“Political Caricature of the American Era”

Figure 1. Cartoon published in the Independent on May 20 1916

The cartoon shows a politician from Tondo named Dr. Santos, passing his crown to his brother-in-law, Dr.
Barcelona. A filipino guy( as depicted wearing salakot and barong tagalog) was trying to stop Santos,
telling the latter to stop giving Barcelona the crown because it is not his to begin with.

Figure 2. Cartoon published in the Independent on June 16, 1917

This was drawn by Fernando Amorsolo and was aimed as a commentary to the workings of Manila
Police at that period. Here, we see a Filipino child who stole a skinny chicken because he had nothing to
eat. The police officer was relentlessly pursuing the said child. A man wearing a salakot, labeled Juan de
la Cruz was grabbing the officer, telling him to leave the small-time pickpockets and thieves and turn at
the great thieves instead. He was pointing to huge warehouses containing bulks of rice, milk, and
grocery products.
 Figure 3. Cartoon Published in Philippine Free Press showing Colorum Car

The third cartoon was a commentary on the unprecedented cases of colorum automobiles in the city
streets. The Philippine Free Press published this commentary when fatal accidents involving colorum
vehicles and taxis occurred too often already.

Figure 4. Cartoon depicts a cinema

The fourth cartoon depicts a cinema. A blown-up police officer was at the screen saying that couples are
not allowed to neck and make love in the theater. Two youngsters looked horrified while an older
couple seemed amused.
 Figure 5. Cartoon Published by The Independent on November 27,1915

The cartoon was published by The Independent on 27 November 1915. Here, we see the caricature of
Uncle Sam riding a chariot pulled by Filipinos wearing school uniforms. The Filipino boys were carrying
American objects like baseball bats, whiskey, and boxing gloves. McCoy, in his caption to the said
cartoon, says that this cartoon was based on an event in 1907 when William Howard Taft was brought
to the Manila pier riding a chariot pulled by students of Liceo de Manila. Such was condemned by the
nationalists at that time.

Figure 6. Cartoon Published by Lipang Kalabaw on August 24, 1907

The last cartoon was published by Lipang Kalabaw on August 24, 1907. In the picture, we can see Uncle
Sam rationing porridge to the politicians and members of the Progresista Party (sometimes known as
the Federalista Party) while members of the Nacionalista Party look on and wait for their turn. This
cartoon depicts the patronage of the United States being coveted by politicians from either of the party.