Ocampo was educated in the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University from primary, secondary and tertiary levels but attained his BA and MA in Philippine Studies from De La Salle University, Manila. He took graduate courses in the University of the Philippines (Diliman) and later read for a DPhil in Southeast Asian History at the University of LondonSchool of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). His postgraduate work was interrupted in 1993 when he entered the Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, Manila where he was known as Dom. Ignacio Maria, OSB. He left the monastery in 1997 but still considers returning sometime in the future.
The journey for the senses began upon entering the ArtFair... These displays enhanced the experience of meaningful presentations by distinguished speakers, such as DirectorJeremy Barns of the National Museum and renowned historian Ambeth Ocampo ... .