Empire of New Castille

[Namayan]

41. Spain’s Revival (1837-1864)

The first attack committed by Imperial loyalists versus the Visayan Confederacy was to retake Mindoro Island and Marinduque island. It is nearer to Manila and Cavite. Securing those islands creates a safer route going to Semirara coal mines.

Bornean authorities display their captured cannons from Kraton of Martapura (Sultanate of Banjar)​

Borneans had different sentiments compared to the Visayans or Alejandro. The Bornean governors were chosen by Andres from the civil service in Luzon compared to Visayas, one of the local landed elites was recommended to Andres.

Borneo provinces were profitable and valuable to the empire. Coal was even discovered in Philippine protectorate Brunei in 1837, sparked the interest of finding more coal in Borneo. Railroads existed around or near mines going to towns or cities. The total railway length within Borneo in 1863 was 200 kilometers and the Borneans made sure to use that money allotted by Manila for Railroads. The Visayans who had the same amount allotted by Manila had no railroad. Most of the Philippine migrants of Borneo also came from Luzon, which made Borneo more an extension of Luzon.

Borneo had a literacy rate of 30%, far higher than Visayans. Roads, schools and hospitals were still being built. Roads were needed to make it easier for local militia to fight and occupy Dayak and sultanate-controlled areas. Schools and Churches were valuable to convert the local populace as Imperial citizens.

Unlike the peasants in Visayas, Dayaks and Malays were educated by either the Borneo public schools or Catholic run Catechism schools. This gave Dayaks and Malays a chance to move up the social ladder especially if they convert to Catholic. However, Borneo authorities let the locals choose their religion individually if they will retain their pagan and Islamic religion. These new assimilated populaces will be exempted from forced labor or given farm lands allocated to them by the government or if converted to Catholic lands were given by the Catholic Orders. Borneo Imperial authorities and Catholic orders made sure locals have this ability to improve social standing to encourage assimilation among the local populace.

Migrants from Luzon were encouraged to man the mines and farms of Borneo. Even the Kongsi Republics accepted Philippine Imperial authority especially after the result of Sino-Philippine war. There were still those who resisted the empire, and tried to kill settlers slowly creeping their lands ranging from Pagans, Muslims and even disgruntled Chinese. Borneo countered this with their own military actions, sometimes resulting in massacres to those who refuse to accept imperial control. Filipinos ranging from Filipinos of Chinese descent from Luzon or assimilated Borneo Chinese, assimilated Pagan Dayaks, Muslims from Luzon and assimilated Malay Muslims were even tapped for the Borneo Militia.

“The empire in Luzon is much like the British in Australia on how they treated aborigines and the Americans on how they treated their native Indians. The Americans preferred segregation by herding their natives into Indian reservations. The empire occupied all the lands and forced indigenous cultures into becoming Novales’ version of a Filipino with the other option being death, from the mountains of Cordilleras to the jungles of Borneo and Mindanao. The empire called it progress, civilizing savages, the end of head hunting and slavery.”

- A History of Borneo by Nico Joaquin published in 1950

Borneo authorities have been eyeing Northern Borneo for quite some time. But the empire had signed a peace treaty with Sultanate of Sulu. When Sulu attacked Basilan, Borneo militia and Order of St. Joseph invaded North Borneo and, in their eyes, “liberating” the Pagan Dayaks in North Borneo from Sultanate control.

Red – Loyalists, Empire of the Philippines
Orange – Visayan Confederacy
Grey – Alejandro’s Empire
Yellow - Sulu Sultanate
Green – Confederation of Lanao Sultanates
Lime – Maguindanao sultanate
Purple – Confederation of Carolians​

On August 1863, an incident took place in one of the haciendas in Lambayeque, Andean Union wherein Spanish residents fought local citizens ending with two Spanish citizens dead and four locals injured.

Spain demanded an apology and reparations for her affected Spanish nationals. The Union believes it is an internal police matter.

Spain sent a representative in March 1864 bearing the title Royal Commissary. It was a deliberate insult to the Union due to the commissary as a colonial function rather than as coequal independent nations. The Spanish representative demanded reparations which the Union rejected due to the insult.

The next month, a Spanish fleet seized the Andean Union’s Chincha Islands with 400 marines, raising the Spanish flag. Spain also blockaded Andean Union ports disrupting trade.

The island gives Andean Union significant revenue due to the Guano trade. Guano, excrement of seabirds or bats, is a highly effective fertilizer that Andean Union processes to export. While blockading the ports, stops the Union’s trade revenue with the rest of the world, including those who earn thru silver and metal trade. Spain believes the Andean Union’s lack of military capability to counter Spain’s gunboat diplomacy.

Spanish sailors occupy Chincha Islands​

Spain’s actions were also timely. The United States was still finishing her civil war. The Mexico and Gran Colombia were fighting their own war. Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay were all fighting their own separate war. The Philippines was also in the middle of her own civil war. The Philippine navy had reassigned the newer ships expecting a war in Japan. Thus, leaving the Philippine East Pacific squadron with obsolete ships.

The Philippine East Pacific Naval Squadron did try to interfere. Tensions between the Philippine squadron and Spanish fleet quickly increased leading to a battle. One Philippine Sloop was sunk and several ships damaged. The Spanish fleet had newer ships compared to the Philippine squadron. The Philippine Squadron, humiliated, limped back to their naval base in Galapagos.

The military actions of Spain in her former Spanish colony roused the anti-Spanish sentiments across South America. Nations in South America were worried that Spain is trying to reestablish her empire.

The United States, unable to impose Monroe doctrine, sent a formal protest.

Once the news reached Manila, members of parliament who earns thru the Lima Trade or have ties with businessmen who profits thru the Lima Trade, demanded for war. It was rejected by the majority due to the ongoing rebellion and naval commitments with Britain in Japan. Nor would the war proceed lacking Alfred’s approval. The parliament instead approves the request of the Navy to increase naval spending with more ocean-going ironclads ordered to replace the older wooden naval ships and aim to build more ironclads than the total number of Spain’s oceangoing ships including ships Spain ordered from Britain and France. Proponents of the measure to declare war on Spain instead went to the public, thru newspapers and town criers, spreading information that Spain wishes to conquer her former colonies, including the Philippines, trying to cause panic and fervor for war.

 

[Namayan]

42. Shimonoseki Campaign (1850-1864)

The Chosu daimyo, Mori Takachika, began to take action to expel all foreigners by ordering his forces to fire without warning on all foreign ships traversing Shimonoseki Strait in June 1863. This is despite the order of the shogunate to deal with foreigners peacefully. Many feudal daimyos were resentful of the open-door policy of the shogunate to foreign trade.

For the past year, several battles occurred between the domain and several foreign navies. Diplomatic negotiations were attempted to open the passage. Months passed Japanese who supported the expulsion of the foreigners destroyed foreign property, homes, churches and shipping.

By August 1864, a multinational squadron steamed to open Shimonoseki Strait consisted of 20 British, French, Dutch and Philippine warships together with marines all under the command of Admiral Kuper of the Royal navy.

After less than a month, the allies destroyed Chosu’s capability to wage war on foreign powers.

A ceasefire is drawn up forcing the reparation of 1 million British Pounds. The Tokugawa Shogunate was unable to pay the indemnity and was forced to open more ports to foreign trade.

Bombardment of Shimonoseki by the Allied Fleet​

The Visayan Hiligaynon Fleet contested the landing of the Imperial navy north west of Panay Island near Boracay island in 1864.

The Visayan Hiligaynon fleet is composed of confiscated 2 wooden fifth rate frigates, 4 old Sloops-of-war, 3 screw sloops and the Visayan Flagship Galleon, first rate. The Visayans plated their Galleon with makeshift armor.

The Imperial battle fleet consisted of ironclads HMS Guam, HMS Palau and led by HMS Cebu’s Sister ship HMS Luzon. Philippine Admiralty appointed as commander of the Imperial fleet is one Guillermo Tejero. The Imperial Navy is stretched with fleets supporting troops in Palawan and Samar. Patrols were also conducted around China and a blockade is being conducted around Mindanao and Visayas. A campaign was also being conducted in Japan. However, Imperial authorities committed their ironclads in Panay due to the threat of the First rate capable of sinking the wooden ships of the Imperial navy.

HMS Guam and HMS Palau are Guam class broadside ironclads. They are shortened version of Cebu Class Ironclads. The Guam class had less armor ranging from 3 to 4.5 inches of wrought iron. The ship class weigh more than 3,600 tons. They have the same range as Cebu class but faster at 14 knots using just the engine. Unlike Cebu class which is full rigged, Guam class ironclads were barque-rigged. The crew complement is more than 200. The ship was originally armed with 16 68-pounders.

HMS Guam​

The battle began with long range gunfire from both fleets. The Imperial fleet focusing first on the screw sloops. The Visayans responded with their own artillery but their return fire either missed or bounced off the Imperial Ironclads. Imperial Ironclads hit all three screw sloops on their engines. One screw sloop eventually floundered due to the damage caused by the Ironclads. The second screw-sloop had damaged engine, sails and masts leaving it dead on the water. The third screw sloop was hit on the engine causing an explosion on the boilers destroying the screw-sloop.

After dealing with the screw sloops, HMS Luzon engaged the Visayan flagship in gunfire. Even with makeshift armor, the Visayan flagship was still taking damage from HMS Luzon’s artillery. But the armor was enough to keep the Visayan flagship fighting and afloat. Unable to destroy nor disable the large Visayan Galleon, Admiral Tejero ordered HMS Luzon to ram the Galleon. After ramming the Visayan flagship, HMS Luzon broke free of the Visayan flagship. The Visayan flagship listed and eventually sank. The sinking of the Visayan flagship and the way it was conducted panicked the remaining Visayan fleet.

The remaining ships of the Visayan fleet try to escape. However, the speed and maneuverability of Guam Ironclads and HMS Luzon were uncanny for their size when both the sail and engine were used.

One of the Visayan Frigates engage artillery fire with HMS Guam but eventually struck colors and surrendered. Unable to escape or win a slugfest with the Imperial navy, the remaining frigate and four Sloops-of-war ran aground.

Gribeauval field artillery used by Napoleon in 1795​

When the Imperial army landed north west of Panay Island near Semirara island in 1864, the Visayans decided to fight the Imperial army interior of Panay at Panay Plains far from Imperial Navy bombardment. The Visayan elite and top brass believe the Imperial army will face them forming a line infantry for volley fire. Visayan scouts counted fewer Imperial Army forces compared to their 16,000 Visayan Panay Army. The leaders believe they can attack, overwhelm the smaller Imperial army and win thru a mass charge of the bayonet.

The Visayans in Panay Island have 12 Gribeauval field artillery pieces. These artillery pieces were roughly the same artillery that Napoleon used in 1795 during the Paris coup. These cannons had an effective firing range of 800 meters with maximum ranges of 1,500 meters. The Visayan local rifles were hand me downs from Luzon and Cebu. When the Imperial army upgrades their rifles, the other islands received the older models. Panay Island stocks are modified Brown Bess muskets with percussion caps. The effective firing range were around 100 meters with a capability of 3 rounds per minute for a trained soldier. Some, especially former members of Imperial army, had the model 1852 Santa Mesa Rifles. Every member of the Visayan army had a rifle. However, very few were trained or drilled with rifles. Even fewer had any experience of an actual battle. Almost all of the soldiers were infantry. Horses were reserved for selected officers. Everyone had uniforms but only the officers had shoes or boots. The officers were mostly landed elite or children of landed elite who are educated but with little to no training in the military. Most of the Visayan Hiligaynon army were farmers with no military training.

The Imperial army that landed numbered 4,000. The army consisted of 400 Cavalry, 400 of the Gurkha regiment along with snipers, engineers, hydrogen gas balloons and supply train. The Imperial army landed with 40 artilleries - a mix of 3-pounder, 12-pounder Whitworth rifled cannons, and 6-pounder c/61 Krupp cast steel cannons.

Philippine Army Artillery Corps with Krupp Artillery​

Philippine representatives noticed Alfred Krupp’s steel canon in the 1851 London Exhibition which led to the army buying several of his canon for testing. Some of these were even used in Sino-Philippine war and tested it against the Chinese. As one of Krupp’s first cannon customers, the Philippines continued testing and buying cannons manufactured from Krupp’s factory in Essen.

