Culture, History, and Progress

Unit I
THE PHILIPPINES: ITS LOCATION, COLONIZATION, AND INDEPENDENCE
Lesson 1 Location of the Philippines
Lesson 2 The Development of Filipino Awareness
Lesson 3 Independence from Spain
Lesson 4 The Katipunan
Lesson 5 The 1896 Revolution
Lesson 6 The Road to Philippine Independence
Lesson 7 American Intervention in the Philippines
Lesson 8 Filipino-American War

Unit Il
STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE
Lesson 9 The American Government in the Philippines
Lesson 10 Filipino Society under the Americans
Lesson 11 The Path to Independence
Lesson 12 The Philippine Commonwealth
Lesson 13 The Second World War
Lesson 14 Government During the Japanese Occupation
Lesson 15 Resistance against the Japanese
The Philippines: Its Location, Colonization, and Independence

In this unit, you will learn about the location of the Philippines and its effects particularly on the
country's politics and economy. With the growing accessibility of its ports to international trade
came a more liberal outlook among Filipinos which shaped their sense of nationalism.

Furthermore, you will be made aware of the efforts of nationalistic Filipinos to mount revolts
against the Spanish colonizers.

This unit will also raise questions about the possible motives behind the American colonization
of the Philippines.
It will give you a glimpse of how Filipinos fought during the war against the Americans. Who
were the distinguished Filipinos who fought to attain independence for the Philippines?

BIG QUESTION FOR THE UNIT

What important factors helped shape the politics and economy of the Philippines?

Lesson 1
Location of the Philippines

OBJECTIVES
● At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Determine where the Philippines can be found on the map or the globe based on its
absolute location;
● Use the grid of the globe and the political map to explain the changes in the boundaries
and extent of the territory of the Philippines based on history; and
● Explain the importance of the Philippines' location in the politics and economy of Asia
and the world.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

Why is the location of the Philippines considered important?

The location of the Philippines is considered the source of its wealth. Because of its location, it
is blessed with rich land and water resources that bring livelihood to its people.
In this lesson, we will determine the location of the Philippines aided by the different guides
found in the globe; the laws that define the country's boundaries and territory; and the effects of
the Philippines' location to the politics and economy of Asia and the world.

TEST YOURSELF
Do you know the parts of the globe? Below are some concepts that have to do with the globe.
Write them down on the circle below according to where they can be found in the globe.
 figure

Equator North Pole

Tropic of Cancer South Pole
Tropic of Capricorn Prime Meridian
Arctic Circle Meridian
Antarctic Circle Parallel

READ UP
We will be able to determine the location of the Philippines in the world by learning how to use
the map and the globe. Let us start by discovering the imaginary lines found in the globe.

THE LINES OF THE GLOBE AND THE MAP

Study the picture of the globe below. Recall what you learned in fifth grade about the parts of
the globe.
You will notice that the globe has different lines found in it. These lines serve as guide in
determining the location of different places in the world.

Figure 1.1 The Primary Imaginary Lines on the Globe

figure

The vertical lines are called longitude lines used to measure the distance of a certain
place west or east of the Prime Meridian at 0 degrees longitude. They are also called meridian
lines.
The horizontal lines, on the other hand, are called latitude lines. They are used to
measure the distance of a place north or south of the equator. They are also called parallel
lines.
 The equator divides the globe into the northern and southern hemispheres. The Prime
Meridian divides the globe into the western and eastern hemispheres.
It is easy to find the location of the Philippines in the world map or the globe using the
grid system. The grid is made up of the spaces where the longitude and latitude lines meet.
They are used as guide in locating countries, islands, and other places around the world.
The globe in the previous page shows every 15th meridian and parallel. This means that
there are other latitude lines in between those in the illustration. Every longitude and latitude
lines represent 1 degree (°), while every degree is made up of 60 minutes ().
Special longitude and latitude lines can also be used as points of reference in
determining the location of countries in the world.

Figure 1.2 The Special Parallel and Meridian Lines

figure

Special Latitude Lines

Equator Located at 0° latitude, it is used as a reference point for measuring

distances toward the north and south poles.

Tropic of Cancer A latitude line that lies 23.5° north of the equator, it is the most
northern part of the world hit directly by the sun's rays. It is also the
northern boundary of the tropical region, the area near the equator
where the climate is warm and humid.

Tropic of Capricorn This is the latitude line that lies 23.5° south of the equator. It is the
most southern part of the world hit directly by the sun's rays. It is also
the southern boundary of the tropical region.

Arctic Circle This lies 66.5° north of the equator. It is the farthest region in the north
reached only by the slanting rays of the sun.

Antarctic Circle This is located 66.5" south of the equator. It is the southernmost part
reached by the slanting rays of the sun.

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

All longitude or meridian lines are straight lines except for the International Date Line (IDL). The
IDL zigzags to the east or west as it passes through the Pacific Ocean over a group of islands
and territories. It zigzags around these islands and territories so that each would have the same
date because the IDL marks the place where each day begins.

figure

Special Longitude Lines

Prime Meridian Located at 0° longitude, this imaginary line

traverses Greenwich, England. It is used as a
reference point when measuring the distance
of places to its east and west. All places
located to its right up to the 180th meridian
belong to the eastern hemisphere, while
those located to its left up to the 180th
meridian belong to the western hemisphere.

International Date Line (IDL) This imaginary line divides the globe into two
different days. Countries located to the east
of the IDL are ahead by one day compared to
the countries located to its west. It is located
opposite the Prime Meridian halfway around
the world.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What are the imaginary lines found on the globe?

2. What is the importance of the imaginary lines on the globe?

DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

There are two ways to determine the location of the Philippines on the globe or on the
world map. This can be done by finding out its absolute location and relative location.
The absolute location refers to the location of a place measured using the longitude and
latitude lines or the grid system.
Study and practice below the method of determining the absolute location of the
Philippines using the coordinates or set of longitude and latitude numbers on which points in the
map or globe are found.

Figure 1.4 Map of the Philippines as Part of the World

 IMAGE

1. Identify the equator on the map.

2. Find the northernmost tip and southernmost tip of the archipelago. Determine on which
latitude north or south it is of the equator. Write the degree and minute amd indicate the
appropriate directional symbols. You will find that the Philippines is between 4°23' N and
21°25' N.

3. Identify the Prime Meridian on the map.

4. Find the easternmost part and the westernmost part of the country. Determine on which
latitude east or west of the Prime Meridian it is. Write the degree and minute and indicate the
appropriate directional symbol. You will find that the Philippines is in between 116° E and
127° E.

Therefore, the Philippines is between the following coordinates: 4°23' at 21°25' north
latitude; at 116° and 127°
east longitude.
The relative location of a place is based on the land and water forms surrounding it. This
is determined using primary and secondary directions.

IMAGE

The compass rose shows the primary and secondary directions.

There are two ways of determining the relative location of a place. This can be vicinal or
insular.
Vicinal location is the location of a place in relation to surrounding landforms, islands,
and countries. The insular or maritime vicinity refers to the location of a place relative to the
bodies of water around it. Go back to Figure 1.4 on page 9 and give the relative location of the
Philippines. You may also use the information below.

Direction Vicinal Insular

North Taiwan Luzon Strait

East Pacific Ocean, Philippine Sea

South Indonesia Celebes Sea

West Vietnam West Philippine Sea

THINK ABOUT THIS
1. How can the absolute location of a place be determined? What is the absolute location
of the Philippines?
2. How can the relative location of a place be determined? What is the relative location of
the Philippines?

THE TERRITORY OF THE PHILIPPINES ACCORDING TO HISTORY

History has played an important factor in determining the land and maritime territory of the
Philippines. The changes in its boundaries over the course of its history were adapted as a
result of laws and treaties signed by the foreign countries that oversaw territorial claims of the
different countries all over the world. The Philippines stakes its maritime territorial claims on the
Philippine Treaty Limits.

Philippine Treaty Limits

According to the Philippine Treaty Limits, the boundaries and territory of the Philippines were
drawn according to the colonial agreements that set the landforms, water forms, and people that
make up the archipelago. These colonial agreements are the Treaty of Paris of 1898, Cession
Treaty of 1900, and Boundaries Treaty of 1930.

Treaty of Paris of 1898. Also known as the Treaty of Peace Between the United States
and Spain, it was signed on December 10, 1898. By the virtue of this treaty, Spain turned over
its rights over the Philippines to the United States.
The Treaty of Paris states that the Philippine archipelago is made up of islands bounded
by a line:
● from west to east at or near the 20th parallel of north latitude through Bashi Channel,
from 118° to 127° meridian of east longitude.
● at 127° meridian of east longitude to...4°45' parallel of north latitude
● at 4°45' parallel of north latitude until it intersects with 119°35' meridian of east longitude
● at 119°35' meridian of east longitude to 7°40' parallel of north latitude
● at 7°40 parallel of north latitude until it intersects with 116° of east longitude
● from the intersection of 7°40' parallel of north latitude and 116° meridian of east
longitude up to the point of intersection of the 10th® parallel of north latitude and 118th°
meridian of east longitude by a direct line, and
● at the 118th° meridian of east longitude to the point of beginning.

From the original document "Treaty of Peace Between the United States and Spain; December
10, 1898" Yale Law School: Lilian Goldman Law Library.
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/sp1898.asp. Accessed October 8, 2015.
LOOK INTO THIS
From the given coordinates, draw a line that will show the entire territory of the Philippines
according to the Treaty of Paris of 1898.
Treaty of Washington of 1900. On November 7, 1900, the representatives of Spain
and the United States signed an agreement clarifying the territory of the Philippines that were
not specified in the Treaty of Paris of 1898. This became effective on March 23, 1901.
According to the agreement, included in the territory turned over by Spain to the US are
Cagayan and Sibutu, both part of the Sulu Archipelago. In exchange, the US paid Spain the
amount of $100,000 as the equivalent amount for the two new islands added to the territory of
the Philippines.
This agreement is also known as the Cession Treaty.

Boundaries Treaty of 1930. The Convention Between the United States and Great
Britain Delimiting the Philippine Archipelago and the State of Borneo of 1930, also known as the
Boundaries Treaty, was an agreement between the governments of the United Kingdom and US
signed on January 2, 1930. The agreement specified the boundaries of North Borneo (then a
protectorate of Britain), and the Philippines (then a US territory). This was signed on January 2,
1930. It centered on the ownership standing of the Turtle Islands and the Mangsee Islands.
Based on the agreement, the two territories would remain under the administration of the UK
until such time that it is disputed and reclaimed by the US.

PHILIPPINE TERRITORY ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS

From a series of conferences between 1973 and 1982, an international agreement was reached
regarding the rights and responsibilities of the countries of the world in the use of the oceans
and other water forms in their respective territories. This was known as the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) or Law of the Sea Convention.

The territory of the Philippines according to laws and treaties.

image

An important provision of the UNCLOS involving archipelagic states like the Philippines,
Indonesia, New Guinea, Fiji, and the Bahamas is called the Archipelagic Doctrine as proposed
by the Philippine delegation led by former Senator Arturo Tolentino. According to the
Archipelagic Doctrine, the archipelagic states are considered a single unit so that the waters
surrounding, between, and connecting its islands to one another, regardless of distance and
space, shall form part of the maritime property of the state, to include exclusive ownership and
rights over them.
Through the third conference of UNCLOS, a baseline for the countries was created. The
baseline refers to the line that determines the maritime territory of a state. From this baseline,
the following were determined as belonging to a country:
 Internal waters These include all water forms and waterways from the baseline to
the landward side. The owner state is free to set laws, regulate use,
and administer the use of any resources. No foreign vessel may
enter or use internal waters as passageway.

Territorial waters These include waters up to a distance of 12 nautical miles (22

kilometers) from the baseline, where the state is free to set laws,
regulate use, and administer the use of any resources. Foreign
vessels are given the right of innocent passage or to pass through
the territorial waters of a state as long as it does not disrupt the
peace and security of the state. At the same time, foreign vessels are
allowed transit passage without stopping or docking at harbors, and
instead use the territorial waters only as passageway to other waters.

Archipelagic waters These are used to define the territorial borders of an archipelagic
state. All waters within the designated baseline are considered
archipelagic waters, including the waters surrounding the outermost
islands of the state. Foreign vessels are likewise allowed innocent
passage in these waters.

Contiguous zone This is found 12 nautical miles beyond the 12 nautical (22 kilometer)
territorial sea baseline limit, where the state can continue to enforce
its laws in four specific areas: customs, taxation, immigration, and
pollution.

Exclusive Economic This is part of the territory 200 nautical miles from the baseline. The
Zone (EEZ) owner state has exclusive exploitation rights over all natural
resources found within in this area.

Continental shelf This refers to the land found under its waters considered as the
natural prolongation of its land territory. The continental shelf of a
state may extend beyond the set 200 nautical miles distance of the
EEZ, but may not extend beyond 350 nautical miles. The state has
the right to harvest minerals and non-living materials from its
continental shelf, and have exclusive control over living resources
attached to it.

The illustration shows the maritime territories of a state.

image
PHILIPPINE TERRITORY ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION
The different agreements entered into by the Philippines in the course of its history served as
basis for determining its territory. This was clearly stated in its 1935 Constitution in which the
provisions of the Philippine Treaty Limits resulted from colonial agreements. On the other hand,
there was no mention in the 1973 and 1987 Constitutions that the colonial agreements were
used as bases for determining the country's territory.
Study below the changes in how Philippine territory was referred to in the country's
constitutions.

Constitution of the Philippines Article I, Section 1

1935 Constitution • The colonial agreements - Treaty of Paris of 1898, Treaty

of Washington of 1900, and Boundaries Treaty of 1930 -
were used as reference for determining the Philippine
territory.
• In 1961, by virtue of Republic Act 5446 that amended RA
3046 or the Philippine Baselines Act:
• the Philippines was referred to as an archipelago;
• the Philippines proclaimed its maritime territory
based on archipelagic baselines; and
• it expressed its desire to also determine its
maritime zone.

1973 Constitution • The territory of the Philippines was determined based on

its legal and historical rights.
• This includes the Philippine archipelago and all the islands
and waters found in it; the territorial sea and air; the depths
of the earth and seas; and its submarine areas.
• Also included here are the contents of the archipelagic
doctrine where the waters around, between, and
connecting the islands are part of the internal waters of the
country.

1987 Constitution The historical references and colonial agreements were

taken out as bases for determining the boundaries and
territory of the Philippines.
• The national territory:
• "...is composed of the Philippine archipelago
including all the islands and waters contained therein and
all the other territories in its absolute sovereignty or
jurisdiction, and the waters around, between, and
connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of
 their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal
waters of the Philippines."

Republic Act 9522 or the Philippine Archipelagic Baseline Law signed on March 10,
2009 establishes the maritime territory of the Philippines in accordance with the UNCLOS.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. According to the Archipelagic Doctrine, how would you describe the condition of the
archipelagic countries?
2. What was the basis for determining the national territory of the Philippines?

IMPLICATIONS OF THE LOCATIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Philippines is located north of the equator. It is among the countries found in the low
latitude. Because of its location, the Philippines has a tropical climate with high humidity,
moderate temperature, abundant rainfall, and gentle winds.
The tropical climate of the Philippines is an important factor that makes the country ideal
for agriculture. It is also why the country has lush forests that are home to endemic plants and
animals, and the source of raw materials and lumber that are exported to different parts of the
world.
As an archipelago, the Philippines became known for having one of the longest
coastlines in the world. Aside from this, it has become known for its beautiful beaches of fine
white sands and clear blue waters that attracted tourists. Among the well-known beaches in the
country are Boracay in Panay Island and those found in Zambales.
The Philippines is also part of the Coral Triangle, the triangle-shaped ecoregion in
Southeast Asia that also includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands,

image
The Philippines in the Coral Triangle

Timor-Leste where some 500 species of corals and 3,000 species of fish can be found. In
relation to this, the extensive waters of the country are rich in resources and make fishing an
important source of livelihood for many Filipinos. However, this rich eco-region faces threats
from climate change and lack of competent management and regulation by the government.

The location of the Philippines in Southeast Asia is also strategic, and for this reason,
the country is viewed as an important player in the area of politics and a center of trade in the
region. The Philippines also lies in the primary trade route between the US and Asia.
The state aims to enrich, secure, and benefit from its rich natural resources and strategic
location. In order to attain these, the Philippines maintains strong cooperative and collaborative
relations with different countries worldwide, particularly in Asia. It is an active participant and
member of international and regional organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Inspite of the positive implications of its location, the Philippines and the people also face
some negative effects because of it. The elongated shape of the country and its many islands is
a major challenge in setting up an efficient and effective communication and transportation
system posing a huge hindrance to the country's long-sought economic progress. There are
problems as well in the enforcement of laws and regulations particularly in the remote towns
and provinces. Another major challenge is ensuring the security of its extensive waters and
waterways as established by the UNCLOS.
The location of the Philippines has also put it along the pathway of many natural hazards
and calamities. The country is part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire - a horseshoe-shaped
region about 40,000 kilometers long where 452 active and inactive volcanoes are found. There
are 23 active volcanoes in the Philippines from which it faces a constant threat. Being part of the
Pacific Ring of Fire also makes the Philippines vulnerable to earthquakes due to the movements
and collisions of tectonic plates underneath the earth's crust.
The Philippines also lies along the typhoon belt. According to the Philippine
Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), around 20
typhoons enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility annually. In recent years, the typhoons
hitting the Philippines have become increasingly strong and destructive. Among them was
Typhoon Yolanda which hit the Philippines in 2013, killing an estimated 10,000 people.
Typhoons also cause soil erosion, floods, and storm surges along the coastlines.
The location of the Philippines is a blessing in terms of the beautiful land and water
forms, rich natural resources, and temperate climate. On the other hand, its location also cause
many calamities year after year. For this reason, the Filipinos need to be extra vigilant and
prepared for emergencies resulting from natural calamities.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What are the positive effects and benefits of a tropical climate?
2. What are the benefits of the strategic location of the Philippines?

WRAP IT UP
● The different imaginary lines on the map and globe serve as guide in determining the
location of a place.
● There are three bases for determining the boundaries and territory of the Philippines:
historical rights, the 1987 Constitution, and the international agreement known as the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
● The changes in the boundaries and territory of the Philippines are based on different
laws and colonial agreements.
● The Philippines claims as its historical right the territory as stated in the Philippine Treaty
Limits - Treaty of Paris of 1898, Cession Treaty of 1900, and the Boundaries Treaty of
1930.
 ● The maritime territory of the Philippines was established in the Philippine Archipelagic
Baselines Law according to the limits of the UNCLOS.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING

SOMETHING TO WORK ON…………………………………………………………………..

Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. The Philippines is located in the hemisphere.
a. northern
b. southern
c. eastern
d. western
2. The ______ measures the distance of a place on the globe to the north or south of the
equator.
a. longitude
b. meridian
c. parallel
d. latitude
3. The ______ is the distance between two meridians.
a. Longitude
b. equator
c. pole
d. International Date Line
4. The is an imaginary line that divides the world into the northern hemisphere and the
southern hemisphere.
a. Prime Meridian
b. Equator
c. Arctic Circle
d. d. Antarctic Circle
5. The _____ is the northernmost boundary that is hit directly by the rays of the sun.
a. International Date Line
b. Prime Meridian
c. Tropic of Cancer
d. Tropic of Capricorn
6. The______ is the southernmost boundary of the earth that is hit directly by the rays of
the sun.
a. Tropic of Cancer
b. Tropic of Capricorn
c. Arctic Circle
d. Antarctic Circle
7. The ______ is the special parallel located 66.5° north of the equator.
a. Antarctic Circle
b. Arctic Circle
c. equator
 d. North Pole
8. The _____ divides the world between the eastern hemisphere and the western
hemisphere.
a. International Date Line
b. Arctic Circle
c. equator
d. Prime Meridian
9. The _____ is located in the 180th meridian; opposite the Prime Meridian.
a. Tropic of Cancer
b. Tropic of Capricorn
c. International Date Line
d. Equator
10. The ____ refers to the use of the spaces formed at the intersection of the parallels and
meridians to determine the absolute location of a place.
a. grid system
b. analytic system
c. assessment system
d. value system

SOMETHING TO DO…………………………………………………………………………

Your teacher will show the class a portfolio with examples of countries in the northern
hemisphere and southern hemisphere, as well as countries in the eastern hemisphere and the
western hemisphere. Form a group of five members. Choose a hemisphere and create a group
portfolio.

Check your work using the rubric below.

Rubric for the Portfolio

Criteria Points Points Earned

The portfolio shows complete information. 10

The student displayed creativity in making the portfolio. 5

The portfolio is neat and organized. 5

Total Points 20

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW.......

Answer the big question for the lesson: "Why is the location of the Philippines considered
important?" Do this with the guidance of your teacher. Write your answer in the box below.
SOMETHING TO REFLECT UPON ...
Answer the following questions.
1. ls it important to learn the skill of determining the absolute location of places? Where can
you apply this kind of skill?
2. Why is it important to determine the boundaries and territory of the Philippines?

LESSON 2
The Development of Filipino Awareness

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Analyze the context in which the growing exposure to liberal ideas led to the
development of nationalistic awareness among Filipinos;
● Discuss the effects of the opening of the country's ports to international trade;
● Explain how the growing number of Filipino-Spanish mestizos and the enactment of the
Educational Decree of 1863 contributed to this awareness; and
● Discuss the secularization movement of the parishes and the Cavite Mutiny.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

What were the factors that brought about the development of Filipino awareness?

In fifth grade, you learned about the changes brought about by Spain's colonization of the
Philippines in the 16th century. These changes affected the country's cultural, societal, religious,
economic, and political landscapes. Along with these changes, the Filipinos experienced and
endured maltreatment and abuses during that period.
The Filipinos did not remain silent in the face of such abuses. They expressed in
different ways their opposition against such abuses and a growing desire for independence. At
the same time, events in and outside the country further fueled the awakening of Filipino
nationalism.
In this lesson, we will review once more the factors that contributed to this awakening.

TEST YOURSELF
Can you identify the people shown in the picture below? On the space provided, write down
your answer and discuss how they contributed to the growing awareness among Filipinos.

image

READ UP
At the start of the 19th century, there were many changes that took place in the Philippines. The
Spaniards became increasingly abusive, pushing the Filipinos to stand against the colonizers
and fight for their freedom. Events that transpired in and outside the country awoke from
slumber the nationalistic awareness of the Filipinos.

