RPH Chapter 2 PDF - Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources in Philippine History

Chapts 2 Content andContextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources in Philippine History Learning Objectives: To familiarize oneself with the primary documents in different...

Chapts 2 Content andContextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources in Philippine History Learning Objectives: To familiarize oneself with the primary documents in different historical periodsof the Philippines. To learn history through primary sources. To primary sources through looking at the properly interpret contentand contextof the document. To understand the context behind each selected document. In the preceding chapter, we have discussed the importance of familiarizing oneself about the different kinds of historical sources. The historian's primary tool of understanding and interpreting the past is the historical sources. Historical sources ascertain historical facts. Such facts are then analyzed and interpreted by the historian to weave historical narrative. Specifically, historians who study certain historical subjects and events need to make use of various primary sources in order to weave the narrative. Primary sources,as discussed in the preceding chapter, consist of documents, memoir, accounts,and other materialsthat were produced at the period of the event or subject being studied.  Using primary sources in historical research entails two kinds criticism. The first one is the external criticism, and the second one is the internal criticism. External criticism examines the authenticity of the document or the evidence being used. This is important in ensuring that the eriticism. Ths primary source is not fabricated. The second is the internal type of criticism examines the truthfulness of the content of the evidence However, this criticism requires not just the act establishing truthfulness and/or accuracy but also the examination of the primary sources in terms of the context of production. For example, a historian would have to its situate the document in the period of its production, or in the background authors. In other words,it should be recognized that facts are neithe existing in a vacuum nor produced from a blank slate. These are products the time and of the people. In this chapter, we are going to look at a number of primary sources from different historical periods and evaluate these documents' content in terms of historical value, and examine the context of their production. The primary sources that we are going to examine are Antonio Pigafetta's Fire Voyage Around the World, Emilio Jacinto's Kartilya ng Katipunan, the 1894 Declaration of Philippine Independence, Political Cartoon's Alfred McCoy' Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900-1941 and Corazon Aquino's Speech Before the US Congress. These primary source range from chronicles, official documents, speeches, and cartoons to visua arts. Needless to say, different types sources necessitate different kinds of analysis and contain different levels of importance. We are going to explore that in this chapter. A Brief Summary oftheFirst VoyageAround the World by Magellan by Antonio Pigafetta This book was taken from the chronicles of contemporary voyager and navigators of the 16th century. One of them was Italian noblema Antonio Pigafetta, who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan in his fatef circumnavigation of the world. Pigafetta's work instantly became a classe that prominent literary men in the West like William Shakespeare Michel de Montaigne, and Giambattista Vico referred to the book in the interpretation of the new world. Pigafetta's travelogue is one of the moas important primary source in the study of the pre-colonial Philippines. H account was also a major referentto the events leading to Magellan's arri in the Philippines, his encounter with local leaders, his death in the handsd Lapulapu's forces in the Battle of Mactan, and in the departure of what wa left of Magellan's fleet from the islands.  Examining the document reveals several insights not just in the character of the Philippines during the pre-coloniai period but also on how the fresh eyes of the Europeans regard a deeply unfamliar terrain. environment, people., and culture Locating Pigafetta's account in the context of its writing warrants a familiarity on the dominant frame of mind in the age of exploration which pervaded Europe in the 15th and 16th century.Students of history need to realize that primary srurces used in the subsequent written histories depart from certain perspectives. Thus, Pigafetta's account is also written from the perspective of Pigafetta himself. and was a product of the context of its production. The First Vovage Around the World by Magellan was published after Pigafetta returned to italy. For this chapter, we willfocus on the chronicles of Antonio Pigafetta as he wrote his firsthand observation and general impression of the Far East. including their experiences in Visayas. In Pigafetta's account. their fleet reached what he called the Ladrone Island or the Island of the Thieves. He recounted: These people have no arms, but use sticks. which have a fish bone at the end. They are poor, but ingenious, and great thieves, and for the sake of that we called these three 1slands the Ladrone Islands." The Ladrone Islands is presently known as the Marianas islands. These islands are located south-southeast of Japan. west southwest of Hawaii. north of New Guinea, and east of Philippines. Ten days after they reached Ladrone Island, Pigafetta reported that they reached what Pigafetta called the isle of Zamal, now Samar but Magellan decided to land another in uninhabited island for greater security where they can rest for a few days. Pigafetta recounted that after two davs, March 18. nine men came to them and showed joy and eagerness in seeing them. Magellen realized that the men are reasonable and welcomed them with food. drinks. and gifts. In turn, the natives gave them fish, palm wine (uraca). figs. and two cochos. The natives also gave them rice (umai), cocos, and other food supplies. Pigafetta detailed in amazement and fascination the paim tree which bore fruits called cocho, and wine. He also described what seemed like a coconut. His deseription reads: "This palm produces a fruit named cocho, which is as large as the head, or thereabouts: its first husk is green, and two fingers in thickness. in they find certain threads,with which it they make the cords for fastening their boats. Under this husk there is another very hard, and thicker than that of a walnut. They burn this second rind. and make wth it a powder which is useful to them. Under this rind there is a whte marrow ota  finger's thickness,which they eat fresh with meat and fish, as do bread, and it has the taste of an almond, and if anyone dried it he might make bread of it (p. 72)." Pigafetta characterized the peopleas "very familiar and friendly" and willingly showed them different islands and the names of these islands The fleet went to Humunu island (Homonhon) and there they found what Pigafetta referred toas the Watering Place of good signs. It is in this place where Pigafetta wrote that they found the first signs of gold in the island They named the island with the nearby islands as the archipelago of St Lazarus. They left the island, then on March 25th Pigafetta recounted that they saw two Ballanghai (balangay), a long boat full of people in Mazzava Mazaua. The leader, whoPigafetta referred to as the king of the Ballanghai men to the ship of Magellan. The Europeans entertained (balangay),sent his these men and gavethem gifts.When the king of the balangay ofered to give Magellan a bar of gold and a chest of ginger, Magellan declined. Magellan sent the interpreter to the king and asked for money for the needs of his ships and expressed that he came into the islands as a friend and not as an enemy.The king responded by giving Magellan the needed provisions of food in