MODULE 2: CONTENT AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF

SELECTED PRIMARY SOURCES

LESSON 4: A GLANCE AT SELECTED

PHILIPPINE POLITICAL CARICATURE
OF THE AMERICAN ERA

alfred mccoy

PREPARED AND PRESENTED BY

EVSU RPH INSTRUCTORS
 During the American period, the use of cartoons and caricatures as a
way of expressing opinions and voicing out concerns on different
issues in the society to seek for reforms became popular. Analyzing
these cartoons and caricature will thus help in understanding the
conditions of the Philippines during the American era.

Who's who?
Alfred McCoy
McCoy is considered as the “Historian
of the Southeast Asia”. He was born on
June 8, 1945 in Massachusetts, USA. He
graduated from the Kent School in
1964. He earned his BA in European
Studies at Columbia College in 1968
and M.A. Asian Studies at University of
California at Berkeley in 1969. McCoy
finished his PhD in Southeast Asian
history at Yale University in 1977. He
Alfredo Reyes Roces then served on the faculty of the
Roces is a painter, an University of New South Wales for 11
essayist, and a versatile years. In 1989, he joined University of
artist. He holds a prominent Wisconsin-Madison. McCoy was struck
place in the history of by the graphic quality and
Philippine art. He is a painter explanatory power of Philippine
who started with a figurative Political Cartoons of the American Era.
style but soon began to
amalgamate Expressionism,
Fauvism and Impressionism
in his paintings.
McCoy and Roces worked together to understand the
political and social contexts in the Philippines during
the American era by compiling, analyzing, and
providing interpretations on the cartoons and
caricatures published in various sources during the
said period. Their book was entitled Philippine
Cartoons: Political Caricatures of the American Era.

01
Let's go back!
Spanish Period
During the Spanish colonization, the Filipino journalistic experience
was limited to the employment as artists and writers in the City’s
Spanish press. The Spanish government banned all Filipino creativity.
Spanish censorship simply banned any non-religious Filipino
publication and made it impossible to open a newspaper.

American Period
The four decades of American colonial rule were formative periods in
Philippine history. The Philippines experienced a process of
Americanization and modernization that has left a lasting legacy.
However, there were darker sides to American influence: Rural
poverty grew, Manila’s urban problems worsened, and the
dependence upon America -- economic, strategic and political --
became a fixture of Philippine life.

U.S. Censorship ended with the establishment of civil government;

Filipinos could now publish without prior censorship, but if they
offend American sensibilities, they will face criminal charges.Two
months after US army censorship ended Rafael Palma launched El
Renacimiento (Rebirth). William H. Taft, used the libel and sedition
laws to mute hostility between two deeply antagonistic communities
-- the Manila Americans and the Filipino Nationalists. After two libel
suits, El Renacimiento was discontinued. However, within months,
Guerero and Ocampo established a new newspaper in the same
offices called La Vanguardia and survived until World War II as one of
Manila’s leading newspapers

The Americans hinted at a promise of eventual independence if and

when the Filipinos proved themselves capable of self-government. It
meant: suppressing all resistance, cooperating with American
colonials, raising the educational standards and learning the
administration of their affairs.

02
Note: The freedom was more recognized such as speech and press
exercised unlike during the Spanish period.

LIPANG KALABAW
launched in 1906
satiric cartoons
published in Tagalog and Spanish
maintained anonymity by not having a masthead and by having
the artists and writers under pen names
a voice for independent radicals
affiliated with the Nacionalista Party
set a high standard of satire and artistry that was never really
equaled

THE INDEPENDENT
Founded in 1915 by the Father of Cebuano letters Vicente Sotto,
one of the militant and aggressive advocates of immediate
independence
A weekly newspaper and published in English and Spanish
A forum for its publishers for political crusades
Discussed questions of tenancy, urban poverty, and political issues
Where Fernando Amorsolo began his career as the “angriest of
Manila’s political cartoonists”

THE PHILIPPINE FREE PRESS

Founded in 1906 by Judge W.A. Kincaid but was taken over by
McCullough Dick due to bankruptcy
Published in both Spanish and English
Featured investigative reporting about the country’s development
Appeared more personal than national and not tied to a
particular political party
Advocated integrity, democracy and Philippine national progress

03
 BAG-ONG KUSOG
(Literally "New Force"), the most popular Cebuano pre-war
periodical
It draws a picture of pre-war social life in Cebu
Featured the clash between the traditional Spanish-influenced
culture and the new American orientation
Depicted the breaking down of hallowed customs and social
practices due to American Influence
Focused criticism on co-education introduced by the Americans
which endangered the virtue of women

Selected Cartoons and Caricature

from the Philippine Cartoons: Political
Caricature of the American Era by
McCoy and Roces

Published by The Independent on May 20, 1916

A politician from Tondo, Dr. Santos is passing his crown to his

brother-in-law, Dr. Barcelona. A Filipino guy trying to stop Santos,
telling him to stop giving Barcelona the crown for it is not his to
begin with.

The cartoon depicts the rising political dynasties in Tondo, Manila.

04
 Published by The Independent on June 16, 1917

A Filipino child who stole a skinny chicken because he had nothing

to eat. A police officer was relentlessly pursuing the child. A man
labeled Juan de la Cruz was grabbing the officer, telling him to leave
the small-time pickpockets and thieves and turn at the greatest
thieves instead. Pointing to a huge warehouse containing bulks of
rice, milk, and grocery products.

Police officers focusing on petty crimes and turning a blind eye to

the bigger crimes in the society.

Published by The Philippine Free Press

05
Aimed as a commentary when fatal accidents involving colorum
vehicles occurred too often already.

During the American colonization, modern transportation was

introduced, and the Philippines was not able to accompany it
with the necessary rules and regulations, thus accidents involving
colorum vehicles increased.

Published by The Philippine Free Press

A blown-up police officer was at the screen saying that couples are
not allowed to neck and make love in the theater. Two youngsters
looked horrified while an older couple seemed amused

Sexual Revolution during the 1930s

Turning point between the country’s conservative past and
liberated future

06
 Published by The Independent on November 27, 1915

Uncle Sam riding a chariot pulled by Filipinos wearing school

uniforms and carrying American objects.

Filipinos being controlled by the Americans through the use of

seemingly harmless objects

Published by Lipag Kalabaw on August 24, 1907

07
 Uncle Sam rationing porridge to the politicians and members of the
(Federalista) Party while members of Nationalista Party look and wait
for their turn.
Patronage
Party switching

let's get editorial

Make a cartoon or caricature depicting one issue/problem the
country is currently facing. Provide a brief explanation of your work.
Your output will be graded using the following rubric.

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