NATIONALISTIC AWARENESS
The Philippines is divided into different towns and provinces separated by mountains and
waters, and its people often had to deal with language and cultural differences. During this time,
the Filipinos had no concept of the Philippines as one nation and one people. Their struggles
centered on small pockets of revolts mounted within a particular town or province instead of one
unified fight for freedom.
Among these initial uprisings that demonstrated the Filipinos' growing hunger for
freedom were those led by Lapu-Lapu in Cebu, Francisco Dagohoy in Bohol, Diego and
Gabriela Silang in Ilocos, Tamblot in Bohol, Agustin Sumuroy in Northern Samar, and many
others. None of these pocket revolts, however, demonstrated the concept of fighting for the
entire country's independence.
Ironically, it was in Europe that the concept of "one nation" first sprung at the beginning
of the 18th century. This was spurred by the French Revolution. The concept of nation was
symbolic in the coming together of people of the same race, ethnicity, religion, culture, values,
and other physical and non-physical factors. From here, the concept of nationalism was also
born-an intense, profound love for one's country, the land of one's birth. At the same time, there
came with it a fervent, burning desire to unite as one people in the fight for independence
against the foreign invaders.

FACTORS THAT SPURRED NATIONALISTIC AWARENESS

Various events in the history of the Philippines and the world opened the eyes and minds of
Filipinos to nationalism. These events happened while the country was under the control of
Spain. Among these events were the opening of the country to international trade, the opening
of the Suez Canal, the secularization issue, the Cavite Mutiny, and the execution of the three
martyr priests.
Opening of the Philippines to International Trade
When the galleon trade ended in 1815, the Spanish government implemented a new economic
and livelihood policy. In 1834, Spain opened up Manila to international trade. In 1855, the ports
in Iloilo, Pangasinan, and Zamboanga were opened up as well, followed by Cebu in 1860;
Tacloban and Legazpi in 1873; and Sual in 1882. English, German, and French businessmen
opened up stores plying home goods in the Philippines. More and more foreign traders stayed
for extended periods in the Philippines because of business, many of whom married Filipinos.
These inter-marriages produced mixed race offspring, commonly called mestizos.
With the increasing accessibility of the Philippines to international trade came an
increasingly robust economy due mainly to more products being imported and exported by the
country. Farmers also benefited from increased access to modern agricultural methods and
technology that resulted in increased yields. There was increased production particularly of
tobacco, sugar; and abaca, which were much in demand abroad.
 image
Filipino mestizo

Educational Decree of 1863

The Spanish colonizers established a system of education that centered on religion, and the
primary education of the insulares. or children of Spaniards born in the Philippines. At the same
time, mothers continued to provide vocational skills training to their children at home.
As part of a program by the Spanish administration to reform the system of education in
the Philippines, they implemented the Educational Decree of 1863 that made education
accessible to all. The order also called for the establishment of a primary school for boys and
girls in each town under the direct administration of the municipal government.
Primary education was divided into three levels: entrada (entrance), acenso (promotion),
and termino (finishing). Under the royal order, the subjects to be taught in the schools included
doctrine, history, good manners, reading and writing in Spanish, mathematics, agriculture,
proper conduct, and geography, among others. In addition, young girls were taught sewing and
darning, as well as other household skills.
The Educational Decree also called for the establishment of normal schools (institutions
for those aspiring to become teachers) for males run by the Jesuits in Manila. It was not until
1875 that the first normal school for women was opened in Nueva Caceres.
In 1879, a school for midwives was established. Later, free public secondary schools also
opened outside Manila. This almost gave everyone, including the natives, an opportunity to
study regardless of the fact that a number of these students had inadequate financial resources.
Through the Educational Decree of 1863, the Spanish government hoped to produce
intellectual Filipinos. They did not expect, however, that this would give the Filipinos a deeper
understanding and realization of their true plight under the hands of their colonizers.

The Entry of Liberal Ideas in the Philippines

The arrival in the Philippines of liberal leaders from Spain brought changes in the way the
colony was governed. This started when the so-called Glorious Revolution broke out in Spain on
September 19, 1868. The revolution brought about a change from a conservative to a more
liberal Spanish government. This change also reached the colonies of Spain including the
Philippines where a new governor general was appointed in the person of Carlos Maria de la
Torre.
The Filipinos embraced the liberal ideas brought in by the new leadership, which also
became instrumental in recovering the trust of the locals on the government. Governor General
de la Torre opened his office to the people so they can air their sentiments about his
predecessors. He ordered an end to the inhumane policies of the past administration - lifting
newspaper censorship, abolishing the use of flagellation as a form of punishment, and putting a
stop to the huntdown and arrest of suspected enemies of the Spanish government. He also
began the secularization of churches in the Philippines. For the first time in over 300 years, the
Filipinos experienced a semblance of freedom and the return of some basic rights as a people.
However, the liberal governance of the Philippines was shortlived with the appointment
of Rafael de Izquierdo as the new governor-general. In stark contrast to the benevolent
leadership of de la Torre, Izquierdo would become the most cruel and inhumane head of the
colonial government, which only further heightened calls for reforms and intensified the Filipinos'
desire for independence.

The Opening of the Suez Canal

Another event that spurred the awakening of the spirit of nationalism among the Filipinos was
the opening of the Suez Canal on November 17, 1869. Suez Canal separates Egypt and Israel
and connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. This made traveling between the
Philippines and Europe faster and easier, which not only augured well for international trade but
also further exposed Filipinos to Western political thoughts and liberal ideas. Europeans
traveled more extensively to the Philippines and introduced the Filipinos to such concepts as
equality, independence, and fraternization, which all bore fruit during the French Revolution.
Filipinos also gained access to liberal ideas from the books and newspapers brought by ships
and foreigners visiting the country. From these books, Filipinos learned about the ideas of
American political luminaries.
From then on, the Filipinos awakened to their tragic plight. Having become more well-
versed in the subject of politics, freedom, and justice, they hankered for an end to their
sufferings, and sought reforms from the Spanish government.

The Rise of the Middle Class

The opening of the Philippines to international trade improved the lives of many Filipinos mainly
from expanded agriculture and increased commerce. They became the representatives of the
middle class that came to be known as the ilustrado. Most of them were half-Spanish or half-
Chinese, called mestizos, who were active and influential participants in the economic activities
of the country. They came from well-to-do families with parents who can afford to send them to
schools in Manila and eventually, to the big universities in Europe. The more educated the
ilustrados were, the more aware they became of the sad plight of the Filipinos under the abusive
Spanish government. Some of the most notable ilustrados were Graciano Lopez Jaena,
Marcelo H. del Pilar, Mariano Ponce, Antonio Luna, Juan Luna, and Jose Rizal.

The ilustrados were Filipinos who had the capacity of furthering their studies abroad and
participate in the economic affairs of the state.

image

Members of religious orders like the (from left) Augustinian, Franciscan, Jesuit, and Dominican
were among the priests who arrived in the Philippines.

image
Secularization
During this time, the clergy in the Philippines was divided into two kinds. The regular priests
were Spanish priests belonging to religious orders such as the Jesuits, Dominicans,
Augustinians, Recollects, and Franciscans. The secular priests were Filipino priests who were
not allowed to become members of any of the religious orders and were under the
administration of the Archbishop.
By virtue of a rule adopted by the Catholic Church in the Council of Trent (1545-1563),
every priest sent to Spanish colonies like the Philippines would each have their own specific
assignment, the foremost of which was to spread Christianity and work on the conversion of the
natives. This was a daunting task assigned exclusively to regular priests, which is why they
were not allowed to run parishes. It was decided that secular priests would be designated parish
priests because they had closer ties with the parish residents. With the increase in the number
of parishes and not enough regular clergy to handle their needs, Pope Pius V decided to allow
secular priests to handle parishes starting in 1567. The regular priests vehemently opposed this
move and sent word to the King of Spain that the Filipino priests were not competent enough to
head their own parish.
At the start of the 19th century, the Filipinos strongly lobbied for secularization or the
transfer of parochial administration from the Spanish friars to the Filipino priests.
Heading the parish was a position the regular priests steadfastly held on to for the immense
power and wealth it brought them.
On the other hand, the Filipinos viewed this as another form of discrimination against them. This
pushed Father Pedro Pelaez to lead a movement for secularization and against discrimination.

image
The photo shows the marker that reminds us of the uprising of the stationed soldiers and
workers in Cavite against the abusive Spanish officials.

The Cavite Mutiny

On November 28, 1871, Governor General Rafael de Izquierdo abolished the tax exemption
privilege enjoyed by the soldiers assigned to the arsenal in Cavite. This meant that the soldiers
were expected to pay tax dues. Even worse, they were required to render polo y servicio or
forced labor. When the soldiers received their pay, they found that taxes had been deducted,
and they were charged for falla or payment for not rendering pollo.
This ignited a mutiny in January 1872 by some 200 soldiers and workers led by
Fernando La Madrid. The mutiny was quickly suppressed by Spanish troops sent from Manila.
There were many casualties including La Madrid, but it is widely believed that the mutiny
sparked a sense of nationalism among Filipinos that would later lead the 1896 Philippine
Revolution.

The Execution of the Three Priests

Following the Cavite Mutiny, Spanish forces arrested the suspected leaders of the uprising.
Among those who were arrested were secular priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and
Jacinto Zamora, together with Agustin Mendoza, Mariano Sevilla, Pedro Dandan, Torribio del
Pilar, Miguel Laza, Jose Guevarra, and others.
On the false testimony of paid witnesses and lawyers, the three priests were tried by a
military court and sentenced to die. On February 17, 1872, the priests were executed by garrote
in Bagumbayan. Because they were considered enemies of the state, their remains were buried
at Paco Cemetery in common graves stripped of any identification. The execution of the three
martyr priests caused great resentment among the Filipinos and intensified further their
nationalistic sentiments.

image
Also known as GomBurZa, the priests Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora were considered as martyr
priests. Shown on the right photo is their monument which was erected in the place of their
execution.

LOOK INTO THIS

Research about the lives of the three martyr priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto
Zamora before they were tried and sentenced. On your notebook, write down your thoughts
about their fate in the hands of the Spanish.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What is nationalism?
2. What were the factors that awoke the nationalistic sentiments of the Filipinos?
3. What was the significance of the opening of the Suez Canal to the Philippines and the
Filipinos?
WRAP IT UP
● Many changes happened in the Philippines at the turn of the 19th century. The Spanish
colonizers committed grave abuses on the Filipinos.
● The abuses committed by the Spanish authorities caused the awakening of the Filipinos'
nationalistic awareness and spurred revolts against the colonizers.
● A nation refers to the coming together of a large group of people united by a common
race, ethnicity, religion, culture, and values.
● Among the events that awoke nationalism among the Filipinos were secularization, the
Cavite Mutiny, and the execution of the three martyr priests Mariano Gomez, Jose
Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora.
● During the Spanish era, the system of education centered on religion and the primary
education of the insulares.
● The class known as ilustrado was made up of Filipino mestizos who were half-Spanish
or half-Chinese who were educated in Manila and the big universities in Europe. They
were heavily invested in the economy of the Philippines.
ASSESS YOUR LEARNING
SOMETHING TO WORK ON…………………
A. Fill in the blanks with the word that will complete each sentence. Choose your
answers from the words in the box.

falla mestizo Manila

friar liberal Pedro Pelaez
nation insulares dictatorial
secularization Paco Cemetery

1. The government opened ______ to international trade in 1834.

2. Equality, freedom, and brotherhood are ______ ideas.
3. During the Spanish period, only the ______ was allowed to head a parish.
4. ______ is the transfer of parochial administration from the Spanish priests
5. to the Filipino priests.
6. The ______ were the Spanish born in Manila or Mexico.
7. A ______ is the coming together of a large group of people united by
8. a common race, ethnicity, religion, culture, and values as well as other physical and
nonphysical factors.
9. A person born of parents of different races were called______.
10. ______ led the movement against the Spanish priests' unfair treatment of Filipino
priests.
11. The remains of the three martyred priests Gomez, Burgos, and Jacinto were buried in
common graves at ______
12. The ______ is the amount charged a worker for exemption from forced labor.
B. Answer the following questions. Write your answers on the space provided
after each question.
1. How did the administration of Governor General Carlos Maria de la Torre help raise
Filipino awareness?
2. Which of the factors that paved the way for the development of Filipino awareness had
the strongest effect on the people
3. What did the Filipinos strive to attain during the Spanish period in the Philippines?
4. Was the Spanish governance of the Philippines just and fair? Explain your answer.
5. What were the differences between the peninsulares and the insulares?

SOMETHING TO DO……………………………..…………………………..……………………
The class will be divided into four groups. Your group will be assigned one of the topics below
about which you will present a short skit.
• Secularization of the parishes
• Execution of the three martyred priests
• Cavite Mutiny
 • Opening of the Suez Canal

Rubric for Role-playing or Skit Presentation

Criteria Points Points Earned

The situation was realistically presented 10

The dialog and ideas presented were consistent with the 5

assigned theme.

The skit was creative, well-presented, and made use of 5

appropriate costumes and props.

Total Points 20

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW……………………………..………………………………

Answer the big question for the lesson: "What were the factors that brought about the
development of Filipino awareness?" Do this with the guidance of your teacher. Write your
answer in the box below.

SOMETHING TO REFLECT UPON……………………………..………………………………

Answer the following questions.
1. How can liberal ideas be cultivated within the society one lives in?
2. Do you think the Filipinos responded admirably to the issue of secularization of the
parishes? Explain your answer.
3. How can we show appreciation for Filipinos of today who are serving the motherland?

LESSON 3
Independence from Spain

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Analyze what patriotic Filipinos did to gain independence from Spain; and
● Explain the contribution of the Propaganda Movement in arousing patriotism among the
Filipinos.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

How did the propagandists alleviate the plight of the Philippines?
The growth of Filipino nationalism gave the ilustrados a new perspective of the events in the
country. Its effects, particularly the organization of a movement to fight for reforms, is the focus
of this lesson.
It will focus attention on the reasons behind the creation of the Propaganda Movement,
its objectives, and its final outcome. This unit will discuss how the first propagandists helped
reveal the plight of Filipino people.
Finally, this lesson will look into the links between the Propaganda Movement and
Andres Bonifacio.

TEST YOURSELF
Look at the pictures of the three Filipino heroes below. Write down in the space provided what
you know about each of them. Share your answers with the class.

3 images

READ UP
At the start of the 19th century, there were changes in the living conditions of the Filipinos. The
opening of the Philippines to international trade resulted in increased foreign demand for
Philippine agricultural products like rice, abaca, tobacco, and sugar. The agriculture industry
experienced a revitalization to respond to overseas demand for these products. The farmer
tenants, called the inquilinos, became more active and production flourished in the rice
haciendas of Central Luzon, the abaca and tobacco farms in Bicol, and the sugarcane
plantations in Negros and Iloilo.
The farmer tenants profited immensely from the increased exportation of their
agricultural products to the international market. They became wealthy and were able to send
their children to schools previously attended only by the children of Spanish living in the
Philippines. Others were even able to send their children to study abroad. They became known
as the ilustrado. They were also referred to as the "enlightened" because their Western
education exposed them to liberal thoughts and ideas.

3 images
Ilustrados in Madrid

The execution of the three martyr priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto
Zamora (GomBurZa) intensified the nationalistic and patriotic sentiments of the Filipinos. It
became one of the major factors that propelled intellectual and patriotic Filipinos, particularly
those attending schools in Europe, to campaign for reforms and changes in Spain's governance
of the Philippines. This became known as the Reform Movement or Propaganda Movement.

THE START OF THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT

 Their exposure to liberal thoughts and ideas awoke the patriotism of the ilustrados. They
used these thoughts and ideas in analyzing the events transpiring in the Philippines. They
wanted to help their fellow Filipinos by pushing for reforms and changes in the way Spain was
governing the country. They wanted to help alleviate the plight of the native Filipinos.
Eventually, the ilustrados became known as reformists and propagandists. They wrote
pamphlets, newspaper articles, and books to express their goals as well as their desire to
achieve independence.
Among the objectives of the Propaganda Movement were as follows:
1. assimilation of the Philippines as a province, and not as a colony, of Spain;
2. Filipino representation to the Spanish Cortes, the lawmaking body of the government of
Spain;
3. equal rights and privileges for the Filipinos and the Spaniards;
4. secularization or the right of Filipino secular priests to head their own parishes; and
5. freedom of speech and freedom of assembly for Filipinos to express their grievances.

The members of the Propaganda Movement included the ilustrados and the Filipino
middle class who were studying in Europe at the time. They were united in exposing the abuses
committed by the Spaniards in the Philippines. Among the prominent propagandists were Jose
Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano Lopez-Jaena.

image

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What was the Propaganda Movement?
2. What were the objectives of the Propaganda Movement?

Jose Rizal
Jose rizal’s image

Jose Rizal was born in Calamba, Laguna on June 19, 1861. As a young boy, he went to school
at the Ateneo de Manila where he finished high school.
He pursued his education in Spain, where he took up medicine, as well as philosophy
and literature. In Germany, he took up ophthalmology. He traveled extensively around Asia,
America, and Europe.
Rizal became known as a literary genius. His best poem entitled "Mi Ultimo Adios" ("My
Last Farewell") was penned during his incarceration at the Fort Santiago before his execution at
the Bagumbayan (now known as Luneta). In the poem, he expressed his ardent desires for the
Philippines and the Filipinos.
Two of Rizal's novels presented the perversion, cruelty, abuse, and corruption by the
colonial leaders in the Philippines.
These novels elicited wide readership and developed among Filipinos a feeling of national
consciousness. These two novels were Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, for which the
Spaniards hated Rizal. As a form of retaliation and punishment, he was exiled in Dapitan. He
was also accused of inciting rebellion and organizing an illegal group. He was jailed at Fort
Santiago before his execution on December 30, 1896. After Rizal's death, revolutionary
organizations, particularly the Katipunan, went on with the pursuit of attaining independence
from the Spaniards. Philippine independence was declared in 1898, two years after Rizal's
death.

image
Rizal was executed in what is then known as Bagumbayan at 7:03 in the morning.

Marcelo H. del Pilar

Marcelo H. del Pilar’s image

Marcelo H. del Pilar was born in Cupang, Bulacan on August 30, 1850. He finished law at the
University of Santo Tomas. He was a courageous lawyer and writer, and was hailed greatest
journalist of the Propaganda Movement.
It was del Pilar who founded Diariong Tagalog, the first newspaper in Tagalog. In this
newspaper, del Pilar exposed the abuses and corruption of the colonial leaders. He also wrote
about the maltreatment and oppression by the friars that brough! immense suffering to the
Filipino people. He wrote about all the reforms he wanted to be realized and published them in
Diariong Tagalog.
He wrote "Caiigat Cayo" in defense of Rizal and Noli Me Tangere from the friars who
were maligning them. Among his other works were "Dasalan at Tocsohan," "Amain Namin," and
"Sampung Utos ng mga Prayle"" which were sarcastic writing about the misbehaving Spanish
friars and their teachings.
Because of the unrelenting questioning and harrassment by the Spanish authorities, del
Pilar was forced to leave for Spain in 1888.
He became the editor of La Solidaridad, the official newspaper of the Propaganda
Movement. He served in the movement by writing articles and editorials, and lived in the midst
of extreme difficulties. He became ill and died on July 4, 1896 in Barcelona, Spain.

Graciano Lopez-Jaena

Graciano Lopez-Jaena’s image

Dubbed as the movement's Great Orator and Public Speaker, Graciano Lopez-Jaena was the
first editor of La Solidaridad. He was born in Jaro, Iloilo on December 18, 1856. He was sent to
study at the Seminary of Jaro, but convinced his parents to allow him to take up medicine. He
was, however, denied admission to the University of Santo Tomas, College of Medicine
because he had not completed his Bachelor of Arts degree. He ended up working as an
apprentice in San Juan de Dios Hospital before returning to Jaro to serve as a physician. His
visits with the poor natives opened his eyes to the abuses of the Spanish leaders, which he
denounced through his writings.
He openly denounced the powerful friars. He also wrote
"Fray Botod," in which he depicted the main character as a short, pot-bellied friar who was
abusive, greedy, cruel, and lecherous. The infuriated the friars began to look into the activities of
Jaena. Because of this, he secretly left for Spain and pursued medical studies at the University
of Valencia. In 1889, he founded La Solidaridad. He also wrote many articles for other
publications that sought for reforms in the Philippines. He relentlessly pursued reforms despite
experiencing hardships and illness. Jaena died of tuberculosis on January 20, 1896.

KEEP IN MIND
The Propagandists gave up their lives to help the Filipinos and to push for reforms for the
Philippines

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Who were the well-known members of the Propaganda Movement?
2. How did the propagandists expose the abuses committed by the Spanish?

THE REFORMS
To respond to the Filipinos grievances, Spain granted the following reforms:
1. abolition of the tobacco monopoly in 1882 by virtue of a royal decree issued on June 25,
1881;
2. tax reform of 1884 that abolished the tribute and replacing it with the cedula tax;
3. provincial reform of 1886 that created the office of the civil governor for regular
provinces, and reduced the number of alcaldes mayores who could exercise judiciary
powers;
4. the Royal Decree of 1887 that extended Spain's Codigo Penal de 1870 (Spanish Penal
Code of 1870) to the Philippines;
5. the Becerra Law of 1889 that established the city government of Cebu, Iloilo, Jaro,
Batangas, Albay, and Nueva Caceras (Naga); and
6. the Maura Law of 1893 that included several autonomous features in the basic
foundations of the municipal government of the Philippines.

These reforms, however, were not enough to appease the Filipinos, because they failed to
address their grievances.

THE FAILURE OF THE PROPAGANDA MOVEMENT

The propagandists were unsuccessful in achieving their objective of instituting changes in the
way Spain governed the Philippines. The Spanish government did not listen to their demands
for reforms. Some of the factors behind the failure of the Propaganda Movement are listed
below:
 1. Spain had its own internal problems that demanded their attention and resources, it
neglected to attend to the problems of its colonies.
2. The powerful and influential friars blocked the efforts of the propagandists to have their
demands for reforms heard by the Spanish authorities.
3. The propagandists lacked funds to pursue the activities of the movement;
4. The propagandists, despite having the same goals, were unable to launch a united and
orchestrated effort.

Despite the failure of the Propaganda Movement to achieve their goals, it did succeed in
one important thing. It succeeded in firing up the nationalistic feelings of the Filipinos.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Why did the Propaganda Movement fail?
2. How did the Propaganda Movement contribute to the fight for independence despite its
failure to achieve its goals?

