SUMMARY OF THE FIRST VOYAGE AROUND THE WORLD

This book was taken from the chronicles of contemporary voyagers

and navigators of the sixteenth century. One of them was Italian nobleman
Antonio Pigafetta, who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan in his fateful
circumnavigation of the world. Pigafetta's work instantly became a classic
that prominent literary men in the West like William Shakespeare, Michel
de Montaigne, and Giambattista Vico referred to the book in their
interpretation of the New World. Pigafetta's travelogue is one of the most
important primary sources in the study of the precolonial Philippines. His
account was also a major referent to the events leading to Magellan's
arrival in the Philippines, his encounter with local leaders, his death in the
hands of Lapulapu's forces in the Battle of Mactan, and in the departure of
what was left of Magellan's fleet from the islands.
Examining the document reveals several insights not just in the
character of the Philippines during the precolonial period, but also on how
the fresh eyes of the Europeans regard a deeply unfamiliar terrain,
environment, people, and culture. Locating Pigafetta's account in the
context of its writing warrants a familiarity on the dominant frame of mind in
the age of exploration, which pervaded Europe in the fifteenth and
sixteenth century. Students of history need to realize that primary sources
used in the subsequent written histories depart from certain perspectives.
Thus, Pigafetta's account was also written from the perspective of Pigafetta
himself and was a product of the context of its production. The First Voyage
Around the World by Magellan was published after Pigafetta returned to
Italy.
For this chapter, we will focus on the chronicles of Antonio Pigafetta
as he wrote his firsthand observation and general impression of the Far
East including their experiences in the Visayas. In Pigafetta's account, their
fleet reached what he called the Ladrones Islands or the "Islands of the
Thieves." He recounted:
"These people have no arms, but use sticks, which have a fish bone
at the end. They
are poor, but ingenious, and great thieves, and for the sake of that we
called these
three islands the Ladrones Islands."

The Ladrones Islands is presently known as the Marianas Islands.

