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 its historical value, and examine the context of their productions. These primary sources are: Testimonies of the Bataan Death March Survivors Emilio Jacinto’s Kartilya ng Katipunan The 1898 Declaration of Philippine Independence Alfred McCoy’s Philippine Cartoons: Political Caricature of the American Era (1900-1941) • Corazon Aquino’s Speech before the U.S Congress • • • • The Battle of Bataan ended on April 9, 1942, when US General Edward P. King surrendered to Japanese General Masaharu Homma. At that point, 75,000 soldiers became Prisoners of War: about 12,000 Americans and 63,000 Filipinos. What followed was one of the worst atrocities in modern wartime history - The Bataan Death March. • During the Battle of Bataan, the American and Filipino soldiers of General Douglas MacArthur’s United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE) had held out for four months against the Imperial Japanese Army, while every other island and nation in the Pacific and Southeast Asia fell to the Japanese. By March 1942, Japan controlled all of the Western Pacific except the Philippines. • General MacArthur's plan was to hold his ground on the Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island in the Philippines until the U.S. Navy could bring reinforcements and supplies from the United States. Once the reinforcements arrived, he planned to attack north from Bataan, defeat the Japanese Army, and push onward to the Japanese islands and victory. But with the U.S. Navy in shambles after the attack on Pearl Harbor, there were no ships capable of bringing the needed reinforcements to Bataan. • The Japanese Navy blockaded Bataan and nearby Corregidor, and prevented any food, ammunition or medicine from reaching the U.S. troops. For months the soldiers on Bataan lived on half rations in the hot, tropical jungle. Nevertheless, they fought back against Japanese attacks and defeated the Japanese Army at battles along the Bataan defense line and along the rugged coastline of the peninsula. But without supplies they could barely hold out. • By the first of April, 1942, most of the starving men had lost as much as thirty percent of their body weight and they became so weak that they could barely lift their weapons. As medical supplies ran out, malaria, dysentery and other tropical diseases ravaged their ranks.10,000 men were confined to the two open-air jungle hospitals for wounds and illnesses, and less than half of the remainder could be considered “combat effective"—defined as a man who could walk 100 yards without staggering and still have enough strength left to fire his weapon. • On April 3, 1942 the Japanese Army launched its final assault on Bataan. Although the starving American and Filipino soldiers fought as best they could, they were no match for the fresh troops the Japanese brought in for the attack. As General Homma's army rolled back the front line on Bataan, General Edward King, the American field commander, made a fateful decision —on April 9 he surrendered rather than see any more of his starving, diseased men slaughtered by the advancing Japanese Army. • Once the surrender went into effect, the Japanese rounded up the American and Filipino soldiers and gathered them into groups of 100 on the only paved road that ran down the Bataan peninsula. The Japanese assigned four guards to each group. They lined the men up four abreast, and they began marching them north toward Camp O’Donnell in Tarlac Province, sixty-five miles away. • As the emaciated men proceeded north up the highway in the blistering heat, the Japanese guards summarily shot or bayoneted any man who fell, attempted to escape, or stopped to quench his thirst at a roadside spigot or puddle. The men were given little water or food for the entire length of the Bataan Death March, which took about five days for each group to complete. • The guards chased off, bayoneted or shot any Filipino civilian who tried to give water or bits of food to the passing lines of prisoners. At various points along the route of the March they singled out prisoners, sometimes in groups, tied them to trees or fences, and shot them to death as examples to the others. The Japanese guards killed between 7,000 and 10,000 men on the Death March—they kept no records and no one knows the exact number. If a man fell, it was certain death unless another could pick him up and support him. • When they got to their prison camp, Camp O'Donnell, conditions were even worse. Camp O'Donnell was a former Philippine Army camp designed to accommodate about 10,000 men. The Japanese crammed 60,000 survivors of the Death March into the camp. • There was little running water, sparse food, no medical care, and only slit trenches along the sides of the camp for sanitation. The heat was intolerable, flies rose out of the latrines and covered the prisoner’s food, and malaria, dysentery, beriberi and a host of other diseases swept through the crowds of men. They began to die at the rate of four hundred per day. It got so bad that by July, 1942, the Japanese replaced the camp commander, moved the American prisoners to another camp, Cabanatuan, and decided to parole the Filipino prisoners. • The Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) or Katipunan is arguably the most important organization formed in Philippine history. • it was only this organization that envisioned ⚬ a united Filipino nation that would revolt against the Spaniards ⚬ the total independence of the country from Spain. • Previous armed revolts had already occurred before the foundation of the Katipunan, but none of them envisioned a unified Filipino nation revolting against the colonizers. ￭ Diego Silang ￭ Ilustrados • Written by Emilio Jacinto in 1896 • Codified document listing the duties and responsibilities of every Katipunan member • Chose by Bonifacio instead of his "Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Z. Ll. B." (Dekalogo) • it contains fourteen rules that instruct the way a KATIPUNERO should behave, and which specific values should he uphold. • the rules stated in the Kartilya can be classified into two: rules that will make the member an upright individual and the rules that will guide him how to treat his fellow men. • Ang kabuhayang hindi ginugugol sa isang malaki at banal na kadahilanan ay kahoy na walang lilim, kundi damong makamandag. • Ang gawang magaling na nagbubuhat sa pagpipita sa sarili, at hindi sa talagang nasang gumawa 1052ng kagalingan, ay di kabaitan. 