When the British adopted the Armstrong gun, Philippines adopted the Whitworth rifled cannon in 1859. Whitworth rifled cannons had maximum ranges between 9,000 to 10,000 meters during testing. Accuracies at 9,500 meters deviate only 20 yards if done with multiple shots, with 1,500-meter multiple shots deviate only within 18 inches. Joseph Whitworth was invited to Philippines to advise on the retooling of industries to license and mass produce his rifled cannons for the local Arsenals in Manila and Cavite.

The Dreyse needle gun was evaluated in 1850. The army had bad evaluations of the gun. Nor can the Sommerda factory provide a surplus for sale due to European demand. The British evaluation of needle gun was also less than stellar which they shared with the Philippines. The model 1852 Santa Mesa rifle ended patterned after the British Brunswick rifle.

Studies continued on a locally built breech loading rifle. Andres and the state poured in money for the development and research of new rifles. Unlike the Philippine Navy, the Army had limited manpower forcing the Army to adapt European technologies, techniques and then improve them. In an event of a war, the whole empire can only muster 15,000 regulars, guards and 130,000 reserves for the army since most of the manpower signed up for the navy or the naval reserve. The Confederate States of America with a lower population than the whole empire ordered an enlistment of 400,000 men with total estimate enlistment numbering 1,000,000. To the Philippines, improving new technology and techniques from Europe and United States is regarded as progressive and innovative. To Western Europe and United States both government and private citizens, Philippines is regarded as a nation of mimes, a nation of parrots – copying Portuguese buildings; French fortifications; British financial institutions, industry and navy; Prussian administration and army; and imitating American weapons.

In 1856, the Philippine engineers improved the United States Sharps rifle. The rifle’s reliability and accuracy were improved by Philippine engineers. The breech loading mechanism was improved and gas leakages from the burning gunpowder charge were also reduced. The local design made the rifle capable of firing metallic cartridges. The improvements gave the rifle effective firing range between 400 meters or more for an ordinary trained soldier while retaining the rate of fire of 8-10 shots per minute. Skilled Snipers could hit targets beyond 1,000 meters. The Sharps rifle was then licensed by the Arsenal for local production, Santa Mesa model 1857, Philippines Sharps.

Santa Mesa model 1861 Carbine (Philippine Henrys)​

In 1861, Philippine engineers acquired multiple Henry repeating rifles and upgraded the design. Philippine Engineers retained the lever action and same mechanics. It was improved by installing a breech loading mechanism with an opening in one of the brass receiver side-plate. The magazine was improved and sealed. This made it easier to reload the rifle while retaining its rate of fire of more than 20 rounds per minute. The rifle was shortened and given a wooden handguard. By 1862, Andres and the army approved the purchase of licensed Henry rifles.

Most of the Luzon army issued rifles by the June 1863 rebellion were Philippine Sharps rifle. Philippine Henry Carbines numbered only 10,000 in June 1863. Cavalry was given priority for the carbines.

 

[Namayan]

43. The Empire Strikes Back (1857-64)

The Philippine Imperial army kept in touch with events in Prussia. The new Prussian prime minister, Otto von Bismark, paved the way for Prussian reforms of Albrecht Graf von Roon and Philippines’ former Prussian advisor Helmuth von Moltke. The army reforms in Prussia through the relationships built between the armies were also being applied in the Philippine army.

After the Sino-Philippine war, the Philippine General Staff still believed it was losing a lot of troops during that said war. An additional army doctrine was tailored specifically for Philippine needs to combine with the adapted Prussian doctrine.

New Philippine army tactics focused on further limiting the loss of manpower using combine arms approach. Philippine army preferring heavy cover either the use of terrain, vegetation or building trenches than forming a line in the open field. If caught in open field, it is better to kneel or lay down than stand in line. The Philippine army was also trained in jungle warfare - from fighting, maneuvers, building defensive positions or traps, to survival since the start of their primary education at 6 years old.

The treatise, New Philippine Tactics, written by Philippine General Jaime Pelaez in 1857 focused in this change of doctrine advocating the skirmish line as the new line of battle and promoting engagement thru the use of cover. The doctrine also called for heavy use of long-range sniping and artillery barrage to avoid loss of manpower.

With the death of British businessman Charles Richardson in September 1862, Britain requested Andres’ aid in the upcoming war with Japan. Drills with the new doctrine were conducted using the new rifles in Luzon. Months of ramped production and logistics were prepared for the upcoming invasion of Japan.

Imperial Infantry at the Battle of Panay​

President Araneta appointed Andres Montinola, one of the family members of the landed Montinola family, as Commander of the Panay army. Andres Montinola was educated in private school by his wealthy family. However, his military education and experience all came from reading Napoleonic warfare books.

The battle began when elements of the Imperial army, who the Visayans believe were a small band of Imperial skirmishers, started sniping Visayan Skirmishers and scouts. General Montinola also believed the main body of the Imperial Army is not far behind. However, the Visayans can barely see the Imperial army’s position including the Imperial skirmishers.

General Andres Montinola formed up his army. The Visayan army marched their men in tightly closed formations, often with soldiers’ elbow-to-elbow in double rank battle lines. The Visayan drummers, fife and bugle started playing Chanson de l’Oignon.

Philippine General staff appointed General Gabriel Enriquez to lead the invasion of Panay. General Enriquez is an avid supporter of Jaime Pelaez’s skirmisher doctrine.

The Imperial cavalry and infantry harassed the approaching Visayan army, trying to disable the artillery or killing their artillerymen. The Imperial Snipers aiming first at the artillery men, followed by Visayan Skirmishers, and finally Visayan officers who they can identify that were once part of the Imperial army.

The Imperial line is very fluid with almost all the infantry and cavalry drilled as skirmishers.

Imperial soldiers were firing multiple volleys before the Visayans can even reload or fire their own volley. Imperial infantry sniper escorts and cavalry started aiming at Visayan soldiers that forced the Visayans to further compress their battle lines. After that, Imperial infantry and cavalry retreats. Seeing the Imperial soldiers were retreating, the Visayans kept moving forward to seal their victory. Sensing their victory, the Visayans start playing La Victoire est a nous, a march taken from the French Opera La caravane du Caire.

Once the Visayans are moving, imperial soldiers reposition themselves under cover far from Visayan range. Then, the imperial soldiers start their sniping the Visayans again. This cycle kept on going until the Visayan Army reached the designated position for the Imperial artillery to engage the Visayan army.

Once in range, the Imperial artillery barrage hit the Visayans from more than 2,000 meters away. Visayan soldiers seeing their friend or neighbor being torn to shreds by the Imperial artillery. The hydrogen balloons brought by the imperial army were used for reconnaissance and as spotters for artillery. The Balloon corps gave flag signal directions to the artillery who can fire blindly. Each signal would indicate adjustments until the artillery hit right on target.

The Visayans cannot even deploy their remaining artillery due to its shorter range. After seeing their fellow Visayans dying from the concentrated artillery barrage with pin point accuracy, General Montinola orders their retreat. The Imperial army kept pressuring and harassing the Visayan army during the Visayan retreat.

Some Visayans at the frontline were caught or surrendered. A lot of the Visayans that routed were killed by Imperial cavalry and infantry.

By the end of the battle, 8,000 Visayans were dead, 2,000 captured, 3,000 missing or have fled and only 3,000 returned safely back to rebel-controlled towns and cities. The Imperial army had no dead and 20 wounded. Visayan dead spread multiple kilometers.

The Visayan Panay authorities refused to fight another pitch battle. They chose to dig trenches and hide behind their garrison artillery and mortars around Iloilo city.

Philippine Imperial Army bombardment of Iloilo city​

Initially, Iloilo City refused to surrender. The Imperial army did not attack nor charge the trenches or the city. Instead, day and night both the trenches and city were bombarded by the Imperial army and Imperial navy. The imperial navy transports disembarked the army’s heavy siege cannons, siege artillery capable of outranging the Visayan garrison artillery in Iloilo. The Visayans tried to fire back with their artillery, Napoleonic era muzzle loading Gribeauval garrison artillery, unable to reach the entrenched Imperial army.

After 2 days and nights of bombardment, Iloilo city surrendered. The Visayan confederacy president Hermenegildo Araneta and his family were captured.

The Visayan Waray Army in Samar Island fared no better. It was massacred thinking it can fight a pitch battle due to superiority of numbers and was led by unqualified officers and leaders.

Each Visayan Island learned after their initial encounter with the Imperial army. Nor there was information being shared by Visayan confederacy outside their island how to deal with the Imperial army. They had to learn it thru experience.

The Visayans would eventually change tactics, either they retreated to their towns creating trench works, or they went to the mountains.

Visayan Warays kill Imperial soldiers while eating breakfast​

In the town of Balangiga, during the first month of Imperial army’s occupation, relationship between imperials and townspeople were friendly. However, tensions rose between Imperial Andresians and local Visayan Warays from Samar due to cultural differences. This culminated in a surprise attack while Imperial soldiers were eating at the mess area. This started with the church bells of Balangiga ringing and local Waray militia attacking the unprepared Imperial troops.

50 Imperial soldiers were dead, 30 wounded. 20 rebels were dead, 20 were wounded. The rebels escaped carrying 100 rifles. It was one of the deadliest Visayan Confederacy battles for the Imperial Army.

The Imperial Army retaliated by marching across Samar taking adults who refuse to swear back allegiance to the emperor and the empire, on every village, from ages 14 or above and killing them.

Both the Visayans and imperials had mutual dislike for each other. The Visayans believing in their god given right to be free. Individual rights, family are viewed more valuable than the state. They view these people from Luzon as people who lost their empathy and were too strict. The Imperial soldiers were viewed as cowardly since the Imperial army refused to fight them in a line formation or face them thru bayonet charge. Ordinary Visayans believe once they receive independence, their lives will improve since it was the Imperials who were the cause of the sufferings of the ordinary Visayans.

Most of the Imperial soldiers who never visited Visayas expected all Visayans to be like citizens from Luzon or Cebu. They were shocked that not only these Visayans barely speak nor read Spanish but do not know the Philippine National Anthem even by hymn. Imperial soldiers noted that their fellow Gurkhas in the Gurkha regiment are more Filipino than these Visayans. The physical state of Visayans were also different. They have the same skin color but Imperial Luzon male height averaged 166 centimeters, the average Visayan male, 150 centimeters. Cebu males, due to heavy coal intensity within their island, average 164 centimeters. The Imperials value civic duty and would do what is necessary for the state even at the expense of individual rights. The Imperial soldiers quickly changed their view of Visayans from fellow Filipinos to barbarians that need to be civilized.

The Visayan leaders, the landed elite, were easy to convince and pacify. The landed elite refused to fight guerilla warfare preferring to surrender than escape to the mountains.

The ordinary Visayans were not easy to pacify and required more campaigns in the jungles and mountains.

Simultaneous with the attack on Panay Island, Palawan also fell back to Imperial control. Sultanate of Sulu was the first Moro Sultanate to fall under the empire. Sultan Jamal ul-Azam of Sulu was captured. Imperial navy blockaded all the routes to Dutch Indies. A blockade was setup up making sure no ship was able to trade with the remaining islands under Visayan Confederacy and Alejandro. Leyte Gulf was blocked by the Imperial Navy as well as Sulu Sea. The Imperial Navy also patrolled Southern Mindanao and started landing the Imperial Army at the coastal areas controlled by the Carolians. Dutch ships refused to challenge the Philippine blockade not attempting to use their neutrality nor risk a war with Manila.

 

[Namayan]

44. Alfred Travels (1864)

Constantinople, circa 1864​

The Philippine delegation was accompanied by a British steam frigate, a French steam frigate and the Philippine naval fleet escorting Alfred. Napoleon II wanted his daughter represented in Alfred’s court with the presence of French diplomats. The French steam frigate was already assigned to Cochinchina and was ordered to accompany Alfred until he reaches Borneo.

The next stop after Rome was Constantinople.

In Constantinople, Emperor Alfred met Sultan Abdulaziz to request the sultan as Caliph to write letters to the Moro Sultanates. [1]

Emperor Andres had appointed several Andresian educated, local loyal Muslims from Luzon to a committee. He trusted Muslim Andresians more than those who have very friendly relations with Catholic Church due to his bad history with the Church, much like he trusted Gurkha Hindus than relying on Catholic guards. He organized and took care of Andresian Muslims in such a way to assure their loyalty. One of the powers of his Islamic committee was to appoint Imams in Luzon which swears their allegiance to Emperor Andres. All of the sultanates will now come under the Islamic Committee’s oversight including appointment of Imams in their respective sultanates which includes swearing allegiance to the emperor.

Besides being the protector of Muslims in Luzon, the diplomats emphasized that the Emperor of the Philippines is also the protector of Islamic Aceh, one of the Ottoman protectorates.

