held at the Embassy’s Chancery and at the Maritime Museum Jakarta.The lecture at the Maritime Museum Jakarta also served as a side event to the ongoing Arthefact 3.0 Exhibition of the museum which will run until 20 October 2024.

The lectures were well-attended by Filipino community members, diplomatic corps, and Indonesian students and professionals, as well as the local media.

Dr. Ambeth Ocampo (Center) with the attendees of his lectures (Jakarta PE Photo)

The lectures highlighted the role of water as connecting, and not separating, the islands of the Philippine archipelago. Maps serve as a representation of reality and help establish national identity. In the context of the ongoing South China Sea/West Philippine Sea standoff, maps, particularly the Murillo-Velarde Map, played a crucial role in establishing the Philippines’ historical claim over the disputed areas. 

Lastly, Dr. Ocampo established the importance of culture and history in understanding our maritime heritage, as well as in finding connections in our shared history with Indonesia. END

For more information, visit https://www.jakartape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philembjkt.com, https://facebook.com/PHLinIndonesia/, https://twitter.com/PHinIndonesia or https://www.instagram.com/phlinindonesia/