¥ { ciel fF Gaad Eg che WRI (249) Salayca at Casas, Radele 1s Phil beet e “ » the American Period Philippine toons Come to Li he foundation of our government today can be traced back during the American period, that is to say that even the ills of our government, the frailties of our polities and the pestering soeial issues today can be backtracked from this era, In the design of the Americans to afford us the apprenticeship for government, we were given more leeway to have a hand on ‘opportunity to take the reins of government. But it was not just at this time that we amplified the weaknesses of our socicty. TT At the end of this chapter, you would have: a. figured out, in editorial cartoons, the issues and problems faced by the Filipinos during the American period al a lime when Filipinization was being implemented; and b. determined how these problems and issues persist until today ——————————— Do this individually or in groups. Complete this sentence. Give as many answers as you can. Our problems today, as a society. are (Ang mga problema natin ngayon sa ating lipwnan ay__) ee + What do you think are the root eu problems or issues? Our prablemain government orin society us a whale can be traced as far back as the American period, These Were magnified when the Aimericane (pa hands-off policy and slowly gave the Filipinos heir turn to govern their awn society, 0 Historical Context of the Cartoons survived in the Philipp The Ame es in Sumy sUEreptitio: as Aguinalde was and treacherous means. Pre Hed into believing that th aooecomere would cane as liberators of «colonized people, when in A e the Mock Battle of Manila in August 1898 came to a theatrical finale wa Spaniards surrendering to the new colonizers inst to President Neat 'wPhilinine History | 193 Scanned with CamScannerThe Filipino were only ins ind Spaniards who seemed to fight. On August 18, 1898, with the Merritt entered Intramuros and began the American colonial government. As s signed on December 10, 1898, President McKinley issued his Benvvolent Assimilation policy over the Philippines. In performing this duty [the extension of American sovereignty throughout the Philippines by means of force] the military commander af the United States is enjoined to make known to the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands that in suecceding to the sovereignty of Spain, in severing the former political relations, and in establishing a new political power, the authority of the U «] States is to be exerted for the securing of the persons and prosperity of the people of the Islands and for the confirmation of all private rights and relation: Finally, it should be the earnest. and paramount aim of the military administration to win the confidence, respect, and affection of the inhabitants of the Philippines by assuring them in every possible way that full measure of individual rights and liberties which is the heritage of a free people, and proving to them that the mission of the United States is one of benevolent assimilation, substituting the mild sway of justice and right of arbitrary rule (McKinley, 1977, p. 263). Tn April 1900 the military government of Merritt was replaced by a civilian government structured under the Second Philippine Commission headed by William Howard Taft who was later appointed as the first American governor: general on duly 4, 1901. Continuing on the policy of benevolent assimilation, the program of government would mean that the Americans would teach us how to organize a government (as though we don’t know how lo organize one). We have proven that we can create a government since we have already made the Malolos Constivution in 1899, though it was not implemented because af the outhreak of the Filipina-American War. The democratic system which the Americans promised they will teach us to organize had one necessity though, and that would mean that Filipinos would have to be educated to equip them to participate in government decision-making at least or be part. of government. service at the most. Though the Spaniards did not deprive the Filipinos to be educated for had it Jeen so, Iizal and the other middle class ilustrades would nat have earned the education they had gained in the Philippines or in Spain. The problem with che em is the Tack of an overall standard set by one ite nstitucion for the curriculum and the standards were left to the religious orders that established them, Thus the educational system was highly reli and not scientific and that only the well-to-do could afford the privilege. While these Christian schools were permitted ta operate under the A d, these schools were subject tothe standards and supervi Schools were also established for free primary to hiyth school education, In 1908, even before the first. students of the free highschool system would have graduated, the University of the Philippines was established. Thus the state under the American regime organized the central supervision of the