chinaware. Magellan exchanged gifts of robes in Turkish fashion,red cap and gave the people knives and mirrors. The two then expressed theirdesire to become brothers. Magellan also boasted of his men in armor who cannot be struck with swords and daggers. The king was fascinated and remarked that men in such armor can be worth one hundred of his men. Magellan further showed the king his other weapons, helmets, and artilleries.Magellan alse shared with the king his charts and maps and shared how they found the islands. After a few days, Magellan was introduced to the king's brother wh was also a king of another island. They went to this island and Pigafette reported that they saw mines of gold. The gold was abundant that parts d the ship and of the house of the second king were made of gold. Pigafetts described this king as the most handsome of all the men that he saw in this place. He was also adorned with silk and gold accessories like a golden dagger, which he carries with him in a wooden polished sheath. This king i named Raia Calambu, king of Zuluan and Calagan (Butuan and Caragual and the first king was Raia Siagu. On March 31st, which happened to be Easter Sunday, Magellan ordered the chaplain to say a mass by the shore The king heard of this plan and sent two dead pigs and attended the mase with the other king. Pigafetta reported that both kings participated in the mass. He wrote:  "...when the offertory of the mass came, the two kings, went to kiss the eross like us, but they offered nothing, and at the elevation of the body of our Lord they were kneeling like us, and adored our Lord with joined hands." After the mass, Magellan ordered that the cross be brought, with nails and crown in place. Magellan explained that the eross, the nail, and the crown were the signs of his emperor and that he was ordered to plant it in the places that he will reach. Magellan further explained that the cross will be beneficial for their people because once other Spaniards saw this cross, then they would know that they have been in this land and would not cause them troubles, and any person who might be held captives by them be will released.The king concurred and allowed for the cross to be planted. This mass will go down in history as the first mass in the Philippines, and the eross will be the famed Magellan's cross stillpreserved at present day. After seven days, Magellan and his men decided to move and look for islands where they can acquire more supplies and provisions. They learned of the islands of Ceylon (Leyte), Bohol, and Zzubu (Cebu) and intended to gothere. Raia Calambu offered to pilot them in going to Cebu, the largest and the richest of the islands. By April 7th of the same year, Magellan and his men reached the port of Cebu. The king of Cebu, through Magellan's interpreter,demanded that they pay tribute as was customary, but it Magellan refused. Magellan said that he was a captain of a king himself and thus would not pay tribute to other kings. Magellan's interpreter explained to the king of Cebu that Magellan's king was the emperor of a great empire and that it would do them better to make friends with them than to forge enmity. The king of Cebu consulted his council. By the next day. Magellan's men and the king of Cebu, together with other principal men of Cebu, met in an open space. There. the king offered a bit of his blood and demanded that Magellan do the same. Pigafetta recounts: "Then the king said that he was content, and as a greater sign of affection he sent him a little of his blood from his right arm, and wished he should do the like. Our people answered that he would do it. Besides that, he said that all the captains who came to hiscountry had been accustomed to make a present to him, and he to them, and therefore they should ask their captain if he would observe the custom. Our people answered that he would: but as the king wished to keep up the custom. let him begin and make apresent, and then the captain would do his duty."  the people of Cebu about peace The following day, Magellan spoke before the people took pleasure in Magellan's and God. Pigafetta reported that the king after asked the people who would succeed speech. Magellan then who that the eldest child of the king, his reign and the people responded related be the next in line. Pigafetta also happened to be a daughter, would taken at old age, parents are no longer how the people talked about, how new leaders the orders of their children as the intoaccount and had tofollow this by saying that his faith entails the land. Magellan responded to obedience to their mother and father. Magellan children to render honor and convinced further and people were reportedly preached about their faith wished overjoyed seeing that the people Pigafetta wrote that their men were they were their free will and not because to become Christians through forced or intimidated. with the king and other On the 14th of April, the' people gathered spoke to the king and encourage principal men of the isiands. Magellan allof the idols and worship the cross him tobe a good Christian by burning baptized as a Christian. Pigafetta wrote instead. The king of Cebu was then To that the king and all his people answered that thy would thathe told them. obey the commands of the captain and do all about The captain took the king by the hand, and they walked on the scaffolding,and when he was baptized he said that emperor his he would name him Don Charles (Carlos), as the the prince Don Fernand BOvereign was named: and he named (Fernando), after the brother of the emperor, and the King of Mazavva, Jehan: to the Moor he gave the name of Christopher, and to the others each a name of his fancy." island's inhabitan: After eight days,Pigafetta counted that all of the a village down for were already baptized. He admitted that they burned obeving neither the king nor Magellan. The mass started to be conducte by the shore everyday. When the queen came to mass one day, Magellaz gave her an image of the Infant Jesus made by Pigafetta himself. The king to Magellan. When Magelan of Cebu swore that he would always be faithful reiterated that ail burn their idols of the newly baptized Christians need to the idols te but the natives gave excuses telling Magelan that they needed heal a sick man who was a relative to the king. Magellan insisted that the should instead put their faith in Jesus Christ. They went to the sick ma and baptized him. After the baptismal, Pigafetta recorded thatthe man wa able to speak again. He called this a miracle.  On the 26th of April, Zula,a principal man from the island of Matan (Mactan) went to see Magellan and asked him for a boat full of men so that he would be able to fight the chief named Silapulapu (Lapulapu). Such chief, according to Zula, refused toobey the king and was also preventing him from doing so. Magellan offered three boats instead and expressed his desire to go to Mactan himself to fight the said chief. Magellan's forces arrived in Mactan in daylight. They numbered 49 in total and the islanders of Mactan estimated to number 1,500. The battle began. Pigafetta recounted: "When we reached land we found the islanders fifteenhundred in number, drawn up in three squadrons; they ca upon us with terrible shouts, two squadrons attacking us on flanks, andthe third in front. The captain then divided his men in two bands. Our musketeers and erossbow-men fired for half an hour from a distance, but did nothing, since the bullets I arrows, though they passed through their shields made of thin wood, and perhaps wounded arms,yet did their not stop them. The captain shouted not to fire, but he was not listened to. The islanders seeing that the shots of our guns did them little or no harm would not retire,but shouted more loudly, and springing from one side to the other to avoid our shots, they at the same time drew nearer to us, throwing arrows, javelins, spears hardened in fire, stones, and even mad, so that we could hardly defend ourselves. Some of them ast lances pointed with iron at the captain-general." Magellan died in that battle. The natives, perceiving that the bodies of the enemieswere protected with armors, aimed for their legs instead. Magellan was pierced with a poisoned arrow in his right leg. A few of their men charged at the natives and tried to intimidate them by burning an entire village but this only enraged the natives further. Magellan was specifically targeted because the natives knew that he was the captain general. Magellan was hit with a lance in the face. Magellan retaliated and pierced the same native with his lance in the breast and tried to draw his sword but could not lift it because of his wounded arm. Seeing that the captain has already deteriorated, more natives came to attack him. One native with a great sword delivered a blow in Magellan's left leg, brought him face down and the natives ceaselessly attacked Magellan with lances, swords, and even with their bare hands. Pigafetta recounted the last moments of Magellan: "Whilst the Indians were thus overpowering him, several times he turned round towards us to see if we were all in safety,as though his obstinate fight had no other object than to give an opportunity for the retreat of his men."  