Lesson 3:
DOCUMENTS OF THE 1898
DECLARATION OF PHILIPPINE
INDEPENDENCE
Presented by:
JOBESAN YUSORES
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
Also known as Don Bosyong
He was born on December 17, 1830.
He studied Law at the University of Santo
Tomas and earned his degree in 1865.
He became a member of the La Liga
Filipina, Cuerpo de Compromisarios, and
La Propaganda.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
He was arrested and imprisoned at Fort
Santiago by the Spaniards as he was
suspected of being involved in the
Philippine Revolution but managed to
defend himself and was eventually
released.
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista
He became the first adviser of President
Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898.
Bautista was the one who waved the
Philippine flag before the jubilant crowd
during the proclamation of Philippine
Independence in Cavite-Viejo (Kawit),
Cavite.
Historical Background of the Document
The original document was
prepared, written, and read by
Bautista in Spanish.
It was created on May-June 1898,
signed by 98 persons.
Acta de la proclamación de
independencia del pueblo Filipino
Historical Background of the Document
August 1896 – The Philippine Revolution began when the Spanish
authorities discovered the Katipunan.
April 1898 – the Spanish-American War broke out as a result of US
intervention in the Cuban War of Independence after the internal
explosion of USS Maine in Cuba. The US attacked Spain’s pacific
possession which led to its involvement in the Philippine Revolution.
Historical Background of the Document
May 1898 – The Battle of Manila Bay took place. The battle was
one of the most decisive naval battles in history and marked the end
of the Spanish colonial period in Philippine history.
From his exile, Aguinaldo made arrangements with US authorities to
return to the Philippines and assist the US in the war against Spain.
He landed on May 19, rallied his revolutionaries, and began
liberating towns south of Manila.
Historical Background of the Document
June 12, 1898 – Aguinaldo formally declared Philippine
Independence in Kawit, Cavite. The flag of the Philippines (sewn
by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo, & Delfina Herbosa) was
raised by Bautista. It was symbolically accompanied by the playing
of the Philippine national anthem composed by Julian Felipe with
lyrics by Jose Palma. At the same time, Ambrosio Bautista read the
Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence in Spanish.
The Philippine Flag
White Triangle – Signifying the distinctive emblem of the famous
Society of the Katipunan, which by means of its blood compact
inspired the masses to rise in revolution.
Three Stars – Luzon, Visayas, and Panay Island (Mindanao).
Sun – Represents the gigantic step made by the sons of the country
along the path of Progress and Civilization.
The Philippine Flag
Eight Rays – Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija,
Bataan, Laguna, and Batangas.
Three Stars – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Blue, Red, and White – Commemorating the flag of the US, as a
manifestation of our profound gratitude towards its disinterested
protection to the Philippines. (Blue- peace, truth, justice; Red-
patriotism and valor
Historical Background of the Document
Purpose – To proclaim the
sovereignty and independence of
the Philippines from the colonial
rule of the Spanish empire.
Lesson 4:
POLITICAL CARICATURES
Presented by:
JOBESAN YUSORES
American Regime in the Philippines
December 10, 1898 – The United States government formally
acquired the Philippines from Spain with the signing of the Treaty of
Paris.
December 21, 1898 The U.S. government declared military rule in
the Philippines.
Historical Background of the Political Cartoons
The Spanish colonial period in the Philippines was characterized by
strict censorship resulting in a lack of political liberty and minimal
avenues for expressing political views.
Spanish censorship banned non-religious publications, thus
compelling newspaper publications to be distributed underground.
However, the transition to the American colonial period provided
leeway in the publication of independent newspapers.
Historical Background of the Political Cartoons
Censorship was loosened when a civil government was established
in 1901. This gave Filipinos the right to publish without prior
censorship of the government.
Whenever the Americans felt offended by any publication, they used
libel and sedition laws to obstruct the developing hostilities.
What is Caricature
A picture, description, or imitation of a
person in which certain striking
characteristics are exaggerated in order
to create a comic or grotesque effect.
It is an effective tool of publicizing
opinions through heavy use of
symbolism.
Background of the Authors
During the American era, political cartoons gained popularity as
a form of expression. Many artists made use of cartoons as
political commentaries to expose the ills of the American
colonial government. Alfred McCoy provided an analysis of the
pressing problems and issues of American colonialism manifested
in political cartoons. Together with Alfredo Reyes Roces, an artist,
they compiled many political cartoons by Filipino artists depicting
the Philippines during American rule.
Alfred McCoy
He studied Philippine political caricatures to
understand the social and political contexts of
the Philippines during the American period.
He did not create any political caricatures but
his interest in them urged him to compile such
caricatures from various sources to produce a
single collection.
Alfred McCoy
Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricatures of
the American Era (with Alfredo Roces as his
co-author).
Alfredo Reyes Roces
He is a painter, an essayist, and a versatile
artist who is considered to be a prominent
figure in Philippine art. His paintings started
with a figurative style but soon began to
amalgamate expressionism, fauvism, and
impressionism.
Newspapers Publishing Cartoons
The Philippine Free Press
Lipag-Kalabaw
The Independent
Bag-Ong Kusog
1. The Philippine Free Press
Founded in 1906 by Judge W. A. Kincaid but
was taken over by McCullough Dick due to
bankruptcy.
The newspaper was published in both
Spanish and English.
1. The Philippine Free Press
It featured investigative articles regarding the
country’s development.
It had a personal tone since it was not tied to
a particular political party. It also advocated
integrity, democracy, and Philippine
national progress.
1. The Philippine Free Press
Death Cars. A commentary on
the unprecedented cases of
colorum automobiles in the
city streets. This was
published when fatal accidents
involving colorum vehicles and
taxis occurred too often
already.
2. Lipag-Kalabaw
Launched in the same year as the Philippine
Free Press (1906). It was published in
Tagalog and Spanish containing satiric
cartoons.
All throughout its publication, it maintained
anonymity by not having a masthead and by
having the artists and writers use pen names.
2. Lipag-Kalabaw
Launched in the same year as the Philippine
Free Press (1906). It was published in
Tagalog and Spanish containing satiric
cartoons.
All throughout its publication, it maintained
anonymity by not having a masthead and by
having the artists and writers use pen names.
2. Lipag-Kalabaw
El Turno de los Partidos.
Uncle Sam rationing porridge
to the politicians and members
of Federalista Party while
members of Nationalista Party
look on and wait for their turn.
This cartoon depicts the
patronage of the US being
coveted by politicians from
either party.
3. The Independent
Founded in 1915 by the Father of Cebuano Letters, Vicente Sotto,
one of the militant and aggressive advocates of immediate
independence.
It was a weekly newspaper published in English and Spanish which
served as a forum for the discussion of political issues.
3. The Independent
A public post is not a
hereditary crown. It shows a
politician from Tondo, 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.
4. Bag-Ong Kusog
Literally means “New Force”. Bag-Ong
Kusog was known for highlighting the
conditions in Cebu prior to the war.
It often talked about the differences
between the Spanish and American
colonial governments.
4. Bag-Ong Kusog
This newspaper depicted the
breakdown of hallowed customs and
social practices due to American
influence.
It focused on criticism of co-education
introduced by the Americans, which
endangered the virtue of women.
4. Bag-Ong Kusog
Flaming Youth. This cartoon
depicts a cinema. A blown-up
police officer was on the
screen saying that couples are
not allowed to the neck and
make love in the theater. Two
youngsters looked horrified
while an older couple seemed
amused.
