MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – In his column, “Looking Back,” published the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Ambeth Ocampo, history professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, described Senator Imee Marcos’ Cordilleran attire at the last SONA as “cultural (mis)appropriation.”

He says Marcos’ attire constitutes “inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.”

We wish to inform Mr. Ocampo that Marcos’ attire was a gift from a Cordilleran. She proudly wore it at the SONA and we see no cultural appropriation in that.

But let’s give it to the honorable historian with the caveat that he should also say the same about Leni Robredo who appropriated other cultures and other persona — including Sadouken, Karate Masters, Miss Universe and even a Japanese Samurai.

Or did Mr. Ocampo just blur recent history?