Pigafetta also said that the king of Cebu who was baptized could have sent help but Magellan instructed him not to join the battle and stay in the balangay so that he would see how they fight. The king offered the people Mactan gifts of any value and amount in exchange of Magellan's body bu the chief refused. They wanted to keep Magellan's body as a memento their victory. Magellan's men elected Duarte Barbosa as the new captain. Pigafetta also told how Magellan's slave and interpreter named Henry betrayed them and told the king of Cebu that they intend to leave as quickly as possible Pigafetta alleged that the slave told the king that if he followed the slave's advice, then the king could acquire the ships and the goods of Magellan's fleet. The two conspired and betrayed what was left of Magellan's men. The king invited these men to a gathering where he said he would present the jewels that he would send for the King of Spain. Pigafetta was not able te join the twenty-four men who attended because he was nursing his battle wounds. It was only a short time when they heard eries and lamentations The natives had slain all of the men except the interpreter and Juan Serrans who was already wounded. Serrano was presented and shouted at the mea in the ship asking them to pay ransom so he would be spared. However, the refused and would not allow anyone to go to the shore. The Aeet departe and abandoned Serrano. They left Cebu and continued theirjourney the world. Anaysis fPyafettas Chronicle The chronicle of Pigafetta was one of the most cited documents b historians who wished to study the pre-colonial Philippines. As one of the earliest written was seen as a eredible source for accounts, Pigafetta period, which was prior unchronicled and undocumented. Moreover, beine the earliest detailed documentation, it was believed that Pigafetta's writing account for the "purest" pre-colonial society. Indeed, Pigafetta's work is d great importance in the study and writing of Philippine history. Nevertheless there needs to have a more nuanced reading ofthe source within a contextual backdrop. A student of history should recognize certain biases accompanying the author and his identity, loyalties,and the circumstances that he was in and how it he produced. In the case of Pigafetta, the affected the text that reader needs to understand that he was a chronicler commissioned by the King of Spain to acompany and document a voyage intended to expand th Spanish empire. He was also of noble descent who came from a rich family i Italy. These attributes influenced his narrative, his selection of details to be included in the text, his characterization of the people and of the species that he encountered, and his interpretation and retelling of the events. Being a scholar of cartography and geography, Pigafetta was able to give details on geography and climate of the places that their voyage has reached. In reading Pigafetta's description of the people, one has to keep in coming from a l6th century European perspective. Hence, the reader might notice how Pigafetta, whether implicitly or explicitly. regarded the indigenous belief systems and way of life as tothat inferior of Christianity and of the Europeans. He would always remark on the nakedness of the natives or how he was fascinated by their exotic culture. Pigafetta also noticeably emphasized amazement and illiteracy the natives' to the European artillery, merchandise, and other goods, in the same way that Pigafetta repeatedly mention the abundance of spices like ginger, and of precious metals like gold. and assessments of the His observations indigenous cultures employed the European standards. Hence, when they saw the indigenous attires of the natives, Pigafetta saw them being naked because from the European standpoint, they were wearing fewer clothes indeed. Pigafetta's perspective was too narrow to realize that such attire was only appropriate to the tropical climate of the islands. The same was true for materials that the natives used for their houses like palm and bamboo. These materials would let more air come through the house and compensate for the hot climate in the islands. It should be understood that such observations rooted from the conte of Pigafetta and of his era. Europe, for example, was dominated by the Holy Roman Empire, whose loyalty and purpose was the domination of the Catholic Church all over the world. Hence, other belief systems different from that of Christianity were perceived to be blasphemous and barbaric, even demonic. Aside from this, the 16th century European economy was ercantilist. Such system measures the wealth of kingdoms based on their accumulation of bullions or precious metals like gold and silver. It was not surprising therefore that Pigafetta would always mention the abundance of gold in the islands as shown in his deseription of leaders wearing gold rings and golden daggers, and of the rich gold mines. An empire like that of the Spain would indeed search for new lands where they can acquire more gold and wealth to be on top of all the European nations. The obsession with spices might be odd for Filipinos because of its ordinariness in the Philippines, but understanding the context would reveal that spices were scarce in Europe and hence were seen as prestige goods. In that era, Spain and Portugal covet the control of spice islands because it would have lead to a certain increase in wealth, infuence, and power. These contexts should be used and understood in order to have a more qualifed reading of Pigafetta's account. The KKK and the 'Kartilya ng Katipunan" The Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK)or Katipunan is arguably the most important organizatioa in Philippine history. While anti-colonial movements, efforts, and formed organizations have already been done centuries prior to the foundation of the Katipunan, it was only this organization that envisioned (1)a united Filipine of nation that will revolt against the Spaniards for (2)the total independence before the country from Spain. Previous armed revolts had already occurred the foundation of the Katipunan, but none of them envisioned a unified Diego Silang Filipino nation revolting against the colonizers. For example, was known as an Ilocano who took up his arms and led one of the longes running revolts in the country. Silang, however, was mainly concerne about his locality and referred to himself as El Rey de Ilocos (The King d in the aspiration Ilocos).The imagination of the nation was largely absent of the local revolts before Katipunan. On the other hand, the propaganda Lópea ements led by the ilustrados like Marcelo H. del Pilar, Graciano Jaena, andJose Rizal did not envision a total separation of the Philippines from Spain, but only demanded equal rights, representation, and protection from the abuses of the