D). POLITICAL CARICATURE DURING THE AMERICAN PERIOD pp.

71-77

CONTENT:

1. Background of the Author -

Alfred W. McCoy is a prominent American historian and academic who specializes in

the study of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines. He is widely recognized for his
expertise in the fields of geopolitics, intelligence, and the history of empire. McCoy has
made significant contributions to the understanding of covert operations, drug
trafficking, and the impact of U.S. foreign policy on various regions.

McCoy was born on June 20, 1945, in Washington D.C., United States. He obtained his
Bachelor's degree from Columbia College in 1967 and went on to earn a Ph.D. in
Southeast Asian history from Yale University in 1977. McCoy's doctoral dissertation
focused on the Philippine nationalist movement during the early 20th century.
t
Throughout his career, McCoy has held teaching positions at several prestigious
institutions. He began his academic journey as an assistant professor at Yale University
in 1977 and later moved to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he became a
full professor in 1989. McCoy has also served as a visiting professor at various
universities around the world, including Harvard University, the University of
Cambridge, and Ateneo de Manila University.

One of McCoy's most influential works is his book titled "The Politics of Heroin: CIA
Complicity in the Global Drug Trade." Published in 1972, this groundbreaking study
exposed the involvement of intelligence agencies, particularly the Central Intelligence
Agency (CIA), in facilitating drug trafficking during the Cold War era. The book received
widespread acclaim for its meticulous research and analysis, shedding light on covert
operations that had previously been shrouded in secrecy.

In addition to "The Politics of Heroin," McCoy has authored numerous other books and
articles that have significantly contributed to our understanding of global politics and
history. Some of his notable works include "A Question of Torture: CIA Interrogation
from the Cold War to the War on Terror" (2006), which examines the use of torture by
U.S. intelligence agencies, and "In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and
Decline of US Global Power" (2017), which analyzes the trajectory of American empire
in the 20th century.
McCoy's research has had a profound impact on academia and policy discussions. His
work has been cited extensively by scholars, journalists, and policymakers seeking to
understand the complex dynamics of power, intelligence operations, and the
consequences of U.S. foreign policy decisions. McCoy's expertise has also made him
a sought-after commentator on various media platforms, where he provides insightful
analysis and commentary on global affairs.

McCoy's work on the administration of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has

influenced not only the academic documentation regarding the dictatorship, but in some
cases had a direct impact on the actual events - such as the publication in the New York
Times of his investigation on Marcos' "fake medals," just week.

Alfredo Roces is a prominent figure in the Philippines known for his contributions to
literature, cultural preservation, and education. He is a respected author, editor,
publisher, and advocate for Filipino culture and heritage. Roces has made significant
contributions to various fields, including literature, history, anthropology, and art.

Born on February 24, 1939, in Manila, Philippines, Alfredo Roces grew up in a family
that valued education and cultural appreciation. He completed his Bachelor of Arts
degree in English from Ateneo de Manila University and later pursued further studies at
the University of California, Berkeley.

Roces began his career as a writer and editor in the 1960s. He worked for several
publications, including the Philippine Free Press and The Manila Times. His writing
covered a wide range of topics, including politics, culture, and society. Roces also
served as an editor for various publishing houses and played a crucial role in promoting
Filipino literature.

One of Roces' notable contributions is his work in preserving and promoting Philippine
folktales and mythology. He authored several books on Philippine folklore, including
"Folk Tales Retold," "Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths," and "The Soul Book."
These books not only introduced Filipino folklore to a wider audience but also helped
preserve these stories for future generations.

Roces also played a significant role in the field of cultural preservation. He was
involved in various organizations dedicated to preserving Filipino heritage. He served
as the president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) from 1994 to 1998 and
was instrumental in promoting Filipino arts and culture both locally and internationally.
In addition to his literary works and cultural advocacy, Roces also made contributions
to education. He served as a professor at Ateneo de Manila University, teaching
courses on literature and cultural studies. His expertise in Philippine culture and history
made him a sought-after speaker and lecturer in various academic institutions.