school system, Scanned with CamScannerEven before the wide lit tey needed for the péople ty vate or be apaned of Led Kilipinns wan dor the Philippine Tall of | anted tH The law provided for the certs had been colony had under Ha national census that will he completed aft ars and-another two year gree period (o ensure that peace had be hieved, totaling: a fivesy tien hefere a national clection would be held in order ta elect th ‘af every province for the Philippine Assembly, The 7 and the Philippine Assembly was ¢ year. The new government formed an entirely unicameral colonial government under th Philippine Commission into a bicameral system with the Philippine Asse: being the lower chamber and the Second Philippine Commission being the upper chamber (Agoncillo and Guerrero, 1977, pp. 328-332). The national election also saw the emergence of politieal parties and political stalwarts. The Philippine Assembly was swept by the Nacionalista Party against the Progressive Party, Sergio Osmeria of Cebu, president of the Nacionalista Party was elected as speaker by his peers and Manuel Quezon of Tayabas (now Quezon) was chosen as majority floor leader. After the appointment of Taft as Secretary of War, a new governor: general arrived in the Philippines in the person of W. Cameron Forbes. The Republican Party's stint in the U.S. government ended with the election of Woodraw Wilson of the Democratic Party as the new US President in 1912, A new governor-general was appointed in the Philippines in the person of Francis Burton Harrison with a new policy for the Philippines as embodied in the term Filipinization. This would mean to place more Filipinos in government service, both elected and appointed, True to their thrust, a Democrat congressman, William Atkinson Jones, authored a law which would later be known as the Philippine Autonomy Act or the Jones Law of 1916. The law provided for the organic: law or the constitution of the Philippine Islands succeeding that the Phi in the wordings of the law's perambulatory clause was the assurance of the United States to grant us our independence: Whereas, it is, ax it has always been, the purpose of the people of the United States to withilraw their sovereignty over the Philippine Islands and to reorgunize their independence as soon as at stable can be established, therewith: and 5 for the speedy accomplishment of such purpose it is desirable in the bands of the i move of the Philippines a large contval of ntal pawers, they may be the hetter prepared to fully assume the responsibilities and enjoy all the privileges of complete independence (Jones, 1990. pp. 169-170), ‘The Jones Law was signed into law by Pres. Wilson on August 25,1916, in time for the next election for the Philippine Assembly. The law also provided Readings in Philippine History | 195, Scanned with CamScannerfor the creation of the p which will a Philippine Commisston as the upper cham Assombly whieh will be re-ni lower chamber, Thy the new lepichity uirated on October 16, 1916, With the twa heuses of Congress now fully in the hande of Filipinos, the executive department would also have to be reorganized with the creation of the Cabin V1. 12907 and an advisory bedy called the Cauneil of State 16. 1918. With the legislature new 100% in the hands of Mulippine Supreme Court also ran completely by creation of the First Philippine Commission, wh change of governor-general into 4 president ele Lon Octobe lipinos and with a lipinos even during th {would then be needed was 1 el by Filipinos, Ry the end of Pres, Wilson's term in 1921, 96% of Filipin in gover Pres. Wilson’s term. expired, he: wrot US Co eeommendation of granting independenc Philippines (Wilson, 1990, p. 191). The series of elections and administrations were not without intrigues an issues, These issues were mirroted from editorial cartoons which Alfred MeCe analyzed in order to depict the political, social and economic issuies during the «American period. He compiled these cartoons and wrote a book which Alfredo Roces co-authored entitled Philippine Cartoons: Caricatures of the American Era, 1900-1941. The newspaper cartoons accompanied the editorials of three publications: the weekly newspapers The Independent fotinded and edited by the hard-hitting eritie Vicente Sotto of Cebu, the Bag-ong Kusog (New Force) was a Cebuano newspaper that drew the pre-war social life and criticized the degradation of morals, and the investigative magazine Philippines Free Press founded by Judge W.A. Kincaid and taken over by Dick McCullough because of hankruptey. These publications were among the sources that depicted these intriguing issues. The Authors and Editor Alfred MeCoy is an expert of Southeast Bachelor of Arts in European History from Columbia University in 1968, hic Muster of Arts in Asian Studies from University of Berkley in 1969 and his Doctor of Philosophy in Southeast Asian History from Yale University in 1977, He is a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center