friars. In the conduct of their struggle, Katipunan ereated a complex and a defined value system that will guide the organization as a collective important Katipunan documer aspiring for a single goal. One of the most document was was the Kartilya ng Katipunan. The original title of the or "Lessons of th Manga (sic] Aral Nang (sic] Katipunan ng mga A.N.B. was written by Emib Organization of the Sons of Country." The document old when he joined the Jacinto in the year 1896. Jacinto was only 18 years Santo Tomas. Despr movement. He was a law student in the University of intellect of Jacinto that upa his youth, Bonifacio recognized the value and the Decalogue he wrote. b seeing Jacinto's Kartilya was much better than distributed to their fellow Katipunero willingly favored that the Kartilya be and took charge of tà Jacinto became the secretary of the organization press of the Katipunan. On l5 April 1897, Bonifac short-lived printing the Katipunan in Northern Luzoz appointed Jacinto as a commander of of Malaria at young age of 24 in tà Jacinto was 22 years old. Jacinto died town of Magdalena, Laguna. in Philippine History  The Kartilya can be treated as the Katipunan's code of conduct. It contained fourteen rules that instruct the way a Katipunero should behave. and which specific values should he uphold. Generally, the rules that ontained in the Kartilya can be classified into two. The first group contains the rules that willmake the member an upright individual and the second group contains the rulesthat will guide the way he treats his fellow men. Below is the translated version of the rules in Kartilya: I. The life that is not consecrated to a lofty and reasonable purpose is a tree without a shade, if not a poisonous weed. II. To do good for personal gain and not for its own sake is not virtue. III. It is rational to be charitable and love one's fellow creature, and to adjust one's conduct, actsand words to what is in itself reasonable. IV. Whether our skin be black or white, we are all born equal: superiority in knowledge, wealth and beauty are to be understood, but not superiority by nature. V. The honorable man prefers honor to personal gain; the scoundrel,. gain to honor. VI. To the honorable man, his word is sacred. VII. Do not waste thy time: wealth can be recovered but not time lost. VII. Defend the oppressed and fight the oppressor before the law or in the field. IX. The prudent man is sparing in words and faithful in keeping secrets. X. On the thorny path of life, man is the guide of woman and the children, and if the guide leads to the precipice, those whom he guides will also go there. XI. Thou must not look upon woman as a mere plaything. but as a faithfulcompanion who will share with thee the penalties of life: her (physical) weakness will increase thy interest her and she will remind thee of the mother who bore thee and reared thee.  XII. What thou dost not desire done unto thy wife, children. brothers and sisters, that do not unto the wife, children. brothers and sisters of thy neighbor. XIII. Man is not worth more because he is a king. because his nose is aquiline, his color white, not because he is a priest. and servant of God, nor because of the high prerogative that he enjoys upon earth, but he is worth most who is a man of proven and real value,who does good, keeps his words, worthy and honest; he who does not oppress nor consent to being oppressed, he who and cherishes his fatherland. loves though he be born in the wilderness and know no tongue but his own. XIV. When these rules of conduct shall be known to all, the longed of Liberty shallrise brilliant over this most unhappy portion of the globe and its rays shall diffuse everlasting joy among the confederated brethren of the same rays, the lives of those who have gone before, the fatigues and the well-paid has informed sufferings will remain. If he who desires to enter himself ofall this and believes he will be able to perform what willbe his duties, he may fill out the application for admission. rules of As the primary governing document, which determines the properly understanding the Kartilya will thus conduct in the Katipunan, help in understanding the values, ideals, aspirations, and even the ideology of the organization. Analysis of the "Kartilya ng Katipunan" Similar to what we have done to the accounts of Pigafetta, this primary source also needs to be analyzed in terms of content and context. As a document written for a fraternity whose main purpose is to overthrow a colonial regime, we can explain the content and provisions of the Kartilya as a reaction and response to certain value systems that they found despicable For example. in the present state of things that they struggle against with. the fourth and the thirteenth rule in the Kartilya is an invocation of the inherent equality between and among men regardless of race, occupation or status. In the context of the Spanish colonial era where the indios were it that treated as the inferior of the white Europeans, the Katipunan saw to the alternative order that they wish to promulgate through their revolution necessarily destroys this kind of unjust hierarchy.  Moreover. one can analyze the values upheld in the document as consistent with the burgeoning rational and liberal ideals in the 18th and 19th century. Equality, tolerance, freedom, and liberty were values that first emerged in the 18th century French Revolution. which spread throughout Europe and reached the educated class of the colonies. Jacinto, an ilustrado himself, certainly got an understanding of these values. Aside from the liberal values that can be dissected in the document, we can also decipher certain Victorian and chivalrous values in the text. For example, various provisions inthe Kartilya repeatedly emphasized the importance of honor in words and in action. The teaching of the Katipunan on how women should be treated with honor and respect, while positive inmany respects and certainly a significant stride from the practice of raping and physicaly abusing women. can still be a telling of the Katipunan's secondary regard for women in relation to men. For example, in the tenth rule, the document specificallystated that men should be the guide of women and children. and that he should a good example, otherwise the woman andthe children set would be guided in the path of evil. Nevertheless, thesame document stated that women should be treated as companions by men and not as playthings that can be exploited for his pleasure. In the contemporary eyes,the Katipunan can be eriticized because of these provision. However, one must not forget the context where the organization was born. Not even in Europe or in the whole of the West at that juncture recognized the problem of gender inequality. Indeed, it can be argued that Katipunan's recognition of women as important partners in the struggle, as reflected not just in Kartilya but also in the organizational structure of the fraternity where a women's unit was established, is an endeavor advanced for its time. Aside from Rizal's known Letter to the Women of Malolos, no same effort by the supposed cosmopolitan Propaganda Movement was achieved until the movement's eventual disintegration in the latter part of the 1890s. Aside from this,the Kartilya was instructive not just of the Katipunan's conduct toward other people. but also for the menmbers' development as individuals in their own rights. Generally speaking. the rules in the Kartilya can be classified as either directed to how one should treat his neighbor or to how one should develop and conduct one's self. Both are essential to the success and fulfillment of theKatipunan's ideals. For example. the Kartilya's teachings on honoring one's word and on not wasting time are teachings directed toward self-development, while the rules on treating the neighbor's wife, children,.and brothers the way that you want yours to be treated is an instruction on how Katipuneros should treat and regard their neighbors.  