In return for their allegiance, the Moro Sultanates will remain as Sultans but will function like a hereditary governor managing their realm. Each sultanate will gain a representative in Parliament. Basilan will be returned to Sultanate of Sulu, part of land north of Lanao Lake to the Lanao Sultanates. Sulu Northern Borneo will be transferred to the provinces of Borneo.

Inside the sultanates, crimes committed by Muslims inside the Sultanates will be judge by system based on Sultanate’s local law. Non-Muslim living or visiting inside the Sultanates, Philippine Imperial law will be applied to them. Incompatible sultanate laws with Imperial law like slavery were banned even in sultanate territories.

The Philippine delegation sent the fastest steamer of the fleet ahead of the delegation to send the letter of the Caliph to the sultanates.

Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz​

After Constantinople, the Philippine delegation stopped in Malta. Then, the fleet passed by Gibraltar and the garrison gave a salute for Alfred’s passing ship. The fleet stopped at Cape Verde to refuel, then proceed to the first Philippine territory, Fernando Po Island, in West Africa.

Alfred was welcomed by local authorities including school children. The children gave their emperor a gift, a garland of Jasminum sambac. These garlands were usually used to adorn religious images or for bestowing honor to the necks of living persons. Alfred noted the garland had strong scent of sweet Jasmine.

The children prepared a presentation to their emperor. They started singing the National Anthem with hands placed on top of their heart:

Firmly I pledge
My loyalty to thee,
Land of my forefathers
Forever brimming with glory,
A land of beauty!
Home of the courageous,
Pearl of the Orient.
The might of enemy ships,
Threatens us in vain.
It is a hopeless quest.
Turn away from deceit,
and sweet delusions.
For the trumpets of war,
will call our soldiers soon!
Across the fatherland
A victory song will ring
And across the fatherland
Our song will resonate
A time of joy and pride
Our beloved fatherland…[2]​

The National Anthem was written by Count Varela before leaving for London. It explains the beauty of the Philippines and to encourage loyalty to newly born nation to defend from a potential Spanish reconquest.

Emperor Alfred spent a week visiting areas around his first imperial territory talking with local citizens and local authorities.

garland of Jasminum sambac / Sampaguita Garland​

The fleet then stop at Simon’s Town at Cape Colony. It is the second visit of Alfred to the colony but first as a foreign monarch.

The fleet arrived in Mayotte receiving the same honor given by local authorities to Alfred. Alfred spent another week discussing with local authorities and citizens of any help Alfred can give to the island.

Local Mayotte authorities, just like Fernando Po authorities, requested increased in funding particularly building a local railway. Philippines already improved the local ports, installed macadamized roads, while provided for public education. Both islands were small requiring a smaller a budget for the railways compared to the larger islands within the empire. They also made many requests as this kind of opportunity may only happen once in their lifetime especially since the Philippine telegraph lines have not reached Mayotte much less Fernando Po Island.

After finishing his rounds in Mayotte, Alfred and his fleet went north towards Arabia. Emperor Alfred was welcomed by the Mahra Sultan, Sultan of Qishn and Socotra, to discuss the sale of Socotra to the Philippines. Both the Sultan and Emperor agreed on the sale and price. Philippine diplomats were left to finalize the deal of the island.

The Fleet stopped at Bombay to resupply and refuel, sail for Colombo, Singapore then arrived in Kuching.

The arrival of Emperor Alfred in Kuching, with a population 50,000 people fueled by migration from Luzon and China, was received with great enthusiasm. Alfred was the first emperor to visit Kuching. Past requests of Borneo citizens for a royal visit from either Andres and Mariano or any of their family members were disregarded.

Luzon Colonists, Chinese, Dayaks, Malays, Mestizos, the local authorities, clergy had gone considerable trouble the past few months to ensure that everything was perfect for their most honored guest.

The people flocked the docks upon the fleet’s arrival and it took hours just to clear a path.

Alfred rode into the city on horseback, escorted by his Gurkha guards, through the streets of Kuching flooded with people shouting his name, saluting.

There was forest of Philippine flags, masses of sampaguitas, ringing of church bells and parties for days. Papel Picado/perforated paper hang over the streets of Kuching. A day after Alfred’s arrival, there were culture of parades in the streets presenting in front of their monarch. There was a parade of dancers wearing bright costumes and festive masks trooping through Kuching town center. There was frenzied dancing and loud music. The parade of different cultures, ranging from Chinese Filipino, Luzon migrants and Filipino Dayaks were very passionate and full of color.

Ordinary Borneans cooked plenty of hearty food and open their doors to visitors. People, adults and children, participated games during the day and watched fireworks by night. The ordinary Borneans who could not afford to buy immense amount of food nor have enough coin to contribute to their village celebrations loaned money just to participate the festivities.

Each prominent family, from Luzon migrants, Chinese businessmen to assimilated pagan Dayaks and Malay Muslims lucky enough to get an audience with Alfred during one of the luncheons or dinners eagerly presented their daughters to their blue-eyed sovereign.

Colors that Alfred would have seen in the Kuching Festival​

The Borneo clergy who came to swear allegiance to Alfred sang a song of praise that the emperor will never forget:

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; Alleluia!
For His Mercy endures forever; Alleluia!
Give thanks to the God of gods; Alleluia!
For His Mercy endures forever; Alleluia!
Give thanks to the Lord of lords; Alleluia!
For His Mercy endures forever; Alleluia!

To Him alone does great wonders; Alleluia!
For His Mercy endures forever; Alleluia!
To Him who by wisdom made the heavens; Alleluia!
For His Mercy endures forever; Alleluia!
To Him who laid out the earth above the waters; Alleluia!
For His Mercy endures forever; Alleluia!

Melody heard by Alfred roughly the same as what Borneo Clergy sang but in Spanish [3]​

Alfred was surprised by the singing of the priests and how the music was played. The beat of the song was very different with priests singing at a lower tone. He has not heard this version of song in Catholic churches within the British empire or even in Papal Rome, although he understood the Spanish words which came from the bible, Book of Psalms. Had not the priests worn their cassock, he would have thought it was the British army or the Philippine army singing during a march for battle.

The local Catholics during Andres reign had to adapt to convince anti-clerical Andresians to attend Church service. The tune was adapted by the local clergy from the Byzantine Psalm chant. It was modified by Philippine priests to sound even more as a war song to appeal to Andresians.

[1] Happened in OTL when USA Requested to the Ottomans to write to the Sultanate of Sulu to submit to American rule
[2] ATL Philippine National Anthem is based on the song in a Movie of Jackie Chan, Dragon Blade, entitled, Light of Rome. Lyrics were slightly edited; music should be roughly the same.
[3] Based on Psalm 135 by Farya Faraji

 

[Namayan]

45. Visayan Proscriptions (1864)

The captured Visayan elites, former and current governor, mayors, and their families were sent to Manila. The Imperial Judges found guilty the Visayan elites with more than 40 years of corruption, stealing from the state, mismanagement. The former Confederacy President Araneta called the Imperial court in Manila a Kangaroo court and lacked compassion.

All properties of the Visayan elites who supported the rebellion were stripped of their title, rank, assets, company shares, coin and property. Even the property, assets, coin, shares of their children that can be traced as acquired due to corruption of their families who pocketed imperial coffers were also confiscated.

Part of the lands confiscated were offered to Visayan peasants still fighting the Imperial army. Ordinary Visayans will receive land in exchange for surrendering and allegiance to the empire. A large part was confiscated by the state to fund the rebuild and compensate the cost of Imperial forces campaigns. Any remaining coin, asset and property will be transferred to the Crown estate of Alfred.

The current and former, governors including the former president of the Confederacy were sent to prison waiting for their Emperor’s decision either be sent to Labor Camps, decapitation or pardon. The family members who were not part of the corruption and mismanagement were freed. However, most of them now have no property nor wealth to go back to. Those who had no skill nor trade had no choice but to live in the streets. They were quickly rounded up by the Imperial police who either sent them to social workhouses, prison labor camps or orphanage if minor.

The Imperial military was very harsh on Visayan professional soldiers who were once part of the Imperial military. They were all tried in military court in haste and then executed. The Imperial civilian courts barely sentence people to death and if they did, they usually execute criminals through decapitation. The Imperial military who wanted to send a message to their own ranks on what awaits them if they commit rebellion and oath breaking. During execution, the rebels were tied back against the muzzle of the artillery. Once secured, the artillery is fired without a shell. This scattered the remains of the body of the executed into several directions.

***

Once the news of the naval defeat against Spain in South America reached Manila, it also reached Alejandro in Cebu and Emperor Alfred and his entourage in Kuching thru the installed telegraph lines.

The imperial forces have been avoiding Alejandro and have been focusing on weaker rebels and enemies. Alejandro had more professional soldiers loyal among his ranks than Visayans despite the lower population of Cebu compared to the rest of Visayas. He also had the manufacturing capability to produce modern ships and weapons. Alejandro had captured Cebu squadron having most of the modern gunboats of the empire meant to patrol Sulu Sea and Visayas.

He also built several monitors, low draft ironclads that are armed with turreted 10-inch cast iron rifled muzzle loading cannon designed by Cebu Engineers. These monitors have two barrels of artillery that are in a single turret, using Captain Cowper Coles patented turreted design. They are slow and have short range meant for defense.

An early confrontation in Cebu waters will be too bloody according to Loyalist estimates. It was better to choke the resources of Alejandro. The Loyalists focused on blockading Alejandro hoping to prevent any trade with Alejandro limiting the resources of Alejandro to whatever he can mine from Cebu or Surigao. The Loyalists were also in contact with Duke Diego and his loyalists, provided weapons and inserted specialists in Cebu to destroy factories and disable ships, disrupt transportation.

The arrival of Alfred in Kuching was received with gloom by Alejandro. Reports that a fleet of several British and French warships bringing in thousands of troops that came to help Alfred. That Alfred promised to marry Napoleon II’s daughter. The pope also gave Alfred the power on the local Catholic church. In reality, there was only one British steam frigate and one French Steam frigate with few sailors and soldiers that arrived in Kuching with Alfred. The British frigate was to escort Alfred and to continue its deployment to Hong Kong. The French frigate accompanied Alfred and continued to its assignment in Cochinchina.

The next day news arrived in Cebu of an imperial amnesty to any supporter of Alejandro on the condition that they swear their allegiance to Alfred. A reward was also given to anyone who will assist on Alejandro’s capture.

All the actions of the government were done in the name of Alfred during Alfred’s journey from London executed by Prime Minister Ferron. Ferron even authorize the invasion of Mindanao and occupation of Carolian territories. Alfred’s arrival in Philippine controlled territory connected to Manila through telegraph now required Alfred’s approval.

Andres’ reign was viewed by Europe as an oppressive and tyrannical regime. When Andres died and Alfred crowned as Emperor, European nations sigh in relief. The British monarchy and parliament believe Alfred will tame the previous excesses of Andres’ regime and spread British sense into the barbaric Philippine government.

Instead of killing everyone who opposed him like his predecessor, Alfred signs the amnesty for military members under Alejandro hoping to end the war faster. A large bounty was announced on the capture of Alejandro.

When the news of the imperial amnesty and bounty reached Alejandro, he feared for his life. He immediately packed and smuggled himself out of Cebu paying the blockade runner handsomely.

He was seen by Philippine traders in Dutch Java with the former Bishop of Cebu a month later and in Spain several months later.

The imperial pardon had conditions. The military who fought for Alejandro will be deployed in Mindanao as front line against the remaining Moro rebels and protect settlers from the Carolians. They also must permanently settle in Mindanao.

When Duke Diego and the loyalists captured Cebu City, all former non-military supporters of Alejandro cheered Duke Diego and the loyalist’s forces. Those that were known non-military supporters of Alejandro were summoned by Duke Diego. Some kneeled and kissed Duke Diego’s hand, some begged for their lives, some blamed they were under duress and threat of life by Alejandro. Others were hoping for Duke Diego’s sponsorship and good word to the Imperial judges and Emperor Alfred.

Alejandro’s property, shares was confiscated and given to Duke Diego, approved by Alfred. All supporters of Alejandro were tried and found guilty of treason. Their property and assets were confiscated. The confiscated assets will be used to pay for the Imperial campaign in the rebellion and distributed between the state and Crown estate of Alfred.

Manobo tribe

Carolian controlled Mindanao was neglected by the empire since independence. Emperor Andres refuse to invade further inland beyond Surigao thinking it is a waste money nor have any known abundant resources. After Andres’ death and the continued attack of Carolian tribes to Cebuano settlers during the rebellion, this gave Prime Minister Ferron the excuse to invade Mindanao.

