Description & Reflection: Worcester's Photographs

American Development of the Philippines (Tagbanua Women Harvesting Rice in Calaminanes Islands - May 1903)

The photograph is showing two native women of Calaminanes Islands in the field harvesting rice. The reason behind the theme of this photography is Worcester's book "The Philippine Islands and Their People." It about the importance of American leading and controlling over some islands. According to The National Geographic Magazine they made a name since they allowed photographs like bare-breasted women. It was like showing true identity, culture, and beliefs of other tribes and indigenous people. The said photograph was from May 1903. It was showcased in an article entitled "American Development of the Philippines." It simply portrays the lives of people of the Philippines and how it improved as they got the chance to get along with Americans. The most important message that Worcester and his colleagues wanted to convey through this photograph was that there are importance and advantages on being under controlled and led by United States.

I chose this photograph because it portrayed an example of a life story of indigenous people. It showed us the lives of these people and how they get to survive their everyday needs. Because of The National Geographic Magazine, people have seen the hardworks of these people in reality. And if it's not to Worcester, it will not be possible to tell a story about these people. All thanks to this great man. For me, the photograph is something that we must admire since it tells us that gender will never be an excuse to survive. Men or women, if you are eager to live and survive, you will do everything. Maybe the purpose of this photograph is purely to show us how Americans changed out lifestyle, but it will never deny the fact that we survived in the first place with our own, and that it just get improvements because US controlled us.

Dean C. Worcester with a "typical negrito man" standing next to him.

The photograph of him with a typical Igorot man told another story in the Philippine history. Some tribes and indigenous people were not Christians back then. The US colonialism helped these people to understand deeper the story behind this difference between the people of the Philippines. Worcester believed that Christian Filipinos who assume that they are superior to Non-Christian Tribes will absolutely cause violence and conflicts between the two parties. In this matter, he used his photography to tell the truth and make people in congress and even ordinary people to understand how diversity would work if someone understands it more. He believed that the policies of US Colonialism will benefit both Christian and Non-Christian Filipinos. It may not show images of acceptance, but if you read the story behind the photograph, you will surely understand why it has to be shared with everyone, even if it looks unnecessary to other people.

Philippines was known to be a Christian country. Most people are baptized as Christians. But, not everyone will going to agree and believe with this, specially when they have different culture and norms. There are Filipinos who do not believe in Christianity. These people were usually a member of a tribe, or indigenous people. If people have different beliefs and stand, they are prone to conflicts and violence. This is how I understand where Worcester get this idea of promoting peace through US colonialism. He used his talent in photography to tell a message that not everything will fall into conflicts if one understands the other, or best if they both understand their difference and respect it. I chose this photography because it tells so much about diversity, and how important it was to change one's perspective and understanding when needed. The photograph may not be understood that easily, but you have to get to the bottom of its story.

The Philippine Problem in Civilization

Descriptive: The image shows three men wearing different outfits. The photograph is simply telling us about civilization and how it affected Filipinos, specially tribes who are Non-Christian. Through the photography of Worcester, it can let you see the differences and improvements generation by generation. It is an accurate representation of how Filipino generations of tribal minorities improved as years passed by. These images were all over media and publications. It was published in 1913 by Worcester. Again, there is a story behind it. It is obviously about civilization. Filipinos are known to be living in a survival-type of life. Farmers, hunters, and fishermen are everywhere trying to survive. Apparently, civilization came to them through the US colonialism. Even if the congress was insisting it was biased, Filipinos are focused to the opportunity of improving their way of living. Their lifestyle were improved and the civilization came through then until now.

Reflective: Civilization happens and we cannot stop that. We are here to go with the flow as years passes by. People in our past used this opportunity to improved their lifestyles too. In my own perception, Worcester made better choice on promoting and showing how civilization can change people's mindset. He showed us how it could work even in its slightest way. The image showed men who took part on the civilization and how it changed them. Not only how they look, but also how they can improve as a person and survivors. Even though they were from our late generations, we will always take credit to their choice. We are the next generations and we should continue improving the civilization given to us. We are here to continue the legacy and make it come through the next generations after us as well. It will never be too late to understand why we needed civilization.

— @charmingcherry08