Filipino-American War

The Battle of Pulang Lupa in Torrijos and Battle of Paye in Boac were just few of the battles that the Filipinos won against the well-armed Americans. However, our history books mentioned little about these small battles partly because our written history was influenced by American's point of view -- a view which the colonized people readily accepted. (This argument can hold its ground because the American government boasts of "educating" the "goo-goos" )*.

The Philippine- American War (1899-1902) and the Moro Resistance War (1902-1913) cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos and Americans alike. It was the start of American push to become an imperialistic nation, a betrayal of their democratic foundation. The American government downgraded the war to just mere "Filipino Insurrection" to avoid combat reparation ( "stingy government!") and the embarassment of being taunted by the world as a superpower fighting against bolo-wielding revolutionaries. The Battle of Pulang Lupa and Paye symbolized the triumph of will-power against the power of modern weaponry.

However, the victories were followed by tragic consequences; in March 1901, reconcentrados. (concentration camps) were established in Marinduque and the non-combatants were forced to live in zones held by the U.S. army. Those who did not comply were labeled as "insurgents" and with implications to be shot. The Philippine-American War was considered to be like the Vietnam war but was never acknowledged by the US government. If they did, they could have learned from its lessons and not repeat their folly in their war against Vietnam. Despite the lack of unbiased account of our history, the Battle of Pulang Lupa can be summed up in this child's song:

Pananandata: History and Techniques of the Daga, Yantok, Balison, and Other Traditional Weapons of the Philippines

The Philippines Reader: A History of Colonialism, Neocolonialism, Dictatorship, and Resistance

Sa Bundok ng mapulang lupa
Doon sila naglaban alipala
Amerikano'y nakulong, nabigla
Ang Kapitan ay nangayupapa.
Ang Sundalo ng ating Guerilla
Ay nagpakita ng tapang at liksi nila
Sa katunayan ay kanilang nakuha
Trumpeta't, kombo, pusil at bandila.

On the Hills of the Red Soil
There, they fought a battle
The Americans were cornered, surprised
The captain became helpless.
The soldiers of our infantry
Showed their courage and speed
In fact they were able to confiscate
Their trumpets, drums, guns and flag.

Faces of War

Col. Maximo Abad surrendered to the Americans in Boac. April 1901.

Photo Source : From the Bandholtz Papers- Bentley Historical Library. University of Michigan

Col. Maximo Abad, led 37 of his men to defeat Capt. Devereux Shields and a hundred of his men in the Battle of Pulang Lupa on September 13, 1900

Gen. Licerio Geronimo: Led the Marinduque Command. He was also in-charge of the Morong Command. The general led the forces in the battle of San Mateo that killed Gen. Henry Lawton (Lawton Park under his name?). Is there any parks or roads named after Gen. Geronimo or Col. Abad? Politicians' and their obscure relatives' names are stamped all over Marinduque including waiting sheds. Ugly!

Major Fred A. Smith : Led the US Command in Marinduque.

Learn more about the Filipino-American War

The Philippine-American War: A very informative source about the Fil-Am war.
Mark Twain : He was not only about the Adventures of Tom Sawyer but was also a great advocate against American Imperialism that few Americans are aware of.
Sentenaryo/Centennial: Lots of historic text and essays about the effects of Philippine revolution and Fil-Am war.

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Return the Bells of Balangiga!!!

"I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn the better it will please me...
Kill everyone over the age of ten".
--General Jacob Smith, Samar Campaign

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