The Philippine Navy landed Philippine army reserves at river what the Carolian tribe of Manobos call Davohoho. Army reserves were also landed in places where Villabos in 1543 interacted with the indigenous called Munato. When the army reserves landed, instead they discovered indigenous native tribe called Blaan.

The pardon members of military pushed south from Northern Mindanao following the Cebuano settlers. In Southern Mindanao, people from Luzon and Visayas who refuse to be under strict Andresian governance were the first settlers that followed the Imperial military. Andresian settlers from Luzon and Cebu centered in Surigao where there are developed mines and industries are more mature compared to the rest of Mindanao.

The superior firepower of the Empire forced the tribes to retreat. Rifles sold to them by the empire were old muskets that are only effective below 100 meters. Imperial forces brought in long range rifles, horses and repeating carbines that are lighter to carry. Imperial soldiers are better trained, drilled regularly than settlers. It takes an imperial soldier fewer shots to kill a Carolian with a musket. The tribes of the Pagan Carolians retreated to the mountains and deeper inside Mindanao jungles.

A temporary military government was setup in Carolian Mindanao headed by General Wenceslao Langit.

 

[Namayan]

46. Warmonger (1865)

Philippine Prime Minister Elias Ferron pushed for the signing of declaration of war to Alfred. Ferron reminds Philippine commitments protecting the Andean Union and freedom of trade in South America. However, declaring war meant a possibility of dragging France to war. French interference would give a reason to cancel the betrothal with Marie Sophie.

The betrothal was disliked by Alfred forced on him by Napoleon II. Prime Minister Ferron wants to trigger Alfred’s emotions, hoping to get Alfred to sign a declaration of war.

Ferron also reports Spain’s refusal to hand over Alejandro to Philippine authorities.

Members of Parliament who mostly come from Philippine Conservative Party visited Kuching to request the declaration of war now that the Rebellion and commitments in Japan are over. These people are all supporters of continued military expansion of the Philippines and were all appointed or voted during Andres’ reign. They lobby to Alfred the declaration of war to Spain.

The military is very supportive of the war. The military always gets a massive increase in budget in every war. Continuing the war will continue their “unlimited” spending.

Private industrialists and Imperial Arsenals were also in favor of war. War further increases their revenue and sale to the government. Extending the War spending, favors local arms manufacturers both private, government owned manufactories and those that provide service and materials to these manufacturers.

Bank of Luzon and the Civil service limits the manufactured weapon imports not wanting the repeat of the massive foreign debts incurred by Andres early during his reign. Bank Luzon instead issues local bonds sold to the local populace to fund the war.

Alfred met with the Chief of Staff of the Philippine General Staff Bayani Magat and Lord High Admiral Macario Dalogdog of the Philippine Admiralty to present the military’s recommendation and plans against Spain.

Prime Minister Ferron was expelled by Alfred from the room during the discussion between the Emperor, Chief of Staff and Lord High Admiral with some of Alfred’s advisors. As two Gurkhas stand guard, Ferron kept walking back and forth intensely in front of the door of the room where the military were giving their recommendations to Alfred. Ferron feared Alfred’s advisors were too British, that will favor status quo, may derail his plans for war with Spain.

When the Chief of Staff, Lord High Admiral and Alfred’s advisors left the room, the Chief of Staff looked at Ferron shaking his head.

Prime Minister Ferron was then called inside by Alfred and asked to sit down. Alfred is silent, continued reviewing the recommendations of the military and civil service. Ferron sweating not knowing the decision made by Alfred.

Ferron starts the conversation by recommending to Alfred that it is time to go to Manila and decide the issue with the Visayan elites in Imperial prisons and accept the oath of loyalty of all the Moro Sultans captured. However, Alfred had other plans. He ordered a visit to Panay Island wishing to see the center of the rebellion, how ordinary citizens are faring in the island.

 

[Namayan]

47. Lost in Paradise (1865)

Fort San Pedro, Iloilo decimated by the Imperial Navy​

Alfred and his entourage were rowed by sailors to the breakwater, a putrid smell rising from the waters of Iloilo strait. Alfred brought in a sizeable retinue in Asia to organize his empire the way he wanted. These are people who he trusted and of mostly British in origin.

The military greeted Alfred’s arrival with cannon salute.

Alfred’s arrival in Iloilo city has a totally different atmosphere compared to his arrival in Kuching. Iloilo city was in ruins, masses of people were not lining up to greet him.

A delegation of the new local officials greeted the Imperial retinue as they disembarked and presented Alfred with a Key to the city in a silver platter. The reception was chilling due to the absence of masses of people.

Alfred’s entourage climbed into carriages and traveled through the empty streets under military escort. They passed through a few arches erected to celebrate his arrival, streets devoid of people.

Alfred’s entourage continued outside of Iloilo city. The imperial entourage journey continues in heavily rutted and muddy trails.

Prime Minister Ferron, who is used to well-built and pristine Imperial roads, cursed the Ilonggos on their badly made, barely maintained rugged dirt roads. Potholes were common that made the journey very bumpy and forced the entourage to stop from time to time.

Buslugan Falls, Panay Island​

Lush mountains, rivers, ravines and waterfalls astonished Alfred’s visit in Panay Island. He got a view of rural Panay comprised of people living in poverty. These people had few possessions and lived a simple life.

Rather than talking to local officials, Alfred scoured rural Panay talking with ordinary townsfolk. The local townsfolk disliked the idea of talking to the person who represent the cause of their suffering. However, Alfred’s entourage brought food, medicine and doctors. Hiligaynon translators were brought in due to lack of Spanish fluency of the locals.

The rebellion caused severe disruption of food supplies. Imports from outside the empire and Luzon were disrupted. Farmers left their farms to join their respective militia. Thus, leaving fewer people that farm and provide for the food within their island. People are hungry all over the former Visayan Confederacy, from the northern most island of Mindoro to Northern Mindanao.

The deaths after the rebellion caused more people dying due to hunger and sickness. Material devastation was common - a lot of farms in disrepair, most of the livestock depleted. More than half a million Visayans died after the rebellion. Visayan per capita, outside Cebu and Bohol, dropped by more than 40%.

After his tour of Panay, Alfred visited Cebu and was welcomed by the locals with the same vigor as Kuching. The emperor met with Duke Diego and the loyalists of Cebu rewarding all of them with medals. Alfred was toured in the coal mines, factories and shipyards in Cebu. He inquired the needs of the employees of the companies and ordinary citizens of Cebu while the imperial secretary wrote every detail of the discussion with the emperor.

The retinue of Alfred is more relaxed in Cebu. Cebu’s locals are more welcoming, have well maintained imperial roads, City steam trams and all the comforts of urban Europe. Cebu even has more railroads per square kilometer than the island of Britain. Around 500 kilometers of railroads for the area of more than 4,400 square kilometers compared to Britain’s more than 15,000 kilometers of railroad for an area of more than 200,000 square kilometers. Even Alfred’s British advisors prefer the smog infested island of Cebu where comfortable lodgings are available. Panay seemed more of a place to escape reality compared to hustle and bustle of Cebu.

 

[Namayan]

48. Great Military Parade of Manila (1865)

Friar Rock Fort​

Alfred’s entourage returned to Manila after the visit in Cebu. When the fleet entered Manila Bay, Alfred could see from the starboard of the royal yacht, Friar Rock Fort. At the Port side, one could see Corregidor and Caballo island fortifications.

Friar Rock Fort is one of the fortifications made during Andres’ reign for the defense of Manila against perceived Spanish reconquest. It is a polygonal fort based on Marc Rene, marquis de Montalembert’s system. It is situated in El Fraile Island.

Once the royal yacht enters Port of Manila, Alfred is greeted by thousands of imperial citizens. Not to be outshined by Cebu or Kuching, Manila made a more grandiose welcome. It was a weeklong fiesta and military parades with free food and games for the public. Dinners were held to meet Manila’s elite.

The Moro sultans and their families swore allegiance to Alfred as their sovereign. The Visayan elites who were found guilty of pocketing state money were ordered to serve as forced labor for the rest of their lives.

Ferron who had prepared Alfred’s arrival, made sure that Alfred saw the regular burning of Spanish flags during the parades. Ferron gathered people raising Philippine flags while burning Spanish flags, cursing Spain.

Even during dinners, Manila’s elite were mumbling of Philippine navy’s humiliation with Spain, how the empire was losing trade and coin. Some even approached the emperor and asks him on how he will respond to the recent Spanish aggression.

1865 Military Parade at Paseo De Luneta​

Military parades were held on the emperor’s honor at Paseo de Luneta. The Philippine Imperial army marched with Imperial Marching Band. Behind the marching band were a column of goose-stepping soldiers marching down Paseo de Luneta. Some of the music played by the Imperial Marching Band were Hohenfriedberger Marsch composed during Frederick Great’s reign, Pariser Einzugsmarsch composed by Johann Heinrich Walch, Yorckscher Marsch composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, the British Grenadiers composed in the 17th century, Highland Laddie originating from a Scottish folk tune, and Ca Ira adopted from the British 14th regiment of Foot (Yorkshire regiment).

After the weeklong parade, parties and celebration, Prime Minister Ferron was summoned by Alfred. Alfred hands him the declaration of war to Spain. Ferron bows and leaves the presence of the emperor. Once in the hallway of Alfred’s new palace in Intramuros, Ferron grins.

Hallway at the Imperial Palace in Intramuros Palace Complex​

As Alfred is toured around the city, Alfred notices Manila just like Cebu and Kuching lacks the fouler smell of London or any British or European city. The roads of Manila, Cebu and Kuching were immaculately clean.

London, a metropolis of more than 2 million people, is known for its foul smell.

Manila, with a population of half a million people, differs from London. Much like her East Asian neighbors, Manila collects her human wastes. Even at the time when Philippines embraces European technology and administration, Eastern Asia exported their way of life and embraced by Philippine Imperial culture. Imperial culture use human waste as the main source of fertilizers for farms.

Ordinary British citizens will disregard the muck in the streets of London or throw it in River Thames but an enterprising Filipino will fight for the right to collect human waste. Judicial courts in the Philippines are constantly hounded by locals vying and filing cases on who has the right to collect human waste. These compost merchants in Manila gathers human waste, night soil, treats them and sells them to farmers.

Urine collection is also in demand but does not get a higher market price than night soil. Fermented Urine was used to wash cloth and clothing or remove rust from iron.

Even public toilets by government outside the cities, human waste is being fought over who has the right to collect the waste.

Andres’ reign-built sewer and privies/toilet system helped further on this. The public works for sewers fueled the local businesses for compost and urine collectors. These businesses were then taxed by the Philippine government.

Regulations were imposed regarding the maintenance of public roads and infractions were reported to Imperial administrators. Streets had to be cleared and then sprayed with water. Imperial administration did not stop in streets. Waterways, bridges and gutters were regularly repaired, maintained and cleared by the Imperial administration.

Andres even hired retired old men and women who pose as volunteer neighborhood cleaners. But these retired folk were part of his Emperor’s eyes, which now reported to Alfred. Even with their job as informants, they constantly cleaned the neighborhood which gave them a reason to see anything out of the ordinary.

Manila and Philippine Imperial cities like Kuching or Cebu did not have the horrendous problems of sewerage contamination, overflowing latrines, stinking street gutters.

However, in places where imperial culture is rejected or not adapted, urine and fecal collection is less than ideal with fewer centralized collection centers and toilets. Toilets and local cesspits were always near the rivers and water sources of towns. Local administrators do not regularly clean nor maintain the streets, sewers and leave animal waste in the streets. Some citizens can even be seen defecating and urinating in public.

Iloilo city and other Visayan Confederacy towns or cities wherein the leaders or European migrants of the old or local principalia that sees waste collection as taboo. Although local pozo negros/ cesspits existed as practiced by the former Spanish colonizers, Rubbish was left in streets and creeks with limited organized collection. Outside strict Imperial towns and cities, Cholera was a common occurrence.

Indigenous Filipinos who were not under any hacienda or encomienda had better sanitation in rural areas. They use compost as fertilizers since ancient times and still adapted composting but was limited individually among their farms with no organize nor mass collection system like the empire.

 

[Namayan]

49. Burning of Valparaiso (1843-1866)

After decades of instability, Spain had the navy, money and troops to impose their will into weaker nations. Spain started 1843 with their decada moreda in which Moderate party advocates of conservative liberalism held power, followed by Bienio progresista in 1854, led by the Progressive party advocates of radical liberalism.