All in proper reading of the Kartilya will reveal a more thoroug all, understanding of the Katipunan and the significant role that it played the revolution and in the unfolding of the Philippine history, as we know it Reading the 'Proclamationof the Philippine Independence Every year, the country commemorates the anniversary of the Philippin Independence proclaimed on 12 June 1898 in the province of Cavite. Indeed such event is a significant turning point in the history of the country because signaled the end of the 333 years of Spanish colonization. There have bee numerous studies done on the events leading to the independence of the country but very few students had the chance to read the actual document the declaration. This is in spite of the historical importance of the documer and the details that the documents revealon the rationale and circumstance= of that historicalday in Cavite. Interestingly, reading the details of the sar document in hindsight is telling the kind of government that was create under Aguinaldo, and the forthcoming hand of the United States of Amen in the next few years of the newly created republic. The declaration w a short 2,000-word document, which summarized the reason behind th revolution against Spain, the war for independence, and the future of th new republic under Emilio Aguinaldo. The proclamation commenced with a characterization of the conditior in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The documez specifically mentioned abuses and inequalities in the colony. The declarati says: "...taking into consideration, that their inhabitants being already weary of bearing the ominous yoke of Spanish domination, on aceount of the arbitrary arrests and harsh treatment practiced by the Civil Guard to the extent of causing death with the connivance and even with the express orders of their commanders,who sometimes went to the extreme of ordering the shooting of prisoners under the pretext that they were attempting to escape, in violation of the provisions of the Regulations of their Corps, which abuses were unpunished and on account of the unjust deportations, especially those decreed by General Blanco, of eminent personages and of high socialposition, at the instigation of the Archbishop and friars interested in keeping them out of the way for their own selfish and avaricious purpose, deportations which are quickly brought about by a method of procedure more execrable than that of the Inquisition and which every civilized nation rejects on account of a decision being rendered without a hearing of the persons accused"  The above passage demonstrates the justificationsbehind the revolution against Spain. Specifically cited are the abuse by the CivilGuards and the unlawful shooting of prisoners whom they alleged as attempting to escape. The passage also condemned the unequal protection of the law between the Filipinopeople and the "eminent personages." Moreover, the line mentioned the avarice and greed of the clergy like the friars and the Archbishop himself. Lastly, the passage also condemned what they see as the unjust deportation and rendering of other decision without proper hearing. expected of any civilized nation. From here, the proclamation proceeded with a brief historical overview of the Spanish occupation since Magellan's arrival in Visayas until the Philippine revolution, with specificdetails about the latter, especially after the Pact of Biak-na-Bato has collapsed. The document narrated the spread of the movement "like an electricspark" through different towns and provinces like Bataan, Pampanga, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, and Morong, and the quick decline of Spanish forces in the same provinces. The revolt also reached Visayas thus the independence of the country was ensured. The document also made mention of Rizal's execution. calling it unjust. The execution, as written in the document, was done to "please the greedy body of friars in their insatiable desire to seek revenge upon and exterminate all those who are opposed to their Machiavellian purposes,which tramples upon the penal code preseribed for these islands." The document also narrated the Cavite Mutiny of January 1872 that caused the infamous execution of the martyred native priests Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora, "whose innocent blood was shed through the intrigues of those so-called religious orders" that incited the three secular priests in the said mutiny. The proclamation of independence also invoked that the established republic would be led under the dictatorship of Emilio Aguinaldo. The first mention was at the very beginning of the proclamation. It stated: "Inthe town of Cavite Viejo, in this province of Cavite, on the twelfth day of June eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, before me, Don Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista. Auditor of War and Special Commissioner appointed to proclaim and solemnize this act by the Dictatorial Government of these Philippine Islands, for the purposes and by virtue of the circular addressed by the Eminent Dictator of the same Don Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy."  The same was repeated toward the last part of the proclamation. 1t states: "We acknowledge, approve and confirm together with the orders that have been issued therefrom, the Dictatorship established by Don Emilio Aguinaldo,whom we honor as the Supreme Chief of this Nation. which this day commences to have a life of its own, in the belief that he is the instrument selected by God, inspite of his humble origin, to effect the redemption of this unfortunate people, as foretold by Doctor Jose Rizal in the magnificent verses which he composed when he was preparing to be shot, liberating them from the yoke of Spanish domination in punishment of the impunity with which their Government allowed the commission of abuses by its subordinates." Another detail in the proclamation that is worth looking at is its explanation on the Philippine flag that was first waved on the same day. The documentexplained: "And finally,it was unanimously resolved that this Nation, independent from this day. must use the same flag used heretofore, whose design and colors and described in the accompanying drawing, with design representing in natural colors thethree arms referred to. The white triangle represents the distinctive emblem of the famous Katipunan Society,. which by means of its compact of blood urged on the masses of the people to insurrection: the three stars represent the three principal Islands of this Archipelago. Luzon, Mindanao and Panay, in which this insurrectionary movement broke out; the sun represents the gigantic strides that have been made by the sons of this land on the road of progress and civilization, its eight rays symbolizing the eight provinces of Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga. Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Laguna and Batangas, which were declared in a state of war almost as soon as the first insurrectionary movement was initiated; and the colors blue, red and white, commemorate those of the flag of the United States of North America, in manifestation of our profound gratitude towards that Great Nation for the disinterested protection she is extending to us and will continue to extend to us." This often overlooked detail reveals much about the historicallyaccurate meaning behind the most widely known national symbol in the Philippines. It is not known by nmany for example, that the white triangle was derived from the symbol of the Katipunan. The red and blue colors of the ag often associated with courage and peace respectively. Our basic education omits the fact that those colors were taken from the flag of theUnited States. While it can always be argued that symbolic meaning can always chan and be reinterpreted, the original symbolic meaning of something presents us several historical truths that can explain the subsequent events, which unfolded after the declaration of independence on the 12th day of June 1898. Analysis ofthe "Prodamation of the Phligpinelndependene" As mentioned earlier, a re-examination of the document on the declaration of independence can reveal some often overlooked historical truths about this important event in Philippine history. Aside from this, the document reflects the general revolutionary sentiment of that period. For example, the abuses specifically mentioned in the proclamation like friar abuse, racialdiserimination, and inequality before the law refect the most compelling sentiments represented by the revolutionary leadership. However, no mention was made about the more serious problem that affects the masses more profoundly (i.e., the land and agrarian erisis felt by the numerous Filipino peasants in the 19th century). This is ironic especially when renowned Philippine revolution historian, Teodoro Agoncillo, stated that the Philippine Revolution was an agrarian revolution. The common revolutionary soldiers'fought in the revolution for the hope of owning the lands that they were tilling once the friar estates in different provinces like Batangas and Laguna dissolve, if and when the revolution succeeded. Such aspects and realities of the revolutionary struggle were either unfamiliar to the middle class revolutionary leaders like Emilio Aguinaldo, Ambrosio Rianzares-Bautista, and Felipe Buencamino, or were intentionally left out because they were landholders themselves. The proclamation also gives us the impression on how the vietorious revolutionary government of Aguinaldo historieized the struggle for independence. There were mentions of past events that were seen as important turning points of the movement against Spain. The execution of the GOMBURZA for example and the failed Cavite Mutiny of 1872 was narrated in detail. This shows that they saw this event as a signifcant awakening of the Filipinos in the real conditions of the nation under Spain. Jose Rizal's legacy and martyrdom was also mentioned in the document. However, the Katipunan as the pioneer of the revolutionary movement was only mentioned once toward the end of the document. There was no mention of theKatipunan's foundation. Bonifacio and his co-founders were also left be argued thus, that the way of historical narration found in the document also reflects the politics of the victors. The enmity between Aguinaldo's Magdalo and Bonifacio's Magdiwang in the Katipunan seeret in the pages of ourhistory. On the contrary, the war led by Aguinaldo's men with the forces of the United States were discussed in detail. The point is, even and doeuments like the proclamation officialrecords of independence. while truthful most of the time, still exude the politics and biases of whoever is in power. This manifests in the selectiveness of information that can be found in these records. It is the task of the historian thus, to analyze the content of these documents in relation to the dominant politics and the contexts of people and institutions surrounding it. This tells usa lesson on taking primary sources like official government records within the circumstance of this production. Studying one historical subject thus entailslooking at multiple primary sources and pieces of historical evidences in order to have a more nuanced and contextual analysis of our past. A Glance at Selected Philippine Political Caricaturein Alfred McCoy's Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900-1941) Political cartoons and caricature a rather recent art form which is veered away from the classical art by exaggerating human features and poking fun at its subjects. Such art genre and technique became a part of the print media as an form of social and political commentary, which usually targetspersons of power and authority. Cartoons became an effective tool of publicizing opinions through heavy use of symbolism, which is different from a verbose written and opinion pieces. The unique way that editorial a caricature represents opinion and captures the audienee's imagination is reason enough for historians to examine these political cartoons. Commentaries in mass media inevitably shape public opinion and such knd of opinion is worthy of historical examination. In his book Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (19001941), Alfred MeCoy, together with Alfredo Roces, compiled political cartoons published in newspaper dailies and periodicals the aforementioned time period. For this part, we are going to look at selected cartoons and explain the context of each one.  The example shown above was published in The Independent on first May 20, 1916.The cartoon showsa politician from Tondo. named Dr. Santos, passing his cruwn tu his brother-in-law, Dr. Barcelona. A Filipino guy (as depicted wearing salakot and burong tagalog) was trying to stop Santos, telling the latter to stop giving Barcelona the erown because it is not his to begin with. The second cartoon was also published by The Independent on 16 June 1917. This was drawn by Fernando Amorsolo and was aimed as a rommentary 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 policenat, wa relentlessly pursuing the said child A man wearing a sulukot. labcled Juan de la Cruz was grabbing the oficer, telling him to leave the small time pickpockets and thieves and to turn atthe great thieves in.trd. He was ponting to huge warehouses eoataining bulks of rice, milk, And grocery products. ar agsinst the Spcatorsi  The waS a commentary on the unprecedented casesi third cartoon colorum automobiles in the city streets. The Philippine Free Press publish this commentary when fatal accidents involving colorum vehicles and tani oceurred too often already. FDeath Cars Coches Mortales GOLORUM This fourth cartoon depicts a cinema. A blown up policeman was the screen saying that couples are not allowed to neck and make love i the theater. Two youngsters looked horrified while an older couple seeme amused. RFlaming Youth " Nuestra "Ardiertetetud"  The next cartoon was published by The Independent on 27 November 1916. Here we see the caricature of Uncle Sam riding a chariot pulled by Filipino8 wearing school uniforms. The were carrying Filipino boys 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 brought to the Manila pier riding a chariot pulled by students of Liceo de Manila. Such was condemned by the nationalists 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 the Progresista Party (sometimes known as the Federalista Party) while members of the Nacionalista Party look on and wait for their turn.This cartoon depicts the patronage of the US being coveted by politicians from either of the party. Anaysis ofthe Poltical Cariataresduring theAmerican Peoriod The transition from the Spanish Colonial period to the American Occupation period demonstrated different strands of changes and shifts in eulture, society. and politics. The Americans drastically introduced democracy to the nascent nation and the consequences were far from idenl. Aside from this, it was also during the American perind that Filipinos wer introduced to different manifestations of modernity like health care, moderr transportation, and media. This ushered in a more open and freer press. The post-independence and the post Filipino-American period in the Phlippin were experienced differently by Filipinos coming from different classes. Th upper principalia class experienced economic prosperity with the opening up of the Philippine economy to the US but the majority of the por Filipin remained poor, desperate, and victims of state repression. The selected cartoons illustratenot just the opinion of certain medis outits about the Philippine society during the American period but also pind a broad image scietyand politics under the United States.In the arenu of politics, we ser the price that Filipinos paid for the democracs for example, modeled after the Americans. First, it seemed that the Filipinopoliticinns n that time did not understand well enough the essenee of denocracy and th: accompanying democraticmstitutions and processes. This can be seen with the rising dynastic politics