Lesson: Content and Contextual Analysis of Selected Primary Sources
Introduction:
In the preceding lessons, we have discussed some primary sources from two different historical
periods, the pre-colonial and Spanish colonial periods. For this week, we will analyze the historical content
and context of primary sources during the post-Spanish period, focusing on the birth of Philippine
Independence and the first Philippine Republic.
The Spanish regime lasted for about three hundred thirty-three years, that was considered the
longest regime in Philippine History. The Filipino revolutionary forces under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
proclaimed the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine islands from Spanish colonization in Kawit,
Cavite on June 12, 1898. Then on January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic was inaugurated after the
promulgation of the Malolos Constitution.
A. 1898 DECLARATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista (17 December 1830 – 4 December 1903), also known as Don
Bosyong, was a lawyer and author of the Declaration of Philippine Independence document. A distant relative
of the Rizal family, Philippine national hero José Rizal always sought his advice during his school days
in Manila.
Bautista solicited funds to finance the campaign for the reforms in the Philippines. He then became a
member of the La Liga Filipina, Cuerpo de Compromisarios, and La Propaganda. In 1896, the Spaniards
arrested and imprisoned him at Fort Santiago, as he was suspected for being involved in the Philippine
Revolution. He defended himself and was later released from prison. He became the first adviser of
President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898, and subsequently wrote the Declaration of Philippine Independence. On
14 July 1899, Bautista was elected vice-president of Tarlac's Revolutionary Congress. He was later appointed
judge of the Court of First Instance of Pangasinan.
The Act of Declaration of Philippine Independence was written and was read by Ambrosio Rianzares
Bautista in Spanish and translated by Sulpicio Guevara. It was written to use for the declaration of freedom of
the Philippines after the war against America and Spain. The declaration was signed by 98 persons and at
the end of it, emphasizing an American present in there with no official role. It is said that there are American
army officer who witnessed. The main reason for having the declaration is to symbolize that Philippines has
the right to be independent and free from the Spaniards and is no longer tied politically with them.
With a government in operation. Aguinaldo thought that it was necessary to declare the independence
of the Philippines. He believed that such a more would inspire the people to fight more eagerly against the
Spaniards and at the same time, lead the foreign countries to recognize the independence of the country.
Mabini, who had by now been made Aguinaldo’s unofficial adviser, objected. He based his objection on the
fact that it was more important to reorganize the government in such a manner as to convince the foreign
powers of the competence and stability of the new government than to proclaim Philippine independence at
such an early period. Aguinaldo, however, stood his ground and won.
On June 12, between four and five in the afternoon, Aguinaldo, in the presence of a huge crowd,
proclaimed the independence of the Philippines at Cavite el Viejo (Kawit). For the first time, the Philippine
National Flag, made in Hongkong by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo, assisted by Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina
Herboza, was officially hoisted and the Philippine National March played in public. The Act of the Declaration
of Independence was prepared by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, who also read it. A passage in the
Declaration reminds one of another passage in the American Declaration of Independence. The Philippine
Declaration was signed by ninety-eight persons, among them an American army officer who witnessed the
proclamation. The proclamation of Philippine independence was, however, promulgated on August 1 when
many towns has already been organized under the rules laid down by the Dictatorial Government.
Every year, the country commemorates the anniversary of the Philippine 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 it signaled the end of the 333 years of Spanish colonization. There have been 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 of the declaration. This is in spite of the historical importance of the document
and the details that the document reveals on the rationale and circumstances of that historical day in Cavite.
Interestingly, reading the details of the said document in hindsight is telling of the kind of government that was
created under Aguinaldo, and the forthcoming hand of the United States of America in the next few years of
the newly created republic. The declaration was a short 2,000-word document, which summarized the reason
behind the revolution against Spain, the war for independence, and the future of the new republic under Emilio
Aguinaldo.
The proclamation commenced with a characterization of the conditions in the Philippines during the
Spanish colonial period. The document specifically mentioned abuses and inequalities in the colony. The
declaration says:
"...taking into consideration, that their inhabitants being already weary of bearing the ominous yoke of Spanish
domination, on account 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 social position, 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 or
a decision being rendered without a hearing of the persons accused."
The above passage demonstrates the justifications behind the revolution against Spain. Specifically cited are
the abuse by the Civil Guards and the unlawful shooting of prisoners whom they alleged as attempting to
escape. The passage also condemns the unequal protection of the law between the Filipino people and the
"eminent personages." Moreover, the line mentions the avarice and greed of the clergy like the friars and the
Archbishop himself. Lastly, the passage also condemns what they saw 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 specific details about the latter, especially
after the Pact of Biak-na-Bato had collapsed. The document narrates the spread of the movement "like an
electric spark" 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 mentions 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 prescribed for these islands." The document also narrates 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 socalled religious orders" that incited the three secular priests in the said mutiny.