By 1856, Leopoldo O’Donnell led another coup which ended bienio progresista. The war with Morocco in 1859 to 1860 sharpened and retooled the Spanish navy and army ending with Spain victorious with the recognition of Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish possessions plus war reparations in favor of Spain.

The perceive weaker South Americas and distracted protectors of South America emboldened the Spanish admirals to be aggressive in their stance against South American dishonor against Spain.

Bombardment of Valparaiso, Chile by the Spanish Fleet

Spanish ships arrived in Valparaiso, Chile requesting for coaling. Chile refused justifying that war supply could not be sold to a belligerent nation. Spain viewed coal embargo as proof that Chile was not a neutral nation.

The Spanish Admiral of the fleet demanded for the Spanish flag to be given a 21-gun salute. He deliberately presented his demand on the day before Chilean National Day. Under the circumstances, the Chileans refused, and war was declared a week later.

Spain tried to blockaded Valparaiso causing disruption of trade. Merchant ships from the United States, Philippines and Britain were present issued their formal protest on the Spanish blockade. Chile barred Spanish ships from ports.

A Chilean navy steam corvette engaged the Spanish navy schooner near coastal town of Papudo thru surprise in November 1865. The Chilean’s raised a British Flag and maneuvered close the Spanish schooner and incapacitated the crew. The battle ended with the Spanish schooner captured along with her screw.

The Andean union declared its solidarity with Chile. In December 1865, Chile and Andean Union ratified their alliance.

In February 1866, the Spanish Admiral Nuñez sent his two screw frigates to deal with the allied fleet which had taken refuge at Abtao. The battle with little success due to the shallow channel and the Chileans building some military fortifications. After several long-range duels between the two fleets, the Spanish withdrew. Superior gunnery of the Spanish killed more allied sailors.

Spain then ordered the bombardment of Valparaiso on March 1866. Attempts were made to mediate between Spain and Chile. US Navy ships and British Royal Navy ships were present tried to negotiate with Spain and failed. British merchants requested the Royal Navy to interfere. However, the British diplomat in Valparaiso was more concerned more of the Spanish civilians in Chile than British merchants in Chile preventing the Royal Navy from provoking the Spanish. The U.S Navy tried to intimidate the Spanish to backdown but failed.

The bombardment commenced shelling and burning the town of Valparaiso at 9 am in March 31, 1866. Property owned by British Nationals were damaged. After three hours of bombardment, Chile’s merchant fleet was destroyed, public and private property worth millions of British pounds destroyed.

At 12 noon, the Spanish fleet spotted ships near the horizon…

 

[Namayan]

50. The Pacific Alliance (1866)

Admiral Nuñez ordered to cease the bombardment of Valparaiso and prepare to engage the incoming Philippine navy.

Spanish Order of Battle

The Spanish fleet facing the Philippine navy composed of 1 ironclad, Numancia, with roughly the same firepower, size and tonnage to the original version of Cebu class ironclads, 5 screw frigates and 1 corvette, 1 armed merchant vessel plus several support ships.

Philippine Order of Battle

The Philippine fleet composed of 6 ironclads (2 batteline ironclads and 4 ironclad corvettes) - HMS Borneo, HMS Luzon and 4 Cagayan Class - HMS Cagayan, HMS Ilocos, HMS Pampanga, HMS Camarines. HMS Luzon was upgraded with new cannons, 120-pounder Whitworth rifled cannon. They were accompanied by 4 Screw Frigates and several support ships.

The Battle of Boracay versus the Visayan Galleon made the Imperial Navy realize the 68 pounders were not sufficient versus any ironclad. Philippine navy tested several weapons in 1862. The Navy tested several cannons against a 4.5-inch wrought iron plate, the 7-inch Armstrong gun performed the worse penetrating only 1-2 inches of the plate. The 68-pounder penetrated only 2-3 inches. The 70-pounder Whitworth cannon went thru the plate. All test were done at 200 yards. The 120-pounder Whitworth cannons can even penetrate HMS Warrior’s 4.5 inches wrought Iron plate at 600 yards.

The Borneo class is a large oceangoing ironclad made to fix armor deficiencies of Cebu class. She is a central battery ironclad with all the weapons located amidships. The weapons were reduced to 24 120-pounder Whitworth cannons located inside the box battery. The foremost and aftermost guns could be traversed to fire to within a few degrees of the line of the keel through recessed embrasures in the battery walls. The central battery, magazine and machinery were heavily armored up to 13 inches wrought iron. Tropical wood armor backing was reduced to 9 inches. Both the Bow and stern were armored. The stern was angled in such a way it deflects incoming artillery fire away from the rudder. The bow is armored with 6 inches of wrought iron angled to deflect artillery fire that Borneo class is going to ram. In order to save on weight, the rest of the ship is unarmored heavy relying on water tight compartments. The two Borneo class were laid down in 1863.

Double bottom, full rig sails, watertight bulkheads, speed of the ship, balanced rudder and ventilation of Cebu class were retained. The coal bunkers or range of the ship was increased to 4,000 nautical miles while cruising at 10 knots.

The Cagayan Class ironclad is an iron hulled and ironclad corvette. It was meant to replace the Guam Class before the war with a ship design based on Captain Coles turret design. It is slower than the Guam class at 12 knots with roughly the same tonnage at around 3,700 tons. It is armed with a single twin turret 120-pounder Whitworth cannons. They can fire ahead and aft 15 degrees of the line of keel. It has a stern chaser, of the same cannon and caliber, either on or under her poop.

The Philippine Imperial Fleet is being led by Admiral Guillermo Tejero.

Admiral Tejero​

The Battle of Valparaiso began with long range fire by the Philippine fleet engaging farther than the effective range of the Spanish fleet.

Outnumbered and outgunned, Admiral Nuñez ordered his fleet to ram the Philippine fleet. He wants to even odds rather than fight the larger Philippine fleet in artillery duel especially since his fleet used 3 hours of ammunition bombarding Valparaiso.

The Spanish fleet formed a V formation or arrowhead formation, with the smallest ships on the back.

Admiral Tejero ordered the Philippine fleet into a line abreast.

The Philippine fleet crossed the Spanish fleet’s T.

After heavy fire, one Spanish frigate, Resolucion, was hit on the engines and blew up. The armed merchant Paquete de Maule was disabled and dead on the water.

A Philippine screw frigate took 10 shots from the Spanish, one of the shots killed her captain.

Spanish frigate Villa de Madrid took 40 heavy shells, losing her mainmast and losing her engine propulsion.

HMS Cagayan was hit by a heavy shell below the waterline but remained afloat.

The Spanish Ironclad Numancia tried to ram HMS Ilocos. But HMS Ilocos was able to dodge the Spanish Ironclad.

HMS Ilocos then counter rammed the Spanish Ironclad. The impact tore off HMS Ilocos’ stem and bowspirit. The Spanish ironclad laid heavy fire using his 68pounders against HMS Ilocos. HMS Ilocos’ mainmast and funnel went into the sea.

Both ships, HMS Ilocos and Numancia, preparing for another ram backed off from one another.

HMS Luzon ramming the Spanish ironclad Numancia​

HMS Borneo fired on Spanish screw frigate, Reina Blanca, which demasted it and set the Spanish frigate on fire.

HMS Camarines and a Philippine screw frigate focused on Spanish frigate Nuestra Señora del Triunfo. Several shots from Philippine ironclads hit the Spanish frigate below the waterline. The Spanish screw frigate struck her colors and sank three minutes later.

HMS Pampanga and another Philippine screw frigate engaged the Spanish frigate Berenguela.

The remaining Philippine screw frigate engaged the Spanish corvette Vencedora.

Admiral Tejero seeing the Spanish Ironclad trying to attempt another ram against the smaller Philippine ironclad, ordered his flagship HMS Luzon to ram the Spanish Ironclad.

HMS Luzon conducted a good impact ramming. This put a 15 feet hole below the Spanish Ironclad’s waterline. The Spanish ironclad, Numancia, struck her colors but eventually sank.

Admiral Nuñez died during the battle. The Philippine fleet by the end of the battle had three damaged frigates and 2 damaged ironclads. Spain lost 1 Ironclad, 2 frigates. Philippines captured 3 Spanish frigates and 1 Corvette. The armed merchant Paquete de Maule, which was captured by Spain from Chile, was returned to Chile. The Spanish Auxiliary ships were also captured.

The surviving Spanish sailors were rescued or captured. They were all handed to Chile as prisoners of war.

 

[Namayan]

51. Price of Freedom (1866-67)

The Philippine fleet repaired and resupplied in Chile.

The Philippines officially joined the alliance between Chile and Andean Union in their war against Spain. Andean Union and Chile were both invited by the Philippines to join them in invading Spanish controlled territories.

They will meet another Philippine Fleet led by HMS Borneo’s sister ships, HMS Bohol, which conducted its own invasion of Spanish Guinea simultaneous with the Battle of Valparaiso.

Spanish army during the war with the Pacific Alliance

After taking Spanish Guinea, the allied fleet invaded the Spanish Canaries deploying the Philippine Imperial army and Imperial marines capturing the Spanish Garrisons.

The allied fleet now in the Canaries consisted of 9 ironclads for the Philippines, 4 screw frigates, 4 screw sloops including troops ships and Imperial supply fleet. Chile squadron consisted of 1 screw corvette and 1 screw schooner. While Andean Union ships ordered from Britain joined the fleet in the Canaries, ironclad Huascar and ironclad Independencia. Andean Union also brought 2 Screw frigates.

The allied fleet is faced by what remains of the Spanish navy, including three ironclads that were rushed into service.

Hoping to damage the Spanish economy, the Allied fleet conducted commerce raiding against Spanish merchants.

Ceuta was blockaded. The Philippine Navy disembarked siege artillery and troops from Philippine army for Ceuta’s siege.

The Spanish attempted to launch a relief force from Algeciras. However, despite being escorted by the Spanish fleet with her remaining ironclads, the allied fleet contested the Spanish fleet. The Spanish fleet retreated with 2 ironclads damaged and Ironclad Tetuan in the bottom of the sea.

In 1866, the British newspapers always reported the exaggerated size of the Philippine navy to the British public, one might consider to squeeze Parliament for more funds for the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy emphasized the Philippines having 16 ocean-going ironclads while Britain and France had 11 each ocean-going ironclads. Britain and France tried to outbuild one another by building larger ironclads, experimented more on different designs using peace time funding of roughly around 2% of their GDPs. Britain and France did not rush their ships into service not unlike the Philippines. Philippines on the other hand built more corvette size ironclads between 3,500 tons to 4,000 tons range using war time spending of more than 10% of the GDP. The British and French were producing and arming the ironclads with cannons of different sizes. Only 4 of the Philippine ironclads, the 2 Cebu class and 2 Borneo class, can match the average size of the 11 French and British ocean-going ironclads.

Modern historians estimate that Britain or France, had they their naval war spending similar to that of the Philippines, could have an estimated 50 ocean going ironclads.

The United States have the largest Ironclad fleet in the world but most of it the British considered coastal defense ships. Nor would US intervene in behalf of an aggressor nation who violated South American independence.

The other nations pale in comparison to the number of ironclads, tonnage and ship building capacity of the four nations.

France, Britain and the United States refuse to intervene during the war.

Demoralized and unable to get military aid from the world’s most powerful navies, Spain sues for peace.

 

[Namayan]

52. Quadruple Intervention (1868)

In order not to attract the British, France declared herself neutral during Mexico’s invasion of Panama. However, French aid has been pouring in Gran Colombia. French citizens volunteered to defend in Gran Colombia including sending military advisors. French weapons were also sold to Gran Colombia.

The invasion of Mexico unified the Gran Colombian factions setting aside their differences.

Mexican invasion of Panama bogged down for years ending in a stalemate. Thousands of Mexicans died due to tropical disease. Eventually, a truce was agreed between Mexico and Gran Colombia.

Bismark, Moltke and Roon circa 1860s​

The Prussian reforms by Moltke and Roon was complemented by ideas coming from the Empire of the Philippines. Krupp breech loading steel cannons were observed during Sino-Philippine war, Philippine Civil war and the War with Spain. The Prussians were also highly impressed by the ingenuity of the Philippine engineers of improving available technology by the Americans upgrading the Sharp rifle.

The new rifle design was to replace the Dreyse Needle gun. A new breech loading bolt action rifle was made within Germany that was only adopted by Prussia. It was single shot and had an 8-round tubular magazine. Iron sights can hit up to 1,600 meters.

