CHAPTER 2: A Glance at Selected Philippine Political Caricature in Alfred McCoy’s Philippine Cartoon

Summary

This video presentation delves into the political caricatures of the American era in the Philippines (1900s-1941), as examined in Alfred McCoy's 'Philippine Cartoons.' It explores how Filipino artists used cartoons to record national sentiments towards American influence and societal changes. The discussion highlights the role of political cartoons as a powerful tool for social and political commentary, often targeting figures of authority with humor and symbolism. Selected cartoons from the period are analyzed for their content and context, revealing insights into the political climate and public opinion of the time.

Takeaways

• 📚 The discussion revolves around Philippine political caricatures during the American era, as presented in Alfred McCoy's work.
• 🎨 Political caricatures gained significant expression in the Philippines during the American era, reflecting national attitudes and societal changes.
• 👨‍🏫 Alfred McCoy is a renowned historian and professor who specializes in Philippine political history and global opium trafficking.
• 🏆 McCoy has received prestigious awards for his work, including the Philippine Catholic Mass Media Award and the Philippine National Book Award.
• 🖌️ Political cartoons and caricatures use exaggeration of human features for social and political commentary, often targeting persons of power and authority.
• 🌐 These art forms became integrated into print media as a means of social and political commentary, influencing public opinion and shaping societal perspectives.
• 🤔 The script delves into the definition and significance of political cartoons, highlighting their role in expressing opinions and critiquing societal issues.
• 📰 The discussion includes specific examples of political caricatures from newspapers and periodicals, providing context and analysis for each.
• 👮‍♂️ One cartoon critiques the Manila police's focus on small-time thieves instead of addressing larger societal issues, reflecting a common theme in political caricatures.
• 🚗 Another cartoon addresses the issue of colorum vehicles, commenting on the dangers and regulatory measures needed to combat unauthorized transportation.
• 🎥 A cinema-related cartoon captures generational contrast and societal norms, suggesting commentary on public behavior and regulations within public spaces.
• 🏛️ The script concludes with a reflection on the role of political caricatures in shaping the political climate and offering insights into the American era in the Philippines.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the video script?

The main topic of the video script is the examination of Philippine political caricatures during the American era from the 1900s to 1941, as presented in Alfred McCoy's work on Philippine cartoons.

Who is Alfred W. McCoy and what are his areas of specialization?

Alfred W. McCoy is a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin, where he also served as the director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies. He specializes in Philippine political history and global opium trafficking.

What are some of the awards Alfred McCoy has received for his work?

Alfred McCoy has received the Philippine Catholic Mass Media Award, Best Book of the Year for 1985, the Philippine National Book Award for History in 1986, and the Gintong Araw Award in Manila with a Special Citation for History in 1987.

What is the definition of political cartoons and caricature as mentioned in the script?

Political cartoons and caricatures are art forms that use exaggeration of human features to convey social effects, departing from classical art's aim for realistic representation. They are used in editorial cartoons, entertainment, and as a form of social commentary, often targeting persons of power and authority.

How did political cartoons serve as a tool for publicizing opinions during the American era in the Philippines?

Political cartoons served as an effective tool for publicizing opinions by heavily using symbolism, which allowed them to convey messages in a concise and impactful manner, unlike verbose written editorials and opinion pieces.

What is the significance of analyzing commentaries in mass media in terms of historical examination?

Analyzing commentaries in mass media is significant for understanding and analyzing public opinion, emphasizing the enduring impact of media narratives on societal perspectives over time.

What is the context of the first political caricature mentioned in the script, published on May 20, 1916?

The first political caricature mentioned shows a politician from Tondo, Dr. Santos, passing his crown to his brother-in-law, Dr. Barcelona, with a Filipino man trying to stop the act, suggesting it's not the right time.

What societal issue is highlighted in the second cartoon published by 'The Independent' on June 16, 1917?

The second cartoon serves as a commentary on the workings of the Manila police during the period, focusing on the action of the police in pursuing a child who stole a chicken due to hunger, while ignoring larger societal thieves.

What is the subject of the third cartoon mentioned in the script?

The third cartoon is a commentary on the issue of colorum automobiles in city streets, highlighting the increasing prevalence of unauthorized vehicles and the associated dangers.

What generational contrast is depicted in the fourth cartoon regarding cinema experiences?

