Philippine Cartoons: Political

Essay Analysis:

Caricature of the American Period by Alfred

McCoy
Political cartoons and caricatures is an art form where human features are
exaggerated and pokes fun at its subjects. This is a part of the print media as a form
of social and political commentary. This became an effective tool of publicizing one’s
opinions through heavy use of symbolism.
The transition from the Spanish Colonial period to the American Occupation
period showed a lot of changes and shifts in culture, society, and politics. The
Americans introduced democracy to the nascent nation and the consequences were
far from what is expected. On this time period, Filipinos were also introduced to
different manifestations of modernity like health care, modern transportation, and
media.
During the post- independence and the post Filipino- American period in the
Philippines, people in different classes experienced different manifestations. People
in upper classes experiences economic prosperity while those people who are poor
remained poor, desperate, and victims of state repression.
Cartoons and caricatures became the voice of every Filipino back then who
are experiencing unfairness. Through this they were able to express the unwanted
and inappropriate treatments. Also through this people were able to see clearly the
differences between two societies.
This helps a lot to awaken the government who are benefitting for all the
sacrifices of every Filipino back then. Cartoons and caricatures symbolizes the voice
of every Filipinos and shouted for their rights.