The doctrine was also supplemented after seeing the skirmisher doctrine of the Philippines in action. Prussian Cavalry was now drilled as skirmishers. New Prussian artillery carriages became lighter, mobile, longer range. It was supported by hydrogen balloons for artillery spotting.

New Standard Prussian Rifle late 1860s​

Prime Minister Ferron acted as the head Philippine diplomat to negotiate Spain’s surrender in Lisbon.

Ferron wanted to expand Philippine territories that is within striking distance of Europe.

As a member of Philippine Conservative Party and part of the largest faction within the party, the expansionist faction, Ferron pushes for the continued military expansion of the Philippines. His party dominates the Philippine parliament since the first elections were held as required by the 1850 Constitution. His faction always gets the sponsorship and favor of the former Philippine emperor Andres.

During negotiations with Spain, Ceuta fell to the Pacific Allies control. This further bolstered Ferron’s negotiating position with Spain.

Ferron demanded harsh terms - cession of Ceuta and Melila, Spanish Guinea, Canaries plus reparations equivalent to 50 million US dollars or 10 million British pounds. 6 million British Pounds will go to the Philippines. Andean Union and Chile will receive 2 million British Pounds each.

With much reluctance, Spain agrees to the terms.

However, less than a week later, France, Russia and Netherlands presented Prime Minister Ferron with a friendly advice to return Ceuta and Melila to Spain for the sake of the stability in Europe and North Africa.

The United States soon joined in giving their own friendly advice expressing their interest both as an ally of France and concerns on Spain’s recent adventure in South America.

Ferron frustrated with the four powers pressuring the Philippines to give up her right as the victor to get concessions from Spain. Philippine Prime Minister Ferron refuses the friendly advice of the four powers and writes to London to intervene.

Instead of getting London’s full backing, Ferron was recalled to Manila. He will be replaced by the current British Ambassador, Miguel Ibarra.

The stunning success of the Pacific Allies over Spain even near the Spanish mainland shocked even Britain. Ferron’s demands were deemed by the British outrageous and disruptive of the status quo within the region. Nor does the British believe the Philippines should have territory within that region.

The Philippines, led by its new negotiator, drops all demands for Melila. Ceuta, Canaries and Spanish Guinea will be given back to Spain. In return, Spain will add another 6 million British pounds to Philippine reparations and another 1 million pounds to British merchants who lost to the Spanish bombardment. Spain will also recognize Andean Union’s independence. Ibarra also added another requirement, to pay the Pacific Allies in British pound notes or British Sovereign gold coins or French Francs.

Britain fully backed Ambassador Ibarra’s proposal. Then, France and United States supported the idea.

Spain signs the Treaty of Lisbon paying reparations equivalent to 16 million British pounds to the Pacific allies, 1 million British pounds to Britain and recognizes Andean Union as an independent nation. Spain had to loan the amount from the British and French in order to pay the Pacific allies to receive back Ceuta, Canaries and Spanish Guinea.

The result of the treaty of Lisbon resulted in the collapse of the Spanish government. The unpopular Spanish monarch, Isabel II, was deposed.

In the Philippines, Prime Minister Ferron was fired by Alfred and replaced by Miguel Ibarra. Miguel Ibarra was highly recommended by London and Paris. British diplomats in Manila got Alfred to fire Ferron and convinced him to replace Ferron with a non-expansionist prime minister who had no ambitions expanding to Europe. The Expansionist faction within the Philippine Conservative Party were willing to disrupt the status quo in Europe and North Africa.

 

[Namayan]

53. The Jade Minister (1827-1868)

Miguel Ibarra comes from the landed Ibarra family born in 1827. His grandfather was a Basque migrant who moved to the Philippines years before independence. His father eventually married a Chinese migrant. Both his father and grandfather were connected to the Palmero conspiracy and were both arrested, properties confiscated by former Emperor Andres. His grandfather and father spent the rest of their lives in labor camps.

Miguel’s mother was helped by Miguel’s Chinese grandparents. However, their business went bankrupt. This forced Miguel’s mother to work as a street vendor selling food, panciteria, to ordinary workers.

As the eldest of the siblings, Miguel helped his mother. Due to government policy, children were not allowed to work and penalized Miguel’s mother if one of her children skipped class. To avoid penalties, Miguel helped his mother during nights in their household chores to ease the workload of his mother.

His classmates and children whom he played with, teased and called him traitor, due to his father and grandfather being branded as traitors.

He completed his public primary education. He had excellent grades across the board - geography, arithmetic, imperial law, agriculture and military. His teachers noted him to be humble, curious and eager to learn. By 15, he applied for several jobs in order to help his mother’s finances and his siblings. While doing odd jobs to make ends meet, he read and borrowed books while tutoring his younger siblings.

He studied law and completed his military service. His superior officers noted him to be an excellent shot, with great leadership qualities and a logistic wizard.

He took the Civil service exam and gained the highest marks of any person to take the civil service exam at that point in time.

He has a gift for conversation and knew English, Spanish, Russian, French, Mandarin, Cantonese and Tagalog.

In 1855, during one of the Philippine Conservative Party conventions, Miguel spoke of Gold and Fire. That the empire’s focus should be earning gold rather than waging wars while enhancing the fires of the local industry, exporting local goods across the globe. He also recognized the lack of development outside Luzon and Cebu. He spoke also of internal expansion. That the empire should focus on developing all territories rather than expanding. He emphasized on isolating Philippines from international wars and treaties while selling Philippine goods to all sides.

He was booed by the convention dominated by military expansionists. Despite his political stance contrary to the expansionist faction or Emperor Andres’ desires, he was still recognized as a talented civil servant. After reading his speech, Emperor Andres assigned Ibarra as the Russian ambassador.

Although young for an ambassador, the Russian post was not desired by Filipinos. Anything that is colder than 20 degrees centigrade/ 68 degrees Fahrenheit is deemed undesirable. Filipinos used to hot and humid environment will not desire assignments with cold climate and lacking the modernity of Britain. A Russian assignment back then was considered as a punishment for the most talented people.

Even in the Imperial military, Port Novales in Liaodong Peninsula and Jeju Island bases were considered the worst assignments. Far away bases like Galapagos or Fernando Po were better, due to their more similar Philippine tropical climate, compared to bases that were nearer but in temperate or colder climates.

After his appointment in Russia, he was reassigned to France, then United States and finally Britain. In all of his assignments, he built friendships and connections to the very powerful in their respective countries.

He even impressed several local generals, admirals and had closed relationships with General Pelaez and Admiral Tejero. Both Tejero and Pelaez updated Miguel Ibarra on what is going inside the empire while he was assigned as ambassador in several areas.

Miguel Ibarra’s relationships with the great powers and his political stance on Philippine isolation garnered support from the Great Powers which propelled him as the new Prime Minister of the Philippines.

 

[Namayan]

54. Philippine Cultural Struggle (1868)

The rift between the dominant Philippine culture and other cultures inside the Empire of the Philippines started to reemerge after Emperor Andres’ death in 1863. However, the Civil wars and War with Spain sidelined the issue.

Since 1823, Emperor Andres and his supporters started imposing their own culture, or what Philippine culture would be. This did not go well with the locals especially the former “principalia” and “insulares” class. However, the imperial culture, despite its brutality, promoted equality, meritocracy and the government provided for the needs of the less fortunate. None of these were provided by the former Spanish colonizers nor by the Principalia and the Insulares Class in quantities.

Language was also a battleground inside the Empire of the Philippines. In places like Luzon and Cebu, local languages like Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Bicolano, etc. were only dominant in privately owned large agricultural estates/Haciendas. While ordinary locals still speak their respective regional or provincial languages, local languages like Ilocanos had to learn and speak Spanish in order to sell their wares to different parts of the empire, Cebuanos or Bicolanos.

Even learning the local languages proved difficult. The Spanish burnt all the written records except those written by the Spanish themselves. In order for one to learn how to write the local languages, one had to learn Spanish. There was no government financing nor formal system of education for the local Old Malay languages.

Spanish writers were paid handsomely and those that wrote local languages like Francisco Balagtas, writing Tagalog, were paid a lot more writing in Spanish. Government and Business was done through Spanish which in turn pays more people to understand, speak and write Spanish as a medium of language.

Emperor Andres never allowed for public distribution of anything other than his own government’s form of Spanish. Those that printed other languages or even Spanish that did not conform with imperial standard were confiscated by imperial authorities and were kept hidden secretly inside the imperial library. The imperial authorities believed multiple languages promoted disunity, confusion and it was costly to pay for printing multiple languages books (Not only the vocabulary but also law books, sciences, etc.).

Despite the Old Malay languages declared as contraband during Andres reign, local languages like Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, etc. flourished in literature - drama, poetry and fiction.

Contrary to this, almost all Imperial Philippine Spanish printed during this time focused on laws, current news, medicine, business, military, science and engineering. One had to import literature from Latin America or Spain to Imperial Philippines just to read drama, fiction and poetry in Spanish.

However, language was also not clear cut on what is the Imperial Andresian culture. There are even landed elites that have Spanish as their first language who refuse to accept Imperial Philippine Spanish while habits done by the former Spanish colonizers were practiced than adapting to Imperial Andresian virtues. These Spanish speakers were mostly Chavacano speakers(Spanish Creole Language) in Luzon and Mindanao.

Locals who participated in the new system in 1823 benefited the most especially the lower class. Small income farmers, city dwellers in Luzon and Cebu benefitted from public education and military service, speaks Spanish fluently. With little access to printed local languages, these people still speak the local language due to their parents or grandparents teaching them orally but do not know how to read and write local languages.

What defines the Imperial Andresian culture are the habit formations, the experience of the people through the years. Imperial government’s Spanish simply became the medium to understand laws, military service, etc. But habits learned as children, civic duties, military service and education from being on time all the time, or thorough cleanliness became the core of Imperial Andresian culture.

Those that rejected the Imperial Andresian culture preferred the habits practiced by the Old Malays and practices imposed by the former Spanish colonizers. Most if not, all benefitted to such practices like the rich and landed elite. Practices like Patronage system were more acceptable than the Imperial Andresian meritocracy.
Those that embraced the Imperial Andresian system were mostly the poor and lower class who benefited with free education, lands given to them by the empire and system wherein their skill and talent is being recognized rather than the status of their family’s pockets.

Dark Red –Majority Andresian/Imperial Culture; Spanish speaking majority
Light Red – Plurality Andresian/Imperial Culture; Spanish speaking majority
Aqua – Majority Old Malay and Spanish Culture; Hiligaynon Majority Speakers
Light Green – Majority Old Malay and Spanish Culture; Waray Majority Speakers
Orange – Majority Old Malay and Spanish Culture; Cebuano Plurality
Yellow – Majority Classic Malay Culture; Malay/Tausug/Maranao/Maguindanao speakers
Purple – Majority Carolian culture(Lumads) and languages
Dark Grey –Subanon Majority culture and language
Light Grey – Majority Old Malay and Spanish Culture; Other Visayan Confederacy languages (Mangyan, Masbateno, Palawano, Romblomanon)
Brown – Dayak Majority and languages
Pink – Luzon languages and culture plurality (Tagalog, Ilocano, Bicolano, Kapampangan, etc)
Dark Green – East Asian Culture and Languages majority (Formosa, Kyushu, Coloane)​

In Borneo, most of the coastal areas have been migrated by people from Luzon enticed with free land and/or trying to avoid imperial authorities in Luzon.
On places that have strict imperial control, majority are Spanish speakers and of Imperial Andresian Culture - from Kuching and Sarawak. While Tarakan and Laut Islands are controlled by the Imperial navy to interdict pirates.

In Northern Mindanao, the Cebuanos who were avoiding imperial authorities in Cebu migrated to Northern Mindanao bringing their language pushing the Carolians (Lumads) inward to Mindanao. Without a strict imperial bureaucracy, Cebuano was easier to print and distribute in Northern Mindanao.

The migrants from Cebu going to Northern Mindanao, Luzon going to Borneo brought with them their habits, culture and language, while leaving the strictness and thoroughness of Imperial Andresian culture behind.

 

[Namayan]

55. The Multicultural League (1869)

The multicultural league is an alliance between all those who wish for the Imperial government to lessen the restrictions on languages and allow their cultural practices. They are not limited to allowing publication of Chavacano and other local Old Malay languages, or allowing regular siestas during work hours, etc.