These islands are located south-southeast of Japan, west-southwest of
Hawaii, north of New Guinea, and east of Philippines. Ten days after they
reached Ladrones Islands, Pigafetta reported that they reached what
Pigafetta called the isle of Zamal, now Samar but Magellan decided to land
in another uninhabited island for greater security where they could rest for
a few days. Pigafetta recounted that after two days, March 18, nine men
came to them and showed joy and eagerness in seeing them. Magellan
realized that the men were reasonable and welcomed them with food,
drinks, and gifts. In turn, the natives gave them fish, palm wine (uraca),
figs, and two cochos. The natives also gave them rice (umai), cocos, and
other food supplies. Pigafetta detailed in amazement and fascination the
palm tree which bore fruits called cocho, and wine. He also described what
seemed like a coconut. His description reads:
"This palm produces a fruit named cocho, which is as large as the
head, or thereabouts: its first husk is green, and two fingers in thickness, in
it they find certain threads, with which they make the cords for fastening
their boats. Under this husk
there is another very hard, and thicker than that of a walnut. They burn this
second rind, and make with it a powder which is useful to them. Under this
rind there is a white marrow of a finger's thickness, which they eat fresh
with meat and fish, as we do bread, and it has the taste of an almond, and
if anyone dried it he might make bread of it
Pigafetta characterized the people as "very familiar and friendly" and
willingly showed them different islands and the names of these islands. The
fleet went to Humunu Island (Homonhon) and there they found what
Pigafetta referred to as the "Watering Place of Good Signs." It is in this
place where Pigafetta wrote that they found the first signs of gold in the
island. They named the island with the nearby islands as the archipelago of
St. Lazarus. They left the island, then on March 25th, Pigafetta recounted
that they saw two ballanghai (balangay), a long boat full of people in
Mazzaval Mazaua. The leader, who Pigafetta referred to as the king of the
ballanghai (balangay), sent his men to the ship of Magellan. The
Europeans entertained these men and gave them gifts. When the king of
the balangay offered to give Magellan a bar of gold and a chest of ginger,
Magellan declined. Magellan sent the interpreter to the king and asked for
money for the needs of his ships and expressed that he came into the
islands as a friend and not as an enemy. The king responded by giving
Magellan the needed provisions of food in chinaware. Magellan exchanged
gifts of robes in Turkish fashion, red cap, and gave the people knives and
mirrors. The two then expressed their desire to become brothers. Magellan
also boasted of his men in armor who could not be struck with swords and
daggers. The king was fascinated and remarked that men in such armor
could be worth one hundred of his men. Magellan further showed the king
his other weapons, helmets, and artilleries. Magellan also shared with the
king his charts and maps and shared how they found the islands.
After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king's brother who
was also a king of another island. They went to this island and Pigafetta
reported that they saw mines of gold. The gold was abundant that parts of
the ship and of the house of the second king were made of gold. Pigafetta
described this king as the most handsome of all the men that he saw in this
place. He was also adorned with silk and gold accessories like a golden
dagger, which he carried with him in a wooden polished sheath. This king
was named Raia Calambu, king of Zuluan and Calagan (Butuan and
Caragua), and the first king was Raia Siagu. On March 31st, which
happened to be Easter Sunday, Magellan ordered the chaplain to preside a
Mass by the shore. The king
heard of this plan and sent two dead pigs and attended the Mass with the
other king. Pigafetta reported that both kings participated in the mass.
He wrote: "...when the offertory of the mass came, the two kings,
went to kiss the cross like us, but they offered nothing, and at the elevation
of the body of our Lord they were kneeling like us, and adored our Lord
with joined hands."
After the Mass, Magellan ordered that the cross be brought with nails
and crown in place. Magellan explained that the cross, the nail, and the
crown were the signs of his emperor and that he was ordered to plant it in
the places that he would reach. Magellan further explained that the cross
would be beneficial for their people because once other Spaniards saw this
cross, then they would know that they had been in this land and would not
cause them troubles, and any person who might be held captives by them
would be released. The king concurred and allowed for the cross to be
planted. This Mass would go down in history as the first Mass in the
Philippines, and the cross would be the famed Magellan's Cross still
preserved at present day.
After seven days, Magellan and his men decided to move and look
for islands where they could acquire more supplies and provisions. They
learned of the islands of Ceylon (Leyte), Bohol, and Zzubu (Cebu) and
intended to go there. Raia Calambu offered to pilot them in going to Cebu,
the largest and the richest of the islands. By April 7th of the same year,
Magellan and his men reached the port of Cebu. The king of Cebu, through
Magellan's interpreter, demanded that they pay tribute as it was customary,
but Magellan refused. Magellan said that he was a captain of a king himself
and thus would not pay tribute to other kings. Magellan's interpreter
explained to the king of Cebu that Magellan's king was the emperor of a
great empire and that it would do them better to make friends with them
than to forge enmity. The king of Cebu consulted his council. By the next
day, Magellan's men and the king of Cebu, together with other principal
men of Cebu, met in an open space. There, the king offered a bit of his
blood and demanded that Magellan do the same. Pigafetta recounts:
"Then the king said that he was content, and as a greater sign of
affection he sent him a little of his blood from his right arm, and
wished he should do the like. Our people answered that he would do
it. Besides that, he said that all the captains who came to his country
had been accustomed to make a present to him, and he to them, and
therefore they should ask their captain if he would observe the
custom. Our people answered
that he would; but as the king wished to keep up the custom, let him begin
and make a present, and then the captain would do his duty."
The following day, Magellan spoke before the people of Cebu about
peace and God. Pigafetta reported that the people took pleasure in
Magellan's speech. Magellan then asked the people who would succeed
the king after his reign and the people responded that the eldest child of the
king, who happened to be a daughter, would be the next in line. Pigafetta
also related how the people talked about, how at old age, parents were no
longer considered and had to follow the orders of their children as the new
leaders of the land. Magellan responded to this by saying that his faith
entailed children to render honor and obedience to their parents. Magellan
preached about their faith further and people were reportedly convinced.
Pigafetta wrote that their men were overjoyed seeing that the people
wished to become Christians through their free will and not because they
were forced or intimidated.
On the 14th of April, the people gathered with the king and other
principal men of the islands. Magellan spoke to the king and encouraged
him to be a good Christian by burning all of the idols and worship the cross
instead. The king of Cebu was then baptized as a Christian. Pigafetta
wrote:
"To that the king and all his people answered that thy would obey the
commands of the captain and do all that he told them. The captain
took the king by the hand, and they walked about on the scaffolding,
and when he was baptized he said that he would name him Don
Charles (Carlos), as the emperor his sovereign was named; and he
named the prince Don Fernand (Fernando), after the brother of the
 emperor, and the King of Mazavva, Jehan: to the Moor he gave the
name of Christopher, and to the others each a name of his fancy."