The proclamation of independence also invokes 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:
"In the town of Cavite Viejo, in this province of Cavite, on the twelfth day of June eighteen hundred and ninetyeight, before me, Don Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, Auditor of War and Special Commissioner appointed to
proclaim 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. It 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 the is the instrument selected by God in spite
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 document explained:
"And finally, it was unanimously resolved that, this Nation, independent from this clay, must use the same flag
used heretofore, whose design and colors and described in the accompanying drawing, with design
representing in natural colors the three 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 historically accurate meaning behind the most widely
known national symbol in the Philippines. It is not known by many for example, that the white triangle was
derived from the symbol of the Katipunan. The red and blue colors of the flag are often associated with courage
and peace, respectively. Our basic education omits the fact that those colors were taken from the flag of the
United States. While it can always be argued that symbolic meaning can always change 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.
B. THE MALOLOS CONSTITUTION AND THE FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Felipe Gonzales Calderon, known as the 'Father of the Malolos Constitution", was born on April 4,
1868 in Santa Cruz de Malabon now Tanza), Cavite, to a Spanish nobleman, Don Jose Gonzales Calderon,
and Doña Manuela Roca who was of Spanish-Filipino blood. Calderon was the author of the Malolos
Constitution, which was enacted on January 20, 1899 by the Malolos Congress that established the First
Philippine Republic. The original was written in Spanish, which became the first official language of the
Philippines.
Notably, Calderon established two law universities -- Liceo de Manila, the first law college in the Philippines,
and the Escuela de Derecho (School of Duties). He taught in both institutions. In 1904, he was appointed
member of a commission to draft a proposed Penal Code. He also organized the La Proteccion de la
Infancia (The Protection of Infants) that established a humanitarian institution to protect and care for
disadvantaged children. His Encyclopedia Filipinas was published in 1908. He died on July 6, 1908 at the
age of 40.
After returning to the islands. Aguinaldo wasted little time in setting up an independent government.
On June 12, 1898, a declaration of independence modeled on the American one, was proclaimed at his
headquarters in Cavite. It was at this time that Apolinario Mabini. a law, and political thinker, came to
prominence as Aguinaldo’s principal adviser. Born into a poor indio family but educated at the University of
Santo Tomas, he advocated "simultaneous external and internal revolution," a philosophy that unsettled the
more conservative landowners and ilustrados who initially supported Aguinaldo. For Mabini, true
independence for the Philippines would mean not simply liberation from Spain (or from any other colonial
power) but also educating the people for self-government and abandoning, the paternalistic, colonial mentality
that the Spanish had cultivated over the centuries. Mabini's The True Decalogue, published in July 1898 in
the form of ten commandments, used this medium, somewhat paradoxically, to promote critical thinking and
a reform of customs and attitudes. His Constitutional Program for the Philippine Republic, published at the
same time, elaborated his ideas on political institutions.
On September 15,1898, a revolutionary congress was convened at Malolos, a market town located thirty-two
kilometer north of Manila, for the purpose of drawing up a constitution for the new republic. A document was
approved by the congress on November 2,1898. Modeled on the constitution of France, Belgium, and Latin
American countries, it was promulgated at Malolos on January 21, 1899, and two days later Aguinaldo was
inaugurated as president.
American observers traveling in Luzon commented that the areas controlled by the republic seemed peaceful
and well governed. The Malolos congress had set up schools, a military academy, and the Literary University
of the Philippines. Government finances were organized, and new currency was issued. The army and navy
were established on a regular basis. having regional commands. The accomplishments of the Filipino
government, however, counted for little in the eyes of the great powers as the transfer of the islands from
Spanish to United States rule was arranged in the closing months of 1898.
The Treaty of Paris aroused anger among Filipinos. Reacting to the US$20 million sum paid to Spain, La
Independencia (Independence), a newspaper published in Manila by a revolutionary. General Antonio Luna,
stated that "people are not to be bought and sold like horses and houses. Upon the announcement of the
treaty, the radicals, Mabini and Luna, prepared for war, and provisional articles were added to the constitution
giving President Aguinaldo dictatorial powers in times of emergency. President William McKinley issued a
proclamation on December 21, 1898, declaring United States policy to be one of "Benevolent Assimilation" in
which "the mild sway of justice and right" would be substituted for "arbitrary rule." When this was published in
the islands on January 4, 1899, references to "American sovereignty" having been prudently deleted,
Aguinaldo issued his own proclamation that condemned "violent and aggressive seizure" by the United States
and threatened war.
Excerpts from the Malolos Constitution
Article 3. Sovereignty resides exclusively in the people.
Article 5. The State recognizes the freedom and equality of all religions, as well as the separation of
Church and State.
Article 19. No Filipino in the full enjoyment of his civil and political rights shall be hindered in the free
exercise of the same.