in Tondo as depicted in the cartoon published b The Independent. Patronage also became influential and powerful, not onl between clients and patrons but also between the newly formed politicn parties composed of the elite and the United States. This was depicted in the cartoon where the US, represented by Uncle Sum,provided dole out for members of the Ferleralistawhile the Nacionalista politirinns louked on and waited for their turn. Thus, the essence nf eompeting prlitical part ies t enforce choices among the voter was CAncelled out.The problem eontinnte: up to the present where politicians transfer from one party to unot he depending on which party was powerful in specificperiods of time. The transition from a Catholic-centered, Spanish-Filipino soeiety to ar imperial American-assimilated one, and its complications, were also depicted in the cartoons. One esampie is the unprecedented iere. se of nnuturize vehicles in the city. Automobiles became a popular mode of transportatie: in the city and led to the emergence of taxis. However. the laws and polw: implementation was mediocre. This resulted to the inereasing colorum and unlicensed vehicles transporting people around the city. The rules governing the issuance of driver's license was lonse and trafic police cannot be bother by rampant vivlutions of trntfie rules. This is a direet csequene of th: drastie urbanization of the Philippine society. Another example is what MeCoy called the "sexunl revolution" that rceurred in the 1930s. Young people,as early as that period, disturbed the conservative Filipino mindset by engaging in darng and sexual activities in pulblic spaces like cinemas. Here we can see how that period was the meeting point between the conservative past and the liberated future of the Philippines. Lastly. the cartoons also illustrated the conditions of poor Filipinos in the Philippines nuw governed by the United States. From the looks of it, nothing much has changed. For example, a cartoon depicted how police authorities oppress petty Filipino crininals while turning a blind eye on hoarders who monopolize goods in their huge warehouses (presumably Chinese merchants). The other cartoon was depicting how Americans control Filipinos through seemingly harmless American objects. By controlling their consciousness and mentahty. Americans got to control and subjugate Filipinos. Revisiting "Corazon Aquino's Speech Before the US Congress" Corazon "Cory" Cojuangeo Aquino functioned as the symbol of the restoration of democracy and the overthrow of the Marcos Dictatorship in The EDSA People Power, which installed Cory Aquino in the presidency. put the Philippines in the international spotlight foroverthrowing a dictator through peanceful means. Cory was easily a figure ofthe said revolution, as the widow of the slain Marcos oppositionist and former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. Cory was hoisted as the antithesis of the dictator. Her image as a mourning, widowed housewife who has always been in the shadow of her husband and relatives and had no experience in politics was juxtaposed against Marcos' statesmanship. eloquence, charisma, and cunning political skills. Nevertheless, Cory was ahble to capture the imagination of the people whose rights and freedom had long been compromised throughout the Marcos regime. This is despite the fact that Cory came from a rich haciendero family in Tarlac and has owned vast estates of sugar plantation and whose relatives oceupy local and national government positions. On 18 September 1986, seven months since Cory became president, she went to the United States and spoke before the joint session of the US Congress. Cory was welcomed with long applause As she took the podium and addressed the United States about her presidency and the challenges faced by the new republic. She began her speech with the story of her leaving the United States three years prior as a newly widowed wife of Ninoy Aquino. She then told of Ninoy's character, convietion, and resolve in opposing th authoritarianism of Marcos. She talked of the three times that they l Ninoy including his demise on 23 August 1983. The first time was when tà dictatorship detained Ninoy with other dissenters. Cory related: "The government sought to break him by indignities and terror. They locked him up in a tiny,nearly airless cell in military camp in the north. They stripped him naked and held a threat of a sudden midnight execution over his head. Ninoy held up manfully under all of it. as well. Ibarely did For forty-three days, the authorities would not tell me what had happened to him. This was the first time my children and Ifelt we had lost him." Cory continued that when Ninoy survived that first detention, he w then charged of subversion, murder. and other crimes. He was tried buying a military court, whose legitimacy Ninoy adamantly questioned solidify his protest, Ninoy decided to do a hunger strike and fasted for days. Cory treated this event as the second timethat their family lost Nin She said: "Whenthat didn't work, they put him on trialfor subversion, murderand a host of othercrimes beforea military commission. Ninoy challenged its authority and went on a fast. If he survived it., then he felt God intended him for another fate.We had lost him again. For nothing would hold him back from his determination to see his fast through to the end. He stopped only when it dawned on him that the government would keep his body alive after the fast had destroyed his brain. And so,. with barely any life in his body, he called off the fast on the 40th day." Ninoy's death was the third and the last time that Cory and the children lost Ninoy. She continued: "And then, we lost him irrevocably and more painfully than in the past. The news came to us in Boston. It had to be after the three happiest years of our lives together. But his death was my country's resurrection and the courage and faith by which alone they could be free again. The dictator had called him a nobody. Yet, two million people threw aside their passivity and fear and escorted him to his grave."  Cory attributes the peaceful EDSA martyrdom of revolution to the Ninoy. She stated that the death of Ninoy sparked the revolution and the responsibility of "offering the democratic alternative" had "fallen on (her) shoulders." Cory's address introduced us to her demoeratie philosophy. which she claims she also acquired from Ninoy. She argued: "Iheld fast to Ninoy's conviction that it must be by the ways of democracy. I held out for participation in the 1984 election the dictatorship called, even if I knew it would be rigged. I was warned by the lawyers of the opposition, that I ran the grave risk of legitimizing the foregone resultsof elections that were clearly going to be fraudulent. But Iwas not fighting for lawyers but for the people in whose intelligence, I had implicit faith. Bythe exercise of democracy even in a dictatorship. they would be prepared for democracy when it came. And then also, it was the only way I knew by which we could measure our power even in the terms dictated by the dictatorship. The people vindicated me in an election shamefully marked by government thuggery and fraud. The opposition swept the elections, garnering a clear majority of the votes even if they ended up (thanks to a corrupt Commission on Elections) with barely a third of the seats in Parliament. Now, Iknew our power." Cory talked about her miraculous victory through the people's struggle and continued talking about her earliest initiatives as the president of a restored democracy. She stated that she intended to forge and draw reconciliation after a bloody and polarizing dictatorship. Cory emphasized the importance of the EDSA revolution in termsof being a "limited revolution that respected the life and freedom of every Filipino." She also boasted of the restoration of a fully constitutional government whose constitution gave utmost respect to the Bill of Rights. She reported to the US congress: "Again as we by the ways of democracy. restore democracy so are we completing the constitutional structures of our new demoeracy under a constitution that already gives fullrespect to the Billof Rights. A jealously independent constitutional commission is completing its draft which will be submitted later this year to a popular referendum. When it is approved, there will be elections for both national and local positions. So, within about a year from a peaceful but national upheaval that overturned a dictatorship, we shall have returned to full constitutional government."  