The Astrology of a "Rock Star" Historian

By Resti H. Santiago

As we welcome a new chapter in our history, we are thankful for the sacrifices made by many individuals who have devoted their lives to the service of the country and to the emancipation of our race.

Ambeth Ocampo.

There were many of them who died without ever seeing Inang Bayan free. Some of them are famous but most of them are not. Their heroism would have been forgotten if not for the efforts of historians who keep the memory of our heroes alive and relevant in our era.

One such historian who has done much in our time and whose name may reverberate for the rest of the 21st century is Ambeth Ocampo, considered as a historian who has achieved a rock star status.

Studying the past

It is interesting to note that though worlds apart — the astrologer and the historian share the same passion in studying the past. Both dig up facts that they can share with the present generation of readers with the intention to make the future better.

The reason why we have few historians is obvious. It seems to be a job that an ordinary Filipino would never dream of doing. It's ironic that in the country of Jose Rizal, maybe one of the most intelligent human beings that ever walked the earth, historians' works are seldom read.

In a country of non-readers, dreaming to become a historian is not just foolish, it may even be considered as madness, especially if you come from the lower rungs of society.

So you want to be a historian? 

An astrologer would naturally look at the concept of destiny to try to find meaning in a historian's life work. Some are simply meant to be a historian while are others are meant to do other things.

Aside from the scholastic credentials, which can help one progress in the academic world, one must at least have substantial wealth to start with to be free from the worries of day-to-day living. One must also have a simple outlook in life that makes one unattached to the trappings of materialism.

Fortunately, both are true in the case of Ambeth. Coming from a relatively well-off family and living as a monk for a few years contributed a lot to his mental development.

The keyword here is the word "development." Hellenistic astrologers/philosophers assert that recognizing one's destiny isn't the ultimate goal and it isn't as easy as it seems. You have to "choose" whether or not to live out what the three daughters of Fate have sewn for you.

We have to be thankful that Ambeth Ocampo has chosen, after initial doubts, mistakes, setbacks and maybe opposition as well, a different path: to become a different kind of historian.

Fixed signs

Certain astrological factors seem to be important for the gargantuan tasks of digging, preserving and reconstructing the past for the sake of the future generation.

Let see what makes a historian tick. The most important traits that a budding historian must possess are dedication and determination, which in astrology are the distinguishing character traits of those who are born with dominant fixed signs.

By dominant, what is meant is not just the Sun sign, based on the month one is born, but based on the position of other planets in one's complete (computed) astrological chart.

The fixed signs are: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius.

It should be noted that at least four of the Philippines' top historians belong to the fixed signs.

Teodoro Agoncillo belongs to Scorpio, the sign modern astrologers associate with research.

Horacio dela Costa belongs to Taurus, the sign of the preservation of forms.

I'm including Alejandro Lichauco, another Scorpio, who has done a great job of researching and writing the history of the country's economic development from the time of American occupation till the '80s.

And, of course, Ambeth Ocampo, who belongs to the sign Leo, the sign that wants us to be proud of our heritage.

Love for country, knowledge

In my book Astro-time 2009, I discussed the zodiac signs of wealthy nations. I emphasized the importance of the fixed signs in instilling the love for the country and in promulgating nationalistic state policies.

It should be noted that it was a Scorpio president, Carlos P. Garcia, who promulgated the Filipino First policy in the '50s and it was Manuel L. Quezon (Leo) who made us proud of our language.

Ambeth Ocampo, living out the function of Leo, is now making the new generation of Filipinos aware and proud of our history.

Another must-have trait for budding historians is the love of knowledge and information.

This is the trait of the other notable historian Gregorio Zaide, who instilled in the minds of several generations of students the need to know important dates and personalities in our history.

It is the function of the air signs (like Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) to gather and disseminate information. This is an important step in history.

Success comes when you love what you are doing. For outstanding historians, the prerequisite is the dedication and love of the country.

 Love of the past 

In modern astrology, the sign of patriotism is Cancer. We have Cancerian Carmen Guerrerro Nakpil in our midst, whose personal biography is like a historical account of the nation's history.

In Ocampo's chart, Cancer is likewise prominent — his Venus is in Cancer at the top of his astrological chart.

Another very important traits that every historian must have is the love for things connected with the past and the ability to work alone for a prolonged period of time.

This trait is connected with the sign Capricorn and its planetary ruler — Saturn. Both of these factors are associated with time. Saturn is after all Chronos, the god of time.

Carlos Quirino had his Sun in Capricorn. Ambeth Ocampo has both Saturn and Jupiter in Capricorn, the sign of history, meaningful chronology of events.