for Southeast Asian Studies. Alfredo Rocos wa an art historian, an ees: Since 1974, he is editor of GEO, Australia’s Geographical May served as editor-in-chief of the Filipino Heritar Philippine History. He was: chasen us one af the (POYM) im 1961. [is contribution to MeCoy’ historian of Philippine art. Viewnte man, editor and publisher of Asian History. He earned his and painter. sine: He also & multi-velume book on ‘Ten Outstanding You "wstudy wa being an artis otto, on the other hand, was e Independent. Me was a politica eritic who ta led political mri problems. by his Newspaper, Fernando Amorsolo first launched his carver is a y : ‘ voliticul cartaonist whe Lanipooned the government on social and political issues, Salavaav at Savaay; « Sasi nanos Siar Scanned with CamScannerEconomic Caricatures Editorial Cartoon 11.10 F Americans Goiting More at Our Expense Lipag. Ralahain (Qetoher M1, Tpos) The adventures of Americal in the Philipines also opened mote adventuristie epportunitir for American soldiers stationed in the Philippines whe wei demobilized, ‘They were opportunities co be employed in who could, { their money in the eolany Two large compamies Which invested in the Philippines were the Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company (AG&P), a construction company and Manila Electric Road Railway and Light Company (MERRLC or today’s Meralen). AGEP won large contracts from the Second Philippine Commission to build a new port in Manila, a naval station at Sangley and a marine railway for the Philippine Coast Guard, MERRLG won contracts to build a tramway and to Hght the streets of Manila which became operational in 1905, MERRLC also sccured a franchise for 1 60-year monopoly and a right to fix the electric rates and rail fares for 25 years (McCoy and Roces, 1985, p. 117). These are American companies earning contracts from the American colonis! Government bur which the Filipinas are financing for it was recommended and pursued under the two Philippine Commissions that the Philippines should finance its own expenses. This means that the Philippines will not receive any budget from the US. How were the two companies shown in the cartoon? How was Juan pictured? What does it mean that a rope was tied on Juan's neck as the two fat men were pulling him? What was Juan vomiting? Editorial Cartoon 11.11 Filipino vs. American Teachers in 1915 The Independent Wetober 24 1918) ~ Under the Filipinization policy of Gov, Gen. Franeis B. Harrison, Evlipinos began ucuhiring government positions: and with the schuuls established | tw train teachers, Filipinos ipritatedl une Qtal tr su id fave 1s, the Inghly dis Filipines 1 wh Li Readings tn Philippine Miawwry | 19% Scanned with CamScannerPolitical Caricatures: ot images om Phiupgine Cavtcons: Careaturen ofthe American Era 1000-1041, by Ante MEd rego Rooes. op. VB. 32, 4, 138, 42,67, 0, 108, 217, 117, 120,92, a4, 06. 2.4 124, 36, 86.98. 08: Gepyright ©1DBA by Alfred McCoy Reprinted with pormisston by Allved MeCoy. syalty ofthe Fi Editorial Cartoon 11.1 ee a Wherever You Go, We Will Follow ‘The Indepenctent (april 14, 1917) ~The First World War commence tn June 29, L914 upon the asaasat nation of Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand hy a Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Princip in Sarajevo. Bosnia and Herzogovina. Though the U.S. is a friend of Great Britain and France in the Triple Entente together with Russia against the Central Powers composed of Germany, Austria and Ottoman Turkey, the U.S. main- tained an isolationist policy of keeping its hands off the war in Europe. It was only on April 6, 1917 that the U.S. deeided to enter the war in order to tip the balance of its friends and allies advantage, In this cartoon, drawn by Fernando Amorsalo, it shows Us m taking Little Juan by the hand. Published on April 14, eight days after the U.S. joined the war. Where is Uncle Sam taking Little Juan? Why is the US, which is an occupier taking the occupied in a war to liberate other countries? Why shouldn't the Philippines be liberated first? Notice the faces of Uncle Sam and Little Juan. Notice also that Little Juan was holding a pole with a flag that appears to have been blackened. ‘The reason is that the American colonial government enacted the Flag Law in 1907, forbidding the display of flags meant to symbolize an independent Philippines. Such law meant a penalty of death and the deprivation of the petition for the writ of habeas corpus. re . ' Editorial Cartoon 11.2 Bribing the Policeman The Independent (Jund 9, 1917) — Gambling was serious problem in Manila, But what are the policeme: doing? Notice who are the gamblers Tae Is the Police Force Bribed? Readings tm Philinnine History | 197 Scanned with CamScannermn qnntering, Editorial Cartoon 11.3 Lording It Over Us [g] Bree Press 4 The Philippines Free Press (Peb- ruary 12, 1921) = The Philippine Assembly passed a law in 1921, authorizing legislators whether