Interesting Vignettes in US-Philippines Relationships

During U.S. rule (1898–1946), Filipinos were often referred to as “Little Brown Brothers” by American officials, particularly by William Howard Taft, the first U.S. Governor-General of the Philippines. This phrase reflected the paternalistic attitude of the U.S., which saw Filipinos as needing American “guidance” toward civilization and self-governance.

The U.S. introduced English as the primary language of education, established a public school system, and promoted democratic institutions. However, American rule also sparked strong resistance, leading to the bloody Philippine-American War (1899–1902)💚, where hundreds of thousands of Filipinos died. Guerrilla fighters continued to resist U.S. control even after the war was officially declared over. Despite these conflicts, American influence left a lasting impact on Filipino culture, politics, and education.

💚 The Philippine-American War, 1899–1902

Meanwhile, After its defeat in the Spanish-American War of 1898, Spain ceded its longstanding colony of the Philippines to the United States in the Treaty of Paris. On February 4, 1899, just two days before the U.S. Senate ratified the treaty, fighting broke out between American forces and Filipino nationalists led by Emilio Aguinaldo who sought independence rather than a change in colonial rulers. The ensuing Philippine-American War lasted three years and resulted in the death of over 4,200 American and over 20,000 Filipino combatants. As many as 200,000 Filipino civilians died from violence, famine, and disease.

The Battle of Pulang Lupa (Filipino: Labanan sa Pulang Lupa, Spanish: Batalla de Tierra Roja) was an engagement fought on September 13, 1900, during the Philippine–American War, between the forces of Colonel Maximo Abad and Devereux Shields, in which Abad's men defeated the American force.

"The severity with which the inhabitants have been dealt would not look well if a complete history of it were written out." —Governor-General of the Philippines William Howard Taft, concerning the U.S. Army campaign on the island of Marinduque during the Philippine–American War of 1899–1902 

Shields' defeat sent shock waves through the American high command. Aside from being one of the worst defeats suffered by the Americans during the war, it was especially significant given its proximity to the upcoming election between President William McKinley and his anti-imperialist opponent William Jennings Bryan, the outcome of which many believed would determine the ultimate course of the war. Consequently, the defeat triggered a sharp response.

Arthur MacArthur, Jr. sent Brig. Gen. Luther Hare with "orders to treat the entire male population over fifteen as potential enemies and to arrest as many as possible and hold them hostages until Abad surrendered." 

Hare secured the release of Shields and his men.  Maj. Frederick A. Smith continued the policy of destroying food and shelter in the interior of the island, and moving all civilians into the towns. Although Abad and most of his command continued to elude the American military, the civilian population was suffering for it, with many landowners and merchants joining the Federal Party, turning against Abad. These new tactics led to the surrender of Abad in April 1901.

A Historical Celebration of the Battle of Pulang Lupa ( Red Earth) is held annually in Marinduque- my second Home

Meanwhile: Here's the latest news on the Philippine-US as of  February 19, 2025.

The United States stands with its ally the Philippines to condemn the unsafe and 

irresponsible actions by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) to interfere 

with a Philippine maritime air operation in the vicinity of Scarborough Reef.  A Chinese 

helicopter came within three meters of a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Resources

 plane conducting routine overflight, endangering the safety of the aircraft and its crew. 

 This incident follows China’s separate unsafe and unprofessional maneuver on 

February 11 that endangered an Australian aircraft that was conducting a routine

 maritime patrol in the South China Sea.

The 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty extends to armed attacks

 on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft – including those of its Coast 

Guard – anywhere in the South China Sea.

Lastly, Have You Heard of the.....

Naked Man Orchid (Orchis italica)

Orchis italica, the naked man orchid or the Italian orchid, is a species of orchid native to the Mediterranean Basin. It gets its common name from the lobed lip (labellum) of each flower which mimics the general shape of a naked man. In Italy, it is believed that the consumption of the plant is conducive to virility. It prefers partial shade and low nutrient soil, and flowers in April. Orchis Italica grows up to 50 centimetres (20 in) in height, with bright pink, densely clustered flowers.

Have a Fantastic Wednesday, Every One!