After eight days, Pigafetta counted that all of the island's inhabitant were
already baptized. He admitted that they burned a village down for obeying
neither the king nor Magellan. The Mass was conducted by the shore every
day. When the queen came to the Mass one day, Magellan gave her an
image of the Infant Jesus made by Pigafetta himself. The king of Cebu
swore that he would always be faithful to Magellan. When Magellan
reiterated that all of the newly baptized Christians need to burn their idols,
but the natives gave excuses telling Magellan that they needed the idols to
heal a sick man who was a relative to the king. Magellan insisted that they
should instead put their faith in Jesus Christ. They went to the sick man
and baptized him. After the baptismal, Pigafetta recorded that the man was
able to speak again. He called this a miracle.
On the 26th of April, Zula, a principal man from the island of Matan
(Mactan) went to see Magellan and asked him for a boat full of men
so that he would be able to fight the chief named Silapulapu
(Lapulapu). Such chief, according to Zula, refused to obey the king
and was also preventing him from doing so. Magellan offered three
boats instead and expressed his desire to go to Mactan himself to
fight the said chief. Magellan's forces arrived in Mactan in daylight.
They numbered 49 in total and the islanders of Mactan were
estimated to number 1,500. The battle began. Pigafetta recounted:

"When we reached land, we found the islanders fifteen hundred in

number, drawn up in three squadrons; they came down upon us with
terrible shouts, two squadrons attacking us on the flanks, and the third in
front. The captain then divided his men in two bands. Our musketeers and
crossbow-men fired for half an hour from a distance, but did nothing, since
the bullets and arrows, though they passed through their shields made of
thin wood, and perhaps wounded their arms, yet did not stop them. The
captain shouted not to fire, but he was not listened to. The islanders seeing
that the shots of our guns did them little or no harm would not retire, but
shouted more loudly, and springing from one side to the other to avoid our
shots, they at the same time drew nearer to us, throwing arrows, javelins,
spears hardened in fire, stones, and even mud, so that we could hardly
defend ourselves. Some of them cast lances pointed with iron at the
captain-general."
 Magellan died in that battle. The natives, perceiving that the bodies of
the enemies were protected with armors, aimed for their legs instead.
Magellan was pierced with a poisoned arrow in his right leg. A few of their
men charged at the natives and tried to intimidate them by burning an
entire village but this only enraged the natives further. Magellan was
specifically targeted because the natives knew that he was the captain
general. Magellan was hit with a lance in the face. Magellan retaliated and
pierced the same native with his lance in the breast and tried to draw his
sword but could not lift it because of his wounded arm. Seeing that the
captain has already deteriorated, more natives came to attack him. One
native with a great sword delivered a blow in Magellan's left leg, brought
him face down and the natives ceaselessly attacked Magellan with lances,
swords, and even with their bare hands. Pigafetta recounted the last
moments of Magellan:
"Whilst the Indians were thus overpowering him, several times he
turned around towards us to see if we were all in
safety, as though his obstinate fight had no other object than to give
an opportunity for the retreat of his men."