1096 • Ang tunay na kabanalan ay ang pagkakawang gawa, ang pagibig sa kapua at ang isukat ang bawat kilos, gawa't pangungusap sa talagang Katuiran. • Maitim man at maputi ang kulay ng balat, lahat ng tao'y magkakapantay; mangyayaring ang isa'y higtan sa dunong, sayaman, sa ganda; ngunit di mahihigtan sa pagkatao. • Ang may mataas na kalooban inuuna ang puri sa pagpipita sa sarili; ang may hamak na kalooban, inuuna ang pagpipita sa sarili sa puri. • Sa taong may hiya, salita’y panunumpa. • Huwag mong sayangin ang panahun: ang yamang nawala’y mangyayaring magbalik; ngunit panahung nagdaan na’y di na muli pang magdadaan 8. Ipagtanggol mo ang inaapi; kabakahin ang umaapi. 9. Ang taong matalino’y ang may pagiingat sa bawat sasabihin, at matutong ipaglihim ang dapat ipaglihim. 10. Sa daang mga anak 1052 matinik ng kabuhayan, lalaki ay siyang patugot ng asawa’t1096 kung ang umaakay ay tungo sa sama, ang pagtutunguhan ng inaakay ay kasamaan din. 11. Ang babai ay huwag mong tignang isang bagay na libangan lamang, kundi isang katuang at karamay sa mga kahirapan nitong kabuhayan; gamitan mo nag boong pagpipitagan ang kaniyang kahinaan, at alalahanin ang inang pinagbuhatan at nagiwi sa iyong kasanggulan. 12. Ang di mo ibig na gawin sa asawa mo, anak at kapatid, ay huag mong gagawin sa asawa, anak, at kapatid ng iba. 13. Ang kamahalan ng tao’y wala sa pagkahari, wala sa tangus ng ilong at puti ng mukha, wala sa pagkaparing kahalili ng Dios wala sa mataas na kalagayan sa balat ng lupa; wagas at tunay na mahal na tao, kahit laking gubat at walang nababatid kundi ang sariling wika, yaong may magandang asal, may isang pangungusap, may dangal at puri; yaong 1052 1096di napaaapi’t di nakikiapi; yaong marunong magdamdam at marunong lumingap sa bayang tinubuan. 14. Paglaganap ng mga aral na ito at maningning na sumikat ang araw ng mahal na Kalayaan dito sa kaabaabang Sangkalupuan, at sabugan ng matamis niyang liwanag ang nangagkaisang magkalahi’t magkakapatid ng ligaya ng walang katapusan, ang mga ginugol na buhay, pagud, at mga tiniis na kahirapa’y labis nang natumbasan. Kung lahat ng ito’y mataruk na ng nagiibig pumasuk at inaakala niyang matutupad ang mga tutungkulin, maitatala ang kaniyang ninanasa sa kasunod nito. • As the primary governing document, which determines the rule of conduct in the Katipunan, properly understanding the Kartilya will thus help in the understanding of values, ideals, aspirations, and even the ideology of the organization. • invocation of the inherent equality between and among men regardless of race, occupation, or status. • various provisions in the Kartilya repeatedly emphasized the importance of honor in words and in action. • women should be treated with honor and respect • men should be guided in the path of evil. Nevertheless, women should be treated as companions by men not as playthings that can be exploited for their pleasure. • direct to how one should treat his neighbor or to how one should develop and conduct one's self, • honoring one's word and not wasting time are teachings directed toward self-development, while the rules on treating the neighbors wife, children and brothers the way you want yours to be treated is an instruction on how Katipuneros should treat and regard their neighbors. AlI in aII, proper reading of the Kartilya will reveaI a more thorough understanding of the Katipunan and the significant role that it played in the revolution and in unfolding of Philippine history, as we know it. Every year, the country commemorates the anniversary of the Philippine Independence proclaimed on June 12, 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. • The actual document of the declaration signifies 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 elected 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 the characterization of the conditions in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The document specifically mentioned abuses and inequalities in the colony. It demonstrated the justification behind the revolution against Spain. • From here, the proclamation proceeded with a brief historical overview of the Spanish occupation since MagelIan's arrival in Visayan until the Philippine Revolution. The document also mentions Rizal execution, calling it unjust. 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 so-called 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. • explanation of the Philippine flag that was first waved on the same day. ⚬ white triangle - represents the distinctive emblem of the famous Katipunan Society ⚬ three stars - represent the three principle islands of this archipelago, Luzon, Mindanao, and Panay. ⚬ 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. ⚬ Colors blue, red, and white - commemorate those of the flag of the United States of America in manifestation of our profound gratitude towards that Great Nation. • mentions of past events that were seen as important turning points of the movement against Spain, such as GOMBURZA execution, failed Cavite Mutiny in 1972 as well as Jose Rizal’s martyrdom and legacy. 