LA LIGA FILIPINA
The La Liga Filipina is a civic organization founded by Jose Rizal on July 3, 1892 in a house in
llaya, Tondo. Among the objectives of the organization were:
1. bring together the entire archipelago in one active and united group;
2. encourage cooperation in times of need and emergencies;
3. defend one another against all forms of violence and injustice;
4. strengthen education, agriculture, and commerce; and
5. review and undertake reforms.
La Liga Filipina was led by Ambrosio Salvador as president; Pampilo Agustin de la Rosa
as prosecutor; Bonifacio Arevalo as treasurer; and Deodato Arellano as secretary. Among the
members of the organization were Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Mansueto Natividad,
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Jose Dizon, and many others. The organization welcomed
anyone concerned with the country's welfare. Members paid 10-centavos each as monthly
dues. The funds were used for the following projects:

1. help needy members and their families;

2. provide assistance to the poor against the wealthy and the powerful;
3. provide financial assistance to injured or sick members;
4. run stores that sell products to members at low prices; and
5. introduce machineries to support various industries.

La Liga Filipina did not aim to revolt against Spain. Yet, the Spanish authorities viewed
the group as a threat to them. Three days after its founding, Rizal was arrested and sent into
exile in Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte.
Eventually, the members of La Liga Filipina who were very active at the beginning, lost
interest as the organization languished in the absence of its founding leaders. While some of the
members wanted to channel support to the Propaganda Movement and its peaceful campaign
to fight for reforms, other members led by Andres Bonifacio refused, believing that the time has
come to rise up in arms to fight for their freedom.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Why was La Liga Filipina established?
2. What became of the organization?

WRAP IT UP
● Filipinos led by the lustrados established movements in a peaceful, non-violent
campaign to demand reforms from the Spanish government.
● Among the prominent propagandists were:
○ Jose Rizal, the literary genius; his two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, exposed the perversion, cruelty, and abuses committed by the
colonial leaders in the Philippines.
○ Graciano Lopez-Jaena, first editor of the La Solidaridad; dubbed as the orator
and speaker of the Propaganda Movement.
○ Marcelo H. del Pilar, editor of La Solidaridad; founder of Diariong Tagalog
● The Propaganda Movement and La Liga Filipina were aimed at changing the way Spain
was governing the Philippines.
● The propagandists used their literary prowess to spread awareness about the true plight
of the Filipinos under the abusive governance of the Spanish colonizers.
● La Solidaridad was the official newspaper of the Propaganda Movement.
● The Propaganda Movement is considered a failed success.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING

SOMETHING TO WORK ON…………
A. Match the words in Column A and Column B. Write the letter of your answer on the
blank before each number.

A. B.
1. Propaganda A. Luneta
2. Bagumbayan B. Doctor
3. Friar C. Change
4. La Solidaridad D. Lawyer
5. Reforms E. Reform Movement
6. Liberal F. Researcher
7. Jose Rizal G. Priest
8. Marcelo H. del Pilar H. Newspaperman
9. Graciano Lopez-Jaena I. Newspaper
10. Ilustrado J. Enlightened
K. Orator, Public Speaker
L. Free
 B. On the blank before each number, write the letter of the item being described.

a. Jose Rizal f. Diariong Tagalog

b. Graciano Lopez Jaena e. secularization
c. Ilustrado h. independence
d. La Liga Filipina i. native
e. La Solidaridad j. nationalistic

_________1. Newspaper of the Propaganda Movement

_________2. Author of Noli Me Tangere
_________3. The first newspaper in Tagalog
_________4. The best orator of the Propaganda Movement
_________5. Organization founded by Jose Rizal
_________6. The enlightened ones
_________7. Natural-born Filipino
_________8. The desire of every Filipino during the Spanish Period
_________9. Granting Filipino priests the right to run their own parish
_________10. Filipinos who love and serve their country

SOMETHING TO DO……………………..
Create a scrapbook using pictures or drawings of nationalistic and patriotic Filipinos. Write a
Short description of the important events in the fight for Philippine independence that each one
was a part of. Use the title "The Road to Philippine Independence" for the project.

The project will be graded based on the rubric below.

Rubric for the Scrapbook Making

Criteria Points Points Earned

The scrapbook is richly informative. The pictures and 10

accompanying captions show the important events in the
road to Philippine independence.

The pictures used were correct and appropriate for the 5

project.

The contents of scrapbook are well-organized and put 5

together in a creative manner.

Total Points 20
SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ....
Answer the big question for the lesson: "How did the propagandists alleviate the plight of the
Philippines?" Follow the guidance of your teacher for this activity. Write your answer on the box
below.

SOMETHING TO REFLECT UPON...

Answer the following questions.
1. Do you think the nationalistic Filipinos acted admirably in the peaceful campaign for
independence? Explain your answer.
2. Did the propagandists play an important role in the fight for independence? Explain your
answer.

LESSON 4
The Katipunan

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Discuss the founding and expansion of the Katipunan;
● Perceive the implications of the lack of unity in the efforts toward independence and the
development of one country and one people; and
● Discuss the participation of women in the Philippine revolution.

image

This lesson is centered on the secret organization that was founded by Filipinos yearning for
independence from Spain. How was the Katipunan founded? What were its objectives?
We will learn about the framework of the Katipunan and how one becomes a member
through a rigorous process.
Also part of this lesson are the commands and lessons of the Katipunan. What are these
and how did they come about?
The role of women in the Katipunan will also be discussed. It is important to find out their
significant role and contribution to the organization.
The founding of the Katipunan eventually maneuvered the Filipinos to continue with their
pursuit for freedom.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

What roles did patriotic Filipinos play in supporting the Katipunan?

TEST YOURSELF
Study the picture below. What do you notice? The picture shows a tableau of the members of
the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio. Write down in the space provided your observations.

image

space

READ UP

Despite the failure of the Propaganda Movement to achieve its objectives, its activities did not
all go to waste. They served as an inspiration for the former members of La Liga Filipina to
establish a new organization that will continue the fight against the colonizers.

THE FOUNDING OF THE KATIPUNAN

When the reform movement failed to bring about changes in the way the Philippines was being
governed by the Spaniards, several patriotic Filipinos decided it was time to use a different
strategy to win independence. They pushed for rebellion. This time they would not only aim for
reforms; they aspired for freedom or independence. The revolutionary movement was founded
on July 7, 1892 after news broke that Rizal was thrown in exilte to Dapitan, Zamboanga del
Norte. Under the leadership of Andres Bonifacio, along with Valentin Diaz, Teodoro Plata,
Ladislao Diwa, Deodato Arellano, and others, a secret organization was founded. It was called
Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) or Katipunan. Its
primary objectives were to:

THE FRAMEWORK OF THE KATIPUNAN

Like other organizations, the Katipunan sought a huge, loyal membership. Its founders realized
that the organization needed a strong and stable leadership structure.

Membership

In their strong desire to recruit as many members as possible, the founders initially employed
the triangle strategy of recruitment in which a member would bring in two potential recruits who
will not be introduced to each other until they become full-fledged members. However, this
strategy proved slow and tedious, prompting the founders to abandon it and allow members to
recruit as many members as they can.
The new recruits had to go through a rigorous initiation process. Part of this was to
respond correctly to questions about one's life before joining the organization, the state of the
country, and one's readiness to fulfill the duties of a Katipunero.
 Questions about the state of the country included: "What was the state of the country
before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers?" "What is the current state of the Philippines?" and
"What do you think will be the future state of the Philippines?" A recruit is expected to answer
that the Philippines was once an independent country; the Spanish colonization has not
benefited the country or improved its situation; and that the Philippines will attain its freedom
and independence again.
The final step to the process is the signing of a document attesting to one's membership
to Katipunan. The document contained an oath of loyalty to the organization and a pledge to
defend the country, which the neophyte signed with his own blood.
There were three levels of membership in the Katipunan.
The initial entry level is that of Katipon (Associate); the next level was that of Kawal (Soldier), to
which one was elevated after

The illustration below shows the framework and ranks of the members of the Katipunan.

Katipon (Associate)
Outfit: Black hood with a triangle of white sides, within which were the
letters Z. LI. B.
Password: Anak ng Bayan

Kawal (Soldier)
Outfit.
1. Green hood with a triangle of white sides, within which were the letters Z. LI. B
2. A medallion with the letter K in ancient Tagalog script inscribed in the middle
Password: GomBurZa

Bayani (Hero)
Outfit:
1. Red mask with a triangle of white sides, within which was the following:
2. Red sash with green border at the waist.
Password: Rizal

having recruited many members; and the third level was that of Hero (Bayani), to which the
leaders of the organization belonged Each level had their own respective password: Anak ng
Bayan for the Katipon; Gom-Bur-Za for the Kawal; and Rizal for the Bayani.
By August 1892, a month after its founding, the Katipunan had over 100 members.

The Leadership
As more members joined the Katipunan, an election of officers was held. There was an
acknowledgement of the Kataastaasang Sanggunian (Supreme Council). The first elected
president or Supremo was Arellano. Bonifacio would be elected to the council.
It was not until January 1895 that Bonifacio would be elected Supremo to take over from Roman
Basa, who had earlier taken over from Arellano.
 Under the Katipunan's organizational structure, there were branches under the
Kataastaasang Sanggunian who oversaw the operations of lower branches that included the
Sangguniang Bayan (Provincial Councils) and the smaller Sangguniang Barangay under them.

KALAYAAN: THE NEWSPAPER OF THE KATIPUNAN

It was important for the Katipunan to have its own newspaper to make it easier to spread the
word about the principles for which it stands and make known its objectives as an organization.
They were able to fill the need for a newspaper when two Katipuneros from Visayas who had
won a lottery in Australia donated P400 to the organization. The Katipunan was able to
purchase a printing press. They called the newspaper Kalayaan. The first issue of Kalayaan
was printed on January 18, 1896. It contained the writings of Bonifacio, Jacinto, and Pio
Valenzuela. They all used pseudonyms or pennames: Agapito Bagumbayan for Bonifacio;
Dimasilaw and Pingkian for Jacinto; and Madlang-Away for Valenzuela. Jacinto served as editor
and manager of Kalayaan.

TEACHINGS OF THE KATIPUNAN

It was important to explain to the new members of the Katipunan, and to remind those who have
been members for a longer time, their responsibilities as well as the teachings of the
organization. Because of this, two documents were written and released to all Katipuneros. One
of them was Ang Dekalogo ng Katipunan (The Decalogue of the Katipunan) by Andres
Bonifacio, and the other was Kartilya ng Katipunan (Primer of the Katipunan) by Emilio Jacinto.
The two documents contained the teachings of the Katipunan.

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Candido Iban and Francisco del Castillo were two Katipuneros who won 1, 000 pesos from the
lottery. As a gesture of kindness, they bought the press of Bazar El Cisne, formerly owned by
Antonio Salazar. This became the printing press for the Kalayaan newspaper.

The Decalogue of the Katipunan by Andres Bonifacio

1. Love God Almighty with all your heart.
2. Always Keep in mind that love of God is also love for your fellowman.
3. Engrave in your heart that the true measure of honor and happiness is to die fighting for
your country's freedom
4. All your good intentions will come true if you have peace, loyalty, reason, and faith in
your efforts and your actions
5. Defend the teachings and the goals of the Katipunan the way you defend your honor.
6. It is the duty of each and every one to save, at the risk of one's life and wealth, anyone
who faces grave danger in the performance of his or her duties.
7. Our duty to ourselves and the fulfillment of our duties will serve as an example to our
countrymen.
8. As much as you can, share your wealth with the poor and the less fortunate.
9. Working hard at your livelihood is the true foundation of love - love for oneself, one's
spouse and children, your siblings, and your countrymen.
 10. Punish the villains and traitors and praise the good-doers. In like manner, believe that
the goals of the Katipunan are God-given, because the will of the people is the will of the
Lord.

The other list of teachings of the Katipunan -"Kartilya ng Katipunan" or "Primer of the
Katipunan" by Jacinto is a guide to living for the Katipunero.

Primer of the Katipunan by Emilio Jacinto

1. A life not spent for a great, divine purpose is a tree without shadow, if not a venomous
grass.
2. A good deed that is done out of boasting and not out of a true desire to do good,
cannot be considered Kindness.
3. True virtue is charity, love for others, and the measure of every action, deed, and
speech in their actual purpose.
4. No matter if you have dark skin or light skin, all persons are equal; one might surpass
another in intelligence, wealth, or beauty, but not in character.
5. He who is noble prefers honor to personal gains; he who is mean prefers personal
profit to honor
6. To a person with shame, one's word is a vow.
7. Do not waste time. Wealth that is lost can be earned back, but time that has passed,
will pass no more.
8. Defend the oppressed; fight the oppressor.
9. A smart person is careful with every word, and Knows to Keep what should be Kept.
10. In the thorny road of life, the man directs his wife and children; if the person leading is
headed toward bad, so are those being led.
11. Never look at a woman as only an object of recreation, but a partner and supporter
during hard times, respect her weaknesses, and remember the mother who gave birth
to you and nurtured you from infancy.
12. What you do not want done to your spouse, child, and sibling, do not do unto someone
else's spouse, child, and sibling.
13. A person's highness or worth does not come from being royalty, not from how pointed
his nose is or how light his skin, not from being a priest and claiming to be God's
successor, nor from his status at birth, even if he was raised in the woods and Knows
nothing but his native language, it is found in a person with good manners, and one
word; a person with honor and dignity, a person who does not allow himself to be
oppressed and does not oppress anyone, a person who Knows to take offense and
Knows to look after and protect the land of his birth.

Source: http://malacanang.gov.ph/7013-andres-bonifacios-decalogue-and- the-kartilya-ng-

katipunan/

THINK ABOUT THIS

 1. What are the teachings of the Katipunan? Explain each one.
2. What ideas can be found in the "Kartilya ng Katipunan?" Is it important to the Katipunan?
Why?

THE PILLARS OF THE KATIPUNAN

Spain did not heed the call for reforms by the propagandists. The Spaniards had their hands full
with their own internal problems and difficulties with its other colonies. With the failure and end
of the Reform Movement, came the birth of a revolutionary organization. It was the Katipunan
that launched the Filipino Revolution. The pillars behind the organization were Andres Bonifacio,
Emilio Jacinto, and the women of the Katipunan.

Andres Bonifacio

Andres Bonifacio’s image

The foremost founder of the Katipunan in 1892 was Andres Bonifacio. He became the name
and face of the organization and the most well-known to have led it as Supremo.
It was the intense desire of the Katipuneros to gain Philippine independence from Spain.
On August 23, 1896, Bonifacio gathered an estimated 300 Katipuneros bearing bolos, daggers,
spears, and guns at the meeting in Pugadlawin. At Bonifacio's cue, the men tore their cedulas
and cried, "Mabhay ang Pilipinas!" or "Long live the Philippines!" in unison, signifying their open
defiance of Spanish rule. Throngs of people went to witness the event, which came to be known
as The Cry of Pugadlawin. It went down in history as the beginning of the armed uprising
against Spain.
Bonifacio was also a writer. Among his works were the poem, "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang
Lupa" ("Love for the Motherland", "Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas sa Inang Espanya," and "Ang
Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog." He wrote about love for one's country, and the pain, suffering,
and the darkness that had ensnared the Filipinos.

Emilio Jacinto
Emilio Jacinto’s image
Although he was not born to wealth, Emilio Jacinto was able to finish a Bachelor of Arts degree
from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He also took up law at the University of Santo Tomas,
but was unable to complete it after joining the Katipunan at the age of 19. He became the
secretary and adviser to Bonifacio. His intelligence earned him the moniker "Utak ng Katipunan"
or "Brains of the Katipunan." He used the penname Pingkian in the organization, which he used
as editor and writer of Kalayaan, the official newspaper of the Katipunan. His "Kartilya ng
Katipunan" became every Katipunero's guide to proper conduct and behavior. He would always
stress to the members the importance of sacrificing for country.

The Women of the Katipunan

Many women joined the Katipunan. They served in the Katipunan for love of country. Like their
male counterparts, they actively participated in the organization's undertakings. Among them
were Josefina Rizal, the sister of Jose Rizal, and Gregoria "Oryang" de Jesus, wife of Bonifacio.
Oryang was the "Lakambini" or muse of the Katipunan.
The women served the Katipunan in different ways. They were responsible for
safekeeping important documents and delivering messages to members. To conceal meetings,
the women would pretend to throw banquets.
There were women who also fought courageously against the Spanish. Among them
were Teresa Magbanua of Panay, General Agueda Kahabangan of Laguna, Gregoria Montoya
of Cavite, and Trinidad Tecson of Bulacan.
Some of them would also take in wounded Katipuneros into their homes and nurture
them back to health. These included Tecson and an elderly woman named Melchora Aquino,
better known as Tandang Sora.

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Melchora Aquino was the oldest member of the Katipunan. She was known as Tandang Sora
because she joined the Katipunan in 1896 when she was 84 years old.

image

(From left) Teresa Magbanua, Josefa Rizal, Melchora Aquino, and Gregoria de Jesus.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Who were the pillars of the Katipunan?
2. What roles did they play in the Katipunan?

WRAP IT UP
● The Katipunan was a secret organization that aimed to secure independence from Spain
through armed rebellion.
● The Katipunan was founded on July 7, 1892 in Kalye Azcarraga. It was spearheaded by
Bonifacio, Diwa, Diaz, Plata, Arellano, and many more.
● The Katipunan had a good leadership structure.
● There were three membership levels in the Katipunan: the first was Katipon (Associate),
who used the password Anak ng Bayan; the second level was Kawal (Soldier) with the
password Gom-Bur-Za; and the third and highest level was Bayani (Hero), who used the
password Rizal.
● The Kalayaan was the official newspaper of the Katipunan.
● The writers of the newspaper Kalayaan used pseudonyms or pen names to avoid
detection by the Spanish authorities. Andres Bonifacio used the pen name Agapito
Bagumbayan, while Emilio Jacinto used the pen names Pingkian and Dimasilaw.
● The Decalogue of the Katipunan by Andres Bonifacio and the Primer of the Katipunan by
Emilio Jacinto contained teachings that guided the Katipuneros.
 ● The women of the Katipunan played important roles in the success of the organization.
Among them were Josefa Rizal, Gregoria de Jesus, Teresa Magbanua, Agueda
Kahabagan. Gregoria Montoya, Trinidad Tecson, and Melchora Aquino.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING

SOMETHING TO WORK ON… (page 65-68)
Match the words in Column A with the words in Column B. Write the letter of your answer on the
blank before each number.

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW…

Answer the big question for the lesson: "What roles did patriotic Filipinos play in support of the
Katipunan?" Your teacher will guide you in this activity. Write your answer in the box below.

SOMETHING TO REFLECT UPON…

Answer the following questions.
1. Should the Filipinos be grateful to the defenders of the Katipunan? Explain your answer.
2. Can the teachings of the Katipunan be applied to our everyday lives today? Explain your
answer.
3. Did the women play an admirable role in the Katipunan? Explain your answer.

LESSON 5
The 1896 Revolution

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Analyze the events that took place during the revolution including the Cry of Pugadlawin,
the Tejeros Convention, the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, and the Aglipayan Church; and
● Discuss the contributions of Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan, and the 1896 Revolution in
the development of the Philippines as one nation, one people.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

What events in the Philippines sparked the 1896 Revolution?

image

This lesson will focus on the events in the Philippines during the 1896 Revolution. It will trace
the events prior to the discovery of the Katipunan. It will also take up the events that transpired
during the revolution against the Spanish colonizers including the Cry of Pugadlawin, the
Tejeros Convention, the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, and the founding of the Aglipayan Church.
In the midst of the events aimed at attaining freedom from the Spaniards, the 1896
Revolution was faced with many challenges, such as the stiff competition between two factions
in the Katipunan. We will learn more about this controversy in this lesson.
Also to be discussed in this lesson are the contributions
of Andres Bonifacio and the other revolutionaries in the development of the Philippines into one
nation.

TEST YOURSELF
What do you know about the historical events that transpired in the Philippines, particularly
during the revolutionary period? Write what you know about these events. Then, share it with
the class.
illustration

READ UP
One cannot deny the Filipinos' aspirations for independence brought about by the unjust
governance by the Spanish colonizers in the Philippines. The Filipinos waited a very long time
to gain the much sought after independence, many of them have grown old from the long wait
serving the motherland, while many more sacrificed their life in the fight for freedom. With the
failure of the Propaganda Movement to achieve independence through peaceful means, many
Filipinos felt it was time to rise up in arms in the fight for freedom.

PREPARING FOR THE REVOLUTION

In his desire to ensure victory, Bonifacio sent Pio Valenzuela to Jose Rizal to secure the latter's
thoughts about the planned armed rebellion. Rizal had just been thrown into exile in Dapitan,
Zamboanga del Norte because he was being suspected of rebellion.
Upon arriving in Dapitan, Valenzuela asked Rizal if he was in favor of the planned
rebellion. Rizal said he was in favor but that it was not yet the right time because they lacked the
arms to fight against the very strong Spanish forces. Bonifacio agreed with Rizal, but
unforeseen events took place that made it impossible to hold off the rebellion.

THE OUTBREAK OF THE REVOLUTION

It did not take long before the Spanish authorities discovered the Filipinos plans to revolt. The
discovery proved most troubling for the friars who immediately called on Governor General
Ramon Blanco to initiate steps to thwart the rebellion. However, Blanco failed to act on the
friars' call.
Meanwhile, infighting among the Katipuneros also triggered its discovery, It involved two
Katipuneros, Apolonio dela Cruz and Teodoro Patino, who both worked at the Diario de Manila.
On the advise of his sister Honoria and Sor Teresa, the nun in charge of the orphanage where
she lived, Patino confessed all he knew of the Katipunan to Father Mariano Gil.
 The Spanish authorities searched the printing office of Diario de Manila and found
pertinent documents about the Katipunan. This led to the arrest of suspected members of the
organization who were jailed and tortured at Fort Santiago. The incident struck fear in the hearts
of many Filipinos.
The discovery of the Katipunan on August 19, 1896 signaled the start of the armed
revolution against Spain. Bonifacio, who was then in Caloocan, sent word to his fellow
Katipuneros to gather in Pugadlawin on August 24 where they shall discuss their next move. On
August 19, Bonifacio secretly went to Balintawak together with his brother Procopio, as well as
Jacinto, Plata, and del Rosario. On August 21, they stayed at the home of Apolonio Samson in
Kangkong. By the afternoon of August 22, they headed to Pugad Lawin. The next day, at the
home of Melchora Aquino's son, Juan Ramos, Bonifacio met with the Katipuneros.
He asked them if they were prepared to take up arms against the Spanish authorities. It was in
that meeting that they brought out their cedulas and tore them up as a symbol of defiance
against Spain. At the same time, they cried "Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!" or "Long live the
Philippines!" This was the Gry of Pugad Lawin.

image

Monument of the historical tearing of the cedula led by Andres Bonifacio that started the
Philippine Revolution against Spain on August 23, 1896.