Pigafetta also said that the king of Cebu who was baptized could
have sent help but Magellan instructed him not to join the battle and stay in
the balangay so that he would see how they fought. The king offered the
people of Mactan gifts of any value and amount in exchange of Magellan's
body but the chief refused. They wanted to keep Magellan's body as a
memento of their victory. Magellan's men elected Duarte Barbosa as the
new captain. Pigafetta also told how Magellan's slave and interpreter
named Henry betrayed them and told the king of Cebu that they intended to
leave as quickly as possible. Pigafetta alleged that the slave told the king
that if he followed the slave's advice, then the king could acquire the ships
and the goods of Magellan's fleet. The two conspired and betrayed what
was left of Magellan's men. The king invited these men to a gathering
where he said he would present the jewels that he would send for the King
of Spain. Pigafetta was not able to join the twenty-four men who attended
because he was nursing his battle wounds. It was only a short time when
they heard cries and lamentations. The natives had slain all of the men
except the interpreter and Juan Serrano who was already wounded.
Serrano was presented and shouted at the men in the ship asking them to
pay ransom so he would be spared. However, they refused and would not
allow anyone to go to the shore. The fleet departed and abandoned
Serrano. They left Cebu and continued their journey around the world.
 SUMMARY OF THE EVENTS KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN

Emilio Jacinto The Primer of Katipunan also known as "Kartilya ng

Katipunan" is written on 1892 by Emilio Jacinto. For who it was written: It
was made mainly for the Katipuneros. Upon joining to be one of the
Katipuneros, members are required to read the Kartilya and cling to its
code of conducts. To change the Philippines for the better. Early
Katipunero believes that changing the way Filipino thought and acted was
the most important things to be considered.
Historical Importance: In 1896 there is what we called "Duties of the
sons of the people" that was written by Andres Bonifacio that strictly
followed by the members of the organization. This Decalogue embodied
what Bonifacio's beliefs. Bonifacio would then later adopt Jacinto's Kartilya
ng Katipunan as the official teaching of the katipunan.
He adopted the kartilya and named it Dekalogo that mainly focused
on one's duty to God, country neighbor, family, the Katipunan and himself.
It tells all about honor, charity and self-sacrifice for the beloved land and
also spoke and warned about traitor and disobedient.
In difference between Dekalogo and Kartilya, Kartilya is more and
much longer and more philosophical. It shows concepts of virtuous living as
lessons for self-reflection.
The amazing side of the Kartilya is not only a leading for the Katipunan
Members, it embodied moral and nationalistic principle for all Filipinos.
The design of Kartilya ng Katipunan
-To show a concept of a good living as lesson for soul- searching
rather than straight prescription -To show that it was the internal and not
external modification to make human greatness eminence.
-To take care and appreciate the essence of its authentic tagalog
form within the factors of the social and political environment of that
colonial era, surrounded by local traditions, spiritual beliefs, family idea and
cultural diversity. To be Katipunan's idea and principles in its existence.
-To be the innovation of the Katipunan, but the innovation for moralist
sound Filipino nation.
-To show the significance of ideas of right and light (Katwiran
atKaliwanagan).
 To specify that the members of Katipunan are not only the heir of the
age of knowledge, but fighting to form and define a nation and ethics that
was post- Enlightenment using revolutionaries intellectual and moral
capability. Their aim is to remove the ideological and colonial impede of the
western, but a country that acquire and unite the best of Spain and other
western countries and our own culture and society, in support of being a
Filipino.
The Kartilya contains thirteen lessons that details not only the vision
of the Katipunan, but the vision for an equalitarian and morally sound
Filipino nation.
1. The life that is not consecrated to a lofty and reasonable purpose is a
tree without a shade, if not a poisonous weed.
2. To do good for personal gain and not for its own sake is not virtue.
3. It is rational to be charitable and love one's fellow creature, and to adjust
one's conduct, acts and words to what is in itself reasonable.
4. Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal: superiority in
knowledge, wealth and beauty are to be understood, but not superiority by
nature.
5. The honorable man prefers honor to personal gain; the scoundrel, gain
to honor.
6. To the honorable man, his word is sacred.
7. Do not waste thy time: wealth can be recovered but not time lost.
8. Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor before the law or in the
field.
9. The prudent man is sparing in words and faithful in keeping secrets.
10. On the thorny path of life, man is the guide of woman and the children,
and if the guide leads to the precipice, those whom he guides will also go
there.
11. Thou must not look upon woman as a mere plaything, but as a faithful
companion who will share with thee the penalties of life, her (physical)
weakness will increase thy interest in her and she will remind thee of the
mother who bore thee and reared thee.
12. What thou dost not desire done unto thy wife, children, brothers and
sisters, that do not unto the wife, children, brothers and sisters of thy
neighbor.
13. Man is not worth more because he is a king, because his nose is
aquiline, and his color white, not because he is a "priest, a servant of God,
nor because of the high prerogative that he enjoys upon earth, but he is
worth most who is a man of proven and real value, who does good, keeps
his words, is worthy and honest; he who does not oppress nor consent to
being oppressed, he who loves and cherishes his fatherland, though he be
born in the wilderness and know no tongue but his own.
Historical Criticism
The main purpose of the text is for the new members to understand
rules, principles and teachings of the Katipunan. It also encourages people
to avoid having change of hearts in choosing to join and ensures that they
understand that joining the brotherhood is not easy, and they will do what is
needed wholeheartedly. Numerous accounts dated the making of Kartilya
to 1896 wherein the "supremo" or also known as Andres Bonifacio wrote 14
rules that serves as a guideline for new members. An earliest reference
was of the Kartilya ng Katipunan was found in the minutes of a supreme
assembly meeting held in December 1895. In 1892, the "utak ng
Katipunan" and also known as Emilio Jacinto wrote the Kartilya ng
Katipunan and the oath of the katipuneros. According to the Presidential
Museum and Library, Bonifacio's admiration to Jacinto motivates him to
write a decalogue and to adopt Jacinto's Kartilya as the official teachings of
the Katipunan. The decalogue is somehow resembles the "ten
Commandments", while Jacinto's Kartilya resembles the declaration used
in Mabila's Masonic Lodges and its preamble echoes the purpose of the
masonic document. A historian in name of Jim Richardson, said that
"Kartilya is the best known of all Katipunan texts...the only document of any
length set in print by the Katipunan prior to August 1896 that is known to be
still extant", this is also stated in his book "The Liberty of Light" which said
to have a direct translation of the original Kartilya ng Katipunan penned by
Jacinto. Therefore, we can see clearly that Kartilya ng Katipunan was
originally written by Emilio Jacinto and not by Bonifacio. Bonifacio only
adopt the Kartilya and wrote a decalogue. Historical Sources Aside from ill-
treatment experiences felt by katipuneros under the Spanish rule, there
were other influencing factors causing the creation of Katipunan and the
conceptualization of Kartilya (Dela Costa, H. (1992). 1. Enlightenment in
Europe
Immanuel Kant summed the definition of enlightenment in the
following terms: "Dare to know! Have courage to use your own
reason!"
Enlightened rationality gave way to the rise of Romanticism. By the
19th- century it pave its way to Liberalism and Classicism then in the
20th-century, Modernism.
 During this period, secret societies like the Freemasons, the Bavarian
Illuminati, the Rosicrucian-flourished. Coffeehouses, newspapers and
literary salons emerged as new venues for ideas to circulate.
2. French Revolution
 The French Revolution of 1789 was the culmination of the High
Enlightenment vision of throwing out the old authorities to remake
society along rational lines.
 A legacy of the Age of Enlightenment, the motto "Liberté, Egalité,
Fraternité" inspired the French Revolution.
 The ideas of enlightenment and the French Revolution inspired the
Ilustrados in Europe and in the island. These two events in the globe
encouraged the Filipinos to take up a stand for reforms and later
independence. Books from Europe easily reached the Philippines
thru the Suez Canal and thus this leads to the spread of the idea of
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

