Analysis of the Political Caricatures during the American Period

The transition from the Spanish Colonial period to the American Occupation period
demonstrated different strands of changes and shifts in culture, society, and politics. The
Americans drastically introduced democracy to the nascent nation and the consequences were
from the ideal. Aside from this, it was also during the American period that Filipinos were
introduced to different manifestations of modernity like healthcare, modern transportation, and
media. This ushered in a more open and freer press. The post-independence and the post-
Filipino-American period in the Philippines were experienced differently by Filipinos coming from
different classes. The upper principalia class experienced economic prosperity with the opening
up of the Philippine economy to the United States but the majority of the poor Filipino remained
poor, desperate, and victims of state repression.

The selected cartoons in our powerpoint presentation illustrate not only the opinion of
certain media outfits about Philippine society during the American period but also paint a broad
image of society and politics under the United States. In the arena of politics, for example, we
see the price that Filipinos paid for the democracy modeled after the Americans. First, it seemed
that the Filipino politicians at that time did not understand well enough the essence of
democracy and the accompanying democratic institutions and processes. This can be seen in
the rising dynastic politics in Tondo as depicted in the cartoon published by The Independent.
Patronage also became influential and powerful, not only between clients and patrons but also
between the newly formed political parties composed of the elite and the United States. This
was depicted in the cartoon where the United States, represented by Uncle Sam, provided dole-
outs for members of the Federalista while the Nacionalista politicians looked on and waited for
their turn. Thus, the essence of competing political parties to enforce choices among the voters
was canceled out. The problem continues up to the present where politicians transfer from one
party to another depending on which party was powerful in specific periods of time (political
turncoatism).

The transition from a Catholic-centered, Spanish-Filipino society to an imperial

American-assimilated one, and its complications, were also depicted in the cartoons. One
example is the unprecedented increase of motorized vehicles in the city. Automobiles became a
popular mode of transportation in the city and led to the emergence of taxis. However, the laws
and policy implementation was mediocre. This resulted in the increasing colorum and
unlicensed vehicles transporting people around the city. The rules governing the issuance of a
driver’s license were loose and traffic police could not be bothered by rampant violations of
traffic rules. This is a direct consequence of the drastic urbanization of Philippine society.
Another example is what McCoy called the “sexual revolution” that occured in the 1930s. Young
people, as early as that period, disturbed the conservative Filipino mindset by engaging in
daring sexual activities in public spaces like cinemas. Here, we can see how that period was the
meeting point between the conservative past and the liberated future of the Philippines.

Lastly, the cartoons also illustrated the conditions of poor Filipinos in the PHilippines now
governed by the United States. From the looks of it, nothing much has changed. For example, a
cartoon depicted how police authorities oppress petty Filipino criminals while turning a blind eye
on hoarders who monopolize goods in their huge warehouses (presumably Chinese
merchants). The other cartoon depicts how Americans controlled Filipinos through seemingly
harmless American objects. By controlling their consciousness and mentality, Americans got to
control and subjugate Filipinos.

Reference:

Candelaria, J.L. and Alporha, V.C. (2018). Readings in Philippine History. Manila, Philippines:

Rex Book Store.