The fourth cartoon captures a moment of generational contrast by showing two youngsters looking upset while an older couple appears amused, possibly commenting on different reactions to the content being shown in the cinema.

What message is conveyed by the fifth cartoon published by 'The Independent' on November 27, 1915?

The fifth cartoon conveys a message about societal norms and regulations regarding public behavior in cinemas, showing a police officer on the cinema screen prohibiting couples from engaging in intimate activities.

What does the sixth cartoon, published by 'Leang Kalabo' on August 24, 1907, depict about the political climate during the American era?

The sixth cartoon depicts Uncle Sam rationing patronage to politicians and members of the Progressive Party, with members of the Nationalist Party waiting for their turn, showing the patronage of the United States being coveted by politicians from one party over the other.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Philippine Political Caricatures

The script begins with an introduction to a lecture on Philippine history, focusing on political caricatures during the American era from the 1900s to 1941. It discusses the work of Alfred McCoy, a historian and professor known for his expertise in Philippine political history and global opium trafficking. McCoy's awards and popular works are highlighted, setting the stage for an exploration of political cartoons as a form of art that deviates from classical art through the exaggeration of human features for social and political commentary.

05:02

🖌️ The Art of Political Caricature

This paragraph delves into the definition of political cartoons and caricatures, explaining their role as a form of art that uses exaggeration to critique and comment on societal and political issues. It emphasizes the historical significance of these caricatures in shaping public opinion and their integration into print media as a means of social and political commentary, often targeting figures of power and authority with humor and symbolism.

10:04

👮‍♂️ Commentary on Manila Police and Social Issues

The script presents an analysis of two specific political cartoons from the American era in the Philippines. The first cartoon satirizes the passing of a political position from Dr. Santos to his brother-in-law, symbolizing nepotism in politics. The second cartoon critiques the Manila police's focus on minor crimes while ignoring larger societal issues, such as corruption, represented by a warehouse filled with stolen goods. These caricatures serve as a commentary on the social and political climate of the time.

15:04

🚗 Addressing the Issue of Colorum Vehicles

The third paragraph discusses a political cartoon that comments on the prevalence of unauthorized vehicles, or 'colorum' vehicles, on city streets. The cartoon is a visual critique of the dangers posed by these vehicles, especially in light of frequent fatal accidents. It suggests that the Philippine Free Press used such commentary to raise public awareness and call for regulatory measures to address the issue.

20:06

🎬 Societal Norms and Public Behavior in Cinemas

The fourth paragraph examines a cartoon that portrays a humorous scene in a cinema, where an older couple appears amused by a film that two youngsters are watching with discomfort. The cartoon likely comments on generational differences in reactions to cinematic content, with a humorous twist as a police officer on screen warns against public displays of affection, reflecting societal norms and regulations regarding behavior in public spaces.

🏛️ American Influence and Political Patronage

The final paragraph presents two additional political cartoons that reflect on American influence and political patronage in the Philippines during the American era. One cartoon depicts a scene where American objects are carried by Filipino students, symbolizing American control over the Filipino people. The other shows politicians from different parties vying for American patronage, illustrating the power dynamics and political maneuvering of the time. The discussion concludes with a reflection on the enduring impact of these political caricatures on societal perspectives.

Keywords

💡Political Caricature

Political caricature is an art form that uses exaggeration of human features to create a humorous or satirical representation of political figures or themes. In the video, it is central to understanding the theme as it discusses how Filipino artists used this medium to express national attitudes and comment on societal issues during the American era in the Philippines. Examples include the depiction of politicians and societal norms in the selected cartoons.

💡American Era

The American Era refers to the period of the Philippines under the influence of the United States, from the late 19th century to 1946. In the script, this term is used to frame the historical context in which the political caricatures were created, reflecting the changing attitudes and societal reactions to American influence.

💡Alfred McCoy

Alfred McCoy is a historian and professor who has extensively studied Philippine political history and global opium trafficking. In the script, McCoy is mentioned as the author of the book being discussed, which focuses on political caricatures from the American Era, highlighting his expertise and contribution to the understanding of this period.

💡Symbolism

Symbolism in the context of the video refers to the use of visual elements and metaphors to convey deeper meanings or critiques within the political caricatures. The script mentions that cartoons rely heavily on symbolism to express opinions in a concise and impactful manner, as opposed to verbose written editorials.