The First Encounter

More Katipuneros arrived, but they were followed by the Spanish soldiers. Because they lacked
arms, Bonifacio and the Katipuneros were forced to retreat to Pasong Tamo in the backyard of
Tandang Sora. Bonifacio sent word to the Katipuneros in the towns surrounding Manila that they
were planning to stage an attack on Manila in the evening of August 29, 1896. However, two of
Bonifacio's men got killed even before they could attack Manila. They retreated to Balara then
proceeded to Marikina and on August 27, they arrived at Hagdang Bato. The planned attack on
Manila was canceled. Instead, Bonifacio and Jacinto led an attack on a Spanish powder camp
in San Juan del Monte on August 30.

Spread of the Revolution

The rebellion against the Spanish grew and spread to more cities. Among the first to go up in
arms were Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.
The Katipuneros also attacked the Spanish headquarters in different towns.

THE PRINCIPLES AND INITIATIVES OF THE KATIPUNAN SPREADS

It did not take long before the Katipunan and the principles it stood for gained ground in more
provinces around the country. The Katipunan was most active in the province of Cavite where
two factions developed - the Magdiwang and the Magdalo. Mariano Alvarez headed the
Magdiwang faction, while Baldomero Aguinaldo, cousin of Emilio Aguinaldo, led the Magdalo
faction.
The Imus Convention
In their desire to become united, the leaders of the Katipunan in Cavite invited Bonifacio, as the
Supremo, to the province. Bonifacio accepted the invitation of Mariano Alvarez and Artemio
Ricarte.
During a convention held in Imus on December 31, 1896, the establishment of a new
government that will take the place of the Katipunan was discussed. The members of the
Magdalo faction agreed to establish a new government. For their part, the members of the
Magdiwang faction believed that the Katipunan must remain. The problems of the divided
Katipunan was not resolved in this convention.

THE TEJEROS CONVENTION

On March 22, 1897, the Tejeros Convention was held. The delegates of the convention agreed
to establish a new government and elect its leaders. The following leaders were elected:
Daniel Tirona opposed the election of Bonifacio on the grounds that he is not a lawyer.
This greatly offended Bonifacio who threatened to shoot Tirona, but was restrained by Ricarte.
Bonifacio then declared the convention over and elections null and void in his capacity as
chairman of the convention and Supremo of the Katipunan.
A second convention was held in Tejeros during which Bonifacio's followers discussed
what transpired during the first convention. They agreed that the election was void on the
grounds of alleged cheating. They also agreed that the government of Bonifacio should not
allow itself to be subjugated by the government of Aguinaldo. Then, they proceeded to Naic.

President: Emilio Aguinaldo

Vice President: Mariano Trias
Captain General: Artemio Ricarte
Director of War: Emiliano Riego de Dios
Director of the Interior: Andres Bonifacio

Depiction of the Tejeros Convention

image

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

The Acta de Tejeros is a document that invalidates the results of the election that took place in
Tejeros on March 22, 1896. It was signed by the Magdiwang faction members led by Andres
Bonifacio

The Indictment of Bonifacio

Bonifacio and his men assembled in Naic once again, and agreed to form an independent
government with its own army. A document, the Military Agreement of Naic, was signed by
Bonifacio, Ricarte, del Pilar, and Severino de las Alas. With this agreement, there would be two
revolutionary governments formed.
When Aguinaldo found out about the agreement, he ordered the arrest of Bonifacio.
Bonifacio resisted and in the gunfight that ensued, his brother Ciriaco was shot and killed.
Bonifacio and his other brother, Procopio, were wounded. A military court led by General
Mariano Noriel tried Bonifacio and his brother and found them guilty of treason and sedition
against the government of Aguinaldo. They were sentenced to die by execution. This was
carried out on May 10, 1897. Several accounts have emerged surrounding Bonifacio's
execution. Nevertheless, his death has remained one of the darkest chapters in Philippine
history.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Why did the Katipuneros of Cavite lack unity?
2. Why were the results of the Tejeros elections nullified by the Magdiwang faction of the
Katipunan?

THE REPUBLIC OF BIAK-NA-BATO

The Spanish authorities were ruthless in their hunt down of the leaders of the growing rebellion,
and it did not take long until they reached Batangas where Aguinaldo was. Because of this,
Aguinaldo and his men had to retreat until they reached Biak-na-Bato in San Miguel, Bulacan.
The arrival of Aguinaldo and his troops in Biak-na-Bato was welcome news to the
revolutionaries. It buoyed their spirits up and spurred their efforts further against the Spaniards.
Filipino forces attacked Spanish garrisons in Zambales, Pangasinan, Ilocos, and Nueva Ecija.
Aguinaldo established a republican form of government in Biak-na-Bato. The charter of
the Republic was penned by Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer. It was approved on November 1,
1897 by Aguinaldo and 51 of his men. The charter stated the separation of the Philippines from
Spain and the establishment of the Philippine Republic. The constitution also provided for
freedom of religion, the right to education, freedom of the press and freedom to pursue one's
profession.
Aguinaldo issued a proclamation stating the following demands of the Filipino people:
1. expulsion of the friars and restoration to the people of the lands usurped by the friars;
2. Filipino representation in the Spanish Cortes, the laiv-making body of the government of
Spain;
3. freedom of the press and freedom of religion;
4. abolition of the power of the government to banish Filipinos; and
5. 5equality for all under the law.

image
The mediators of the Biak-na-Bato: Pedro Paterno (left, seated) and Emilio Aguinaldo (right,
seated) with (from left, standing) Tomas Mascardo, Celis, Jose Ignacio Paua, Antonio
Montenegro, and Mariano Llanera.

The Pact of Biak-na-Bato

In an attempt to bring the Spanish and Filipino governments into some kind of understanding,
Pedro A. Paterno took the initiative to mediate between the two parties. As a result, an
agreement was signed by Governor General Primo de Rivera and Paterno on behalf of
Aguinaldo on December 15, 1897. Among the important provisions of the agreement were:
1. Aguinaldo and his followers will voluntarily go into exile in another country.
2. The Spanish government will pay Aguinaldo the amount of P800,000, as follows:
a. P400,000 as soon as Aguinaldo leaves Biak-na-Bato;
b. P200,000 once the surrender of arms by rebels goes beyond 700; and
c. the balance of P200,000 once the governor general declares amnesty.
3. Rivera committed to pay an additional P900,000 to families affected by the war.

From Biak-na-Bato, Aguinaldo and his followers proceeded to Sual, Pangasinan. On

December 27, 1897, Aguinaldo left for Hong Kong carrying with him a check in the amount of
P400,000 as voluntary exile.
However, the agreement failed because the Filipinos and the Spaniards did not trust
each other. The revolutionaries suspected the real motives of the Spaniards. They did not
surrender their arms. They continued to revolt to reclaim the sovereignty of the Philippines from
the Spanish colonizers. On the other hand, the Spanish authorities were also distrustful of the
Filipinos. As a result, the armed clashes between the two forces continued.

THE PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT CHURCH (IGLESIA FILIPINA INDEPENDIENTE)

With the increasing number of priests sympathizing with the Filipino revolutionaries, Aguinaldo
appointed Gregorio Aglipay as military vicar general on October 20, 1898. With the
appointment, Aglipay became the leader of the Filipino priests.
In the meantime, Bishop Hevia Campomanes appointed Aglipay as ecclesiastical
governor or head of the diocese of Nueva Segovia. This was after Campomanes, who used to
hold the position, was captured by the revolutionaries.
Aglipay's two new positions were conflicting, but his being Filipino prevailed. He
appealed for the priests under his jurisdiction to unite. He proposed that Filipino priests be
recognized for possible appointment to vacant church positions.
His position did not please Archbishop Nozaleda and, on April 29,1899, Aglipay was
excommunicated from the Catholic Church.
At this point, Apolinario Mabini proposed the establishment of a Filipino church. Aglipay
organized an assembly of Filipino priests in Paniqui, Tarlac on October 23, 1899. During the
assembly, the establishment of a Filipino Church was approved and a temporary charter was
created. The charter prohibited giving recognition to foreign archbishops except during
extraordinary times. It also provided that Filipino priests would be separated and no longer be
under Spanish jurisdiction.
However, the plans of Aglipay and his followers did not fully materialize because the Philippine-
American War broke out.
Meanwhile, Isabelo delos Reyes, a propagandist and writer, returned to the Philippines
from Spain. He established the first labor organization in the Philippines-the Union Obrera
Democratica. On August 3, 1902, during an organization meeting held at the Centro de Bellas
Artes in Quiapo, Manila, de los Reyes denounced the friars. It was announced in that meeting
the establishment of a Philippine Church separate from Rome
- the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI). It was proposed that Aglipay be named archbishop.
Aglipay accepted the position after more than a month. Eventually, the IFI would be known as
the Aglipayan Church.

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

During the time of Spanish colonization, the Diocese of Nueva Segovia included Pangasinan,
Tarlac, llocos, Cagayan, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya, with the islands north of Luzon.

KEEP IN MIND
"Punish any villain or traitor and praise good deeds. In like manner, believe that the goals of the
Katipunan are God-given, because the will of the people is the will of the Lord."
- Decalogue by Andres Bonifacio

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. How important was the role of Andres Bonifacio at the onset of the Philippines' planned
revolt against Spain?
2. What was the significance of the Tejeros Convention during the Philippine Revolution?
3. Why did the Pact of Biak-na-Bato fail?
4. How was the Iglesia Filipina Independiente established?
5.
WRAP IT UP
● Events led to the breakout of the 1896 Revolution. Among them were the discovery of
the Katipunan and the subsequent discovery by the Spanish authorities of the hideout of
Bonifacio.
● The Philippine Revolution spread in different places especially in major parts of Luzon.
● The Katipunan in Cavite was divided between two factions - the Magdalo led by
Baldomero Aguinaldo and the Magdiwang led by Mariano Alvarez.
● The Katipunan of Cavite held the Tejeros Convention in 1897 with the aim of
establishing a new government to replace the Katipunan.
● The Iglesia Filipina Independiente was established as a Philippine church separate from
Rome.
● The Union Obrera Democratica was established as the first workers' organization in the
Philippines.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING

SOMETHING TO WORK ON…………….. (page 82-83)
Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. 1. On June 7, 1896, _____ sent Pio Valenzuela to meet with Jose Rizal in Dapitan.
a. Apolinario Mabini
b. Emilio Jacinto
c. Andres Bonifacio
d. Gregorio Aglipay
2. For Rizal, it was not yet time for ___ in 1896 because the revolutionaries did not have
enough arms
 a. rebellion
b. training
c. conversion
d. surrender
3. Teodoro Patino confessed his knowledge about the secret organization Katipunan to
a. Father Mariano Gil
b. Father Gregorio Aglipay
c. Sor Teresa
d. Father Damaso
4. The discovery of the Katipunan on August 19, 1896 brought on the _ rebellion against
Spain.

SOMETHING TO DO……. (page 84)

Your class will be divided into groups of six. Work with your group to prepare a report to be
shared in class about one of the following topics:
Example:

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW…….

Answer the big question for the lesson: "What events in the Philippines sparked the 1896
Revolution?" Follow the guidance of your teacher. Write your answer in the box below.

box

SOMETHING TO REFLECT UPON...

Answer the following questions
1. Do you believe the Filipinos who participated in the 1896 Revolution are worthy praise?
2. What were the reasons for the disagreement and disunity of the Katipunan in Cavite?
How did this affect the goal of achieving independence from Spain?

Lesson 6
The Road to Independence

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Discuss the events that paved the way for the declaration of Philippine independence;
● Explain the importance of the creation of the Philippine flag and the Philippine national
anthem; and
● Appreciate the importance of the establishment of the Malolos Congress.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

How did the revolutionaries prepare for the declaration of Philippine independence?
 image
This lesson will discuss the important events during the Philippine revolution-from Emilio
Aguinaldo remaining in self-exile in Hong Kong to the approval of the Malolos Constitution.
It will take up one by one the events relevant to the preparations for the declaration of Philippine
Independence. These include the establishment of a dictatorial government that would
eventually lead to a revolutionary government, the declaration of independence, and the
establishment of the Malolos Congress.
This lesson will also tackle the Malolos Republic or the First Philippine Republic
following the approval of the Malolos Constitution. It will shed light on the challenges that the
First Republic had to face-like its desire to gain recognition from other countries and the conflict
among the leaders of the government.

TEST YOURSELF (page 87)

Form a group of four to five members. Create an acrostic using the letters of the word
INDEPENDENCE and then write a short paragraph about it on the space provided.

READ UP
The desire for independence remained alive in the hearts of Filipinos who did not lose hope that
they would someday attain it. When they caught a glimpse of it in the horizon, they began
preparing the things that would symbolize and celebrate their hard-earned independence.

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

In a republican government, power comes from the people and the people bestows this power
to the leaders who in turn must represent and uphold the welfare of all the people.

EMILIO AGUINALDO IN HONG KONG

While Emilio Aguinaldo was in exile in Hong Kong, the revolutionaries felt it was time that a
national flag and national anthem be created to symbolize the establishment of a new republic.
They wanted the flag to symbolize the unity of the Filipinos and their yearning for independence.
Aguinaldo and his followers decided on the flag's design, and handpicked Doña Marcela
Marino de Agoncillo, known for her excellent sewing skills, to create it. With the assistance of
her daughter, Lorenza, and Jose Rizal's niece, Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, the flag was
completed in five days.

image
The photo shows the painting The Making of the Philippine Flag by Fernando Amorsolo which
depicts the sewing of the Philippine flag by Marcela Agoncillo and her two companions.

The flag is the same one used today as the Philippines' national symbol. It represents
the people who fought for the country's freedom and the values that Filipinos closely adhere to.
The eight rays of the sun represent the eight provinces that rose up against Spain. The three
stars represent the three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The triangle
symbolizes equality, while the color red stands for courage, the color white for purity, and the
color blue for peace.
While in Hong Kong, Aguinaldo instructed Mariano Ponce to prepare the constitution. He
sent word to Ponce about his intentions of establishing a strong republic.
Mariano Ponce was appointed as representative of the revolutionary government to
Japan. He tried to get support from Japan in the Filipinos' fight for independence in the form of
arms and ammunitions.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Why did Aguinaldo and his followers feel the need for a national flag?
2. What role did Mariano Ponce have in the preparations for the declaration of Philippine
independence?

EMILIO AGUINALDO RETURNS TO THE PHILIPPINES

It was not long before Aguinaldo decided it was time to return to the Philippines to spearhead
the revolution against Spain. This was realized with the help of US Consul Rounseville Wildman
who was then assigned in Hong Kong. On May 19, 1898 the ship McCulloch docked at the
Cavite harbor with Aguinaldo onboard.
Five days later, on May 24, Aguinaldo established a dictatorial government in the
Philippines following Wildman's advice. According to Wildman, a dictatorial government would
be more effective as the Philippines faces a crisis. At the time, the country was deluged with
problems, mainly with regard to finances, food, infrastructure, and even leadership. Aguinaldos
adviser; Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, a prominent lawyer in Manila, felt that a strong
leadership was crucial to the success of the new republic that was to be established. He
advised Aguinaldo to establish a dictatorial government.
Aguinaldo proclaimed himself as president of an interim dictatorial government, which he
said he will run by way of proclaiming orders to be followed.

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

The "Marcha Nacional Flipina" became the melody of our National Anthem "Lupang Hinirang." It
did not have any lyrics when it was played during the celebration of Philippine Independence in
1898. A year later, the poem "Filipinas" penned by Jose Palma became the lyrics of the song.

PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE
After establishing a dictatorial government, Aguinaldo immediately set out to prepare for the
declaration of independence. He issued a decree setting June 12 as the day when the
Philippines would proclaim its independence. He also instructed Julian Felipe to create the
music to be played during the declaration. Felipe heeded the instructions and came up with an
instrumental march initially titled "Marcha Nacional Magdalo"
On June 11, 1898, Felipe played the march on the piano at Aguinaldo's home in Kawit, Cavite.
Aguinaldo and the other revolutionary leaders present at the time liked the march and decided
to retitle it "Marcha Nacional Filipina."
 The declaration of Philippine independence was held the following day, June 12, 1898 at
the Aguinaldo residence in Kawit, Cavite. The Proclamation of Independence was read by
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, who also penned the document. During the event, the national
flag was unfurled for the first time as the San Francisco de Malabon band played the "Marcha
Nacional Filipina."
People who gathered were asked to respect and defend the flag. The declaration of
independence did not only refer to freedom from Spanish colonization. It also marked the end of
the abuses committed specifically by the Spanish friars.

image
The historical unfurling of the Philippine flag and the Philippine Declaration of Independence.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Why did Aguinaldo establish a dictatorial government upon his return to the Philippines from
Hong Kong?
2. What role did Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista play in the declaration of Philipine independence?

THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT

After the declaration of independence, Aguinaldo signed three decrees written by Apolinario
Mabini, known as the "Brains of the Revolution." The first decree dated June 18, 1898 was
about the reorganization of the local government in the provinces that have achieved
independence from Spain. The decree dated June 20, 1898 was about the judicial system and
putting laws in effect.
The decree dated June 23, 1898 was about the change of the form of government from
dictatorial to revolutionary. According to the decree, the leader of the state shall be called
president, and the main objective of the government would be to achieve true independence
and prepare for the establishment of a true republic. It also stated the existence of Congress
which would have the following powers, among others:
● watch over the general interest of the Filipino people
● carry out revolutionary laws which would include the discussion and voting upon the said
law
● to discuss and approve treaties and loans examine and approve accounts presented by
the Secretary of Finance
● examine taxes to be imposed

The change in the form of government was on the advice of Mabini, who said the
declaration of independence was not only made too early, it was faulty on several counts,
primarily because it did not have the concurrence and participation of the masses. The move
was also consistent with Aguinaldo's earlier pronouncement that the dictatorial government was
temporary and would be changed as soon as independence was achieved.

President: Pedro Paterno

 Vice President: Benito Legarda
First Secretary: Gregorio Araneta
Second Secretary: Pablo Ocampo

THE MALOLOS CONGRESS

On September 15, 1898, Aguinaldo inaugurated the Malolos Congress, which would also come
to be known as the Revolutionary Congress. They assembled at the Barasaoin Church in
Malolos, Bulacan, where the delegates would elect the following leaders:
Despite the brief existence of the Malolos Congress, it had important contributions to the
country's history. Two weeks after it was established, it ratified the declaration of independence
on June 12, 1898. It also oversaw the framing of the new constitution.

image
Filipinos attended the opening of the Malolos Congress that was held at the Barasoain Church
in Malolos, Bulacan.

THE MALOLOS CONSTITUTION

Felipe Calderon led the committee that drafted the Malolos Constitution. He was aided by
Mabini and Cayetano Arellano.
According to Calderon, the temporary charter of Biak-na-Bato and the constitutions of
other countries in South America and Europe all served as inspiration in the drafting of the
Malolos Constitution.

image
General Aguinaldo (seated, center) with 10 of his delegates

The Malolos Constitution was ratified on January 21, 1899. Among its provisions was the
distribution of power in three separate branches of government: the legislative, the executive,
and the judiciary. The legislative branch was more powerful than the two other branches. Other
provisions had to do with the people's rights and the administration of the country.
The Malolos Constitution is considered the very first document authored by
representatives of the Filipino people.

THE MALOLOS REPUBLIC

The ratification of the Malolos Constitution was followed by the inauguration at the Barasaoin
Church of the Malolos Republic, also known as the First Philippine Republic. During the
occasion held on January 23, 1899, the Malolos Constitution was read in full, Aguinaldo was
sworn into office as the president of the Republic, and the armed forces pledged their
allegiance.
Among the first members of Aguinaldo's cabinet were:

Cabinet Head and Secretary

of Foreign Affairs: Apolinario Mabini
Secretary of the Interior: Teodoro Sandico
Secretary of War and Marine: Baldomero Aguinaldo
Secretary of Finance: Mariano Trias
Secretary of Welfare: Gracio Gonzaga

The First Republic was confronted by multiple challenges. Among these was the challenge of
gaining the recognition of other countries. The leaders of the republic led by Felipe Agoncillo,
sought the recognition of the rest of the world for the independence of the Philippines and the
newly established republic. Conflict also arose among the officials of government and the other
leaders of the country. At the same time, the United States slowly strengthened its forces in
preparation for the eventual colonization of the Philippines.

image
The inauguration of the first republic in Malolos

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What is the significance of the Malolos Congress?
2. What challenges did the Malolos Republic encounter?
3. What served as inspiration in the framing of the Malolos Constitution?

WRAP IT UP
● The Philippine national flag was the handiwork of Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo,
and Delfina Herbosa. It was first unfurled during the Proclamation of Independence on
June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite.
● During the unfurling of the flag, the Philippine national anthem was played by a marching
band. The music was created by Julian Felipe with lyrics by Jose Palma.
● "Marcha Nacional Magdalo" was the initial title given to the Philippine national anthem. It
was later changed to "Marcha Nacional Filipina," and is now known as "Lupang
Hinirang."
● Emilio Aguinaldo wanted to establish a new republic upon his return to the Philippines
from Hong Kong.
● A dictatorial government was established instead of a new republic on the advice of US
Counsul Rounseville Wildman.
● The Proclamation of Independence was written and read by Ambrosio
● Rianzares Bautista.
● On June 23, 1898, a revolutionary government replaced the dictatorial government.
 ● On September 15, 1898, the Malolos Congress was inaugurated at the Barasain Church
in Malolos, Bulacan.
● A committee led by Felipe Calderon framed the Malolos Constitution, with the help of
Apolinario Mabini and Cayetano Arellano.
● The Malolos Republic was established on January 23, 1899. It was also known as the
First Philippine Republic.
● Among the challenges faced by the new republic was getting other countries to
recognize the independence of the Philippines.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING

SOMETHING TO WORK ON……(page 97)
SOMETHING TO DO...page 98)

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW…

Answer the big question for the lesson: "How did the revolutionaries prepare for the declaration
of Philippine independence?" Do this with the guidance of your teacher. Write your answer in
the box below.
box

SOMETHING TO REFLECT UPON....

Answer the following questions.
1. How important is it for a nation to have its own flag? Why?
2. How can we show appreciation for the efforts of the people to undertake efforts to prove
that we can govern our own country?

