ABOUT THE WORK

On February 4, 1899, the first shot of the Philippine–American War was fired. It shattered the uneasy relationship between the First Philippine Republic of General Emilio Aguinaldo and what he mistakenly believed were friendly forces of the American army. The war would result in an official death toll of 4,200 American soldiers and over 20,000 Filipino counterparts. Rarely mentioned is the crushing figure of almost a quarter of a million Filipino civilians that would perish as “collateral damage” in a deliberate military strategy to extinguish all resistance. And yet, until recently, this conflict was belittled as a mere “insurrection” to downplay that it was nothing but an outright war against a foreign invader. From the outset, the Filipino republic was intent on projecting the certainty of its sovereignty, as reflected visibly and consistently in its uniforms, badges and flags, military hierarchy, and justice as well as documents, seals, and commands which had their roots in Bonifacio’s Katipunan. It was in marked contrast to the loose, aggrupations of the American Indian tribes who failed to communicate their independence in a symbolic language used and understood by the Americans. As a result, the Indians were easily defeated and isolated. The conflict would shift from conventional warfare to guerrilla tactics implemented by the brilliant General Antonio Luna and his resourceful command that included General Manuel Tinio, the Lion of the North, and General Miguel Malvar. The American army would respond with increasing brutality by rounding up civilians, burning and reconcentrating villages and towns, introducing new forms of torture including waterboarding, and even hanging as a form of public execution that would foreshadow American’s ill-fated adventure into Vietnam. This trove also includes the Battle of Balangiga, one of the United States’ most savage exercises that would foreshadow My Lai. Assembled over 20 years and across two continents, this superb aggrupation is the result of a single collector’s painstaking research and relentless pursuit of the photographs and documents, as well as key reportage that best document this highly significant part of Philippine history. Despite the overwhelming military advantage of the American army with formally trained fighters—hardened in the Spanish–American and Indian Wars—and the Filipino side’s notorious shortage of guns and ammunition, the Filipino commandants were able to wage an effective resistance. Relying on instinct and intelligence, as well as a thorough knowledge of the terrain and an understanding of their foes, many of the Filipino generals did not surrender until General Aguinaldo himself was captured, and then only by dint of deceit, had called for surrender. In 1902, the war was officially declared at an end although fighting still continued outside Manila up to Mindanao through the first decade of the 20th century. Other sections of this pictorial history includes the war in Mindanao as well as the North Luzon campaign and the Battle of Iloilo. The Philippine–American War thus punctuated not only the dawn of a new age but also American rule in the Philippines. Since history is, as they say, written cynically by the victors, it would take the onset of the country’s true independence before the events and heroes, tragedies and glories of those days could be studied, discussed, and remembered. This extraordinary collection of more than 200 photographs, 11 battle maps, and seven exceedingly rare paper currency of the period signed by Pedro Paterno, as well as letters (including one signed by General Gregorio del Pilar), half a dozen war bonds, three in the shape of flags, and a reproduction of the Malolos Constitution. There are two French journals on the capture of General Aguinaldo and American reportage in the Boston Herald and New York Tribune. In addition, there are 24 very rare colored postcards of battle scenes. Also included are 80 postage stamps and General Aguinaldo’s proclamation medal. The collection covers the important battles of this war as well its leading personalities and players: General Emilio Aguinaldo as well as formidable generals in Philippines history such as Antonio Luna, Pio del Pilar, Miguel Malvar, Vicente Lukban, Artemio Ricarte, Mariano Llanera, Gregorio del Pilar, and Macario Sakay. It also chronicles the ordinary men who did extraordinary feats and, as a result, suffered and died for their country. It is quite simply a multitude of memories that symbolizes the crucible we had to endure to emerge as a nation. -Lisa Guerrero Nakpil