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 of the KATIPUNAN’s foundation. Bonifacio and his co-founders were also left out. • political cartoons and caricature are a rather recent art form which veered away from the classical art by exaggerating human features and poking fun at its subjects. • such art genre and technique became a part of the print media as a form of social and political commentary, which usually targets persons of power and authority. • cartoons became an effective tool of publicizing opinions through heavy use of symbolism, which is different from a verbose written editorial and captures the audience imagination. • In his book, McCoy, together with Alfredo Roces, compiled cartoons published in newspaper dailies and periodicals in the aforementioned time period. • the transition from Spanish colonial period to American occupation period demonstrated strands of changes and shifts in culture, society, and politics. • During this period, Filipinos were introduced to different manifestations of modernity like healthcare, modern transportation, and media. • The period was experienced differently by Filipinos coming from different classes. • the selected cartoons illustrate not only the opinion of certain media outlets about the Philippine society during the American period but also paint a broad image of society and politics under United States. • rising dynastic politics in Tondo. • Political parties composed of the elites and United States, represented by Uncle Sam. • transition from a catholic-centered Spanish-Filipino Society to an imperial American-assimilated one. • unprecedented increase of motorized vehicles in the city; increasing colorum and unlicensed vehicles transporting people around the city. • direct consequence of rapid urbanization of the Philippine society. • “sexual revolution” conservative past and the liberated future of the Philippines • illustrated the situations of poor Filipinos in the Philippines as governed by the United States. For example, a cartoon depicted how police authorities oppress petty Filipino criminals while turning a blind eye on hoarders who monopolize goods in their huge warehouse. • • Corazon Cojuangco Aquino functioned as the symbol of the restoration of democracy and the overthrow of Marcos dictatorship in 1986. • The EDSA people power, whih installed Cory Aquino in the presidency, put the Philippines in the international spotlight for overthrowing a dictator through peaceful means. • widow of the slain Marcos oppositionist and former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. • Cory came from rich haciendero family in Tarlac and owned vast estates of sugar plantation and whose relatives occupy local and national government positions. • Marcos regime greatly suffered a crisis of legitimacy following the death of Ninoy Aquino. • Marcos called for a snap election in February 1986, where Corazon Aquino was convinced to run against Marcos. • the canvassing was rigged to Marcos’ favor, but people expressed their protest. • Leading military officials of the regime Juan Ponce Enrile and Fidel V. Ramos, civillians heeded the call of then Manila archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, and other civillian leaders gathered in EDSA. • The thousands of people who gathered overthrew Marcos presidency after 21 years. • On September 18, 1986, seven months since Cory became the president, she was invited by the US Congress to convene a Joint Meeting for the purpose of hearing an address from a foreign leader • 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 Ninoy’s character, conviction, and resolve in opposing the authoritarianism of Marcos. • She talked of three time they lost Ninoy including his demise on August 23, 1983. • The first time was when the dictatorship detained Ninoy with other dissenters. • Cory continued that when Ninoy survived that first detention, he was then charged of subversion, murder, and other crimes. He was tried by a military court, whose legitimacy Ninoy adamantly questioned. To solidify his protest, Ninoy decided to a hunger strike and fasted for 40 days. Cory treated this event as the second time that their family lost Ninoy. • Ninoy’s death was the third and the last time that Cory and their children lost Ninoy. • Cory attributed the peaceful EDSA revolution to the martyrdom of Ninoy. Cory introduced us to her democratic philosophy, which she claimed she also acquired from Ninoy. • Cory talked about her miraculous victory through peoples struggle, and continued talking about her earliest initiatives as the president of a restored democracy. • She also boasted of the restoration of a fully constitutional government whose Constitution gave utmost respect to the Bill of Rights • Cory proceeded on her peace agenda with the existing communist insurgency , aggravated by the dictatorial and authoritarian measure of Ferdinand Marcos. • Peace is the priority of her presidency, but she will not waiver when freedom and democracy are threatened. • Cory then turned to the controversial topic of the Philippines foreign debt amounting to 26 billion dollars at the time of her speech. • Cory proceeded in enumerating the challenges of the Filipino people as they tried building new democracy. • Cory ended her speech by thanking America for serving as home to her family for what she referred to as the “three happiest years of our live together”. • She enjoined America in building the Philippines as a new home for democracy and in turning the country as a “shining testament of our new nations commitment to freedom”.