3. Coming of Masonry in the Philippines

 In 1856, Freemasonry was introduced in the Philippines, however,
native Filipinos were not allowed to join the organization.
 In 1889, Graciano Lopez-Jaena organized the Logia Revolución in
Barcelona thru the support of Grande Oriente Español hence the root
of true Philippine Masonry.
 Pedro Serrano Laktaw, with the help of Moises Salvador (Initiated in
Madrid) and Jose A. Ramos (initiated in London), organized Logia
Nilad and it was approved by the Grande Oriente Español as Logia
Nilad No 144 on March 20. 1892.
 As the Fraternity grew, the Spanish friars were alarmed and therefore
branded all Masons as insurrectos. Masons were arrested, tortured,
exiled. These events became the voice for freedom and democracy.
 Most of the prominent personalities in the Katipunan were members
of the Masonry. The influence of this fraternity to the members were
very evident in the Kartilya written by Emilio Jacinto.
 During the revolution, the Spanish Friars believed that the root of all
the problems was Masonry and Katipunan. Katipunan as considered
by the friars as "Huwad sa Masonerya."
 Jesult Francisco Foradada wrote in his book that Filipino filibusterism
(subversion) was not the son of righteousness, morality or justice;
but of Masonry- the enemy of God.
4. Propaganda Movement
  The death of Gomburza in 1872 awakened strong feelings of anger
and resentment among the Filipinos. They questioned Spanish
authorities and demanded reforms. The Filipino ilustrados aimed for
reforms and so they created a systematic movement and they used a
peaceful means of battling the Spanish government called the
Propaganda Movement.
-The writings produced by the Propaganda Movement Inspired
Andres Bonifacio and other radicals to establish the Katipunan and set the
Philippine Revolution in place.
5. La Liga and the Cuerpo de Compromisarios
 In 1892, Jose Rizal arrived home and with the support of the Masonic
Leaders, he established the La Liga Filipina. However, he was
arrested and soon deported to Dapitan
 Andres Bonifacio and other members of Logia Taiiba saw Rizal's
deportation as a sign that reforms were no longer attainable. Before
the revival of the Liga, Andres Bonifacio had conceptualized a new
secret society called the Katipunan to advocate separation from
Spain. Thus, Katipunan was established on July
7. 1892. On April 3, 1893, Andres Bonifacio of Logia Taliba, Domingo
Franco and Apolinario Mabini, both of Logia Balagtas, led the revival of the
Liga Filipina .
 Six months after the Liga's revival two factions emerged one that
wanted to continue the society's aim of peaceful reforms, and another
which advocated the overthrow of the colonial government. In
October of 1893, the Liga was dissolved.
 Mabini and other moderates formed the Cuerpo de Compromisarios,
they tried to continue sending funds to finance the Propaganda
Movement in Spain. However, most of the members became
increasingly disappointed over the apathy of the central govemment
in Madrid
 Some Filipinos were convinced that separation from Spain was the
only alternative-some members united with the radical movement -
Katipunan of Bonifacio, Arellano, Plata and other Logia Taliba
members.

Self-Point of View about the Event

The Kartilya of Emilio Jacinto serves as a historical reference on how

the Katipuneros lived back then. This document covers moral lesson,
norms and guides for them during the Spanish Era: For instance, the
Kartilya contains guide and laws that all members (especially the new
ones) to abide upon joining. Jacinto pointed out that they should be fair no
matter your status in life and the gender you have. He is also against unfair
treatment to women in our society. During that time this document were
able to help the Katipuneros to reflect on themselves. This document was a
good source to understand on how the Katipuneros lived. When Bonifacio
died the katipunan leadership was shifted thus the teachings were
neglected. The new leadership departed from the teachings of the Kartilya.
Apolinario Mabini claimed that the Revolution was badly directed because
the Katipunan lacked some form of moral standards and ethics. Proof of
this was the surrender of its leaders at Blak na Bato a turning point
Bonifacio tried to stop as rumors of it are spread in Cavite Mabini filled
Jacinto's place as the adviser of the revolution.
Today, through this document the Kartilya served as a proof that
Filipinos were united to achieve their goal. It is not only a piece of writing
but more importantly it signifies the moral characters of those who fought
for our independence.
Importance of the Event in our Present Time Kartilya is a source of
moral beacon for self-transformation for the contemporary times.
(Pasamonte December 05, 2019). It can be used as guide
• To institutionalize good governance among our government
officials.
 To teach honor and dignity and curtail corruption among
politicians
 1898 PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DECLARED

