MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL SEMINARY

Unisite, Subdivision, Brgy. Del Pilar, San Fernando, Pampanga

PRE-COLLEGE DEPARTMENT

P hilippine S C elected aricature

Alfred McCoy’s Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the

American Era (1900 - 1941)

History of Philippine Caricature - Alfred McCoy

❖ Alfred MacCoy together with Alfred Roces compiled political Cartoons published
in newspaper dailies and periodicals in the aforementioned time period.

❖ They compiled 377 cartoons.

What is a Caricature?
- A Picture, Description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking
characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect.

➢ Political Cartoon and Caricature is a rather recent art form that veered away
from classical art by exaggerating human features.
➢ It has also become part of print media as a form of social and political
commentary which usually targets persons of power and authority.
➢ Cartoons became an effective tool for publicizing opinions through heavy use of
symbolism.

What is the History Behind?

➔ This Political Caricature of MacCoy will speak and tell
us something about situations of the Philippines and the
Filipinos during the time of the American era. (1900 -
1941)
➔ Caricatures are not simply art or expression, it has a
deep meaning behind those lines of the cartoons. It is a
symbolic presentation of the American occupation to the
Philippines. And to know the history behind these, we
must enter the door of history.

➔ 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.
 MOTHER OF GOOD COUNSEL SEMINARY
Unisite, Subdivision, Brgy. Del Pilar, San Fernando, Pampanga
PRE-COLLEGE DEPARTMENT

❖ Some of these cartoons are funny to look at but

it is a form of media, that you can express your
opinion and commentary.
❖ They used this kind of tools to target those
people or certain group in authority and on
power.
❖ Through the use of Dadaism and Symbolism,
these particular cartoons of MacCoy actually
manifested their opinion about the political and
social situation of the Philippines during the
time of American Era (1900-1941)

➢ This kind of art is really a big help to the

people of the Philippines for them not only to be entertained but
also for them to use this as a medium on how they can express
their opinion and commentary.

Example and the Meaning Caricature of MacCoy:

The Independent - 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 (the one who was wearing Salacot)
was trying to stop Santos, telling the latter
to stop giving Barcelona the crown
because it is not his to begin with.
Caricatures are not simply art or expression, it has a deep meaning behind
those lines of the cartoons. It is a symbolic presentation.

Report of: Rafael R. Tagle Introduction to the History

Renz Gabriel Tongio Sir Noli Franco