A GLANCE AT SELECTED

PHILIPPINE POLITICAL
CARICATURE IN ALFRED
MCCOY’S PHILIPPINE
CARTOONS:
POLITICAL CARICATURE
OF THE AMERICAN ERA
(1900-1941)
 POLITICAL CARICATURE OF
THE AMERICAN ERA
(1900-1941)
Caricature
• a representation which distorts or exaggerates
certain features, but still retain a likeness.

• a picture, description, or imitation of a person

in which certain striking characteristics are
exaggerated in order to create a comic.
 • primarily created to persuade the
audience to take a particular view on a
POLITICAL historical event.
CARTOONS AND
CARICATURES • is a graphic with caricatures of public
figures, expressing the artist's
opinion.

Cartoons became an effective tool of publicizing opinions

through heavy use of symbolism. The unique way that a
caricature represents opinions and captures the audiences'
imaginations is reason enough for historians to examine
these political cartoons.
 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
During the American era, Philippine political cartoons
gained full expression. Filipino artist recorded national
attitudes toward the coming of the American as well as
the changing more and times.
Alfred McCoy
 Alfred McCoy
Is an American historian and educator. McCoy is currently the Fred Harvey
Harrington Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

He specializes in the history of the Philippines, foreign policy of the

United States, European colonisation of Southeast Asia, illegal drug
trade, and Central Intelligence Agency covert operations.

Together with Alfredo Roces, compiled political cartoons in his book

Philippines Cartoons: Political Caricature Of The American Era (1900-
1941)
Examples of Political Caricatures
Public post is not a
hereditary crown
the Cartoon shows politician from Tondo, named
Dr. Santos, passing his crown to his brother-in-law,
Dr. Barcelona.

A filipino Guy was trying to stop Santos, telling the

latter to stop giving Barcelona the crown because it
is not his to begin with.
War against the Spectator
drawn by Fernando Amorsolo and was aimed as a
commentary to the working of Manila Police at the
period.

here, we see a Filipino child who stole a skinny chicken

because he had nothing to eat. The police officer was
relentlessly pursuing the said child. A man wearing a
salakot, labeled Juan de la Cruz was grabbing the officer,
telling him to leave the small-time pickpockets and
thieves and turn at the great thieves instead. He was
pointing to huge warehouses containing bulks of rice,
milk and grocery products.
 Colorum
The Philippines Free Press published this
commentary when fatal accidents involving
colorum vehicles and taxis occurred often
already.
 Cinema
A blown up officers was at the screen saying
that couple re not allowed to neck and make
love in the theater.

Two youngster looked horrified while an older

couple seemed amused.
Uncle Sam Riding A Chariot

Uncle Sam Riding a chariot pulled by Filipinos

wearing school uniforms.

The Filipino boys were carrying American

objects like baseball bats, whiskey, and boxing
gloves.
Uncle Sam rationing porridge to the politicians
and members of the Progresista Party while the
mebers of the Nacionalista Party look on and
wait for their turn.
History

This cartoon depicts the patronage of the

United States being coveted by politicians
from either of the party.
Analysis of the Political
Caricatures during the
American Period
• The Transition form the Spanish Colonial period to the
American Occupation Period demonstrated different strands
of the changes and shifts in culture, society, and politics.

• the selected cartoons illustrate not only the opinions of

certain media outfits about the Philippine society during the
American period but also paint a broad image of society and
politics under the US.

• the cartoons illustrated the conditions of poor Filipinos in the

Philippines now governed by the United States. By
controlling their consciousness and mentality. Americans got
to control and subjugate Filipinos.
CONTENT PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

• The presentation of the cartoons varies from vivid to wordy to express the cartoonist views.

• The victims are presented in a bad and sorry state to conveys sympathy from the readers.

• The artists used their cartoons ,illustrate not just their opinion but broad image of the
Philippines under US.
• Transitions from Spanish colonial period American occupation shows different changes as well
as in culture, society, and politics.
CONTRIBUTION/RELEVANCE

• Plays an important role in understanding the Filipino sentiments concerning the transition of
governance from Spanish to American
• Through the use of political cartoons people get to visualize politics and appreciate the representations .

• Future generations will be able to have a glimpse of the past Philippine society through these
cartoons.
• Provide viewers with a look at how lives were lived on the era they represent.
FI N