in- cumbent or retired to bear firearms. Now it wauld be easy to strut around their arrogance. What wauld he the: effects as the cartoon shows? national election in 1907, the ey politics had well taken root. J sented as shown on the left side of the ‘with their gifts? What are they begging for? On the right side of the picture the. situation has reversed. Who is now seated above? Who is begging for help (socorre) in return? litorial Cartoon 11.5 oros vs. Christians on the issue of independence Bag-ong Kusog (Soptember 10, 1926) ~ In 1921, former military joverncr of hiegan Leonard the newly elected “the U.S, Warren Harding to» investigate on the condition of the Philippines under he dones Law of 1916 and under the policy of Filipinization since 1913. The mission was to determine the succesa of the Americans in establishing a stable government before independence is qa8 | Salaysay atBaysay: eT Scanned with CamScannergranted as hoped for by the Jones Liiw. But the issue af independence was being divided along religious lines, For the inhabitants of Luzon and the Visayas who are Christians, independence was hotly pursued but for the people of Mindanae who are Muslims, independence was far from being dreamed of since they. did not like to be under a Christian Filipino governor and wished for the retention of the American sovereignty (McCoy and Roces, 1985, p. 42). Nonetheless, who is all the more exploiting the rift between the two? Who gets the henefit in the end? Editorial Cartoon 11.6 The Deteriorating Manila Philippines Free Press (May 21, 1931) — Twenty four years from| the first national election in 1907, 18 years since the implementatior of Filipinization in 1913, Manila continued to retard into a mud ol problems as the rein of government ‘was apprenticed to the Filipinos. The the governor-general in the person of Dwight Davis who was cruising i the Pacific on board USS Pittsburg while the Vice-Governor George Butte was vacationing in Baguio. Why a Wag- ‘on? Who was manning the reins and who was pulling it? What were Manila’s ills that the wagon was carrying? j, Editorial Cartoon 11.7 Colorum Express. Philippines Free Press @anuary 4, 1930) — By 1930s | with limited Filipino adminis- | tration, Manila was not only | getting crowded with people but also with automobiles, With an estimated 300 colorum taxis operating in Manila, cor ruption was pinpointed as the main culprit. Private automo- bile owners were leasing their units to irresponsible drivers in oT Bean Pubhe Urity Tek Moreaver, driver's licenses were issued to anyone without proper profile checks, With two fatal accidents that happened in January 1930, outrage was pandemonium on the illegal, unregia, tered colorum taxis (MeCoy and Roces, 1985, p. 18), What was the policeman doing? Who reaps the advantage? Who loses out? Scanned with CamScannerEditorial Cartoon 11.8 | The Politicians Against Each Other i Philippines Free Press (October | 14, 1933) — Senator Sergio Osmesia || and House Speaker Manucl Roxas F returned from a successful Jabb ‘ing-mission from the US, bringing ‘home the Independence Bill, the “Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act that would rescribe a 10 year grace period of imited self-rule before finally giving the Philippines the independence ir ed But dine athe popularity arid herolikeeomeback of thetwe legisla- tors, it was predicted that the twa politicians wauld surely win the presidential and vice-presidential race in an election as proscribed under the independence act. This would regard Manuel Quezon asa political-nobody, In order for Que- zon to lay hig cards, he urged his allies in the House or Representatives who would ratify the Independence Act before it could be promulgated into law co oust Manucl Roxas as Speaker and replace him with his ally, Quintin Paredes. This spelled defeat of the bill even if the bill would go on a plebiscite. Who was crumpling the bill with his hand? Who were behind him? Where was he heading? If he gets another Independence Bill this time, who will be president of the Philippine Commonwealth? Bocay. Editorial Cartoon 11.9 Still a Divided Nation Philippines Free Press (June 18, 1938) — This cartoon was published three years after the effectivity of the Tydings McDuffie Law, the Indepen- dence Act secured by Quezon. With this law, he later got what he ambi- tioned for, the President of the Phil- ipnine Commonwealth in transition to independence, Seven years hence (1945) and the Philippines would he free but the Philippines was still being rocked hy serious division. This caricature wasalso published a day hefore the cammemoration of Rizal's birth, Who were the two parties in contention? What wos the nature of the rift? The tenant is shown holding « sickle, the symbol of the worlang class used by the communists. What does this mean? Brothers Under The Skin—Hermanos Ea El Fondo: Scanned with CamScanner“Aver sc ment and hal Dayeceive my fires monthly eh (P9000). 