History is not everyone’s cup of tea, and for some, their general memory of learning Philippine history in school is just trying to memorize names, places, and dates. While these are all important data, some of us can’t help but feel that we might have missed the bigger picture– the essence of the events that took place in our history, and the importance of the people who made it happen.

These days, our consumption of information has changed drastically with the rise of the internet and social media. Unfortunately, with this comes the rise of fake news which makes our beliefs vulnerable to influence from unreliable sources, just because the way they present history seems more intriguing. Luckily, reading history from credible authors can still be entertaining, if you just know where to look. Below, we’ve rounded up some books that make Philippine history more interesting and palatable to the general public!

Rizal Without The Overcoat

Ambeth Ocampo, who writes history for the general public, is a popular figure when it comes to the study of our National Hero, Jose Rizal. In Ocampo’s Rizal Without The Overcoat, the author gives readers a closer look at Rizal, including details that will pique anyone’s attention with interest and intrigue.

In this book, Ocampo discusses myths surrounding the hero such as the Jack the Ripper conspiracy; shares details about Rizal’s interesting entries in his journals; and other bits and pieces on Rizal’s life that would remind us that Rizal, just like us, is only human– he can laugh with his friends, be kuripot at times, and make mistakes– thus, we can also strive to be like Rizal.

Buy it here: Anvil website | Shopee | Lazada

Looking Back Series

Looking Back is a series of books from Ambeth Ocampo that touches on interesting topics in our history that go beyond just Rizal. The best part about these books is that each title offers a short but informative read perfect for those who find themselves unable to finish the books they’ve started. Since the chapters in these books are from Ocampo’s column in The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Looking Back is divided into short chapters that are easy to digest, in effect, making it also easier for the reader to dive into the past.

Buy it here: Anvil website | Shopee | Lazada

A Question of Heroes

National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin first published A Question of Heroes in the ’70s, but it remains to be a must-read retrospective on our heroes. In this book, Joaquin subtly questions the heroism of our heroes, including Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Antonio Luna, and Gregorio del Pilar to name a few. Of course, the author tackles each case with evidence and testimonies, and he allows the readers to make their own judgments based on the available information. Thus, readers must approach this book with an open mind, and remember that the heroes we’ve always put on a pedestal are only humans like us. While they’ve made great sacrifices, they are also flawed and bound to make mistakes.

Buy it here: Anvil website | Shopee | Lazada

The Other Philippine History Textbook Series

The Other Philippine History Textbook series by Christine L. Diaz takes the common history lessons and presents them with a more interesting writing and presentation. Unlike the textbooks in our classrooms that present cold hard facts waiting to be explained and interpreted by the teachers, Diaz’s books already include subjective commentaries by the author for the readers to ponder upon. Of course, while the facts are there, it is still up to the reader to decide whether they agree or disagree with the author’s interpretations of the historical events included in the books.

Buy it here: Anvil website | Shopee

History with Lourd: Tsismis Noon, Kasaysayan Ngayon

Some may not consider this title a proper history book, but it is indeed a book about history. Lourd de Veyra is known for his satirical commentaries on TV that pull no punches. His show, History with Lourd: Tsismis Noon, Kasaysayan Ngayon has been adapted into a book that presents events and personalities from our history in a very entertaining way, centering on the most intriguing subjects and sprinkling humor on its storytelling. Of course, De Veyra still used the accounts of historians and experts to confirm the facts and invalidate the tsismis that have also found their way in our history. When diving into this book, readers must also have an open mind and be willing to research further to see the bigger picture in certain topics.

Buy it here: Arkipelago Books

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