The members are mostly from the Philippine Whig Party, their financiers and local representatives. These are landed elites, rich who were loyal to empire but retained their cultural habits and languages, from all the major local languages in the former Spanish East Indies islands - Tagalog, Ilocano, Bicolano, Kapampangan, Chavacano, etc. The Cebuanos, Waray, and Hiligaynon representatives were appointed, due to the recent rebellion, by Prime Minister Ibarra to represent their languages.

The Philippine Parliament has been dominated by the Philippine Conservative Party with more than 90% of seats with most of the remaining seats taken by the Philippine Whig party. The Conservative Party’s domination is a result of the requirement by the Philippine Constitution on voters to have served the military and those that will run for Member of Parliament position, served in the civil service.

The financiers of the Whig party are mostly the wealthy that inherited their wealth since before independence.

Despite being a member of the Conservative Party, Prime Minister Ibarra has been supportive of the local languages and pushed both the Parliament and the Emperor to decriminalize public distribution of the local languages.

Emperor Alfred planned to meet the two major parties of the Parliament, the Whig Party and Conservative party, in a social gathering at Gregorio Liwanag’s estate.

Arrival of the Multicultural League members at the estate of Gregorio Liwanag​

Gregorio Liwanag started impoverished just like most Conservative party supporters but eventually became successful, one the richest business magnates in the Philippines.

He bought the former hacienda that used to be owned by a landed elite during the Spanish times. However, due to his wife’s taste, he had the interior redesigned similar to Versailles, hired a larger household staff and a French cook.

The interior design of Liwanag’s estate is too expensive for any of old landed elites. Members of the Whig party including their richest financiers could ill afford such extravagance. Only the Nouveau riche/new rich, self-made men can afford to remodel their estates or houses to such expensive tastes.

Members of the multicultural league only started to arrive two hours after the agreed time with the Emperor. They were either greeted by a staff of Liwanag, footman or the butler. Only after an hour, or around three hours of the agreed time with the Emperor, did all the members of Whig party and financiers arrived in the estate.

Inside the estate of Gregorio Liwanag​

After their arrival, they were requested to gather inside the Music Salon. The Music Salon was a gleaming environment with rays of light coming from the sun or candles and projected on mirrors, silver furniture, and gilded finishes to the astonishment of the old landed elites.

The voice Prime Minister Ibarra can be heard all over the room scolding the members of Whig party and the financiers who arrived more than two hours late for their appointment with the emperor. It was known habit or culture of the landed principalia, old Malays, and the Spanish, Insulares, to arrive late in social gatherings as socially acceptable. The later you arrived, the more important you are.

Prime minister Ibarra stopped shouting and his scolding of the group when the emperor along with his entourage and the rest of the guests entered the Music Salon.

Emperor Alfred was persuaded to play the violin by Gregorio Liwanag’s wife. After playing his piece, a large applause came mostly from the Whig party and financiers. Gregorio Liwanag and his wife thanking the emperor for playing such a lovely piece.

Later on, Gregorio Liwanag noted in his diary of Emperor Alfred’s violin piece : “Fiddle out of tune and noise abominable.”

The Whigs did not get any audience with the emperor during the party. The emperor was occupied by the Liwanag’s entertainment leading him away from the Whigs while Prime Minister Ibarra believes the Whigs don’t deserve to be given a chance tonight after the attitude, they gave him.

Instead, the Whigs had to negotiate with Prime minister Ibarra while the emperor enjoyed the party with the Liwanags and other guests.

Emperor Alfred playing the Violin​

The Whigs wants to reduce the Philippine civil code which had thousands of articles and give individual justices flexible interpretation of the law. The Conservative party wants to even add more articles to the civil code to make laws clear and avoid possible different interpretations or manipulations.

Prime Minister Ibarra’s policy is more on cooperation with all if not most of the representatives of the populace. He believes the empire as culturally diverse and the cultural lines in Luzon and Visayas are now cemented. The supposed meeting tonight was to define power division among the imperial power and local authorities who are requesting for more autonomy.

The Conservative Party attracted a lot of new rich, self-made or people loyal to the emperor. The party also attracted the new land owners of poor farmers in former Visayan Confederation, like Panay or Samar.

The Whig party, believes in a freer government. They want to amend the constitution in favor of universal suffrage rather than right to vote due to public service participation.

Members of the Whig party have roughly the same beliefs as the former Visayan Confederation, that provinces outside imperial control lacked development due to centralization. More power should be given to islands and localities in order to prosper.

The Whigs are also pushing for budget flexibility, less accountability for the provincial and island governors to the Imperial state, and budget increase for places outside Luzon and Cebu. The Whigs believe the governors and localities should decide how funds should be allocated without the oversight of the imperial state and records of governor spending should be generalized, specifics of any local spending not recorded.

 

[Namayan]

56. Philippine Reconstruction Era (1865-1870)

Philippine Reconstruction period started right after the Philippine civil wars and continued until 1880. The first phase of the reconstruction period began with imperial authorities taking over public education, transportation from local authorities in Visayas and Mindanao. Ports were made or enlarged. Planned Roads and railroads were built slowly in Panay, Negros and Samar islands with around 50 kilometers built on each island. Another 50 kilometers were built in Northern Mindanao but mostly concentrated in Surigao where the precious metals and coal were located.

Imperial education

Spanish was taught in schools but military service was not enforced. There was toleration of local languages in Visayas and Mindanao with local languages prints and publication allowed. The curriculum was revised in Panay, Negros, Samar, Leyte Islands and most of Northern Mindanao to accommodate the request of the multicultural league. Surigao which had significant number of Imperial Andresian residents and location of known resources, precious metals and coal, was blocked by the Conservative Party to any transition. After much debate, Surigao remained within the imperial education system.

200 Teachers were imported from Luzon and Cebu right after the Visayan Confederation fell in 1864. There were around 20,000 primary school enrollees in 1865. There were around 800 elementary schools in 1869 with an enrollment of 80,000. By 1869, locals were already teaching primary courses under the supervision of Imperial Andresian teachers. Imperial authorities want to replicate Valera’s plan in 1823 when Philippines imported Spanish speaking educators and education plan given to Formosa in 1855. [1]

Military Districts

Almost all of the former Visayan Confederation is under direct imperial military control divided into Reconstruction military districts. Imperial troops were stationed in order to control civil unrest. Local brigands were still common. These brigands consider themselves rebels fighting for independence but is not recognize by the former Visayan confederacy.

Sporadic fighting continued in Mindanao with Carolian resistance versus the influx of new settlers and the Imperial military.

In order not to spread out the imperial military, a Gendarmerie was formed in Visayas, most of Mindanao and Borneo. This new Gendarmerie, Guardia Civil, was formed to maintain peace, law and order in the various places not covered by the Imperial police.

Honor at Stake

Cebu had to repair most her of infrastructure damaged by the rebels or loyalists. The rails in Cebu were slowly upgraded from the old cast iron Cebu rails into steel using Bessemer process imported from Europe starting in 1870. Cebu’s cast iron rail traveling speeds did not exceed 20 miles per hour.

Luzon also started upgrading their wrought iron rail to steel railways. Steel railways benefited with faster speeds and better durability. With the upgrades in Luzon and Cebu, traveling speeds of trains increased up to 60 miles per hour.

Luzon which had around 1,000 kilometers of railways in 1863. Unlike the British owned privatized railways in Cebu, Luzon railroads are more recent, state owned and planned by the government. Combined with Cebu and Borneo, Philippines still had less railroads than Spain in 1863.[2] This shortcoming is something the Philippine parliament sees as a stab in Philippine national honor. After the war in Spain that started in Chincha Islands Chile, Philippines believes in surpassing Spain in everything from industrial capacity, naval power and including railroad length. After military demobilization, funds were reallocated to Railroad financing. Machine tools were made or imported to make more railroads and passenger coaches. More engineers and workers, local and foreign, were hired. Railroad industrial expansion targeted not only local demand but also Chinese and Japanese modernization.

Borneo Loyalty

As a reward for their loyalty in the last civil war, Borneo was given more autonomy. Sarawak was granted provincial status gaining a voting representative to the Parliament. The influx of Luzon migrants to Borneo’s coastal areas created a new landed elite and population. Most notable was the concentration of Ilocanos in Northern Borneo, while the Tagalogs, Bicolano and other Old Malays from Luzon spread around Borneo. The Ilocanos were the most organized and was allowed to form their own legislative assembly naming the territory of Northern Borneo including parts taken from the Sultanate of Sulu as New Ilocos. The empire also allowed New Ilocos to have a Resident Commissioner, single non-voting representative to the Imperial parliament in Manila.

New Tariffs

The Empire of the Philippines economy was a mix of state-owned companies and private companies.

The Empire’s economy is export driven targeting and influencing markets in China and Japan. Manufacturing was the main economy of Luzon and Cebu. All other islands of the empire had an extractive economy, from growing cash crops, tropical wood, mining coal and metals which fueled the factories in Luzon and Cebu.

The British diplomats were disappointed after emperor Alfred signed off on a new set of tariff laws by the Philippine Parliament. They expected Alfred to protect and favor British interests. In Luzon and Cebu islands, all imports were given lower tariffs which was previously only given to the British. All the other areas of the empire like Visayas, Mindanao, Borneo and Formosa Islands tariffs were increased including the British.

Prime minister Ibarra rushed the law and convinced Alfred to sign it now. Ibarra believes this was the best moment to setup up tariffs versus the British. The Philippine military is more confident in supporting the tariffs due to the size of her ironclad fleet compared to the British due to the war spending of the Philippines. Emperor Alfred's familial ties and connection with British Royal family convinced Philippine policy makers that the British will not invade nor threaten the empire.

Emperor’s estates

Aside for the imperial state, the largest land owner in Luzon is the emperor with more than 10,000 square kilometers of land under his name. The emperor’s estate was accumulated through time either bought by the emperor, share of his land during the invasion of Luzon highlands or confiscated from conspirators by the emperor during the time of Andres reign. On top of that land, land allocated to the emperor in Borneo and Formosa. The end of Visayan Confederacy confiscating the land from the landed elites gave the emperor’s estate large tracts of land in former Visayan confederation islands.

The material devastation in the former Visayan confederacy left even the poor farmers with no capital for their new acquired land. Locals had to work in the former landed elite’s estates now owned and run by the empire or the emperor’s estates. Men worked as unskilled laborers, rail workers or as tenant farmers, women were employed as domestic workers of the Imperial managers and skilled laborers ranging from engineers to doctors.

Imperial authorities started importing teachers, manager, engineers and other skilled laborers not available in the Visayas and Mindanao from Luzon and Cebu. The skilled labor is meant to be temporary in order to guide the locals on how to manage and optimize their resources.


[1] Estimation of number of teachers based on OTL Thomasites (1901) for both ATL 1823(Philippines) and ATL 1864(Visayan Confederation) with an estimated population of 2 million for 200 teachers vs OTL Philippines of 7 million with 600 teachers; percentage to total population of OTL Philippines in 1901 and 1906.

[2] Spanish railway length based on this : https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/indrev6.asp

 

[Namayan]

57. The Farmer, Landlord and Pauper (1863-1870)

The Farmer

Nathaniel Panindagat was born in Panay Island before the Civil war in 1863. His forbears had served under Polo y servicio (forced labor) of Spain before independence. After Independence in 1823 and Emperor Andres redistribution of friar lands in 1825, the Panay rich gobbled and manipulated the redistribution in their favor. Nathaniel’s family which used to be tenants of the Spanish had become tenants of the landed elites in Panay. His father worked most of the day, the sugar plantation profited a lot, but he was given little coin and basic necessity for his family.

In 1863, Nathaniel and his siblings joined the Panay militia to fight the invasion of Imperial Philippines. After the Panay army was decimated by the Imperial army, he and his family survived by running to the mountains taking refuge. When imperial authorities offered titled land, Nathaniel and his siblings surrendered and swore allegiance to the empire and the emperor.

Nathaniel and his siblings worked part time for extra coin in one of the sugar plantations now owned by the Imperial state. When Nathaniel and his siblings first began, Imperial authorities disliked the idea of local farmers working on foot which they believe reduces productivity. Imperial authorities gave shoes and uniforms that Nathaniel and his siblings could wear in the Imperial sugar plantation. They were also given free food during work hours, sufficient calories in order for them to be productive workers. If they had any injuries, they were told to go to the new Imperial clinic near the area. At first Nathaniel and his siblings were shocked how the Imperials treated them. They were expecting the Imperials from Manila and Cebu to be monsters and heartless. Instead, they were treated better than their former patrician and landlords. In return, the imperial authorities expected obedience, order, higher yields and higher productivity for the sugar plantation. Nathaniel and his siblings get acceptable salaries better than their own farm income in 1865.