LESSON 7
American Intervention in the Philippines

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Identify the events that led to the Battle of Manila Bay;
● Discuss the negotiations and passage of the Treaty of Paris; and
● Explain the motives behind the Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

Why did the Americans intervene in the Philippines?

image

Even when Spain's colonization came to an end, the Philippines still failed to attain the
independence it sought. This is because a new colonizer took over. This lesson will focus on the
events that would lead to the start of the American occupation of the Philippines.
 It will discuss the provisions of the Treaty of Paris and the Benevolent Assimilation
Proclamation, and how they affected and shaped the history of the Philippines.

TEST YOURSELF (page 101)

READ UP
Whatever problems and challenges Spain faced would directly impact its colonies including the
Philippines. Among these problems was the brewing conflict between Spain and the United
States that would lead to the Spanish-American War of 1898.

THE PHILIPPINES AND THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

Toward the end of the 19th century, the Americans had become heavily invested in the sugar
industry of Cuba, which was then a cally e spain During this time, the Cubans beian wevoling
against Spain. As the strife between the two countries widened, the US sent one of its
battleships, the USS Maine, to protect its
interests in Cuba.
But while it was docked on the Havana Harbor, the ship was bombed and sank, killing
about 260 Americans. The United States blamed Spain for the act. This and Spain's continued
curtailment of Cuba's patriotic movement angered the US. Theodore Roosevelt, US
Undersecretary of War, gave instructions to Commodore George Dewey to sail to Hong Kong.
Roosevelt also had in mind the need of destroying the Spanish fleet in Manila. Before the end of
April 1898, the two countries declared war against one another, formally launching the Spanish-
American War.

image
Some parts of the USS Maine in Havana Bay, Cuba that were allegedly bombed by Spain.

Battle of Manila Bay

With the breakout of the Spanish-American War, US Commodore George Dewey, head of the
US armed forces in the Asia-Pacific, dispatched six battleships from Hong Kong to the
Philippines. Dewey had earlier set up the American headquarters in Hong Kong in anticipation
of heightened hostilities between the US and Spain.
In the early morning of May 1, 1898, Dewey launched the battle of Manila Bay. Dewey
led nine ships, six of which were warships, and went into battle against Spanish forces led by
Admiral Patricio Montojo. Spain dispatched 12 ships, including seven warships, but the
Americans had a far more modern and superior artillery and destroyed the entire Spanish fleet
in just five hours. Nearly 400 Spanish soldiers were killed in the battle, many of them sinking
with their ships, while the Americans suffered only minor casualties.
After the battle, the Americans maintained its forces near the bay and awaited the arrival
of more soldiers from the US. By July 1898, there were nearly 12,000 soldiers in the Philippines.
 Meanwhile, the Filipinos led by Aguinaldo successfully fought the remaining Spanish
forces. By June 1898, Aguinaldo and his men had control of nearly the whole of Luzon. Only
parts of Cavite and Manila remained under the control of Spain.

2 images
Commodore George Dewey (top) and Admiral Patricio Montojo

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What caused the conflict between the US and Spain?
2. How did the Philippines get involved in the Spanish-American War?

END OF SPANISH COLONIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

On August 12, 1898, the United States and Spain signed a ceasefire agreement. Before this,
the Americans had brought down the Spanish forces in Cuba. Among the provisions of the
ceasefire agreement was for representation of both countries to meet in Paris, France to
discuss a peace treaty.

Mock Battle of Manila

The United States and Spain carried out their secret agreement about the Philippines on August
13, 1898. Unbeknownst to Aguinaldo, the two countries had previously agreed to end Spain's
colonization of the Philippines, and instead of surrendering, they will undertake a mock battle.
Under the agreement, General Wesley Merritt and Governor General Fermin Jaudenes
will hold a short mock battle in which the Spanish forces will be overtaken and forced to
surrender to the Americans, instead of to Aguinaldo and his men.
This was to be known as the Mock Battle of Manila, which officially ended Spain's 300-
year colonization of the Philippines.

Treaty of Paris
On December 10, 1898, Spain and the United States signed the Treaty of Paris. As a result of
the agreement, Spain relinquished majority of its empire, ceding its colonies like Cuba and the
Philippines to the United States. Among the provisions of the treaty are found below:
1. Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States for the amount of US$20 million as
payment for modernization projects undertaken by Spain on the Philippines.
2. Spain would be allowed to trade with the Philippines for a period of ten years, with the
same conditions that the US was able to trade with the Philippines.
The Philippines had no participation in the composition of the Treaty of Paris. Aguinaldo
sent Felipe Agoncillo to represent the Republic of the Philippines in the meeting but he was not
allowed to participate in putting together the treaty.
Meanwhile, an Anti-Imperialist League was formed to oppose the US conquest of the
Philippines.
 American soldiers in the Philippines even voiced their opposition to the US
occupation of the islands.
Eventually, the US government agreed to the execution of the treaty despite the strong
objections of the Filipinos.

image
Some of the delegates from the US and Spain who took part in signing the Treaty of Paris in
Paris, France

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What was the reason behind the Mock Battle of Manila?
2. How was the Mock Battle of Manila supposed to be launched?
3. What were the two main provisions of the Treaty of Paris that concerned the Philippines?

THE AMERICAN COLONIZATION

The foregoing confirmed the real intentions of the United States about the Philippines. Contrary
to its initial claims that it wanted to help the Filipinos gain their independence, the US actually
wanted to colonize the Philippines.

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

According to President McKinley, he did not want the Americans to conquer the Philippines. He
thought about it for days until he was enlightened through prayers. He realized that it would be
best if US conquer the Philippines.

KEEP IN MIND
"Talking isn't doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds."
- William Shakespeare

Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation

On December 21, 1898, US President William McKinley announced the Benevolent Assimilation
policy in colonizing the Philippines. This proclamation called on American officials in the
Philippines to make the Filipinos aware of the "friendly" intentions of the US.
According to the proclamation, the Treaty of Paris calls for US occupation of the entire
Philippine archipelago. The objective of the colonization is to ensure the security of the Filipinos
and their resources, as well as their individual and religious rights. The proclamation also
contained provisions about the governance of the Philippines, including the collection of taxes
by the Americans, and the opening of the country to international trade.
According to McKinley, the Philippines was not ready for self-governance. He said it was
the responsibility of the United States to teach, uplift the conditions, and civilize the Filipinos.
Aguinaldo objected to McKinley's proclamation because he believed the Filipinos were capable
of running its own government. He asserted that he never permitted nor gave recognition to the
authority of the United States over the Philippines. He cited the earlier pronouncement of Merritt
that it was the intention of the US forces to help the Philippines gain its independence from
Spain. He also asserted that he is the recognized leader of the continued struggle of the
Filipinos to attain their freedom.
Several well-known Americans also expressed disagreement with McKinley's
proclamation. The American Anti-Imperialist League said that they objected with any attempt to
further or increase US authority in the Philippines or other foreign territory without the approval
of its citizens. The members of the organization believed that such actions are dangerous for
the United States, against its own constitution, and replete with moral and physical evil for its
citizens.
On the other hand, there were also many people who supported McKinley. Among them
was Senator Albert Beveridge, who-a year after the Benevolent Assimilation proclamation-
described the decision to maintain US presence in the Philippines as a sound economic
decision. He described the Philippines as a gateway for lucrative trading in Asia, particularly
China. He added that the Filipinos were not prepared to govern themselves and the Americans
need to oversee the governance of the Philippines for the sake of the Filipinos themselves. He
considered the Philippines a US territory, and therefore, he believed that the colonization and
establishment of a government in the Philippines were constitutional.

2 images

The executor of the Benevolent Assimilation policy, William McKinley (left) and one of the
supporters of the policy, Senator Albert Beveridge (right).

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What was the Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation?
2. Why did the Americans undertake the benevolent assimilation?

WRAP IT UP
● •he US blamed Spain for blowing up and sinking its warship, the USS Maine, while it
● was docked in Cuba.
● The US declared war against Spain and attacked the Spanish forces in what has come
to be known as the Battle of Manila Bay.
● The US and Spain participated in the Mock Battle of Manila in which the latter lost and
ceded the Philippines to the Americans.
● The US and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. Spain formally
● turned over to the US all rights to the Philippines.
● US President William McKinley implemented the Benevolent Assimilation policy.
According to him, it was not the intention of the United States to colonize the Philippines,
but to train the Filipinos to govern themselves.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING

SOMETHING TO WORK ON …. (page 126 - 129)
SOMETHING TO DO..... (page 130)

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW.....

Answer the big question for the lesson: "What were the important events that happened in the
Philippines during the Filipino-American war?" Do this activity with the guidance of your teacher.
Write your answer inside the box below.

box

SOMETHING TO REFLECT UPON…

Answer the following questions.
1. What should the people do in times of war?
2. What can be done to prevent war?
3. Can understanding among nations prevent war? Why?

END-OF-THE-END- UNIT ACTIVITIES (PAGE 132 - 133)

Lesson 8
Filipino-American War

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson you should be able to:
● Express passionately the beginning of the Filipino-American was at the corner of
Sociego Street and Silencio Street in Manila;
● Analyze the important events and the Filipinos struggles during the Filipino-American
war;
● Identify the events that led to the Filipino-American war,
● Appreciate events during the Filipino-American war; and
● Discuss the Bates Treaty and the motives of the Americans in colonizing the Philippines.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

What were the important events that happened in the Philippines during the Filipino-American
war?

image

This lesson will focus on the important events during the historic war between the Philippines
and the United States. It will first investigate the reason behind the American occupation of the
Philippines and how it was carried out.
 The lesson will pay particular attention to the events during the war, including several
horrid events in parts of the Philippines. It will also discuss how the Filipinos stood their ground
and fought valiantly to defend the country.
Lastly, this lesson will let us know more about some of the bravest and patriotic Filipinos
who suffered for their lives to protect the country from the foreign enemy.

TEST YOURSELF
Do you recognize the people in the pictures below? Find out who they are and how they
participated in the Filipino-American war. Write about each of them in the space provided.

5 images

READ UP
It cannot be denied that from the very beginning, the US had planned to occupy and colonize
the Philippines. The Philippines rich natural resources produced many raw materials the United
States needed for their burgeoning industries. In fact, the US waited for the perfect opportunity
to execute plans to occupy the Philippines and colonize the country completely.

THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN WAR

It was February 1899 when another significant chapter in the history of the Philippines began.
This is known as the Filipino-American War.

The Fighting in Luzon

image
A depiction of the Filipino-American War

On February 1, 1899, Filipino troops arrested a group of Americans, prompting General Elwell
Otis to lodge a protest before General Emilio Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo responded by saying that
the Americans were not arrested but merely detained because based on a decree issued on
October 20, 1898, it was in fact forbidden for foreigners to go near places where Filipinos kept
military and war equipment.
On February 2, 1899, General Arthur MacArthur lodged another protest. This time, it was
Colonel Luciano San Miguel's troops who were spotted in a territory occupied by Americans.
Col. San Miguel ordered his men to leave the premises. For a while, the tension between
Filipino and American troops somewhat dissipated.
However, hostilities took a turn for the worse after a shooting incident at the corner of
Sociego Street and Silencio Street in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Private William W. Grayson shot at two
Filipino soldiers in the area and killed one of them. The Filipinos began firing back. This incident
is said to have triggered the start of the Filipino-American war. In just a few hours, American
troops surrounded Manila and neighboring areas.
 image
Private William W. Grayson

Outbreak of the Filipino-American War

Aguinaldo sent word to Otis that the shooting on the side of the Filipino troops had been against
his order. However, Otis angrily responded that the fighting, having begun, must now go on until
its grim end. Aguinaldo had the incident investigated further, and found out that as early as
February 2 and 3, Filipinos had been asked to leave their jobs aboard American ships.
An estimated 200 to 300 American soldiers headed to Cavite but came back to Manila in
the afternoon. These incidents made it apparent that the Americans actually planned to occupy
the Philippines. The Americans had superior arms and forces.
They attacked many places in Manila and neighboring areas. The Americans were victorious in
the battle in La Loma where Major Jose Torres Bugallon was killed. From La Loma, General
MacArthur headed for Caloocan where he encountered Filipino forces headed by General
Antonio Luna. Luna lost in this fight. and retreated back to Manila with the intention of taking it
back. However, the strength of the American forces forced Luna and his men to retreat further
towards Pulo, Bulacan.
The arrival of reinforcements from the US further strengthened the American forces in
the country. They had no trouble hunting down the Filipino soldiers. Otis led American forces in
the north, while General Henry Lawton led the forces in the south. The Americans hunted down
Aguinaldo in Malolos, forcing him to transfer the capital to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.

image
General Henry Lawton
Victories were few and far between for the Filipino soldiers, but in many of the
encounters, they put up a good fight against a much superior nemesis. As Luna retreated to the
north, he stayed in Calumpit where he and his men planned how to block the
American offensive.
Luna sought the help of General Tomas Mascardo who was in Guagua, Pampanga but
no help came. Because of this, Luna decided to bring his forces to Guagua to confront
Mascardo. In his absence, del Pilar held the fort in Calumpit. The Americans overcame Filipino
forces in Bagbag, a town in Calumpit. By the time Luna returned, a huge part of Calumpit had
already fallen to the Americans, forcing him and his troops to retreat to Pampanga to await the
pursuing enemies.
Meanwhile, on orders of General Otis, American forces led by General Marcus Miller
attacked Iloilo in the island of Panay. The Filipino forces in Iloilo were led by General Martin
Delgado. On February 20, 1899, the American forces overwhelmed the towns of Jaro, Santa
Barbara, Oton, and Mandurias. The Americans also won in Cebu. The city was surrendered on
February 22, 1899.
The Americans did not have difficulty in Negros and found allies among the Negrense.
When the Americans arrived, the Negrense raised the US flag. This pleased the Americans, so
much so that Otis allowed the Negrense to form a military district to maintain peace and order in
the Visayas.
The Filipino-American war ended in 1902. US military troops also conducted campaigns
in other parts of the Philippines as part of their strategy to expand their territory and gain full
occupation of the country. Some of their military operations spurred significant battles between
the American forces and the Filipino forces. Other than the Battle of Manila and the offensives
conducted in some islands like Panay and Cebu, some of these battles took place in Caloocan,
Malolos, which includes the Battle of Bocaue River and Battle of Malinta; Laguna de Bay, which
includes the Battle of Paete and Battle of Pagsanjan; Cavite, Tarlac, and Cagayan Valley.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What event triggered the start of the Filipino-American war?
2. Who is Antonio Luna? What important part did he play in the Filipino-American war?
3. How did the Americans slowly occupy a huge part of Luzon and the Visayas? Give an
example.

Bates Treaty
The Americans found out that it was difficult to negotiate with the Filipino Muslims in Mindanao
so they thought of domestic schemes to deal with them and get them to cooperate. Under the
leadership of Sultan Jamalul Kiram II of Jolo, the Muslims believed they enjoyed traditional
rights and authority. The Americans exploited this belief and convinced the Muslims that they
valued equality and mutual respect, and that they had no intentions of conquering them. As a
result, an agreement between the Americans and the Muslims was forged.

2 images
John Bates and Sultan Kiram of Sulu

General John C. Bates represented the Americans, while Sultan Jamalul Kiram Il and his
tribal chiefs, called datu, represented the sultanate of Sulu. The Bates Treaty was signed on
August 20, 1899.
The agreement stated that the sultanate recognizes US sovereignty over the entire Sulu
archipelago and others under its jurisdiction. The US, for its part, recognizes the rights and
dignity of the Sultan and those under him.
The Americans also promised to pay the Muslim leaders. They also promised not to
interfere with religious activities and that no one shall be punished for his religious beliefs. The
Sultan and the tribal chiefs received a monthly salary from the Americans. The Muslims were
also allowed to collect taxes in areas not under American jurisdiction.
The Bates Treaty was the first agreement signed by the Americans and the Muslims.
The Americans used any rebellion taking place as grounds for voiding the agreement.

THE ATROCITIES OF WAR

On February 6, 1899, the US Senate approved the colonization of the Philippines. Attacks and
battle were immediately launched in various parts of the country. With these, came the atrocities
of war.
Filipino rebellion continued despite the American occupation. American forces continued
to pursue Aguinaldo, thinking that the capture of Aguinaldo would mean that the war would end.
Despite being outnumbered and their lack of arms, the revolutionaries did not give up
hope. Even after Aguinaldo was captured, the Filipinos continued to fight against the Americans.
Angered by the continued rebellion, the Americans undertook cruel acts and maltreatment
against the Filipinos. It was then that the Americans realized how fearless Filipinos were,
continuing the fight even if it meant paying the ultimate sacrifice-giving up their lives.
Following are some of the events that illustrate the atrocities committed during the war.

Balangiga, Samar
It was in Balangiga, Samar that one of the most ghastly experiences of the Filipinos in the
hands of the Americans took place. Balangiga is a small town in the southernmost part of the
island of Samar. The Americans had built a garrison here to better monitor guerilla movements
and activities in the island.
At the start, relationship between the residents of Balangiga town and the US troops was
peaceful but animosity kindled due to reported abuses by the Americans, like the imposition of
forced labor and when the US garrison decided to cut food, water, and other supplies.
On September 28, 1901, Filipino guerillas attacked the American camp in Balangiga.
Many American soldiers were killed and injured from hacking. It was considered a major
setback and serious blow by the Americans. When news of the attack reached the US, it was
decided that the Americans would retaliate. General Jacob Smith issued the following order: "I
want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn; the more you kill and burn, the better it will please
me. The interior of Samar must be made a howling wilderness." He also ordered the killing of
every person capable of carrying arms, including children ten years old and above. This horrid
event became known as the Balangiga Massacre.

image
Illustration of the Balangiga Massacre in Samar

Batangas
The Filipinos in Batangas also experienced cruelty during the war. The Americans led by
General J. Franklin Bell undertook its Reconcentration policy, which relocated residents of an
entire town to live and be confined in a concentration camp. Anyone who tried to leave or
escape was shot. The Americans burned down houses and destroyed property. For every
American who died, a Filipino would be randomly handpicked to be executed.
This was the Americans' way of warning citizens of the grave consequences of rebellion and of
cuddling rebels and revolutionaries.
The Americans used cruel, inhumane means to torture Filipinos, including the water cure
in which the person was forced to drink gallons of water and then the belly is stepped on to
force the water out. Another common means of torture was the rope cure in which a rope was
tied around the person's neck and waist and then a piece of wood is placed in between and
twisted until the person chokes and almost suffocates.
On the other hand, Filipinos also dealt with American captives with immense cruelty,
cutting off their noses and ears, putting salt on their wounds while kicking, slapping and spitting
on them.

image
Depiction of the water cure

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What was the fate of Filipinos under American colonization?
2. How did the Filipinos take the cruelty in the hands of the Americans?

THE BRAVE AND PATRIOTIC FILIPINOS

Filipinos have shown impressive leadership during their fight against the Americans. As
Filipinos, it is important for us to know their role in achieving freedom. Following are the stories
of some of these great Filipinos.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Emilio aguinaldo’s image

Born in Kawit, Cavite on March 22, 1869, Emilio Aguinaldo was the seventh of eight children of
Carlos Aguinaldo and Trinidad Famy. He grew up in Kawit and later went to school at the
Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila. He stopped schooling when his father passed away in
1882, and worked to sustain the needs of the family. He worked in the rice fields and engaged
in trading in Luzon and Visayas. He joined the Masons, and later, became a member of the
Katipunan where he was called a Magdalo. He was also called General Miong.
During the time of the revolution, Aguinaldo and his men won many battles. He became
President of the revolutionary government that lasted from March 23 to October 31, 1897. On
June 12, 1898, he declared Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite. From the window of his
home, he raised the national flag sewn by Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Delfina
Herbosa, the niece of Jose Rizal. As the flag was being raised, a march composed for the
occasion by Julian Felipe played in the background. It became the Philippine national anthem.
Emilio Aguinaldo

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Both the Spanish and American colonizers belittled the patriotism of the Filipinos who fought
against them. The Spaniards called the Filipinos remontados or "mountain people," ladrones
monteses or "mountain thieves," and tulisanes or "criminals." On the other hand, the Americans
called them "bandits" and "thieves".

The Americans pursued Aguinaldo relentlessly, even as he retreated to the north until he
reached Palanan, Isabela in September 1900. It was here that the Americans would capture him
on March 23, 1901. He was brought to Manila on April 19, 1901, and on the same day, he
pledged allegiance to the government of the United States. He also called on the Filipino people
to recognize the sovereignty of the US. He died on February 6, 1964 at the Veterans Memorial
Hospital in Quezon

Antonio Luna
Antonio Luna’s image

Born in San Nicolas, Manila, Antonio Luna belonged to an educated, well-to-do family from
Badoc, Ilocos Norte. He studied pharmacy in Manila and Spain. He became a writer and a
propagandist who opposed the maltreatment suffered by Filipinos in the hands of foreign
oppressors.
On his way back to the Philippines from Spain, he stopped by Hong Kong to see Felipe
Agoncillo and secure a letter of recommendation to Aguinaldo.
Aguinaldo recognized Luna's skills, which earned him a high position in the Philippine
army. During the Filipino-American War, he was in charge of the military zone in the Central
Luzon provinces. He was a very strict leader who exacted discipline from his men. He had a
notoriously bad temper, who gave stern, heavy-handed punishments. Because of his mean
temperament and harsh demeanor, he acquired many enemies among his fellow officers and
the ranks.
When he was in Bayambang, Pangasinan, he received a telegram instructing him to
report to Cabanatuan where Aguinaldo wanted to see him. He headed to Cabanatuan but did
not find Aguinaldo there. This angered him and when he heard a shot, he berated the soldiers
and slapped one of them. One of the officers, a captain from Cavite, known as Pedrong Kastila
hit back and hacked Luna with a bolo knife, while the other men shot at him. Luna reached for
his revolver, but fell from multiple gunshot wounds. He died in the hands of fellow Filipinos
instead of the foreign enemy.