Article 20.1. Neither shall any Filipino be deprived of: The right of expressing freely his ideas and
opinions either by word or by writing, availing himself of the press or any other similar means.
Article 20.2. Neither shall any Filipino be deprived of: The right of joining any association for all the
objects of human life which may not be contrary to public morals.
Article 23. Any Filipino can find and maintain establishments of instruction or of education, in
accordance with the regulations that may be established. Popular education shall be obligatory and
gratuitous in the schools of the nation.
Table of Titles
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
The Republic
The Government
Religion
The Filipinos and Their National and Individual Rights
The Legislative Power
The Permanent Commission
The Executive Power
The President of the Republic
The Secretaries of Government
The Judicial Power
Provincial and Popular Assemblies
Administration of the State
Amendment of the Constitution
Constitutional Observance, Oath, and Language
The Malolos constitution is the first important Filipino document ever produced by the people's
representatives. It is anchored in democratic traditions that ultimately had their roots in American soil. It
created a Filipino state whose government was "popular, representative and responsible" with three distinct
branches -- the executive, the legislative and the judicial. The constitution specifically provided for safeguards
against abuses and enumerated the national and individual rights not only of the Filipinos and of the aliens.
The legislative powers were exercised by the Assembly of Representatives composed of delegates
elected according to law. To make the function of Congress continuous, the document provided for a
Permanent Commission which would sit as a law-making body when Congress was not in session. The
assembly elected the President of the Republic. The Cabinet, composed of the Secretaries of the different
Departments of the government, was responsible not to the President, but to the Assembly. The administration
of justice was vested in the Supreme Court and in inferior courts to be established according to law. The Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court was to be elected by the Assembly with the concurrence of the President and
the Cabinet.
The constitution as a whole is a monument to the capacity of the Filipinos to chart their own course
along democratic lines. In a period of storm and stress, it symbolized the ideals of a people who had emerged
from the Dark Ages into the Light of Reason.
The Malolos Republic
Owing to the objections of Mabini to some provisions in the Constitution, Aguinaldo did not immediately
promulgate it.
The leaders of Congress compromised by inserting some amendments. After promulgating the
Malolos Constitution, the Filipino leaders proceeded to inaugurate the first Filipino Republic on January 23,
1899.
POLITICAL CARICATURES OF THE AMERICAN ERA
In the second part our lesson, we will examine some political caricatures/cartoons, which is a form of
art that gained full expression during the American era. These cartoons were made by Filipino artists to record
national attitudes toward the coming of the Americans as well as the changing mores and times in the
Philippines.
Cartoons became an effective tool of publicizing opinions through heavy use of symbolism, which is
different from a verbose written editorial and opinion piece. The unique way that a caricature represents
opinion and captures the audience's imagination is reason enough for historians to examine these political
cartoons. Commentaries in mass media inevitably shape public opinion and such kind of opinion is worthy of
historical examination (Readings in Philippine History, 2018).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born on June 8,1945 in Concord, Massachusetts, United States, Dr. Alfred "Al” W. McCoy is a
Professor of SE Asian History at the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he also serves as director of
the Center for SE Asian Studies. He's spent the past quarter-century writing out the politics and history of the
optimum trade.
McCoy has spent the thirty years writing about Southeast Asian History and politics. His publications
include Philippine Cartoons (1985), Anarchy of families (1994), Closer Than rothers: Manhood at the
Philippine Military Academy (2000) and Lives at the Margin (2001). After earning a Ph.D. in Southeast Asian
history at Yale, the writings of McCoy on this region has focused on two topics; Philippine Political History and
Global Opium Trafficking. The Philippines remains the major focus of his research. His teaching interests
include; Modern Philippine social and political history, U.S. foreign policy; Colonial empires in Southeast Asia;
illicit drug trafficking; and CIA covert operations.
POLITICAL CARICATURES
In his book Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900-1944), Alfred McCoy,
together with Alfredo Roces, compiled political cartoons published in newspaper dailies and periodicals in the
aforementioned time period. For this part, we are going to look at selected cartoons and explain the context
of each one.
The first example shown was published in The Independent on May 20, 1916. The cartoon shows a
politician from Tondo, named Dr. Santos, passing his crown to his brother-in-law, Dr. Barcelona. A Filipino
guy is depicted wearing salakot and barong tagalog was trying to stop Santos, telling the latter to stop giving
Barcelona the crown 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 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
relentlessly 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 a commentary on the unprecedented cases of colorum automobiles in the city
streets. The Philippine Free Press published this commentary when fatal accidents involving colorum vehicles
and taxis occurred too often already.
The fourth cartoon depicts a cinema. A blown-up officer was at the screen saying that couples are not
allowed to neck or make 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 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 United States being coveted by politicians from either of the party.