In a remarkable discovery at the National Museum, Veronica Balayo found herself looking at a face from the past that strikingly resembled her own. The visitor from Davao City came across a foto-óleo, a colored oil portrait, of Belen Ocampo, the mother of renowned historian Ambeth Ocampo, and was stunned by their uncanny resemblance.
@verniece Replying to @Ming ming TV ♬ You dont know me – ellery
Veronica shared her unique encounter on TikTok, posting a video where she posed alongside the portrait of Belen Ocampo. With the caption, “Am I her reincarnation?” and a video text stating, “Visited National Museum and found this photo of a girl, and it kinda looks like…me, now and then?” the post quickly went viral. It has amassed over 500,000 likes and 5 million views, capturing the imagination of viewers worldwide.
The post caught the attention of Ambeth Ocampo himself, who shared it on his Facebook page with a note of amazement at the resemblance between his mother and the museum visitor. The historian expressed his intrigue and delight at the unexpected connection made through social media.
In an interview, Veronica revealed that it was her first visit to the museum and that the resemblance was pointed out by her co-workers. She was initially unaware of the identity of the woman in the portrait but felt an instant connection. Veronica expressed her honor and fascination upon learning about Belen Ocampo’s legacy, hoping for a bright and happy future similar to that of the historian’s mother.
The striking similarity between Veronica and the portrait has sparked discussions about reincarnation among social media users, with many expressing their astonishment and some even suggesting a deeper, mystical connection.