Gregorio del Pilar

General Gregorio del

Pilar’s image

General Gregorio del Pilar played an important role during the Filipino-American war. When
Aguinaldo was retreating to Northern Luzon to escape the pursuing American forces, del Pilar
served as his rear guard to ensure a safe distance between the Filipino leader and the enemies.
Following Aguinaldo's orders, del Pilar and his men stopped upon reaching Tirad Pass in
locos Sur. It was a narrow pass that rose to 4,500 feet. Only one man at a time could go through
it. It was in this pass that 60 soldiers of del Pilar positioned themselves as they waited for the
arrival of the Americans.
The Americans relentlessly pursued Aguinaldo and his men, knowing that victory in the
ongoing war hinged on his capture.
They attacked the Filipino soldiers positioned in Tirad Pass. The two armies engaged in a
crossfire. With the help of a local Igorot by the name of Januario Galut, the Americans found a
secret trail that allowed them to surround and attack del Pilar and his men from behind.
Many Filipino soldiers fell while del Pilar was hit in the shoulder. He ordered the
remaining troops to escape. Before he could mount his horse, del Pilar was shot and killed. The
Americans stripped his dead body naked and looted his belongings including parts of his
clothing, his jewelry, and medals. His body was left unburied for days until an Igorot found it and
buried it in a shallow grave.
Del Pilar, who died at 24, was one of the youngest Filipino generals during the Philippine
Revolution. Before the battle of Tirad Pass, he was able to display his valor in a number of
encounters with the Spaniards in his hometown in Bulacan, then in some encounters with
Americans during the Filipino-American War.
It is said that del Pilar had this last entry in his diary which was found on his body after he had
been killed on Mount Tirad:

"The general (Aguinaldo) has given me a platoon of available men

and has ordered me to defend this pass. I am aware what a difficult
task has been given to me. Nevertheless, I feel that this is the most
glorious moment of my life. I am doing everything for my beloved
country. There is no greater sacrifice."
-as reported by Richard Henry Little, Chicago Tribune

KEEP IN MIND
The patriotic Filipinos taught us to love our country by fighting for freedom and independence
even if it means sacrificing our own lives.

Miguel Malvar
Miguel Malvar’s
image
One of those who continued the fight against the Americans even after the capture of Aguinaldo
in Palanan, Isabela was Miguel Malvar. He took over from Aguinaldo and served as the leader
of the revolutionary government. He was determined to continue the fight against the
Americans, making use of guerilla tactics.
However, he and his men soon experienced war fatigue and ran out of armaments, they were
forced to surrender to the American government on April 16, 1902.

Macario Sakay
 Macario Sakay’s
image
Among the patriotic Filipinos branded by the Americans as bandits was Macario Sakay. It was
the Americans' way of making it appear to the citizens that Sakay and his men were not
motivated by noble aspirations, and thus destroy Sakay and his men's image to the public.
Even after the Americans captured Aguinaldo, the Filipino guerillas, among them
General Macario Sakay, continued the resistance against the foreign colonizers. He built a
strong guerilla army which had the support of the Filipino people. He established the Tagalog
Republic o Republika ng Katagalugan, which had its own constitution. The Americans continued
to discredit his patriotic efforts, calling him a common criminal and a thief. The Americans set-up
an entrapment for Sakay, through a Filipino emissary who delivered the message that the
Americans were willing to negotiate for the country's eventual independence. Instead, Sakay
was arrested upon his surrender, and was sentenced for execution in 1907.

LOOK INTO THIS

Research on more patriotic Filipinos who contributed efforts to gain Philippine independence
and stop the atrocities committed against the Filipinos. Share the information you are able to
gather with the class.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Who were the people who played an important role in the Filipino-American war?
2. What role did they play in efforts to gain Philippine independence against the foreign
colonizers?

WRAP IT UP
● The Filipino-American war started when an American soldier shot two Filipino soldiers
whom he stopped on a bridge in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
● Filipino troops found it difficult to win over the American forces because of the latter's
sheer number and sophisticated arms.
● The Filipinos suffered cruelty in the early days of American governance.
● There were many patriotic Filipinos who continued to fight for independence against the
Americans like Gregorio del Pilar, Emilio Aguinaldo, Antonio Luna, Miguel Malvar, and
Macario Sakay.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING (PAGE 126-131)

SOMETHING TO WORK ON…
SOMETHING TO DO…
SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW…
SOMETHING TO REFLECT UPON…
END-OF-THE-UNIT ACTIVITIES (PAGE 132-133)

UNIT II
Struggle for Independence

How did the lives of the Filipinos change under the Americans? What steps did they take to gain
their independence? What was their fate in the hands of the Japanese invaders?
What events finally led to Philippine independence? This unit discusses the answers to these
questions.
When the Spaniards left, they were replaced by the Americans as the Philippines new
colonizers. The
Americans initially said they wanted to help the Filipinos achieve civilization,
but as it turned out, the US needed a source of raw materials for their industrialization. This unit
will show how the arrival and extended stay of the Americans in the Philippines changed
Philippine society. It will discuss how Filipinos fought to gain freedom and independence.
When World War Il broke out, US attention was diverted from the Philippines. Events
unfolded very quickly, and despite their efforts to drive away the Japanese, the Philippines fell in
the hands of a new colonizer. The Japanese occupation did not last very long, but the Filipinos
endured unforgettable atrocities in the hand of the colonizers. Finally, this unit will show how
hard Filipinos fought to expel the colonizers from the motherland.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE UNIT

How did the life of Filipinos change under the American occupation and World War Il?

Lesson 9
The American Government in the Philippines

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Analyze the colonial governance of the Americans;
● Discuss the American Pacification and Co-optation Policy;
● Describe the system and framework of the colonial government;
● Analyze the free trade policy implemented by the Americans; and
● Discuss the effects of free trade.

4 images

With the departure of the Spaniards, a new colonizer took over — the Americans. Even though
the Americans initially claimed their intention was to spread civilization in the Philippines, their
real motives soon became apparent. Many Filipinos protested and fought against the Americans
who undertook a pacification and co-optation policy. While many Filipinos fought against the
presence of the Americans, there were those who helped pave the way for the colonial
government to gain ground in the Philippines.
In this lesson, we will learn the basis for the US occupation of the Philippines. We will
also learn how the US established a military and civil government in the Philippines. It will be
gleaned that the transition from a military to a civil government was brought on by the economic
necessities, which was the primary motivation for the US occupation of the Philippines.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

How did the Americans govern the Philippines?

TEST YOURSELF
Look at the editorial cartoon below. Study it carefully and analyze what
it means.

READ UP
The American occupation from 1898 to 1946 brought many changes in the lives of Filipinos.
They faced a new governance, new policies, and a new vision and outlook.

COLONIAL GOVERNMENT
According to the Americans, the foundation of the US occupation of the Philippines was the
concept of benevolent assimilation. It was the goal of this policy to civilize and educate the
Filipinos. Their objective for occupying the Philippines was to help Filipinos rise from ignorance.
A closer analysis of the benevolent assimilation policy reveals that it was a mere justification for
the US occupation. The US needed a colony to support the industrialization of its economy. It
needed a source of raw materials and a ready market for its products. Like many European
countries, the US had a keen interest in China, and needed a base that was in close proximity
to the Asian giant.
When the US defeated Spain in the mock battle of Manila on August 13, 1898, they
immediately established a military government in the Philippines. General Wesley Merritt
headed the military government as the first military governor.

image
In this editorial cartoon, it can be seen that the US was promoting general welfare to the
Filipinos as part of the benevolent assimilation. But, it can also show the desire of the
Americans to occupy the Philippines.

image
The Schurman Commission headed by Jacob Gould Schurman (first from left) and which
included George Dewey, Charles Denby, and Dean C. Worcester

image
General Wesley Merritt

The military government wanted to quash the Filipino rebellion against the US. Under the
leadership of the military government, the Supreme Court was organized. It was made up of
nine justices of whom six were Filipinos. In peaceful communities, the municipal government
was retained. Schools were also built and members of the American military served as
teachers.
President McKinley sent the Schurman Commission led by Jacob Schurman to find out
the political and societal conditions in the Philippines. Among the members of the said
commission were Rear Admiral George Dewey, Major General Elwell Otis, Dean C. Worcester,
and Charles Deby. Schurman believed that the US could still engage in trade and business
opportunities in the Philippines even without military occupation but members of the
Commission were against the idea. The members of the commission arrived in the Philippines
in March 1899. Based on their investigation and interviews conducted with Filipino illustrados,
the commission proposed the following:
● the US authority will be implemented and enforced throughout the Philippines;
● a government be put in place for Filipinos, and they should be given civil rights;
● ensure that the Philippines and the Filipinos are not abused or taken advantage of;
● establish a legislature composed of an upper and lower house;
● create a public school system; and
● maintain a budget for the colony separate from the finances of the US mainland.

In 1900, McKinley sent another commission based on the report of the Schurman
Commission. It was called the Taft Commission headed by William Howard Taft and its
members Henry C. Ide, Bernard Moses, Luke E. Wright, and Dean C.
Worcester: The commission implemented the following:
● establishment of the Philippine Constabulary;
● rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure because of the war; and
● establishment of government agencies.
Also known as the Second Philippine Commission, the Taft Commission assured that
the civil rights of the Filipinos were recognized. The commission became the first civil
government in the Philippines and it was headed by William Howard Taft as the first civil
governor.

image
The Taft Commission headed by William Howard Taft (sitting on the right side).

Pacification and Co-optation Policy

Even after the capture of Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901, the Filipinos continued to revolt against the
Americans. In an attempt to promote peace in the archipelago, the civil government
implemented peace policies.
In 1901, the Sedition Act was implemented to penalize those campaigning for freedom. It
was forbidden to speak or write anything against the US. It was also forbidden to assist or abet
Filipinos fighting against the Americans. Violators will be imprisoned and sentenced to death if
found guilty of sedition. In relation to the Sedition Act, the Americans also implemented the
Brigandage Act of 1902, which penalizes anyone who joins any organization against the US.
In 1903, the Americans implemented the Reconcentration Act which aimed to bring
together residents in guerilla-infested communities, and have them live in a camp controlled by
the Americans. This was intended to stop support for and flash out the guerillas whom the
Americans called ladrones (from the Spanish word ladron, which means "thief") or bandits, and
monitor any suspicious movements or acts among the people.
The concentration camps were heavily guarded and those found beyond the perimeter of the
camps were punished. The Americans wanted everyone to be transparent so that every Filipino
would either show support to the US dictated rules or classify himself or herself as an enemy or
belonging to t the guerillas.

image
Macario Sakay (seated, second from right) was one of those penalized for violation of the
Brigandage Act during the American colonial period.

In 1907, the Americans also implemented the Flag Law, which prohibited the raising and waving
of the Philippine flag or the use of any material that shows denunciation of the US. This included
anything that had to do with the Katipunan.
Not all Filipinos were against the American colonizers.
There were those that cooperated with them. Even when the civil government was just being
established, there were already municipalities that were headed by civilians. Filipino
collaborators played a big role in organizing the municipal government. The wealthy and
educated Filipinos had the advantage in terms of being able to vote or being elected into office.
There were former leaders of the revolutionary government and army who became local officials
under the American government. Among them were Quezon, Osmeña, Arturo Dancel, Manuel
Tinio, and Mariano Trias. There were hacenderos or landowners from Negros led by Juan
Araneta and Jose Luzuriaga who cooperated with the Americans and pledged allegiance to the
US.
Collaborators were looked upon with mixed reactions. On the one hand, they won the reforms
long sought since the time of the Spanish occupation, while on the other, they helped spread
American colonial power throughout the country.

KEEP IN MIND
During the times of colonial occupation, the Filipinos reacted naturally with the desire for
freedom and independence, and helped their countrymen in their struggle against the
colonizers.

Free Trade
The free trade established between the US and the Philippines meant the unhampered entry of
American products into the local market. In the past, the only hindrance were tariff imposed on
the products that resulted in hiked up prices that meant smaller profit for merchants.
The Payne-Aldrich Act was the first law that promoted free trade. Under this law,
American products could be brought into the Philippines without tariffs, while Philippine products
going into the US had a specific quota and fixed limit in terms of quantity. It was only in 1913
when the Underwood-Simmons Act that took out the limit in the quantity of Philippine products
exported to the US was passed.
The Philippine Assembly objected to the implementation of free trade because its
members believed this would result in a dependence of Philippine economy to US economy. It
could result to a Philippine economic crisis. The Philippine Assembly believed that if the
economy of the Philippines would be tied to the US economy, it would have difficulty becoming
independent.
With the increase in government earnings came an improvement in the Philippine
society and state of affairs. Government earnings from free trade were used to build and
maintain schools, support cleanliness and health programs, implement peace and order, and
build roads, bridges, and railways. Agricultural production of sugar cane, coconut, abaca, and
tobacco were expanded because of the high demand for these export products. Focus on rice
production was diverted because there was little demand for it in the market.
Because they were not taxed, US products could be sold at very low prices, which made
Filipinos patronize them instead of locally made products. This helped bring about the concept
of colonial mentality or the belief that foreign products were nicer and of better quality than local
products. In time, colonial mentality became more deeply ingrained in the minds of Filipinos to
the point that even foreign culture was considered better than Filipino culture.
Free trade increased the earnings and other benefits of landowners. However, the
farmers remained poor and continued to struggle. Because of this, they rebelled against their
rich landlords. There was also a slowdown in the local industry.
The local fabric industry suffered in particular because of the increased supply and low prices of
imported US clothing that there was very low demand of local fabric. Although some sectors of
the economy showed some improvement, these were not fully realized because, in most cases,
it was the Americans who benefitted.

image
The US obtained great benefits in expanding its hemp and sugarcane industries in the country.

image
Some US products that even today are still patronized by local consumers.
THINK ABOUT THIS
1. In your opinion, were the pacification and co-optation policies undertaken by the Americans
effective?
2. Why were there Filipinos who became collaborators?

WRAP IT UP
● The Americans arrived in the Philippines and implemented the Benevolent Assimilation
policy. Nevertheless, they colonized the country to support their industrialization.
● The US initially established a military government in the Philippines because Filipino
rebellion against the Americans had not subsided.
● The Taft Commission paved the way for the establishment of a civilian government in
the Philippines.
● Continued Filipino rebellion prodded the Americans to undertake the pacification policy.
Included in this policy were the Sedition Act, Brigandage Act, Reconcentration Act, and
the Flag Law.
● There were Filipinos who became collaborators to the Americans in order to gain long
sought reforms. However, they played a role in the continued stay of the Americans in
the country.
● In order to propel the American economy, free trade was established between the US
and the Philippines. This benefitted the US more than it did the Philippines.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING

SOMETHING TO WORK ON…..

SOMETHING TO DO….
SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW…
SOMETHING TO REPLECT UPON…

Lesson 10
Filipino Society under the Americans

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Analyze the changes in Philippine society during the American period;
● Discuss the educational system established by the Americans and its effects;
● Discuss the health conditions of the Filipinos during the American period; and
● Discuss the modernization of transportation and communications and the effects on the
lives of Filipinos.

image
Shown in the picture is the Philippine School of Arts and Trades during the American colonial
era. Education is one of the main focuses of the Americans during their governance in the
country.

The arrival of the Americans as the new colonizers not only affected the political system in the
country. It also had a huge effect on Philippine society and state of affairs. Filipinos experienced
many changes in the different aspects of society including communications, transportation,
religion, and education.
They were also introduced to a new kind of architecture, benefited from an improved
health services, and experienced growth and development through language and literature.
This lesson will refresh your mind about Philippine society during the American period.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

How did Philippine society change during the American period?

TEST YOURSELF

READ UP
The political system in the Philippines was not the only thing that underwent change because of
the policies implemented during the American period. There were also major changes in the
people's homes, the system of transportation and communications, health and cleanliness,
education, religion, language, and many more.

Housing
Stone houses that the Filipinos and the Spaniards were used to were changed to bungalows
and chalets. A bungalow is a one-story house that usually has a veranda. A chalet is a type of
house made of wood with a sloping roof.

Transportation and Communications System

The system of transportation and communications were modernized not only to make life more
comfortable and convenient for the people, but also to make facilitate the transport of goods and
products from the farms to the trade centers. Trucks and trains became the primary modes of
transportation replacing the calesas and carts or wagons used in the past. Manila, which was
the center of economy, politics, and culture, was linked to the provinces in the north and south
of Luzon by means of railways. The government bought the Manila-Dagupan Railway Company
and renamed it Manila Railroad Company that plied the route to and from Pangasinan in
northern Luzon. In 1930, the Bicol Express was opened that plied the route to Southern Luzon
and the Bicol Region.

image
Trains-transportation system that was built in the Philippines under the governance of the
Americans

A road to Baguio was also opened. Baguio served as the official rest and recreation
destination of the Americans because of its cold climate. The Americans did not only build
modern roads and railways. In 1902, more than 100 ports and harbors were opened. To prevent
local shipping companies from losing money, they were the only ones allowed to ply the routes
across the archipelago. The system of communications also improved. In 1905, telephone lines
became available. By 1933, there were radio and telephone services available. In 1935, there
were more than 1,000 post offices in the country.

Health and Welfare of the People

There were a very visible improvements in health and cleanliness during the American period
compared to the Spanish period.
Even if there were the Bureau of Health and the Central a Council of Vaccination, the health
programs were not effectively implemented during the Spanish period. With the arrival of the
Americans, efforts were undertaken to combat diseases through the Quarantine Service that
was administered by well-trained and experienced doctors and nurses from the US.
The lack of sanitary system made it easy for diseases to spread rapidly. The outbreak of
a single epidemic that killed thousands of people, including children, was blamed on the
Filipinos who were perceived by the Americans as lacking in education and were described as
lazy, unsanitary, and with poor morality. Diseases such as cholera and smallpox were controlled
by educating the Filipinos proper sanitation. People were encouraged to clean their
surroundings beginning in their own homes.
It was difficult for the Americans to spread awareness about cleanliness, hygiene, and
proper health care because many Filipinos still adhered to traditional methods of curing and
medication. Despite the challenges, there was significant drop in infant death due to childbirth
as well as cases of beri-beri, cholera, and malaria.
In 1901, the Board of Public Health was put up to strengthen the campaign for better health.
The government also put up health institutions to care for the sick, including those suffering from
mental health issues, as well as neglected children and juvenile delinquents.

KEEP IN MIND
Education is a major contributor to self-improvement.
Not only the men and the wealthy are entitled to education. Education is for all.

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

The name Thomasites came from USS Thomas, the name of the ship that brought the
American teachers from the US to the Philippines, Each of them were paid US$125
per month to teach the Filipinos.

Education and Religion

Many schools and universities were built during the Spanish period, but it cannot be denied that
there was serious discrimination against Filipinos in these institutions. The Americans changed
this by ensuring that more Filipinos were reached by the system of education that they
established. Even under the military government, the Americans began educating Filipinos with
American troops serving as teachers. The soldiers were replaced by the Thomasites, who were
American teachers sent from the US to the Philippines. Many Filipinos were encouraged to go
to school because there was no discrimination, and there were books and school supplies given
out for free.
To train more teachers and officials in the Philippines, a pension system was
implemented in 1903. Filipinos who showed skills in different fields were sent to the US for
training. The Americans established the University of the Philippines in 1908 as a non-sectarian
institution, or one that is not affiliated to a particular religion. The Instituto de Mujeres, Centro
Escolar de Señoritas, and Philippine Women's College as educational institutions for women.
The Americans were successful in increasing literacy among Filipinos. However,
education also became an instrument to propagate the concept of colonialism. Because it was
the Americans who established the system of education in the Philippines, it did not take long
before Filipinos developed a strong American mentality. Education was used to pacify Filipinos
and have them embrace colonialism.
The American colonial system was different from the way the Spaniards governed, which
involved the Church and the state working closely together. During the American period, the two
were separate entities. Religion was not imposed in schools.
The Americans introduced Protestantism (Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and
Episcopalian). They also allowed the Iglesia Filipina Independiente which was established by
Isabelo de los Reyes during the time of the revolution, to remain.

image
The Americans did not only build transportation and communications infrastructure, they also
put up schools and universities, including the Centro Escolar University in Manila.

image
Another school built during the American period was the University of the Philippines.

image
Episcopalian Church in Sagada, Mountain Province.

Language and Literature

Unlike the Spaniards who did not allow the Filipinos to learn the language, the Americans
believed that colonialism would only succeed by teaching and spreading American English as a
language. The Filipinos were taught how to speak and write in English. Learning the language
became a means for rising above poverty. The civil service examination was in English.
Knowledge of English became the basis or standard for one's skills and proficiency.
In the field of literature, there were many Filipinos who wrote in English. Among the
prominent Filipino writers at the time were Juan Salazar, Maximo Kalaw, Fernando Maramag,
Carlos Romulo, Vicente Hilario, Salvador Lopez, Amando Dayrit, Maria Luna Reyes, Manuel
Arguilla, Arturo Rotor, Maria Kalaw, and N. V.M Gonzales.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Why did the Americans spread the knowledge of English among Filipinos?
2. Do you believe the separation of church and state during the American period was
beneficial? Why?

LOOK INTO THIS

Research about the schools built during the American period. Find out their current name and
the changes they underwent.

WRAP IT UP
● Extensive, widespread changes were instituted during the American period.
● The Americans introduced new home designs such as the bungalow and the chalet.
● The health of the Filipinos improved during the American period because of the public
health institutions established at the time.
● Modern transportation and communications facilities were built by the Americans.
● They introduced the train and the truck. They also introduced telephone, radio, and
postal services.
● Education became available to many Filipinos because of the public education system
introduced by the Americans. Training was also provided for Filipinos who wanted to
become teachers.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING

SOMETHING TO WORK ON… (p.157- 158)

SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW...

Answer the big question for the lesson: "How did Philippine society change during the American
period?" Do this with the guidance of your teacher. Write your answer inside the box below.

SOMETHING TO REFLECT UPON ...

Answer the following questions.
1. The Americans gave the Filipinos the freedom to choose their own religion. What is the
significance of this?
2. What can you say about claims that the Americans used education as a means to make
colonialism acceptable to the Filipinos?
Lesson 11
The Path to Independence

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Identify the events that led to the transfer of authority to run the Philippine government
into the hands of the Filipinos; and
● Identify the laws that facilitated Philippine independence.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

How did the Filipinos strive and struggle to gain independence from the Americans?

image
President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States signing the Commonwealth Constitution in
1935

The Filipinos struggled to gain independence from the Americans. It was a long and arduous
process.
This lesson will discuss the important events that led to the transfer of authority to run
the Philippine government into the hands of the Filipinos themselves. This lesson will discuss
about the acts and laws with a framework that serves as basis for the eventual declaration of
independence for the Filipinos.
Without the arrival of the Americans, the Filipinos would have won the independence
that has long fought for. This is why the Filipinos continued to struggle to win independence.
This lesson will discuss the changes that took place as the Filipinos came closer to attaining
their much sought after independence.

TEST YOURSELF
List down five indications that the Filipinos were already running the Philippine government.
Write them down on the boxes below and explain each one.
 figure

READ UP
The Filipinos went through a long, painful process to gain their independence. The following are
the events that led to independence.