Throughout his career, Alfredo Roces received numerous awards and recognition for
his contributions to literature and culture. He was awarded the Gawad CCP Para sa
Sining (Cultural Center of the Philippines Award for the Arts) in 1998 for his outstanding
achievements in the arts and cultural advocacy. Roces' works continue to be studied
and celebrated by scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike.

2. Historical background of the document

- The word “CARICATURE” came from the italian verb CARICARE meaning “to
load, “to surcharge” as with exaggerated detail)

- A book entitled "Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era

1900-1941" is by historian Alfred Mccoy's extensive research in Philippine and
American Archives which provides a comprehensive background not only to the
cartoons but to the turbulent period as well. Artist-writer Alfredo Roces, designed
the book and contributed an essay on the Philippine graphic satire of the period.
The book was produced in 1984.

- Philippine Cartoons is a compilation of 377 editorial cartoons and caricatures

made by various Filipino artists that tackle the situation during the American
occupation in the Philippines.

- Political cartoons and caricatures are art that exaggerates human features and
poking fun at its subjects. Cartoons became an effective tool of publicizing
opinions through the heavy use of symbolism, which is different from a verbose
written editorial and opinion pieces. It is a unique way of representing opinions /
ideas and capturing the audience's imagination is reason enough for historians to
examine these political cartoons.

- The caricatures are a graphic description of the events that went on under the
American colonial period. All the challenges, scandals and influence brought to
the Filipino by the Americans. The book made a history that will never be
forgotten by many.
- Philippine political cartoons gained full expression during the American era.
Filipino artists recorded national attitudes toward the coming of the Americans as
well as the changing mores and times. It also demonstrates the different strands
of changes and shifts in Philippine culture, society and politics.

Awards Earned:

- Philippine Catholic Mass Media Award; Best Book of the Year - 1985

- Philippine National Book Award for History - 1986

- Gintong Aklat Award (Manila) Special Citation for History - 1987

3. Content presentation and analysis of the important historical information

found in the document.

● The victims are presented in a bad and sorry state, emaciated, leering, laughing
creatures, more on animal creatures than human to convey sympathy from the
readers, while the characters to emphasize the “good side” are shown in normal
features.

● Some of the cartoons presented the condition of Filipino farmers in the hands of
American tenants who self-owned the lands of the laborers and imposed
unbearable and unjust taxes on them. The cartoons also compared the job
situation of a Filipino and an American by portraying unequal salaries despite
having the same nature of work, which highlighted racial discrimination in terms
of work conditions, wages, job opportunities, and career positions.

● Aside from that, the caricatures also depicted Americans as controlling and
enslaving people by taking over the insular civil service and making Filipinos do
most of the work for their own benefit, paying off authorities for their personal
security, and demanding highest respects from the Filipinos. From here, growing
corruption was shown to be taking over the political processes in the Philippines.

● Moreover, they exemplified American imperialism as the primary reason for the
war between Muslim and Christian Filipinos in Mindanao and for other feuds
among Filipino people who should have been supporting one another in fighting
Americans to regain their independence.
 ● The artists, using their cartoons, illustrated not just their opinions, but the broad
image of the society and politics in the Philippines under the United States. It
illustrated the conditions of the poor Filipinos under the American government,
depicted how the Amercians controlled the Filipinos through seemingly harmless
American objects.

Example Caricatures:

Like many nationalists of his day, Vicente Sotto, the publisher of the INDEPENDENT,
never missed a chance to attack the catholic church

Depicts the first of Manila's periodic police scandals. The cartoonist, Fernando
Amorsolo, gives the illustration a usual racist edge. While the corrupt Filipino policeman
is shown with normal features, the Chinese are caricatured as emaciated, leering
creatures more rodent than human. Although Amorsolo was more extreme than most,
cartoonists often showed Chinese corruptors or opium smugglers in a similarly racist
manner.