During the Spanish-American War, Filipino rebels led by Emilio

Aguinaldo proclaim the independence of the Philippines after 300 years of
Spanish rule. By mid-August, Filipino rebels and U.S. troops had ousted
the Spanish, but Aguinaldo’s hopes for independence were dashed when
the United States formally annexed the Philippines as part of its peace
treaty with Spain.
The Philippines, a large island archipelago situated off Southeast
Asia, was colonized by the Spanish in the latter part of the 16th century.
Opposition to Spanish rule began among Filipino priests, who resented
Spanish domination of the Roman Catholic churches in the islands. In the
late 19th century, Filipino intellectuals and the middle class began calling
for independence. In 1892, the Katipunan, a secret revolutionary society,
was formed in Manila, the Philippine capital on the island of Luzon.
Membership grew dramatically, and in August 1896 the Spanish uncovered
the Katipunan’s plans for rebellion, forcing premature action from the
rebels. Revolts broke out across Luzon, and in March 1897, 28-year-old
Emilio Aguinaldo became leader of the rebellion.

By late 1897, the revolutionaries had been driven into the hills
southeast of Manila, and Aguinaldo negotiated an agreement with the
Spanish. In exchange for financial compensation and a promise of reform
in the Philippines, Aguinaldo and his generals would accept exile in Hong
Kong. The rebel leaders departed, and the Philippine Revolution
temporarily was at an end.

In April 1898, the Spanish-American War broke out over Spain’s

brutal suppression of a rebellion in Cuba. The first in a series of decisive
U.S. victories occurred on May 1, 1898, when the U.S. Asiatic Squadron
under Commodore George Dewey annihilated the Spanish Pacific fleet at
the Battle of Manila Bay in the Philippines. From his exile, Aguinaldo
decided with U.S. authorities to return to the Philippines and assist the
United States in the war against Spain. He landed on May 19, rallied his
revolutionaries, and began liberating towns south of Manila. On June 12,
he proclaimed Philippine independence and established a provincial
government, of which he subsequently became head.

His rebels, meanwhile, had encircled the Spanish in Manila and, with
the support of Dewey’s squadron in Manila Bay, would surely have
conquered the Spanish. Dewey, however, was waiting for U.S. ground
troops, which began landing in July and took over the Filipino positions
surrounding Manila. On August 8, the Spanish commander informed the
United States that he would surrender the city under two conditions: The
United States was to make the advance into the capital look like a battle,
and under no conditions were the Filipino rebels to be allowed into the city.
On August 13, the mock Battle of Manila was staged, and the Americans
kept their promise to keep the Filipinos out after the city passed into their
hands.

While the Americans occupied Manila and planned peace

negotiations with Spain, Aguinaldo convened a revolutionary assembly, the
Malolos, in September. They drew up a democratic constitution, the first
ever in Asia, and a government was formed with Aguinaldo as president in
January 1899. On February 4, what became known as the Philippine
Insurrection began when Filipino rebels and U.S. troops skirmished inside
American lines in Manila. Two days later, the U.S. Senate voted by one
vote to ratify the Treaty of Paris with Spain. The Philippines were now a
U.S. territory, acquired in exchange for $20 million in compensation to the
Spanish.

In response, Aguinaldo formally launched a new revolt–this time

against the United States. The rebels, consistently defeated in the open
field, turned to guerrilla warfare, and the U.S. Congress authorized the
deployment of 60,000 troops to subdue them. By the end of 1899, there
were 65,000 U.S. troops in the Philippines, but the war dragged on. Many
anti-imperialists in the United States, such as Democratic presidential
candidate William Jennings Bryan, opposed U.S. annexation of the
Philippines, but in November 1900 Republican incumbent William
McKinley was reelected, and the war continued.

On March 23, 1901, in a daring operation, U.S. General Frederick

Funston and a group of officers, pretending to be prisoners, surprised
Aguinaldo in his stronghold in the Luzon village of Palanan and captured
the rebel leader. Aguinaldo took an oath of allegiance to the United States
and called for an end to the rebellion, but many of his followers fought on.
During the next year, U.S. forces gradually pacified the Philippines. In an
infamous episode, U.S. forces on the island of Samar retaliated against the
massacre of a U.S. garrison by killing all men on the island above the age
of 10. Many women and young children were also butchered. General
Jacob Smith, who directed the atrocities, was court-martialed and forced to
retire for turning Samar, in his words, into a “howling wilderness.”

In 1902, an American civil government took over administration of the

Philippines, and the three-year Philippine insurrection was declared to be at
an end. Scattered resistance, however, persisted for several years.

