MODULE 2

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

A. Project – Critical Essay (40 points). (Asynchronous Assessment through MS Teams Platform)

Choose from the following primary sources then make a critical essay/analysis. Use the guide

questions below:

1. What does the document or artifact say?

2. What was the provenance or source of the document/artifact?

3. Who authored it (if applicable)? Provide details on the author. What do you think his/her

purpose of writing the document?

4. What was the context of the primary source’s production?

Title: The Declaration of Martial Law in 1972 by Ferdinand Marcos: A Critical Analysis

The declaration of martial law in 1972 by Ferdinand Marcos was a pivotal moment in Philippine
history. This critical essay aims to analyze the document and its significance by exploring its content,
provenance, authorship, and contextual factors. By examining these aspects, we can gain a deeper
understanding of the motives behind its creation and the consequences that ensued.

The document, known as Proclamation No. 1081, declares martial law in the Philippines. It grants
Ferdinand Marcos, the then-president, extraordinary powers to maintain peace and order, suppress
rebellion, and preserve national security. The declaration suspended civil rights, such as freedom of
speech, press, and assembly, and centralized authority under Marcos, allowing him to rule with absolute
authority.

The primary source of the document is Proclamation No. 1081, the official proclamation made by
Ferdinand Marcos on September 21, 1972. It was disseminated through official government channels and
subsequently published in the government gazette.

The document was authored by Ferdinand Marcos, the President of the Philippines at the time.
Marcos was a lawyer and a politician who had been in power since his election in 1965. His purpose in
writing the proclamation was to legitimize the imposition of martial law and consolidate his control over
the nation. Marcos cited communist insurgency, Muslim separatism, and the alleged breakdown of law
and order as justifications for the declaration. However, it is widely believed that Marcos's true motive
was to solidify his power, suppress political opposition, and extend his authoritarian rule.

The context surrounding the production of the primary source is crucial for understanding the
motivations behind the declaration. At the time, the Philippines faced various challenges, including
communist rebellion, rising separatist movements in Mindanao, and political unrest. Marcos capitalized
on these issues to justify the need for martial law, painting himself as the savior of the nation. However,
critics argue that Marcos manipulated these challenges to serve his personal interests and perpetuate his
grip on power.

Furthermore, the declaration came at a time when Marcos was facing increasing opposition from
various sectors of society. Student activism, labor movements, and political dissent were on the rise,
threatening his regime's stability. By declaring martial law, Marcos effectively neutralized these
opposition forces, using military force and censorship to suppress dissent and consolidate his power.

B. Cartoon Analysis. (Synchronous Assessment through MS Teams Platform)

Direction: Analyze the cartoon carefully and write its meaning on the space provided. Provide your
own analysis. (10 points each)

1. Dr. Santos, a politician from Tondo handing over his crown to Dr. Barcelona, his brother-in-law. Juan
dela Cruz who is the national personification of the Philippines representing the Filipinos as shown by his
native salakot [hat] and barong tagalog [national costume] was attempting to forbid Santos from
relinquishing the crown to Barcelona as it was not his to relinquish.

2. A Filipino youngster running away [with a stolen chicken for he must have nothing to eat] from a
police officer in relentless pursuit. Hence Juan dela Cruz was grabbing the latter instructing him to hunt
down those that committed big thefts pointing at huge warehouses instead of apprehending minors for
insignificant stealing.

3. Commentary on the unprecedented colorum automobile cases in the country’s city streets

4. Depicting a cinema, the fourth cartoon shows an enlarged police officer on the screen prohibiting
couples from canoodling and making love in movie theaters. While the young couple appeared appalled,
the elderly pair looked amused.

5. The Loyalty of the Filipinos (below) was published on 14 April 1917, only ten days after the U.S
Congress declared war on Germany and America entered the conflict. The artist Fernando Amorsolo
draws a wise, handsome Uncle Sam leading little Juan, loyal and smiling, on the road to war. Accurately
gauging America’s mood, House speaker Sergio Osmeña won unprecedented political concessions by
suspending the independence campaign for the duration and offering the United States 25,000 troops, a
destroyer and a submarine. Despite the country’s poverty, Osmeña orchestrated a nationwide loyalty drive
which netted $20 million in U.S. war bond sales and $500.000 in Red Cross donations.

VII. ASSIGNMENT: (Asynchronous Assessment through MS Teams Platform)

Critical Essay (40 points)

Direction: From the five sample of primary sources presented and discussed in module 2, identify
one and write an essay discussing (1) the importance of the text, (2) the background of the text
author, (3) the context of the document, and (4) the text contribution in understanding the
Philippine history
Title: A Glance at Selected Philippine Political Caricature in Alfred McCoy's Philippine Cartoons:
Political Caricature of American Era (1900-1941)

Alfred McCoy's book, "Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of American Era (1900-1941),"
provides a valuable glimpse into the political climate of the Philippines during the American colonial
period. This essay aims to discuss the importance of the text, provide background information on the
author, examine the context in which the document was created, and analyze its contribution to our
understanding of Philippine history.

McCoy's "Philippine Cartoons" presents a collection of political caricatures from the American
colonial era, shedding light on the socio-political dynamics of the time. Political cartoons are a powerful
form of visual commentary that capture public sentiment, critique governance, and expose underlying
issues. By analyzing these cartoons, we gain insights into the perspectives, struggles, and aspirations of
Filipinos under American rule. The text serves as a visual archive that amplifies the voices of the
marginalized and provides a nuanced understanding of this significant period in Philippine history.

Alfred McCoy is a prominent historian and academic specializing in Philippine and Southeast
Asian history. He is known for his extensive research on colonialism, state violence, and political
dynamics in the Philippines. McCoy holds a Ph.D. from Yale University and has authored numerous
books and scholarly articles. His expertise in Philippine history and his dedication to uncovering
marginalized voices make him a credible source in the field.

The political cartoons featured in McCoy's book were created during the American colonial
period (1900-1941) in the Philippines. This era followed the Spanish-American War, which resulted in the
United States acquiring the Philippines as a colony. The cartoons reflect the complex relationship between
the colonizers and the colonized, as well as the evolving political landscape during this time. They cover a
range of topics, including governance, nationalism, resistance movements, social issues, and cultural
identity.

The selected political caricatures in McCoy's book offer a unique perspective on the American
colonial period and its impact on Philippine society. They provide a visual narrative of the Filipino
struggle for self-determination and shed light on the resistance movements and nationalist sentiments that
emerged during this time. The cartoons also reveal the power dynamics, inequalities, and contradictions
inherent in colonial rule.

By examining the symbols, imagery, and captions employed in the cartoons, readers gain insight
into the issues that resonated with the Filipino population. They offer a critical lens through which we can
understand the aspirations for independence, challenges to colonial authority, and the resilience of
Filipino culture. Additionally, the cartoons capture the socio-political debates, power struggles, and
tensions that shaped Philippine society during this period, thereby enhancing our understanding of the
complexities of the American colonial era.