The document discusses political cartoons published in newspaper dailies and periodicals in the Philippines from 1900-1941, during the American era. It provides examples and summaries of 6 cartoons from this period. The cartoons commented on Philippine politics and society at the time, depicting issues like patronage politics, the transition to American rule, social issues, and the control Americans exerted over Filipinos. They illustrate the opinions and perspectives of media outlets on society and politics under the U.S. in the Philippines.
The document discusses political cartoons published in newspaper dailies and periodicals in the Philippines from 1900-1941, during the American era. It provides examples and summaries of 6 cartoons from this period. The cartoons commented on Philippine politics and society at the time, depicting issues like patronage politics, the transition to American rule, social issues, and the control Americans exerted over Filipinos. They illustrate the opinions and perspectives of media outlets on society and politics under the U.S. in the Philippines.
The document discusses political cartoons published in newspaper dailies and periodicals in the Philippines from 1900-1941, during the American era. It provides examples and summaries of 6 cartoons from this period. The cartoons commented on Philippine politics and society at the time, depicting issues like patronage politics, the transition to American rule, social issues, and the control Americans exerted over Filipinos. They illustrate the opinions and perspectives of media outlets on society and politics under the U.S. in the Philippines.
The document discusses political cartoons published in newspaper dailies and periodicals in the Philippines from 1900-1941, during the American era. It provides examples and summaries of 6 cartoons from this period. The cartoons commented on Philippine politics and society at the time, depicting issues like patronage politics, the transition to American rule, social issues, and the control Americans exerted over Filipinos. They illustrate the opinions and perspectives of media outlets on society and politics under the U.S. in the Philippines.
Political cartoons and caricature are a rather recent art form, which veered away from the
classical art by exaggerating human features and poking fun at its subjects. Cartoon became an effective tool of publicizing opinions through heavy use of symbolism, which is different from a verbose written editorial and opinion pieces.
Alfred McCoy, together with Alfred Roces, compiled political cartoons published in newspaper dailies and periodicals in his book Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900 – 1941).
• The first example was published in The Independent on May 20,
1916. • The cartoon shows a politician from Tondo, named Dr. Santos, passing his crown to his brother-in-law, Dr. Barcelona. A Filipino guy was trying to stop giving Barcelona the crown because it is not his to begin with.
• The second cartoon was also published by The Independent on June 16, 1917. • This was drawn by Fernando Amorsolo and was aimed as a commentary to the workings of Manila Police at that period. • 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, was grabbing the officer, telling him to leave the small-time pickpockets and thieves and to turn at the great thieves instead. • The third cartoon was a commentary on the unprecedented cases of colorum automobiles in the city streets. The Philippine Free Press published this commentary when fatal accidents involving colorum vehicles and taxis occurred too often already. • The fourth cartoon depicts a cinema. A blown-up police officer was at the screen saying that couples are not allowed to neck and make love in the theater. Two youngsters looked horrified while an older couple seemed amused.
• The next cartoon was published by The Independent on November 27. 1915. here, we see the caricature of Uncle Sam riding a chariot pulled by Filipinos wearing school • The last cartoon was published by Lipang Kalabaw on August 24, 1907. • We can see Uncle Sam rationing porridge to the politicians and members of the Progresista Party (sometimes known as the Federalista Party) while members of the Nacionalista Party look on and wait for their turn.
• The selected cartoons illustrate not only the opinion of certain media outfits about the Philippine society during the American period but also paint a broad image of society and politics under the United States. • Patronage also became influential and powerful, not only between clients and patrons but also between the newly formed political parties composed of the elite and the United States. • The transition from a Catholic-centered, Spanish-Filipino society to an imperial Americanassimilated one, and its complications, were also depicted in the cartoons. • Young people, as early as that period, disturbed the conservative Filipino mindset by engaging in daring sexual activities in public spaces like cinemas. • The cartoons also illustrated the conditions of poor Filipinos in the Philippines now governed by the United States. • The other cartoon depicts how Americans controlled Filipinos through seemingly harmless American objects.