More than 4,000 Americans perished suppressing the Philippines–

more than 10 times the number killed in the Spanish-American War. More
than 20,000 Filipino insurgents were killed, and an unknown number of
civilians perished.

In 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was established with

U.S. approval, and Manuel Quezon was elected the country’s first
president. On July 4, 1946, full independence was granted to the Republic
of the Philippines by the United States.
 PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO'S SPEECH

President Corazon Aquino is the widow of Senator Benigno Aquino

who became the 11th and therefore the first female president of the
Philippines. Through the People Power Revolution, together with defections
from the soldiers of the Philippines and support from the Philippine
Christian church her inauguration to the presidency was secured on 25
February 1986 and widely recognized as the "Mother of Asian Democracy".
Wherein during her term, she gave a speech during the Joint Session of
the U.S. Congress on September 18, 1986. Her speech is crucial in
Philippine history, particularly diplomatic and political history because it
probably established the EDSA government's legitimacy on the global
stage.

President Corazon Aquino's speech was filled with mentions of her

husband, Ninoy Aquino, who had been selected as the anti-Marcos poster
boy by the Filipino people. Senator Thurmond, the speaker, and the
distinguished member of Congress were acknowledged in the early half of
her address. She expressed her sorrow again when she departed America
three years before her presidency to bury her husband. She stated to have
returned as the President of the free people. She elaborated every detail
about her husband's troubles, how they affected their family, and how it
affected the country. She spoke about the first time she lost her husband,
14 years ago, when Marcos imposed martial law, suspending the
constitution and shutting down Congress, as well as how Marcos arrested
Benigno and hundreds of others who stood out for democracy. She also
described how hard it was for her and her children to lose the foundation of
their house, her husband, and her children's father. Ninoy Aquino's death,
on the other hand, signified the Philippines' resurrection. and the courage
and faith with which its people could once again be free. She mentioned
Archibald MacLeish, who stated, "Democracy must be defended by arms
when it is attacked by arms, and by truth when it is attacked by lies." She
then went on to speak about how he failed to say how it shall be won. "Still,
we fought for honor, and, if only for honor, we shall pay." She made it clear
that the conflict they started was not in vain or pointless. That they, the
Filipinos, fought the administration valiantly. Furthermore, she mentioned in
her address what happened during the presidential elections in 1986, how
Filipinos joined together to defeat the Marcos administration, which had
oppressed them for more than a decade, and how it was a proclamation
that the country and its people had finally earned freedom. "The task had
fallen on my shoulders to continue offering the democratic alternative to our
people." She accepted the responsibility of looking after and fighting for the
country's freedom. However, even after defeating Marcos' dictatorship, the
Philippines were still dealing with the consequences of his rule. This
included a total foreign debt of $26 billion and a communist insurgency that
rose from 500 armed guerillas to 16,000 under Marcos' presidency. The
country was only beginning its long journey to recovery. As a result, by
explaining the status of the country to the congress, she also made a call
for support or financial assistance in restoring full constitutional government
and reviving the country's economy.
Importantly, the new democratic government's ideology can also be
seen in President Cory Aquino's speech. Also, this publication contributed
to Philippine history by tracing the country's first steps toward restoring
democracy, which the Marcos regime had prohibited. This publication
allows Filipinos to understand and remember the brutal realities of the
Marcos tyranny and as the country's first female president, Corazon
Aquino's speech had a great influence not just on the country but also on
the world's view of women in leadership roles.
 PHILIPPINE POLITICAL CARICATURE IN ALFRED MCCOY'S
PHILIPPINE CARTOONS: POLITICAL CARICATURE OF THE
AMERICAN ERA

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 far from
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 illustrate not only the opinion of certain media
outfits about the 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 cancelled 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.
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 were mediocre. This resulted in the
increasing colorum and unlicensed vehicles transporting people around the
city. The rules governing the issuance of driver's license was loose and
traffic police could not be bothered by rampant violations of traffic rules.
This is a direct consequence of the drastic urbanization of the Philippine
society. Another example is what McCoy called the "sexual revolution" that
occurred 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.