A GLANCE AT SELECTED PHILIPPINES
POLITICAL CARICATURE IN ALFRED
MCCOY’S PHILIPPINES CARTOONS:
POLITICAL CARICATURE OF THE
AMERICAN ERA 1900-1941
PREPARED BY: JACON RENZ J. SENOBIO
COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
POLITICAL CARICATURE OF THE
AMERICAN ERA 1900-1941
• 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.
• Cartoons became an effective tool of publicizing opinions through heavy
use of symbolism, which is different from a verbose written editorial and
opinion pieces.
• The unique way that a caricature represents opinion and captured the
audience’s imagination is a reason enough for historians to examine
these political cartoons.
• In his book Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the
American Era (1900-1941), Alfred McCoy, together with
Alfredo Roces, compiled political cartoons published in the
newspaper dailies and periodicals in the aforementioned time
period. For this part we are going to look st selected cartoons
and explain the context of each one.
ALFRED MCCOY’S PHILIPPINES CARTOONS:
POLITICAL CARICATURE OF THE AMERICAN
ERA (1900-1941)
First example shown was
published in The Independent on
May 20, 1916. The cartoon shows
a political from Tondo, named Dr.
Santos, passing his crown to his
brother-in-law,
Dr. Barcelona. A Filipino guy ( as
depicted wearing salakot
and barong tagalog) was trying to
stop Santos, telling the latter to
stop giving Barcelona the crown
because it is not hid to begin with
• The second cartoon was also published by The
Independent on 16 June 1917. June 1917. This was
drawn by Fernando Amorsolo and was aimed as a
commentary to the workings of Manila Police at that
period. Here, we see a Filipino child who stole a
skinny chicken because he had nothing to eat. The
police officer was restlessly 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 to turn at
the great thieves instead. He was pointing to huge
warehouses containing bulks of rice, milk, and
grocery products.
• The third cartoon was
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.
• This fourth cartoon depicts a
cinema. A blown-up police
officer was at the screen saying
that couples are not allowed to
neck and male love in the
theater. Two youngsters looked
horrified while an older couple
seemed amused.
• The next cartoon was published by The Independent
on 27 November 1915. Here, we see the caricature of
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. McCoy, in his caption to the said
cartoon, says that this cartoon was based on an event
in 1907 when William Howard Taft was bought to
Manila pier riding a chariot pulled by students of Liceo
de Manila. Such was condemned by nationalist at that
time.
• The last cartoon was published by
Lipang Kalabaw on 24 August 1907.
In the picture, we can see Uncle
Sam rationing porridge to the
politicians and members of
Progresista Party ( sometimes
known as the Federalista Party)
while members of Nacionalista
Party look and wait for their turn.
This cartoon depicts the patronage
of the United States being coveted
by politicians from either of the
party.
ANALYSIS OF THE POLITICAL CARICATURE
DURING THE AMERICAN PERIOD
• The Americans introduced democracy, but its implementation had unintended
consequences. The upper class benefited economically, while the poor
remained impoverished and oppressed. The text analyzes political cartoons
from this period, highlighting three key themes: the failure of democracy due
to dynastic politics and US influence; the chaotic consequences of rapid
modernization and weak law enforcement; and the continued oppression of
poor Filipinos under American rule, symbolized by the control of resources and
manipulation of the Filipino mindset. The cartoons illustrate the complex
social and political changes during this era, showcasing both progress and
persistent inequalities.
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