FILIPINIZATION
The colonial government implemented a Filipinization program to counteract the negative
attitude of the Filipinos toward the Americans. Filipinization is the gradual transfer of political
authority from the Americans to the Filipinos. Even before the implementation of Filipinization,
American officials were already taking steps to train the Filipinos in self-governance. The
officials of local government such as those in provinces and municipalities were Filipinos. This
was a significant step toward winning the support of the Filipinos.
Even the educational system in which English was the medium of instruction was in
preparation for eventual self-governance. By virtue of Act 74, the centralization of the public
system of education was enacted. It ensured free public elementary school education that is
secular.
In 1899, the Supreme Court was established and Cayetano
Arellano became Chief Justice. In 1901, the Philippine Commission was established and
Filipinos Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, Benito Legarda, and Jose Luzuriaga became members.
An important law approved by the commission was the Civil Service Act that mandates people
desiring to work for government to take and pass a civil service examination.

3 images
H. Pardo de Tavera, Benito Legarda, and Jose Luzuriaga.

Philippine Bill of 1902

The first organic act implemented in the Philippines is the Philippine Bill of 1902. It was also
known as the Cooper Act after its primary sponsor, Representative Henry Allen Cooper, who
defended the law before the US Congress by using lines from Jose Rizal's "Mi Ultimo Adios."
He said that the Filipino race from which Rizal came, had the right to self-governance.
The Philippine Bill of 1902 was signed into law by President Roosevelt in July 1902.
Besides providing civil rights to Filipinos, it bestowed on them human rights like the right to live,
the right to own property, freedom to choose one's own religion, and the freedom of expression.
The Cooper Act served as the standard in the original foundation of government. It
ratified the establishment of the Philippine Commission, the Supreme Court, and other political
changes implemented by the colonial government. Apart from political policies, the Cooper Act
also authorized the Americans to establish businesses in the Philippines, and the government to
classify public lands.
Another provision of the Cooper Act was the holding of elections for representatives of
each province in the Philippines once peace and order has been restored completely in the
country. In 1907, representatives from different provinces in the Philippines were elected. The
Philippine Assembly was the Lower House of Congress. Sergio Osmeña, Sr., the former
governor of Cebu, was elected speaker while the former governor of Tayabas, Manuel Quezon,
was elected majority floor leader.
The Philippine Commission ratified important laws for education including the Gabaldon
Act of 1907 that allocated a million pesos for putting up schools in the Philippines, and Act No.
1870 that paved the way for the establishment of the University of the Philippines.

Jones Law
The Cooper Act would be superseded by the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916, better known as
the Jones Law. Representative William Atkinson Jones authored this law. According to the
Jones Law, the system of government to be established in the Philippines will be patterned after
the US where there is an American governor-general, a cabinet appointed by the governor, a
Supreme Court, and a legislature composed of the upper and lower house elected by the
people. The upper house is the Senate, while the lower house is the Assembly of
Representatives. Osmeña was elected as the speaker of the Philippine Assembly, while
Quezon was elected as the senate president.
The Jones Law gave Filipinos hope of finally being granted independence. The Jones
Law begins with a stipulation that the US will withdraw authority over the Philippines once a
strong and stable government has been established, but no date was specified as to when this
would be implemented.

image
Poster or advertisement about Jones Law.

Campaign for Independence

The US colonial policy in the Philippines was anchored on the belief that they will remain only
while the Filipinos have not learned how to govern themselves. The Filipinos will have to prove
that they have learned the concept of democracy and can self-govern. The common Filipinos
were against this policy and fought against it. On the other hand, the Ilustrados decided to
accept the conditions of the colonial government, while pursuing the campaign for
independence by demanding for a law that would set a date for freedom.
From 1919 to 1934, Filipino representatives were sent to the US to campaign for
Philippine independence. The first independence mission led by Quezon went to the US in
1919. The second mission, also led by Quezon, went to the US in 1921 to protest the
recommendation of the Wood-Forbes mission that the Filipinos were not ready for
independence. Manuel Roxas led the mission that was sent to the US in 1923 up to 1924. This
was followed by another mission led by Quezon and Osmeña in 1927 and by Osmeña and
Roxas (OsRox) from 1929 to 1930. The last mission that was sent from 1933 to 1934 was led
by Quezon.

image
In photo is the OsRox Mission which was led by Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Roxas (second
and third of those sitting from the left).

Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act
The OsRox Mission was successful as the US succumbed into the Great Depression. As the US
economy fell, it became practical for it to grant the Philippines its independence. The OsRox
Mission resulted in the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act of 1932. According to this law, the Philippines
will be granted its independence after a ten-year transition period. The law also stipulated for
the creation of a constitutional convention to frame the constitution for the Commonwealth
government that will be established.
The Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act stipulated that even if the Commonwealth government will
have autonomy in making decision with regard to national issues, the US president will have the
authority to approve or disapprove changes in the constitution, including the financial system
and Philippine diplomatic matters. The law also stipulated that the US will have the authority to
maintain military assets and resources in the country. In addition, US products can be brought
into the country without restrictions, while there were limitations in the exportation of Philippine
products to the US. Because of the controversial provisions contained in the Hare-Hawes-
Cutting Act, it was not approved by the Philippine legislature.

Tydings-McDuffie Act
The last mission for independence led by Quezon brought home with it the Tydings-McDuffie
Act. It is almost the same as the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act minus the provision that allowed the
US to establish military bases in the Philippines. Instead, it contained a provision that would
allow the US to establish naval bases and refueling stations in the Philippines once it is granted
independence.
In an election held in 1934, 202 delegates were named to the constitutional convention,
which will frame the constitution of the Commonwealth government to be led by Claro M. Recto.

Because he succeeded in bringing home the Tydings-McDuffie Act, Quezon was able to
retain the leadership of the Nacionalista Party. This would propel him to victory over Emilio
Aguinaldo and Gregorio Aglipay as president of the Commonwealth during the June 1935
elections. Osmeña was elected vice president.
The Commonwealth of the Philippines existed from 1935-1946. It served as a
transitional government before the Philippines earned its full independence from the US. During
this time, there was a strong composition of the executive body.
A legislative body and a Supreme Court was also created. The Commonwealth focused on
many aspects of the government including education, transportation, and industrialization. It
gained a wider control of the economic affairs and dealt with a policy of a more democratic
institution.
It was under the Commonwealth that Tagalog was chosen as the basis of our national
language which is Filipino. In 1942-1945, during the Japanese occupation, the Commonwealth
government went into limbo until it ended in 1946 upon which it claimed sovereignty and the
United States recognized its independence.
 3 images
The authors of Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act (from above): South Carolina Representative Butler
Hare, Missouri Senator Harry Bartow Hawes, and New Mexico Senator Bronson Cutting

image

Benigno Ramos

Mass Movements
There were many people who were against the collaboration between the Illustrados and the
Americans. From 1920 until the establishment of the Commonwealth in 1935, the mass
movements against the collaboration continued. The Sakdal Movement, a peasant rebellion led
by Benigno Ramos, opposed the holding of a plebiscite to approve the constitution as well as
the establishment of the Commonwealth.
Under the leadership of Crisanto Evangelista and Jacinto Manahan, the Communist
Party was established in 1930, with the goal of improving and advancing the plight of the
farmers and laborers. The party learned of the communist ideology from Russia. They wanted to
expel the Americans in order to establish a Communist government in the Philippines patterned
on the Soviet government in Russia. The party pushed for equality among all citizens in society.
In 1932, however, the Communist Party was declared illegal, and was forced to operate as an
underground movement.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What is the significance of the Philippine Bill of 1902 to Filipinos?
2. Why did many Filipinos oppose the collaboration between the Illustrados and the
Americans?
3. Under the provisions of the Tydings-McDuffie Act, can the Filipinos be considered truly
independent? Why?

WRAP IT UP
● The Americans implemented the Filipinization policy, which gradually transferred political
authority in the Philippines from the American colonizers to the Filipinos.
● The US will transfer full authority to the Filipinos once they have shown readiness for
self-governance. The transition period is intended to prepare the Filipinos for the
eventuality.
● The Filipinos sent several missions to the US to campaign for Philippine independence.
The last mission led by Quezon brought home with it the Tydings-McDuffie Act.
● There were Filipino groups like the Sakdal Movement and the Communist Party who
were against any collaboration with the Americans.
 ● As part of preparations for Philippine independence, a constitutional convention was
established to frame a constitution for the Commonwealth government. An election of
delegates to the convention was held in June 1935.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING (page 168-171)

Lesson 12
The Philippine Commonwealth

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Analyze the contributions of the Commonwealth government;
● Discuss the government programs during the period of colonization including social
justice, the Homestead Policy, promotion of a national language, and recognition of
women's right to suffrage; and
● Explain the steps undertaken to solve the problems of society and livelihood during the
Commonwealth period.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

What is the Philippine Commonwealth?

image
The inauguration of Manuel Quezon as president of the Philippines in November 1935

When Quezon brought home the Tydings-McDuffie Act, the Filipinos were given the opportunity
to self-govern during a period of transition - the Commonwealth period. The Commonwealth
government faced many challenges that had to do with political, social, and economic issues.
This lesson will show how the Commonwealth government attempted to hurdle these
challenges and some of the programs undertaken during the period.
It is important to understand the programs undertaken by the Commonwealth
government that served as the transition period leading up to Philippine independence from the
US. The lesson will also show how the Filipinos showed readiness for self-governance and how
they planned to face the country's current and future challenges.

TEST YOURSELF
Fill in the table below with challenges faced by the Philippines in the specified aspects and the
solutions they undertook.

Aspect Challenge Solution

 Political

Social

Economic

READ UP
Manuel L. Quezon faced a multitude of problems and challenges as he led the country during
the period of transition leading up to independence.

PROBLEMS AND PROGRAMS OF THE COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT

Quezon served as president of the Commonwealth government that was put in place during the
ten-year transition phase as the Philippines prepared for self-governance leading up to the
granting of independence from the US. The Quezon administration needed to undertake steps
to achieve economic independence, military security, peace and order, and democracy.
There was also the need for solutions to agrarian and labor issues.

National Security
Before the Commonwealth government was established, the Americans were unable to lay the
groundwork for an organized defense system for the Philippines. The first law passed by the
National Assembly following the inauguration of the Commonwealth was the National Defense
Act on December 21, 1935. The goal of this law was to form a regular and reserve military force
for the country. The law stated that every Filipino citizen will render military service. US General
Douglas MacArthur became the military advisor of the Commonwealth government and held the
title of Field Marshal of the Philippine Army. It was his responsibility to promote and support the
national defense system.
The enactment of the National Defense Act came with a clear understanding that civil
authority remains supreme over the military and that the citizens were called upon to defend the
country at any event, in cases of threat and aggression.

image
Gen. Douglas McArthur

National Language
The 1935 Constitution provided for one national language to be taught to students in all the
schools throughout the country.
It recognized the importance of having one national language in bringing together and unifying
the Filipino people. Quezon founded the Institute of National Language in November 1936,
composed of one director, an executive secretary, and seven members to represent each
linguistic group.
In November 1937, the Institute recommended Tagalog to be the basis or foundation for
the national language. The following year, Quezon immediately made the announcement that
Tagalog would be the basis of the national language and ordered the publication of a dictionary
to be put together by the Institute. The president set the date June 19, 1940 as the start of
national language instruction in schools throughout the country.
On June 30, 1940, Commonwealth Act 570 declared the filipino National Language as the
official language of the Philippines effective July 4, 1946.

image
For the first time, President Quezon
announced on the radio
— in Filipino language
— the declaration of having a national language on December 30, 1937.

Social Justice
The Commonwealth government placed a high premium on the promotion of social justice.
Quezon wanted to establish a true democratic society that supported and protected landless
farmers and workers long oppressed by capitalists and business owners.
Proof of the importance given by the Commonwealth to social justice were the passage by the
National Assembly of numerous laws and other policies that supported programs toward this
end.
Among these were the following:
● A law setting the legal working day to not more than eight hours was passed, and
overtime pay for hours rendered beyond the eight-hour period was ensured. In addition,
a law setting the minimum wage was also passed.
● A law was passed to regulate the relations between landowners and tenants, and to
provide for compulsory arbitration on cases between both parties.
● The Court of Industrial Relations was created under Commonwealth Act No. 103 to
decide and settle issues between laborers and employers and between farmers and
landowners.
● A law was passed for the welfare of landless farmers and those who till the land of big
landowners or rich hacienderos.
● A law was passed to authorize the president to purchase huge tracts of land from private
landowners to be resold as smaller lots to farmers. The law called for the creation of an
agency that will undertake this.
● The passage of Commonwealth Act No. 213 legalized the organization of labor groups.
● A law was passed for the protection and welfare of workers and employees, especially
those working in mining sites, quarries, and the metallurgical industry.
● Agricultural communities were established in Mindanao.
ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE
-Jaime C. de Veyra was appointed as the first director of the Institute of National Language.
-The word kasama refers to the farmers tilling the land of a rich hacendero.

Livelihood
The Commonwealth government faced many challenges in the economy. These challenges
included the persistent agrarian problems experienced by oppressed landless farmers tilling the
land of rich landowners, and the resulting unjust sharing of harvest. Another problem in the
economy was the impending tariff charges for goods exported to the US once the Philippines
gains independence, and free trade between the two countries comes to an end
The continued lording of foreign investors through dummies in the country's mining,
fishing, and logging industries was also a major hurdle in the economic front for the
Commonwealth government. Dummies are Filipino citizens used by foreign investor to
circumvent foreign ownership restrictions on Philippine businesses. Foreigners such as the
Chinese also controlled many local products. The Chinese were in the forefront of different
industries including manufacturing, logging, real estate, financing, and retailing.
To address the growing challenge on the economy caused by dummies, the National
Assembly passed the Anti-Dummy Law that imposed heavy penalties and punishment on
Filipino citizens posting as dummies for foreign businessmen.
The goal of Quezon was to establish a progressive economy by strengthening the
agricultural sector and initiating infrastructure and industrialization program. He established the
National Economic Council (NEC). The existing free trade policy between the US and the
Philippines caused the problem of the country's economy becoming tied to the US economy.
The government saw the diversification of agricultural products as a solution to the country's
dependence on the American market. The Quezon administration also banked on the
homestead program to solve the problem of lack of agricultural land. Under the homestead
program, citizens can own up to 16 hectares of land. This was increased to 24 hectares under
Act No. 2874. The homestead program required that a person must have been living, tilling, and
caring for the land as a condition for being granted the land title. After five years, the title would
be given upon payment of a P20 fee. The program, however, did not succeed, and did little to
alleviate the plight of the farmers.
The National Assembly established the National Development Company in order to bring
together livelihood projects and identify other markets for Philippine products. These failed to
materialize until the breakout of World War II.

Under the leadership of Quezon, the National Economic Protectionism Association (NEPA) was
established to stimulate the local market and develop a patriotic awareness toward livelihood.
NEPA pushed for increased support for local products and industries. It was aimed at teaching
the Filipinos to be self-reliant in preparation for the country's eventual political independence
which was paralleled to economic independence. To strengthen this objective, different sectors
of the society which included Pel Filipino businessmen, students, and other organizations held
meetings and assemblies to manifest their support to this non-government organization.
 The inception of the NEPA marked the beginning of an economic policy that gave
protection to Filipino products and sustain the local business which largely means that the
people would learn to patronize local products over foreign products.

CHANGES DURING THE COMMONWEALTH PERIOD

The Commonwealth government did not last long, but it was able to institute significant changes
in Philippine society - proof that Filipinos were capable for self-governance.

Public Housing in Mindanao

The Commonwealth government continued the homestead program. In 1938, it began
surveying public lands in Mindanao that will be converted into agricultural communities. This
survey resulted in the opening of the Koronadal Valley Project in Cotabato. The government
also opened the Allah Valley in Cotabato. Quezon hoped that the opening of agricultural
communities in Mindanao would encourage landless farmers to transfer there so they can have
their own land.
Quezon favored the establishment of the National Land Settlement Administration
(NLSA) in 1939 to expedite the establishment of housing projects and immediately transform
idle land to productive farms. The first batch of farmers were moved to Koronadal Valley but
only a handful found success in their new land because of lack of agricultural equipment,
carabaos to assist in plowing the land, and available financing. Ethnic groups also claimed that
most of the land given out by the government were their ancestral land.

The Right of Women to Vote and Be Elected into Office

Although the thrust of the Americans was democracy for all, women were deprived of the right
to vote and be elected into office during their administration. The law signed by Governor
General Frank Murphy, which became effective on January 1, 1935, gave women this right. The
law, however, was set aside by the Commonwealth Constitution, necessitating a plebiscite to
grant women the right to vote and be elected into office. In the plebiscite held on April 30, 1937,
over 400,000 affirmed the law. The National Assembly adopted the result of the plebiscite, and
Quezon signed the law on September 15, 1937.
In the national elections held on December 14, 1937, Carmen Planas became the first
woman to be elected as councilor of Manila while Elisa Ochoa was the first woman to run and ic
ans be elected into Congress. Twenty-four other women ran and were elected to various
positions in different municipalities and provinces in the country.

image
In accordance with the existing 1935 Constitution of the Philippines, the National Assembly
passed a law that granted women the right to vote. This is known as Women's Suffrage.
Education and Religion
It was also during the Commonwealth period that the Education Act of 1940, also known as
Commonwealth Act No. 586, was signed into law, putting in place important educational
reforms.
The law provided for two class sessions (one morning and one afternoon session) a day to
accommodate and serve the growing number of students. It also became mandatory for
everyone to take primary education, which was offered for free.
Because of the Education Act of 1940, several changes in the system of education were
undertaken. Under the new law, the starting school age was fixed at seven years, the number of
years for elementary school was reduced from seven to six years, and the academic school
year started in July and ended in April of the following year. Vocational schools were opened
and adult education programs were initiated to provide livelihood instruction.
Students were taught about the lives of brave heroes and noble Filipinos, to instill in
them the values of patriotism and love for country. They were also taught the importance of
discipline, proper conduct, and good Filipino values.
The separation of Church and State remained during the Commonwealth period, which
meant that each side did not intrude into the other's activities. The State also did not endorse
any specific religion that the people should follow. Citizens had the freedom to choose and
practice their own religion. For this reason, many different religions flourished in the country.

KEEP IN MIND
The primary responsibility of a leader is to ensure the welfare of his/her constituents. It is the
responsibility of every elected official to serve the people.

THINK ABOUT THIS

In your opinion, was the Commonwealth government able to address the problems and
challenges faced by the Philippines? Why do you think so?

WRAP IT UP
● The Commonwealth government faced a multitude of challenges, and the leadership
tried to address them by passing new laws and implementing programs.
● The Commonwealth responded to the need for a system of defense and security.
● The government also focused a lot of attention on promoting a single national language.
● Social justice was among the priority programs of the Commonwealth government.
● It passed laws that would help alleviate the plight of small farmers and workers.
● The government also focused its attention on addressing livelihood challenges
especially those that have to do with agrarian issues.
● There were social changes put in place including housing projects in Mindanao, granting
women's rights to vote and be elected into office, and changes in the country's program
and system of education.
ASSESS YOUR LEARNING (pages 181-183)

Lesson 13
The Second World War

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Discuss the important events during the Japanese invasion; and
● Explain the motives behind the Japanese invasion of the country.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

How did the Philippines become involved in World War II?

image
The leaders of Allied Powers (from left: Stalin of the Soviet Union, Roosevelt of the United
States, and Churchill of Great Britain

When World War II broke out, it was not only the Axis Powers and Allied Powers who were
battling it out. The Philippines got caught up in the war because Japan wanted to establish an
empire in Asia, and the country was a US colony and therefore, considered an ally of the
Americans. The Japanese invasion of the Philippines happened swiftly despite the gallant and
courageous efforts of joint Filipino and American forces to defend the country. In this lesson,
you will find out the important events that transpired starting from the outbreak of World War II in
the Pacific to the country's surrender to Japan. The lesson will show why the Japanese invaded
the country, and the events that led to the country's surrender. It will discuss the heroism of the
people who defended the country against the Japanese invaders.

TEST YOURSELF
Divide the class into two groups and play "Pinoy Henyo." The words to be used in the game are
the names of the countries allied with each other during World War ll. The group who earns
more points at the end of the allotted time will be the winner. Then, fill in the table below with the
allied countries and how each one got involved in the war.
Below the table, write down why and how the Philippines got caught up in the war.

Allied Countries Reason

READ UP
Japan established an alliance with Germany and Italy known as the Axis Powers. At the other
side were the Allied Powers of which the United States was a part of. It was the Axis Powers
who initiated hostilities. The Philippines got caught up in the war because of Japan's plan to
entrench its empire in Asia. Moreover, the Philippines was a US colony.

PREPARING FOR THE WAR

Because of the impending threat of a war, the Commonwealth government and the US thought
it best to prepare the country in case hostilities broke out. In April 1941, the government
established the Civilian Emergency Administration (CEA). It was able to undertake air raid drills,
evacuation training, and economic mobilization, though slightly behind the efforts of neighboring
countries like Malaysia and Indonesia.
Ardent preparations to defend the country were undertaken after Japan succeeded in
invading French Indochina. The Philippine Army joined American troops in the United States
Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). Despite having retired, General Douglas MacArthur
was once more called upon to lead USAFFE as commander. The Philippine and US forces
undertook intense training and preparations, which by MacArthur's estimates would be
completed by March 1942.

THE JAPANESE INVASION

The military and civilian forces did not quite complete war training and preparations as war
broke out on December 8, 1941 when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii where the huge
US Pacific fleet was based. Shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack, the Japanese also raided
Baguio and Davao, and then heavily bombed Clark Field, where the base of the powerful US air
fleet under the command of General MacArthur was. Despite this. many people expected that
the war would not last long, and that the US will soon overcome the Japanese.
They were mistaken. From the very start, the Japanese took control of the air space. On
December 10, it unleashed another air strike on the US naval fleet in Cavite. The US Asiatic
fleet was forced to abandon Manila Bay as its center of operations.
With its departure, the US lost also lost control of the ocean. The Japanese bombed Manila,
which resulted in intense confusion among the people in the city. There was massive
evacuation, pilferage, and the banks ran out of money.
In the early days of the war, the Japanese quickly attacked Batanes, Aparri, Vigan in
Ilocos, and Legazpi in Bicol. Then, on December 20, the Japanese raided Davao. MacArthur
initially planned a confrontation with the japanese at the shores of Davao, but realized he was
outmanned and decided to consolidate his troops instead in strategic coastlines along Lingayen
Gulf, Batangas, Quezon, and Zambales.

image
The Japanese bombing of the US bases at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii caused great
damage to the US naval force.
WAR PLAN ORANGE
On December 22, a huge Japanese force arrived at the Lingayen Gulf. They also attacked
Quezon Province. Despite the valiant efforts of joint Filipino and American forces to defend the
shores of the country, most of them were outnumbered and overpowered by the attacking
Japanese forces, and were forced
to retreat.
With his troops forced to withdraw from the shores of Lingayen and Quezon, MacArthur
realized that his strategy to engage the Japanese forces as soon as they dock on shore proved
ineffective. On December 25, MacArthur carried out War Plan Orange, a US defense tactic in
the Philippines in which all troops will withdraw from Manila and head to Corregidor and Bataan
from where they can continue to keep a close watch on Manila Bay while awaiting the arrival of
reinforcements from the US. Manila was also declared an open city, which meant all
government officials as well as military forces and supplies will be withdrawn from the city. This
was undertaken to spare the city from Japanese attacks and bombing, and prevent its
destruction, Despite the declaration, however, the Japanese bombed the city unopposed,
causing great destruction, chaos, death, and pilferage.
When Quezon evacuated Manila and headed for Corregidor where he was sworn to a
second term as Commonwealth president, he instructed cabinet officials Jose P. Laurel and
Jorge Vargas to stay in Manila to meet the Japanese when they arrive. Manila fell to the
Japanese on January 2, 1942.

image
In order to avoid greater damage, General Douglas MacArthur declared Manila as an Open
City.