1 Ohaught that was Columbia Unive anne quiaeh fvinge int a high eivil serve not pleasant to re only PLO80 when An lite were paid PAO 2 (MeCay nnd or How is the Filipino t ed in the caricature eampared American teacher? Where is itipine «ahold be is this different from the American teneher? What does this mean? OP ninety am slings from minati ne who were only Narra! p. Pet Editorial Cartoon 11.12 The Tenant-farmers' Burden The Independent (May 18,1914) - The changing economic landscape also created new burdens. In this caricature, the farmer ix bearing a. heavy load that he could hard!: carey it. What are these? How is he tenant-farmer pictured? Why the “Aparcero” Rebels Editorial Cartoon 11.13 Scarce Houses and Skyrocketing Rent The Independent (January 17, 1920) — As the population in Manila surged, rented space was also becoming scarce and rent was escalating without limits. The high prices of rent were propelled to the office of governor-general who was persuaded to craft. law that would set the rent to 12% of the assessed value of the property as suggested by the Director-General of Civil Services (McCoy and Roces, 1985, p. 34), Bul this does not solve the lack of housing. What was governor-general doing in the caricature? "Nueva Ave de Rapina seat Saveave Scanned with CamScannerEditorial Cartoon 11.14 While the Farmers Need | Capital, PNB Has No Money | Philippines ”» pol rosy for the Filipinos alee brought serinas problems | Farmers needed capital whieh they cauld only secure as credit extend finanetal credit o farmers who could supply the need for sugar abaca, so and cocutiut to murkets outside of the colony. But by 1920, PNB had one almost bankrupt beeause of mismanagement and huge loans uneollected. To whom were the firm Editorial Cartoon 11.15 EE — || Have a Title, Vil Have pera Wear the Land sepia ‘The Independent (January 14, 1922) — Homesteading is a land tenure system where the government permits individuals to clear public lands (land without owners), to cultivate them and to own them later. Out of ignorance or government neglect, these homesteaderfarmers didn't have a title Pictured in this cartoon is an individual who is looking over s. How is the man pictured? What did he have that he was called a ustrperin the eurtoon? Editorial Cartoon 11.16 Too Many Taxes to Poy Bagong Kusog (May 11, 1928, = Hore ts nn just n farmer depicted at duan dela Cruz, the tation of juan pictured? What were bur that he was carrying? Ang Mater Latte anny gs ibe 9 Neves eng ibe Hg Mabsbcogog Baha Readings in Philippine History | 193 Scanned with CamScannerEditorial Cartoon 11.17 Filipina vs. American Worker in 1928 Rayong, Kussoge (Nivsembor 4, 1928) — From the earian published in The Independent. un Octuber L28, 1915, 1 years Inter the gan pee the corkers had not been narrowed low is the American worker “depicted differently from that of “the Filipino worker? Under what SS ifferent conditions were they laboring? How mutch different was the American worker rectiving as salary from Chiat of the Filipino worker? Sanwmoceg Ametilaahon | Marsuuveg Pigishon ‘Social Caricatures: Editorial Cartoon 11.18 A Congesting Cily The Independent (May 1, 1920) ~ Manila was getting crowded with the lack of space for resident and even offices. Who was pictured to be enjoying spacious buildings which they should have relinquished since friar lands had been appropriated? Editorial Gartoon 11.19 ine eey Dee ater Ee | Deteriorating Health — | ‘Condition Under the Filipinas Philippines Free Press (April S16, 1921) — Tropical disenses were ‘problems that the Americans Hiaced when they came over in ‘ides, They elfectively placed “the problem under control by “ostublishing the Board of Health. i also Innilt sewers ges im Manila in Where Tow Ate Salayaay at Bayeay: 194 Scanned with CamScannerlipinization pre reget thief serante, Haye is the nisfer he mana Editorial Cartoon 11.20 “Akala mo Kung Sin Philippines Free Pre y for higher education and later intocivil service or company posts. This overhauled their psyche as. | hey came buek to the province for vacation. How were they changed in return? How is this depicted in the cartoon? = |, Editorial Cartoon 11.21 Manila Underwater Philippines Free Press (Au- } gust 22, 1931) —When Americans | arrived in 1898, they found public sanilalion in n de: with overflowing esteros and with- out adequate sewers and drainage |; systems. One of the first orders of priorities among the Americans was the construction of canals and drainage systems to attend to the need for sanitation and public health. This they did with full energy tu cunstruet the usual drainage systems. They left out to consider the annual heavy monsoon rains during rainy season that would result in perea mal flooding. Between 1904 to 19288, M s tysidents grew by 220,000 (o 620,000 (MeCoy and Races. 1985, p. 64). With the ge of governance to the Filipinos, the missed opportunities by the Americans fell into even more serious neglect. Scanned with CamScanner