Reading #6

CONTENT & CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS of “Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricatures of

the American Era, 1900-41” by Alfred McCoy

The American Period and Political Cartoons, 1899 – 1941: Caricatures on Colonialism
The United States of America, following Spain, occupied the Philippines between 1899 and
1946. The archipelago was the largest among the territories that the US took over from Spain,
including Puerto Rico and Cuba. In spite of the dominance of American imperialistic acts, the
development of publishing industry and newspapers brought out innovative expressions of
protest from liberal-minded Filipinos. The period saw the rise of editorial cartoons in many
newspapers, magazines, and other publications, making caricature of the political and social
conditions of the times.
Even in the United States at the time, American satirical cartoonists were unforgiving. Criticizing
the American acquisition of the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century, some satirical
magazines denigrated the new colony but some also exposed the hypocrisy of the American
political establishment in its policy toward the Philippines.

A dictatorial teacher (Uncle Sam – or U.S.) instructing his new students (representing the new
colonies that included the Philippines and acquired by the United States in 1898 with its war
against Spain. (From Puck magazine).
An early cartoon was from the Chicago Chronicle, in an issue of January, 1900. Entitled “The
Forbidden Book”, it caricatures how the U.S. military, through President William McKinley,
banned the American media in the covering and reportage of Filipinos’ activities, especially
rebellion and insurgency, during the protracted Philippine-American War. For the American
government, actually, what was transpiring then was not war but insurgency.
Cartoons In the Philippine Colony
Philippine political cartoons gained full expression during the American era. Filipino artists
recorded national attitudes toward the coming of the Americans as well as the changing mores
and times.

Among the early Philippine periodicals that made use of satire through cartoons were from
Lipang Kalabaw, during its maiden issue of July 27, 1907. “Lipang Kalabaw” is the counterpart
of poison ivy, a plant which irritates the skin upon contact. Entitled “Progresista Voters,” it shows
how the Progresista Party (formerly Federalista Party that advocated for Philippine statehood
under the U.S.) changed stance when rural voters (seen in the back row) tipped the vote for the
party to support eventual Philippine independence.
Source: Indio Bravo, “Ang Pikon, Talo”: Satire as Impulse to Freedom accessed at
http://indiohistorian.tumblr.com/post/159257082266/ang-pikon-talo-satire-as-impulse-to-freedom
Socio-Cultural Transformations
Satirical cartoon making fun of Dominador Gomez, a leading figure in the Nacionalista Party
until a scandal in 1906-1907, as featured in Lipang Kalabaw, April 4, 1908.
In High Stakes satirical cartoon, Manuel L. Quezon is portrayed as if in a poker game, alluding
his maneuverings in Congress for Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act (for Philippine Independence from
the U.S.) to be rejected, opposing Sergio Osmeña. The maneuvering ends with Osmeña
agreeing to the rejection of HHC, as Quezon accepts responsibility of its rejection, and
promising to get an even more beneficial independence bill from the U.S. As it turned out, after
4 months, Quezon gets Tydings-McDuffie Law passed, almost the same as HHC. From the
Philippines Free Press, August 5, 1933.

Editorial cartoon of The Independent, Jan. 13, 1917. Source: Alfred McCoy and Alfredo
Roces, Philippine Cartoons (Vera-Reyes, Inc., Philippines, 1985), p. 124.
ONLINE VIDEO LINKS:
Xiao Chua, “Xiao Time: Seditious na teatro noong panahon ng Amerikano” accessed at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZnjWBbNmro
Xiao Chua, “Xiao Time: Ang Unang Putok ng Philippine-American War”accessed at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xadeOJge73I
Xiao Chua, “Xiao Time: Ang Mga Thomasites at ang Pampublikong Edukasyon sa Panahon ng
mga Amerikano” accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=696TYdrA0DE
Knowledge Channel,” Pananakop Ng Mga Amerikano | Kasaysayan TV” accessed at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdQNmZx3-zI

REFERENCES:
1. Candelaria, John Lee. Readings in Philippine History, (pp. 31- 35)
2. McCoy, Alfred and Roces, Alejandro. Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era,
1900-41. Manila: Vera-Reyes, 1985.