Cory then proceeded on her peace agenda with the existing commun insurgency, aggravated by the dictatorial and authoritarian measure Ferdinand Marcos. She asserted: "My predecessor set aside democracy to save it from a munist insurgency that numbered less than five hundred. Unhampered by respect for human rights he went at it with hammer and tongs. By the time he fled, that insurgency had grown to more than sixteen thousand. think there is a lesson I here to be learned about trying to stiffe a thing with a means by which it grows." Cory's peace agenda involves political initiatives and re-integrati program to persuade insurgents to leave the countryside and return the mainstream society to participate in the restoration of democracy. S invoked the path of peace because she believed that it was the moral paz that a moral government must take. Nevertheless, Cory took a step bad when she said that while peace is the priority of her presidency, she wi not waiver" when the freedom and democracy are threatened. She said th similar to Abraham Lincoln. she understands that "force may be necessar before mercy" andwhile she did not relish the idea, she "will do whatever takes to defend the integrity and freedom of (her)country." Cory then turned to the controversial topic of the Philippine foreign de amounting to $26 billion at the time of her speech. This debt has balloone during the Marcos regime. Cory expressed her intention to honor those dete despite mentioning that the people did not benefit from such debts. Thus sh mentioned her protestations about the way the Philippines was deprive of choices to pay those debts within the capacity of the Filipino people. S lamented: "Finally may I thatother siavery, ourtwenty-six billion turn to dollar foreign debt. Ihave said that we shallhonor it. Yet, the means by which we shall be able to do so are kept from us. Many ofthe conditions imposed on the previous government that stole this debt,continue to be imposed on us who never benefited from it." She continued that while the country has experienced the calamit brought about by the corrupt dictatorship of Marcos, no commensur assistance was yet to be extended to the Philippines. She even remarked tha given the peaceful character of EDSA People Power Revolution, "ours mu have been thecheapest revolution ever." She demonstrated that the Filip people fulfilled the "most diffheult condition of the debt the negotiatice which was the "restoration of democracy and responsible government."  Cory related to the US legislators that wherever she went, she met poor and unemployed Filipinos willing to offer their lives to democracy. She stated: "WhereverI went in the campaign, slum area or impoverished village. They came to me with one cry, democracy. Not food although they clearly needed it but democracy. Not work, although they surely wanted it but democracy. Not money, for they gave what little they had to my campaign. They didn't expect me towork a miracle that would instantly put food into their mouths, clothes on their back, education in their children and give them work that will put dignity in their lives. But I feelthe pressing obligation to respond quickly as the leader of the people so deserving of all these things." Cory proceeded in enumerating the challenges of the Filipino people as they try building the new democracy. These are the persisting communist insurgency and the economic deterioration. Cory further lamented that these problems worsened by the crippling debt because half of the countrys export earnings amounting to $2 billion will "go to pay just the interest on a debt whose benefit the Filipino people never received." Cory then asked a rather compelling question to the US: "Has there been a greater test of national commitment to the ideals you hold dear than that my people have gone through? You have spent many lives and much treasure tobring freedom to many lands that were reluctant to receive it. And here, you have a people who want it by themselves and need only the help to preserve it." Cory ended her speech by thanking America as home to for serving her family for what she referred to as the "three happiest years of our lives together." She enjoined America in building the Philippines as a new home fordemocracy and in turning the country as a "shining testament of our two nations' commitment to freedom." Analysis ofCoyAquinos Specch Cory Aquino's speech was an important event in the political and diplomatic history of the country because it has arguably cemented the legitimacy of the EDSA government in the international arena. The speech talks of her family background, especially her relationship with her late husband. Ninoy Aquino. It is well known that it was Ninoy who served as the real leading figure of the opposition at that time. Indeed, Ninoy's eloquence and charisma can very well compete with that of Marcos. In her speeeh, Cory talked at length about Ninoy's toil and suffering at the hands of the dictntorship that he resisted. Even when she proceeded talking about her new government, she stillgoes back to Ninoy's legacies and lessons. Moreover. her attribution of the revolution to Ninoy's death demonstrates not only Cory's personal perception on the revolution. but since she was the president. it also represents what the dominant discourse was at that point in our history. The ideology or the principles of the new democratic government can also be seen in the same speech. Aquino was able to draw the sharp contrast between her government and of her predecessor by expressing her commitment to a democratic constitution drafted by an independent commission. She claims that such constitution upholds and adheres to the herself as the rights and liberty of the Filipino people. Cory also hoisted a polarizing authoritarian reconciliatory agent after more than two decades of politics. For example. Cory sees the blown up communist insurgency as and corrupt government. Her response to this a product of a repressive insurgency roots from her diametric opposition of the dictator (i.e.. initiating reintegration of communist rebels to the mainstream Philippine society. Cory claims that her main approach to this problem is through peace and not through the sword of war. Despite Cory's efforts to hoist herself as the exact opposite of Marcos, her speech still revealed certain parallelisms between her and the Marcos' alliance bet ween the government. This is seen in terms of continuing the between the said world Philippines and the US, despite the known affinity acceptance of super power and Marcos. The Aquino regime, as seen in Cory's of the speech. the invitation to address the US Congress and to the content the Philippines and decided to build and continue with the alliance between policy to the US and effectively implemented an essentially similar foreign the large sum of that of the dictatorship. For example, Cory recognized that never benefitted the Filipino foreign debts incurred by the Marcos regime intention to pay off those debts. people. Nevertheless, Cory expressed her Unknown to many Filipinos was the fact that there was a choice of waiving of the dictator and not of the the said debt beeause those were the debt govern ment's intention to country. Cory's decision is an indicator of her carry on a debt-driven economy. take cues, not just on Reading through Aquino's speech, we can already the guiding principles and Cory's individual ideas and aspirations, but also framework of the governmentthat she represents.