💡Public Opinion

Public opinion is the collective view of a community or society on a particular issue. The script discusses how commentaries in mass media, including political caricatures, can significantly influence public opinion and are thus worthy of historical examination. This concept is key to understanding the impact of the caricatures on societal perspectives during the American Era.

💡Nationalist Party

The Nationalist Party was a political party in the Philippines that advocated for independence from American rule. In the script, the party is mentioned in relation to political cartoons that criticized the patronage of the United States by Filipino politicians, showing the party's opposition to American influence.

💡Progressist Party

Also known as the Federalist Party, the Progressist Party was another political faction in the Philippines during the American Era. The script uses the term to describe a party that was in competition with the Nationalist Party for American patronage, illustrating the political dynamics of the time.

💡Colorum

Colorum refers to vehicles operating without proper permits or licenses. The script discusses a political caricature that comments on the issue of colorum vehicles, highlighting the societal concern and potential regulatory measures needed to address the problem.

💡Societal Norms

Societal norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that govern behavior within a society. The script mentions a cartoon that depicts societal norms and regulations regarding public behavior, such as prohibiting intimate activities in a cinema, reflecting the social commentary aspect of political caricatures.

💡Cinema

In the script, cinema is used as a setting for a political caricature that captures a moment of generational contrast and comments on societal norms. The cartoon likely uses the reactions of different age groups to a cinematic experience to provide a humorous or thought-provoking commentary on diverse perspectives.

💡Generational Contrast

Generational contrast refers to the differences in attitudes, values, or behaviors between different age groups. The script uses this concept to describe a cartoon that depicts the reactions of youngsters and an older couple to the content shown in a cinema, illustrating the diversity of responses to cultural experiences.

Highlights

Discussion on Philippine political caricature during the American era from 1900s to 1941.

Introduction to Alfred McCoy, a professor of history with specialization in Philippine political history and global opium trafficking.

McCoy's awards include the Philippine Catholic Mass Media Award, Best Book of the Year for 1985, and others.

Definition of political cartoons and caricatures as an art form that uses exaggeration for social effects.

Political cartoons as a form of social and political commentary, often targeting persons of power and authority.

Cartoons as an effective tool for publicizing opinions through the heavy use of symbolism.

Commentaries in mass media shape public opinion and are worthy of historical examination.

Analysis of selected Philippine political caricatures and their context during the American era.

Cartoon from 1916 depicting a politician passing his political influence to a relative.

1917 cartoon commenting on the workings of the Manila police and their focus on minor crimes over significant ones.

Commentary on the prevalence of colorum vehicles and the associated dangers in city streets.

Cartoon illustrating generational contrast in reactions to cinema content.

Humor in societal norms and public behavior regulations in a cinema setting.

Cartoon from 1915 showing American influence controlling Filipinos through student imagery.

Political patronage by the United States being coveted by one party over another during the American era.

Reflection on the impact of political cartoons on societal perspectives and the enduring influence of media narratives.

Conclusion of the discussion on the significance of political caricatures in understanding Philippine history.