Imperialism is a policy in which a power or culture seeks to expand its territory by

changing the culture of other regions and replacing it with the culture it brings. In other
words, imperialism is an attempt to dominate other areas by developing a culture or
influence.

Moro and Christianity are two cultures that once ruled the Philippines. The Moro went to
war for religious reasons rather than politics, even though their actions had nothing to
do with the revolutionary actions of the Philippines, Moro were identical with imperialist
movements.

Likewise with the spread of Christianity in the Philippines. Christianity became the most
dominant religion in the world as a result of imperialism. Christianity was brought by the
Portuguese and Spanish throughout the world when the two nations colonized Asia,
Africa and South America.

In 1926, the future of Mindanao became one of the key issues in Philippine-American
relations. American imperialists exploited the tensions to advocate partitions of the
Philippines and a permanent American protector for Mindanao.
When Filipinos began winning civil service appointments after 1913, they found
themselves facing serious discrimination in both wages and positions.

Discrimination against Filipino teachers having low salary despite graduating from
international universities and qualifying in a high civil service examination, while
American teachers are paid too much. American teachers were given a chance to teach
in an Elite secondary school while Filipino teachers were assigned to crowded primary
schools in remote areas.

4. Contribution and relevance of the document in understanding the grand

narrative of Philippine history.

Nationalism, Patriotism, Eye-opener, Discover our roots

● Future generations will be able to have a glimpse of the past Philippine society
through these cartoons
● It serves as a study and preference tool for further generations and clarifies
historical information.
● Through political cartoons, people can visualize politics and appreciate the
representations which are within their worldview.
● Represent the feelings of the people, it is a way to discuss political and social
issues using art.

Since people’s sensitivities are captured immediately through images, the popularity of
cartoons has risen throughout the years. Political cartoons serve as primers for
engaging in the prevailing opinions of that time.

These caricatures clarify historical information and serve as eye-openers to the realities
experienced by the people under the American occupation. The book reflected anti-
American sentiments in addition to the condemnation of the ruling class which gave us
a glimpse of the Philippine society of the past, visualized its historical politics, and
appreciated the representations of perceptions of the Filipinos of that era. Later, political
cartoons like these would become relevant in presenting the current situation of the
country, just like how they served as primers for engaging the people in the prevailing
opinions at that time.

5. Relevance of the document to the millennials and Gen Z

The document only shows the life & struggles of Filipinos during the colonial era.
Clearly, it depicts how hard life was during the period of Spanish & American
occupation. The Filipinos serve as victims under the hands of the culprits. The
upper class seem to enjoy the treatment that they receive from the Filipinos.
From the injustices of the Mestizos (Spaniards) to the sadistic treatments of
Uncle Sam (Americans), the Filipinos are treated poorly. Thus, the relevance of
the documents to the millennials and even Gen Z are as follow:

a.) The poor Filipino is still seen in today's society, experiencing

inequalities (labor, education, etc.)

b.) Filipinos are greatly influenced by the culture of colonizers, where crab
mentality is evidently present

c.) The disparity between the rich and the poor is still the same

d.) Poverty is always present in every aspects of life

e.) More & more Filipinos are seeking abroad for a greener posture

f.) Filipinos are persevering in every aspects, yet struggling to go up in the

ladder

It made Gen Z see the relevance of discussing political and social issues that
made them understand the views and opinions of others to the understanding of
the national situation. It serves as an eye-opener to future generations, to
become aware of the intense history that our fellow Filipinos experienced. The
relevance of the document to the millennials and Gen Z are the mirrors we can
still see in our society today. The same behavior is practiced, the same treatment
is made, the same government is exercising power. How we wish to see our
countrymen free from all these dilemmas, where there is only peace and equal
opportunities to all. Hence, the cartoons serve as a wake up call from what is
happening in our society at that time. We cannot deny the fact that this document
is very relevant today and it seems that the ghost from the past is still haunting
us Filipinos.