BATAAN AND CORREGIDOR

Becausé their evacuation was sudden and unexpected, the Filipino and American troops were
unable to take enough military supplies to Bataan and Corregidor. The Japanese attacked
Bataan several times, thinking it would not be long before the American and Filipino troops there
would surrender; but it took longer than they expected. However, the reinforcements from the
US did not arrive, because of the thousands of American casualties and tremendous damage
on the US fleet wrought by the attack on Pearl Harbor. On April 9, 1942, USAFFE forces in
Bataan led by General Edward P. King were forced to surrender after running out of artillery,
food, and medicines. The Japanese gathered the American and Filipino soldiers who
surrendered and made them walk from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga where
they were loaded onto cramped trains headed for Capas, Tarlac. They had to walk several
kilometers more to reach the prison camps in Camp O'Donnell. Many American and Filpino
troops perished in the torturous journey that came to be known in history as the Death March.
The relentless Japanese attacks went on for a month before they were finally able to
force the American and Filipino troops in Corregidor to surrender. General Jonathan Wainwright
surrendered Corregidor on March 6, 1942. The Japanese refused to accept the Corregidor
surrender because they wanted the surrender of the entire Philippines. Because of this, General
Wainwright instructed the remaining forces in the Philippines to surrender to the Japanese on
March 7, 1942.
Before the surrender of Corregidor, Quezon had already left for Australia and then flew
to Washington DC where the Commonwealth government temporarily headquartered.
He succumbed to tuberculosis even before the war was over:
Meanwhile, General MacArthur was ordered by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt to leave the
Philippines and proceed to Australia to take command of the remaining US forces in the South
Pacific. Before he left, MacArthur promised to return.
Wainwright took over as commander of the USAFFE.

image
The Filipino and American soldiers who surrendered to the Japanese in Bataan were
commanded to walk from Mariveles, Bataan to Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Why did the Philippines get caught up in the war?
2. What do you think would have happened if Quezon had not escaped to Australia?

WRAP IT UP
● World War Il broke out on December 8, 1941 in the Asia-Pacific.
● The Philippines got caught up in the war because the Japanese wanted to establish an
empire in Asia, and because it was a US colony.
● The USAFFE was formed under the command of General Douglas MacArthur to fight
the Japanese.
● Because the Japanese had superior military forces, the Filipinos and the Americans
were forced to withdraw from Manila and head to Bataan and Corregidor. Manila was
declared an Open City.
● Because of lack of artillery, food, and medical supplies, American and Filipino soldiers
were forced to surrender in Bataan. The Japanese gathered the surrendered soldiers
and forced them to go on the infamous Death March.
● Before the surrender of Corregidor, Quezon was able to escape to Australia, and
eventually move the Commonwealth government to Washington DC.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING (pages 191 - 193)

Lesson 14
Government During the Japanese Occupation
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
 ● Analyze the system of governance during the Japanese period;
● Describe the system and framework of the Japanese colonial government;
● Explain the economic policies and laws during the time such as the War Economy and
the Economy of Survival, and their results; and
● Explain the benefits of establishing the Second Philippine Republic and the policies for
independence.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

How did the Japanese govern the Philippines?

image
Lieutenant General Masaharu Homma and Filipino officials under the Japanese occupation.

With the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, the Filipino and American forces against the Japanese
weakened considerably and were completely overwhelmed. The Japanese immediately
established a military government in the Philippines. Political, economic, and social changes
were undertaken according to the objectives of the Japanese occupation. This lesson will focus
on how the Japanese governed the Philippines politically and economically and how this
affected the lives of the Filipinos at the time.
This lesson will show how the independence that the Filipinos had long desired and
prepared for continued to elude them. Although they have long been ready for self-governance,
the Filipinos found themselves under yet another colonizer. This lesson will focus on the political
and economic changes that took place under the Japanese colonizers.

TEST YOURSELF
Study and analyze the map below that shows how the invading with the class. Japanese
advanced in Asia during World War II. Share your analysis with the class.

figure

READ UP
Even before the ten-year transition period the United States had set to prepare the Philippines
for independence could be completed, World War II broke out. The Japanese bombed the US
military base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Then, they attacked the Philippines and occupied the
country after forcing the American forces to withdraw. The Philippines was under a new
colonizer and its journey toward the independence it had long sought was once more derailed.

GOVERNING THE PHILIPPINES

The Japanese expressed their intention of freeing the Philippines from American colonization
under the "Philippines for the Filipinos" program, according to its desire for an Asia for the
Asians and in keeping with the Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere it was building. The
Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere was a Japanese propaganda aimed at winning the
support of Filipinos and other Asians, and to create a self-sufficient, progressive, and
prosperous East Asia under Japanese leadership.
On January 3, 1942, Japan formally announced that it has taken control of Manila. The
Japanese immediately declared martial law, and established the Japanese Military
Administration UMA). Major General Yoshihide Hayashi was named director-general of the
military government. The Japanese military government co-existed with the government headed
by Quezon that moved to Corregidor and eventually transferred to the US.
Quezon ordered officials including Jose Yulo, Jose P. Laurel, and Claro M. Recto to stay
behind in Manila, believing that the people will have less difficulty if officials who were not pro-
Japanese will continue to be visible. This proved to complement Japanese policy in the
Philippines. The JMA did not undertake major changes in the government. Because there was
an existing bureaucracy, the Japanese allowed the administrative structure already in place to
handle civil works. The Japanese used the existing structure to pursue their objectives and
maintain peace and order in the country. At the same time, the Japanese dissolved government
offices and positions they deemed unnecessary including the office of the vice president,
secretary of national defense, among others, while other offices
were merged.
On January 23, 1942, a provisional government called the Executive Commission vas
established. The structure and top administrators of the commission needed Japanese
approval. Jorge B. Vargas, Quezon's executive secretary before the war, was named president
of the commission. Vargas was expected to follow orders of the Imperial Japanese Forces. The
commission was made up of six departments headed by a commissioner. The six departments
and the commissioners were the following:
Interior: Benigno S. Aquino
Finance: Antonio de las Alas
Justice: Jose P. Laurel
Agriculture and Commerce: Rafael Alunan
Education, Health, and Public Welfare: Claro M. Recto
Public Works and Communication: Quintin Paredes

The Japanese were all set to establish reforms in a government under their control.
Despite having Filipinos as heads of the departments, there was limitation in the exercise of
their powers. The Executive Commission followed the orders of the military administration. The
commission also made recommendations for various government positions and performed
some legislative work. However, it was the Japanese Military Administration and the Japanese
Fourteenth Army that held the final decision when it came to the implementation of policies.
Yulo was also named chief justice.
As part of preparations for the independence promised by the Japanese, the Preparatory
Commission for Philippine dependence (PCPI) was established. Laurel was named president of
the commission. The goal of the commission was to create the framework of the constitution for
the new republic.
The provisions of the new constitution by the PCPI were the following:
1. Establishment of a republican government with executive powers
2. Appointment instead of election of officials
3. Abolition of the position of vice president
4. Emphasis on the duties and responsibilities of citizens instead of their rights and
privileges and
5. Completion of the constitution by the end of the war.

The new constitution was approved by the members of the PCPI at the balcony of the
Waterworks building in Arroceros, Manila. It was approved by the general assembly of the
Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI) on September 7, 1943. The
KALIBAPI was the only authorized political party at the time. The party pushed for cooperation
and collaboration with the Japanese.
On the orders of Vargas, an election of officers for the National Assembly was held. This
was made up of the governors and mayors, along with 54 others who were appointed from
among the political leaders in Manila. Benigno Aquino, Sr. was elected speaker, while Laurel
was elected president of the Second Republic of the Philippines.

image
Jorge Vargas delivering his speech as the new Chairman of the Philippine Executive
Commission in front of members of the KALIBAPI.

A series of district and neighborhood organizations was established to enforce control

and restrictions over the people.
Rationing of food and other basic needs was undertaken to monitor guerilla activity and control
public opinion, especially anti-Japanese sentiments.

The Second Republic

The Japanese were aware that the Filipinos have long yearned for their treedom and used this
to draw the people toward following their goals as colonizers. Japanese Prime Minister Hideki
Tojo said the Philippines will be granted its independence once the Filipinos could show that
they understood Japan's goals and be part of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. He
said the Filipinos should go back to their Asian heritage and strive to progress from there. The
Filipinos, however, were suspicious of the motives of the Japanese, but still cooperated with the
colonizers in hopes that with the birth of the Second Republic would come independence.
The Second Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated on October 14, 1943 with
Laurel as president. After the proclamation of the Second Republic, Laurel signed an agreement
allowing the Japanese to remain in the Philippines and benefit from its natural resources. Laurel
wanted to declare sovereignty under his leadership. He tried to take out the Japanese advisers
from the government. He wanted to bring order out of chaos, rejuvenate the collapsed economy,
provide adequate food supply, and improve the distribution of peoples basic needs. It could be
said that the Laurel administration had good plans but there was just not sufficient time to
implement them. Adding to the woes of the Laurel administration were the dire conditions in the
Philippines with the continued dominant presence of Japanese forces, the lack of regular
transportation and communication facilities resulting from continued fighting by Filipino guerilla
forces, the natural calamities that hit the country, and the lack of support from the citizens
themselves. The Japanese colonizers maintained its authority especially in the provinces, even
as Laurel asserted his leadership in Manila.
The Japanese undertook steps to put in place policies for the Filipinos' cultural
reorientation, which was aimed at bringing back Filipino folk culture and dispel all western
influences in keeping with the objectives of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. The
Japanese propagated their language and culture, controlled newspapers and radio programs
through censorship, and distributed posters, leaflets, and pamphlets. They opened elementary
and secondary schools but took out from textbooks all American ideologies. They ordered that
Nihongo be taught in schools and be used as means of communication in all government offices
as a national language aside from Tagalog.
Literature in English dwindled because the Filipinos were discouraged to write in English
and were encouraged instead to popularize Tagalog. Writers who were not keen on writing in
Tagalog still found their way to earn a living by scribbling short stories using the language but
still, freedom of expression was suppressed.
Music has become a part of the daily activities of the Filipinos. Despite living in dreadful
hardships and a feeling of anxiety and uncertainty, the Japanese allowed the Filipinos to
compose music with native themes. However, they also imposed their own music by teaching
these songs in schools and playing them in radio broadcasts daily. Along with these were
stringent orders against patronizing western music and anything of American influence.
The Philippines experienced a shortage of food supply during the Japanese occupation.
The shortage was caused by the war, which destroyed all crops and forced all trade into a
standstill. The Japanese also imposed that only local products be patronized, and farmers were
reluctant to increase production for fear that the japanese would confiscate their produce.
Because production was down, the Japanese tried to motivate farmers by expanding their
farmlands and importing new kinds of seeds for planting. None of these steps worked, however,
because of the prevailing conditions at the time, and the people's refusal to cooperate. Food
supply could not be delivered to the cities because the war had destroyed transportation and
communication facilities. Roads, bridges, and communication lines were down, and despite
efforts by the Japanese and the Executive Commission to fix them, the continued guerilla
attacks proved a huge hurdle to these efforts. Even maritime trade had been affected by the
war. There were not enough sea vessels so the Japanese tried to have ships made of wood.
Filipinos were forced to work on this project in exchange for food and pay.
Alongside its efforts to address the problem of lack of food supply, the Japanese put
together a five-year development plan to propel the Philippine economy. The main objective of
the plan was to increase food supply in the country. Instead of exporting sugar to the US, the
Japanese replaced this with cotton. A new type of rice was also imported from Japan and
Taiwan. Despite its good intentions, however, the plan did not succeed. The farmers were
unfamiliar with the new seeds that were provided them.
 image
Jose P. Laurel and Hideki Tojo together with other leaders at the Greater East Asia Conference
held in 1943.

image
During the Japanese occupation, writing and speaking in English were not allowed Even
teaching of the language in schools was prohibited. Instead, the Japanese displayed posters
with Japanese writings and taught the Filipinos to speak in Nihongo.

ENRICH YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Hunger was widespread during the Japanese occupation, but one plant gave life to thousands
of Filipinos and this was the water spinach or known as "kangkong."

KEEP IN MIND
In the midst of hardships during the Japanese occupation, the phrase, "When the blanket is
short, learn to bend" served as guiding path for the Filipinos.

They were also reluctant about planting and raising cotton. Many of them went underground to
join guerillas in fighting the Japanese, while others refused to turn in their yield. In addition to
these challenges, a strong typhoon wreaked havoc on the country in 1943 and destroyed crops.
The people suffered not only from the lack of food supply but the lack of clothing supply as well.
The limited cotton harvests were confiscated by the Japanese for their own use.
The colonizers imposed the use of japanese currency. The severe lack of food and
clothing supply caused inflation and drove prices of goods up. The Filipinos called the Japanese
currency Mickey Mouse money or play money because it was virtually without value. People
needed an enormous amount just to purchase rice and other basic goods. The Japanese
printed huge currencies because of the skyrocketing prices of goods. Because of this, many
people resorted to barter trading, exchanging things of value like jewelry and furniture for food
and other supplies. The grave conditions also increased the crime rate in the country.
There were many conflicting interests in the way the Japanese governed the Philippines.
According to the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, they wanted to give the Philippines its
independence. Yet, despite the many political, economic, and social programs that were put in
place, Japanese military presence continued to dominate and prevail. The dreaded military
police of the Japanese Imperial Army called the Kempeitai were all over the country. They were
in charge of security, peace, and order in the countryside, and were notorious for being cruel
and abusive to the Filipinos, often resorting to extreme punishment and torture for even the
slightest violations. The Japanese also put up comfort houses where Filipino women were
forced to work as "comfort women" and provide sexual services to Japanese soldiers. It was a
dark period in which many Filipinos lived in fear. In addition, Filipinos lived in terror of being
tortured or killed for being branded as a guerilla or a guerilla supporter by the Makapili, fellow
Filipinos who served as spies for the Japanese.
 image
The kempeitai served as military-police forces in the Japanese-occupied territories in the
Philippines.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. Why did the Japanese continue to promise independence to the Filipinos?
2. How would you describe the Philippines during the Japanese occupation?

LOOK INTO THIS

Research on the things Jose P. Laurel did to help improve the plight of the Filipinos during the
Japanese occupation.

WRAP IT UP
● The Japanese Military Administration was established to govern the Filipinos.
● According to the Japanese, they invaded the Philippines to return Asia to the Asians,
and to create the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
● The Japanese promised to grant the Philippines its independence to gain the confidence
of the Filipinos.
● A new constitution was created that set the establishment of the Second
● Philippine Republic.
● The Second Republic encountered numerous challenges including the lack of food and
clothing supply, increased cost of goods and diminished value of money, slowdown in
agricultural production, and ruined infrastructure.
● The many challenges made life miserable for the Filipinos during the Japanese
occupation. This was aggravated by the cruelty and abuse suffered in the hands of the
Kempeitei, and the existence of the Makapili.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING (Pages 205-207)

Lesson 15
Resistance against the Japanese

OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
● Analyze how the Filipinos fought for independence from Japanese occupation (e.g.
USAFFE, HUKBALAHAP, and other guerilla organizations); and
● Express one's opinion about how the Filipinos were affected by the way they were
governed by foreign colonizers.

BIG QUESTION FOR THE LESSON

How did the Filipinos rise up against the Japanese?

The difficult life and the cruelty suffered in the hands of the Japanese strengthened the resolve
of the Filipinos to fight for independence. Different movements fought to drive away the
colonizers. This lesson will focus on the movements that worked hard to pave the way for
independence. The lesson will also discuss the unforgettable events that led to the defeat of the
Japanese in World War II.

TEST YOURSELF
The class will be divided into five groups. Each group will form a movement against the
Japanese colonizers. Each group will share with the class the following information:

A. Name of the Movement B. Symbol/Flag

C. Reasons for Fighting the Japanese D. Objectives

D. Activities Planned and Executed

READ UP
The bitter struggle suffered by the Filipinos in the hands of the Japanese brought strong
negative feelings against the colonizers.
Several anti-Japanese movements were formed, causing Japanese forces in the Philippines to
weaken.

ANTI-JAPANESE MOVEMENTS
The battles raged by anti-Japanese movements were just among the ways the Filipinos showed
their resistance to the colonizers.
In nearly every part of the country, guerilla movements were undertaking operations. Many of
these movements had links to the United States, which funded operations. Apart from the US,
there were Filipinos who did not join the movements but lent their support by providing food, and
other important supplies.
Members of the different movements came from various groups in society. There were former
members of the USAFFE and politicians who refused to surrender to the Japanese; there were
men and women, young and old; Muslims and Christians; farmers and workers; military
personnel, and more. All of them were united by one objective - to drive the Japanese out of the
country.
There were many anti-Japanese movements who were loyal to the Philippines and the
US. General MacArthur officially recognized several groups to better systematize and organize
the anti-Japanese movements in the country. These recognized groups were promised arms
and supplies by MacArthur and the US. They were directed by MacArthur to refrain from openly
engaging the Japanese in combat, and instead remain in the sidelines as they try to gain
strength and gather information.
 There were also anti-Japanese movements that were not allied with the US. The most
famous of these was the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap) led by Luis Taruc.
The group was made up of members of the Socialist Party and Communist Party in Central
Luzon made up of mostly farmers.
The Hukbalahap did not heed MacArthur's order to temporarily stay in the sidelines. Instead,
they continued to engage the Japanese including collaborators and rich landlords.
Apart from armed movements like the USAFFE and the Hukbalahap, there were also
civilians who expressed opposition against the Japanese. Among them was the Free Philippines
group, which was behind a strong anti-Japanese propaganda in Manila and information
gathering. There was also a youth group, which run a radio station outside Manila broadcasting
anti-Japanese propaganda through the program, "The Voice of Juan
Dela Cruz."

THE END OF THE WAR

In August 1944, American fighter planes bombed Japanese military bases in Mindanao. The
following month, they also bombed Manila. On October 24, 1944, American troops landed in
Leyte and MacArthur announced his return. The Japanese fiercely fought the advancing
American troops as they landed in Leyte.

image
General Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines with President Sergio Osmeña in
October 1944.

KEEP IN MIND
Many Filipinos fought against the Japanese to achieve national independence. The difficulties
they have undergone is formidable that they achieved the independence we enjoy at present.

The Japanese sent all their remaining naval forces to Leyte. The Battle of Leyte has been
known as the biggest naval battle in world history. The Japanese also sent a unique group they
had created known as the kamikaze. These were japanese pilots whose mission was to
deliberately crash their planes on American ships.
It was in December 1944 when the Americans landed in Mindoro, and in January 1945,
more American troops docked on Lingayen Gulf. It was in February 1945, when the Americans
entered Manila. The guerilla movements had also been increasingly mobilized with the arrival of
the Americans.
One by one, the towns occupied by the Japanese were recaptured by the joint American and
Filipino troops as the Japanese withdrew to the mountains. But even as they backed down, the
Japanese vented on the civilian population, killing thousands and destroying big cities along
their path including Manila, Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, and Zamboanga. Along with the
destruction of these cities were the destruction of many historical and cultural artifacts.
 The war ended with the surrender of the Japanese on
August 15, 1945 after the Americans dropped two atomic bombs in Japan. The first bomb was
dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and another was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9.
Although the bombing finally forced the Japanese to surrender, it also caused severe
devastation, killing multitudes and causing horrific injuries and long-term sickness among
civilians.

image
Three days after the first atomic bomb collapsed in Hiroshima (left), it was followed by another
bombing in Nagasaki (right) that killed thousands of people. This caused fear among
neighboring countries, besides the fact that the bombing had radiation effects.

RETURN OF THE COMMONWEALTH

The Commonwealth government was reestablished with President Osmeña's return to the
Philippines with MacArthur.
This was temporarily established in Tacloban, Leyte on October 23, 1944. MacArthur served as
the country's military administrator before turning over the administrative functions to Osmeña
on February 27, 1945.
The Osmeña administration immediately faced two major challenges. The first challenge
had to do with the massive destruction wrought by the war on infrastructure and agricultural
crops. The war left many buildings, roads, bridges, and transportation facilities as well as
agricultural fields in ruins. The economy was in shambles and many parts of the country were in
dire need of rehabilitation. The US provided assistance in the form of funds, but these were
insufficient and only for the short-term. The second major challenge had to do with collaboration
issues. Osmeña had difficulty choosing allies and deciding who can be trusted because many
Filipinos had been branded Japanese collaborators during the war. Still, many of the so-called
collaborators were able to provide assistance to fellow Filipinos during the difficult period under
the Japanese.

THINK ABOUT THIS

1. What were the factors in the Filipinos' fight against the Japanese?
2. What were the similarities and differences among the movements fighting against the
Japanese?

WRAP IT UP
● Because of the difficulties and the cruelties suffered in the hands of the Japanese, the
Filipinos rose in arms against them. Many of them joined underground guerilla
● movements.
● When the American troops returned to the Philippines, the guerilla groups intensified the
fight against the Japanese. The Battle of Leyte Gulf was the start of the successful
efforts to drive the Japanese out of the Philippines.
 ● The Japanese surrendered and Second World War finally came to an end after the
Americans bombe Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
● When the Commonwealth government returned to the Philippines, President Osmeña
faced two major challenges. The first was the badly needed infrastructure rehabilitation,
and the second was the collaboration issue.

ASSESS YOUR LEARNING (pages 215-217)

END-OF-THE-UNIT ACTIVITIES (218- 219)