Transcripts

good day everybody welcome back to our

uh discussion about the readings in

Philippine history and we are still in

our chapter two and this is the another

primary source that we need to examine

its content

and context so this is the same uh

learning objectives no and now we'll be

talking about the a glance at selected

Philippine political caricature in

Alfred McCoy Philippine cartoons

political caric caricature of American

era from 1900s to

1941 so with this uh topic no during the

American era Philippines uh Philippine

political caricature or cartoons uh it

gained a full expressions or full

expression during the American era and

of course Filipino artists uh recorded

in natur uh a national attitudes toward

the coming of the Americans as well as

changing Moors and times

so uh with this discussion no it also

provides a valuable insights into a

political climate of the Philippines

During the period through the lens of

what political caricature so again we'll

be talking about the political

caricature of the American era from year

1900s to 19

41 but first let's have a background

about K Alfred W

mcoy born on June 8 1945 in

Massachusetts

USA a professor of history at the

University of

wiscansin where he also served as

director of Center for Southeast Asian

studies so again is a Shaka director and

a

professor he specialized in the

Philippine political history and Global

opium trafficking also he spent the past

quarter of his life writing about uh the

politics about the politics and history

of the opium trade and these are the

awards that he earned first is the

Philippine Catholic mass media Award

Best Book of the year for

1985 and the Philippine national book

award for history year

1986 and gintong aat award in Manila

special Citation for history in year

1987 and uh these are the other popular

works of uh mcoy first is caning shadow

of the American Century Monisha and

second is the poing Americas Empire

Monisha some of his popular works so

right now

we'll be delving into the definition of

what is political cartoons and or

caricature so before we delve to uh some

pictures or cartoons let's define first

what is political cartoons and

caricature it is an art form take note

it is an art form bold no it is an art

form which veed away from the classical

art by exaggerating human features and

poing find at its subject so of course

uh if we say caricature mud it involves

the uh exaggeration of physical features

of a person or a subject

for uh numerous or soical effects no

exaggerating feature

exaggerating uh human

feed exaggerating human features no and

it is a departure from classical art

which typically aim for uh realistic

representation some of the political

caricatures no it aim for a realistic

representation and the Art of caricature

has a long history and has been used in

various cultures and time periods for

different purposes and it can be found

found in editorial cartoons

entertainment and as a form of social

commentary and that is the political

cartoons and or caricature so such art

of genre and technique became a part of

the print media as a form of social and

political commentary again form of

social and political commentary which

usually Target persons of power and

authority again

usually Target prison of power and

authority so this art form uh refers to

caricature where an

exaggeration exaggeration and humor gam

to defect and saiz or criticize by means

of humor s individual in position of

power

and it became integrated into print

media as a means of social and political

commentary sometimes no targeting

authoritative figures for critic and of

course for amusement again this is a

form of social and political commentary

Target persons of power and

authority

next is cartoons became as effective

tool of publicizing opinions through

heavy use of symbolism no heavy use of

symbolis

symbolism which is different from a

verbose written editorial and

opinion um pieces so indeed cartoons or

political caricature no emerg as a

potent tool Express opinions by heavily

relying on the use of symbolism no

unlike verbos written

editorial and opin opinion pieces

cartoons as a visual elements and C

symbolism convey a messages in a concise

and impactful manner

next commentaries in mass media

inevitably shape public opinion

inevitably sh shape public opinion and

such kind of opinion is worthy of

historical examination so with this

commentaries presented in mass

media um significant influences or

significant influence on shaping public

opinion

and also uh it asserts now in

understanding and analyzing this public

opinion no no public opinion

understanding and analyzing this public

opinion is valuable historical

examination emphasize enduring impact of

media narratives on societal perspective

over time so with this in this book book

n mcoy talks uh it it about uh it was

about the Philippine cartoons political

cartoon of the American era year 1900s

to

1941 it is uh by afred Alfred McCoy

together with alfredo roses Sila comped

political cartoons published in

newspaper dailies and periodicals in the

time so for this part uh we're going to

look at the selected cartoons or

political caricatures and explain the

context of each one so try of uh explain

and content and context what's the

content or context of this political

caricature during the American era okay

first the first example shown below was

published in the

independent uh

publish name publisher no the

independent publish on May

20

1916 so this is our uh first no first

example of Philippine political

caricature about picture so this C

cartoon shows a politician from tundo

named Dr

Santos

politician from tondo SI Dr Santos

passing his crown no passing his crown

to his

brother-in-law na

see Barcelona Dr Barcelona so what's

next so a Filipino guy Monisha Filipino

guy

no a Filipino guy as defected wearing

salakot K wearing

salakot and

barong gamit was trying to

stop stop ni SI Dr Santos telling the

letter to stop giving Dr

basona not telling again telling the L

to uh stop giving Dr Barcelona the crown

because it is not his time to begin

within next next picture the second

cartoon was also published by the

independent on June 16

197

17 and drawn by Fernando Amoro again

Naish second cartoon on June 16

1917 Fernando

Amor so the cartoon was aimed as a

commentary to the workings of of Manila

police at the period again workings of

Manila police at the period so cartoon

indicate Misha s intention of serving as

a commentary on the operations or can

functioning of Manila police during this

uh this uh period and

cartoons uh often or sometimes use we

all know Nam cartoon uh cartoons uh

often uh use for humor or or humor to

convey critics or observation about

societal issues and

cartoon no cartoon the focus is on the

action no focus on the action or

policies of the Manila police

we can see a Filipino child no Filipino

child who

stole a skinny chicken because he had

nothing to

eat and the police officer this one the

police officer was relent relentlessly

pursuing the sad

child cartoon police was harshly no for

suing the

child

and a man wearing salakot G salakot and

parong was labeled as W de la Cruz grab

ni police officer telling him to leave

the

small time pockets and thieves and to

torn at the great thieves in

instead no insist de Laos insist de

Laos and

instead

focus

focus great

th recently

no and we are experiencing that in a

present

days and he was pointing to huge

Warehouse

instead

great

instead containing of box of rice milk

and grocery products

focus graes of rice milk grocery

products and many more instead

Focus American

a next the third cartoon was a

commentary on the unprecedented cases of

colorum automobiles in the city streets

so third car serve is a commentary on

notable exceptional instances of

colorum automobiles in the

City automobiles in the city in the city

streets and sorry and we all

know it is it typically refers any types

of

Vehicles operating while proper permits

or licenses and also

cartoon is likely aimed highlight and

critic increasing or or unusual

prevalence of such unauthorized Vehicles

s Oran environment and offering a visual

orical perspective on the

issue so the Philippine free PR no

publish this morning and publisher

any cartoon publish this commentary when

the fatal accidents involving colorum

vehicles and taxes taxes occurred too

often already so with this statement uh

suggest that uh that the Philippine Free

Press Philippine Free Press suggest

Philippine Free Press publish a

commentary during a

period fatal accid

involving vehicle and taxes where um

becoming frequent frequent sh and this

commentary is um uh likely to address

concern and danger associated with

unauthorized Vehicles parly colorum

taxes that needs to be highlighted for

the public awareness and potential

regulatory measures in response to the

increase frequency of fatal fatal uh

accidents involving such uh coloron

vehicles and

taxes next picture or

cartoon defects

anema there are two there

were two youngsters look while an older

couple seemed amused so another cartoon

so this cartoon indicates or portrays uh

a Cinema

Scene

individuals

individuals uh watching no watching in

cinema while an older couple older

couple appears to be entertained or

amuse so the cartoon likely captures a

moment of generational

contrast because possibly commenting on

different reactions or perspectives uh

toward the content being shown in the

cinema the specific emotions of the

youngsters and amusement of this uh

older couple no could convey a humorous

or thought

provoking thought provoking comment

on the diverse reactions of different

age groups to cinematic experience and

it was presented on

screen indicate

no it was presented on screen indicate

no necking or love making allowed so B

kissing and make some mysterious act

inside the

cinema and a blown up police officer was

at the screen saying that the couples

are not allowed to NE and Make Love

Therefore uh this cartoon suggest image

of a police officer image of a police

officer is displayed on the cinema

screen or delivering a

message coupl are prohibited from

engaging in and intimate activities such

as necking

or kiss Ing and making love

within

theer

cartoon um uh it appears to be a soical

commentary on societal Norms societal

norms and regulation in regards of

public Behavior once enter in cinema the

fifth cartoon was published Again by the

independent on no on November 27 1915 so

card let's

check so in this picture shown below uh

aside s side no we can see that

caricature of aquam riding a chariot no

riding a

chariot uh pulled by the Filipino

Filipinos wearing school uniforms so

Monisha ancam hold a

charot Filipino

Filipinos the Filipino boys were

carrying Americans objects no like

baseball

bat whiskey and boxing

gloves

and McCoy in his caption to this said

cartoon says that this cartoon was based

on an event in 1907 when William Howard

C no president n was brought to the

Manila Feer writing at charot food by

the students students of Lio de Manila

such uh such was condemned by the

Nationalist at that so to analyze this

no the Americans are controlling the

Filipinos and this is how American

Control

Act the next cartoon was published by

leang kalabo on August 24

1907 so in this picture shown no as side

we can see that Uncle some rationing

orang to the politicians and members of

the members of the progressist

progressist St party or sometimes known

as the Federalist Party and when members

of the Nationalist party look and wait

for their

turn

no and this carton deps the patronage of

the United States being coveted by

politicians from one party over the

other so therefore uh it shows of how I

mean it shows of what kind of society

and politics that we had during the

American era or during this period no

and it talk also about the political

parties Nationalist

and Nationalist and progressist party

no

yes

powerful then after how many

years brainwash raan to make it believe

and that is aide h is a sad reality so

that's the end of our discussion about

Igan at selected Philippine political

caricature in Alfred McCoy's Philippine

cartoons a political caricature of

American era year 1900s to

1941 thank you so much everybody for

listening our uh video presentation and

I hope that you learn something with

this discussion thank you so much and

have a great

day