The Imperials brought mechanized tools and techniques which the previous land owners did not have. Due to deaths of carabao and other beast of burden, Stringent practice of collecting human excreta converted as compost was instilled among the locals. These composts were then used as fertilizers. Not only did organize towns, cities in Panay to be cleaner but provided fertilizers for the farms.

Nathaniel’s children were enrolled in the new public schools. Not only this provided education, but free food for students as well.

The Landlord

Edgardo Emuslan came from Ilocano family in Northern Borneo. The Emuslans came from Northern Luzon, Ilocos.

Edgardo’s father, Macario Emuslan, was a member of parliament representing Ilocos, Luzon. Macario’s opponent was murdered thru a rifle shot and suspicion was laid on Macario and Edgardo. Edgardo was a known good marksman and became the primary suspect. Macario benefited with his opponent’s death. Fearing for Imperial repercussion, Edgardo and Macario along with their family and loved ones migrated to Northern Borneo.

In Northern Borneo the Emuslan’s changed their names. The family name was changed to Martires. Edgardo changed his name to Frederick, Macario to Maximo.

During Borneo’s war versus the Moros during the Philippine Civil war, Frederick volunteered for the Borneo militia that attacked Sulu controlled northern Borneo. Frederick was still too young to have served in the imperial military but old enough to have completed Imperial public primary school education which includes basic military training.

However, during the war, Frederick was caught by the Moros but later was freed. According to the Moros and the Martires, Frederick was released due to health reasons and goodness of the Moro captors.

Maximo was selling weapons and information to the Moros until was caught by Borneo authorities. Maximo was tried and executed by Borneo. His hands were tied by two water buffalo which were whipped to run in opposite directions.

Frederick, his siblings and mother took over the property after his father’s death. Frederick inherited his share of around more than 200 hectares of land. He had to hire help to maintain his property. Some of Frederick’s workers were tenant farmers.

Frederick also gathered favors from the local clergy and local authorities. The local authorities assigned some of the Dayak natives for Polo y servicio or forced labor in Frederick’s property.

The church required Frederick and his family to go church and follow church teachings in accordance to local clergy’s interpretation. If he does not follow the local clergy practices, the clergy has the power to target him and his family with the local inquisition. This in contrast in Ilocos, Luzon wherein the church had no influence, power and the Imperial government did not care about your religious practice.

Borneo authorities supported the local clergy. The local clergy also had an armed religious order in Borneo, Order of St. Joseph, to impose church beliefs.

The Pauper

Felix Araneta was the son of the former president of Visayan Confederacy, Hermenegildo Araneta. After Felix and his family were thrown to the streets of Manila, Felix had to find a job or coin. Almost everyone rejected him applying for job out of fear of repercussion from imperial authorities. Felix and family had to resort into begging the streets and had to run and hide whenever the Imperial police went around for patrols. After a month of begging, the imperial police had caught all the Aranetas and were put in jail for vagrancy. Before being sent to prison labor camps, one of Emperor Alfred’s representatives located the Aranetas, Felix and his family were offered an alternative to prison labor camps, to work in one of the emperor’s workhouses.

Only the emperor and the Imperial state was allowed to start and run a social workhouse.

Felix and his family were offered lodging, food and shelter if they worked in one of the emperor’s workhouses.

The Aranetas accepted based on the reputation of social workhouses and the alternative being worse, prison labor camps.

When the Aranetas arrived in the workhouse, they were in disbelief. The social workhouses of former Emperor Andres had changed.

Living Conditions also deteriorated with lodging cramped compared to work houses during Andres’ time. Beds squashed together with hardly any room to move.

Food was free and abundant. But food was repetitive and bland in the opinion of the Aranetas. Breakfast, lunch and supper were limited to one cup of rice, some vegetables, coconut meat, and fish if available. Drinks provided were limited to water or coconut juice. Healthcare was rudimentary. The workers were not paid. The profit and income of the workhouses went to the emperor or the imperial state.

Felix Araneta was given the task of oakum-picking worth 3(pounds) lbs per day. Each pound of oakum earned him a full meal.

His other family members were in luck as they were assigned to spinning cloth, sewing or vegetable gardening. Male family members were separated from the female family members.

Oakum-Picking was tedious work but was better than being sent to prison labor camp or doing penal treadmills. The work was monotonous, unpleasant, and created sores on blackened fingers.

The produce of the workhouses like the Oakum were then sold to the shipyards by the workhouse. The revenue and profits went to the owner of the workhouse, the imperial state or the emperor’s estate.

In the first year, he accepted the work and what the workhouse provided. However, as the years go by, Felix only seldom picked 3 lbs of oakum. Sometimes he picked 2 lbs or worse 1 lb. These made 3 meals a day few and far between.

Felix wanted leave the workhouse and asked his family to leave with him. Life was not as harsh for them as Felix. He was convinced by his family members to ask the Workhouse manager to transfer to sewing or gardening.

Expecting to be rejected, Felix was surprised his transfer was approved. However, he was reassigned to stone breaking rather than sewing or gardening. He also had to transfer workhouse which will separate him from his family members in the current workhouse. Felix rejected the idea but the manager gave him no choice and ordered the guards to bring Felix to other workhouse. Before the guards was able to hold on to Felix, he ran away creating a scene in the workhouse. He found his way outside the workhouse.

Felix ran to streets of Manila chased by the Workhouse guards. Unfortunately, Felix was hit by a passing horse drawn carriage. Felix was bleeding and unconscious. The guards checked Felix and looked dead. The caballero that owned the horse drawn carriage felt responsible also checked Felix and brought him inside the carriage.

 

[Namayan]

58. The Caballero and the Princess (1870)

The Caballero

Felix woke up in a plush room. He had vivid memory after being hit by the horse carriage. He was on a soft bed, inside a large room and in pain. He could see a male physician talking with a well-dressed man. He could not get up nor stand up and eventually doze off.

When Felix woke up again and had the strength to stand up, he had lost time and had no idea if he was resting for a day or more. He was able to gather strength to get out of the room. He found himself a good place to sit which seemed to be a terrace. The wave of air hit Felix as he notices that the house was adjacent to a river, which he assumes as Pasig River.

He hears a man asking how he was feeling. It was the well-dressed man from his memory. This man introduced himself and apologize to him immediately for it was his horse drawn carriage that hit him.

Felix asked where he was, and this well-dressed man, a caballero(gentleman) answered him that he was in their ancestral home in Manila. Felix tried to leave out of fear that the Workhouse guards might catch him.

The Caballero said he was safe in their ancestral home. The further calm Felix, Caballero introduced himself as Jakobo Zobel. That his father is a member of Conservative party and loyal to the empire. They are safe inside this house from the workhouse guards

Felix knows the Zobels as loyal to the empire and that Jakobo was already an old man in his 50s. However, this caballero was between his 20s and 30s. Felix asked the age disparity. However, Jakobo said he was the son of his father, Jakobo, Sr.

Felix out of fear of the Zobel’s loyalty wanted to leave. Jakobo said he can leave anytime. Jakobo took out his purse and gave coin. He offered Felix an option, he can take the coin and leave or take a job offering plus a place to stay. Felix accepted Jakobo’s offer.

The next day Felix travelled with Jakobo to his business. Jakobo had his own business in Tondo. It was a private retail shop near a public housing in Tondo.

When Jakobo and Felix arrived, Felix noticed an eviction notice was on the door.

There was plan to build a steam tram in Tondo connecting the public houses and public markets to the other parts of Manila. Private property was to be bought out and demolished in order to connect these places thru rail. However, Jakobo, Jr. resisted and even filed a complaint in the Imperial Judiciary, along with his store neighbors, questioning the imperial state’s power on compulsory purchase or eminent domain. The Judiciary despite its independence from the state decided in favor of the state. The law favors the imperial state with regards to compulsory purchase.

Jakobo, Jr’s father was even pressured by both the imperial bureaucracy and the imperial judiciary to remind his son to follow the rules and law rather than delay the inevitable. Jakobo Sr, who was a loyal member of conservative party, tried to reason with his son. But Jakobo, Jr. never had a good relationship with his father. His father spent a lot of time at work and Conservative party activities. Jakobo, Jr accused his father of loving the party more than his family. Jakobo blames his father for the death of his mother and blames the party for taking away his father.

By Afternoon, they also noticed a gathering outside of private owners and workers massed against the imperial police. Jakobo told Felix not to join them and remain inside the store. Felix observed as the protest turned into melee which the imperial police. However, the imperial police were issued with pistols which they did not hesitate to use once the gathering became violent. Felix felt agitation while Jakobo was calm during the melee between the police and crowd.

By night, the crowd was already dispersed and blood was in the streets.

Felix noticed several people entering Jakobo’s store every few minutes who then proceed to the backdoor of the counter. Another one of Jakobo’s employee was preparing tea and asked Felix to help in bringing the tea to their employer and guests.

The backdoor led to a basement. The basement is a big meeting place, which looked similar to a masonic lodge. Felix noticed the large seal in the center written “Sic semper tyrannis”.

Jakobo Zobel, Jr.​

The Princess

Marie Sofie dreaded this day. She had been learning to be an empress for the past 7 years but disliked the idea of being force into marriage even if that person was Queen Victoria’s son and an emperor. She also did not like the idea to be in a faraway land thousands of miles away from France and her family.

Besides French, Marie Sofie’s Spanish was excellent. She was kept appraise on the current events in Manila including information coming out of their spy network in Manila. She was also given the reports everything her father received about the empire of the Philippines.

Napoleon II also had trained her daughter to become an excellent informant and had setup a spy network in Manila. The Princess disliked the idea of being his father’s spy but loved the thrill of not being caught.

A week ago, Marie Sofie had been spying on his father and not being noticed. She noted in her diaries that Napoleon II had been meeting with Prussia’s Bismark secretly and the Russian Ambassador a month before Bismark’s secret visit. The Princess overheard Bismark and his father discussed about Bavarian Rhine while his father’s talk with the Russian ambassador the word assurances and neutrality kept repeating.

She has been communique about her father’s disappointment on several failures on a decade long attempt to acquire a free trade agreement with Britain.

She had also been reading reports on her father’s desk about the difficulty to build ships just to match British naval production on ironclads. That his father wanted to match the British navy, ship per ship. Not only did his father wanted to match the number of ships but the quality and size of the ships as well.

Princess Marie Sofie at age 15, 1870​

Marie Sofie acquired the physique of mother standing at 173 centimeters. She followed the exercise regimen and diet taught by her mother. Empress Elisabeth, mother of Marie Sofie, had balance beams and mats installed inside Marie Sofie’s bedchamber for practice. The Princess liked horse riding like her mother but she did not ride the horse as frequently.

Napoleon II had invited the pope for Marie Sofie’s coronation. Napoleon II wanted the pope to crown Marie Sofie as empress of the Philippines in Norte Dame Cathedral in Paris before leaving for Manila.

Although not officially the Empress of the Philippines, the Philippine delegation accepted the coronation as much as Queen Victoria crowning her son as Emperor of the Philippines. Nor can the Philippines stop Napoleon II and the pope from crowning her in Paris.

Her coronation was attended by all the German representatives and monarchs including Marie Sofie’s Bavarian familial ties, the Wittelsbach.

Her Coronation was frontpage of La France newspaper. At one of the back pages, a man named Alejandro Novales was found stabbed to death in the streets of Paris. Alejandro demanded to be part of the coronation but was refused several times by French authorities. He was noted as crazy by the French since Alejandro claimed to be the Emperor of the Philippines and he was to be wed with Marie Sofie.

 

[Namayan]

59. Dinner at Agno River (1870)

Basilio frowned as they boarded the river boat in Dagupan. He had enjoyed the 80-kilometer train ride from Varela to Santo Tomas and finally to Dagupan. The 8-year-old was not excited as his grandfather riding the river boat. Basilio wished there was a train from Dagupan going to Manila similar to when he visits his grandparents, family of his mother side, in Bicol. Basilio always enjoyed the 500-kilometer trip going to Bicol despite it being more than a day’s train ride. Basilio enthusiastically counted the watermills and windmills he sees whenever they visit family in Bicol during the train ride.

Basilio is very familiar with windmills. His uncles and aunts operated windmills in Bicol, hulling rice, and was asked to help his cousins whenever he visits them. Basilio was taught by his uncles and aunts of the concept of windmills, the grinding of windmill millstones or what is the function of the sailcloth of the windmill.

“Son, let Apu enjoy the river boat. Apu already let us ride the train coming from Varela,” said Jacinto. “Besides, there are still watermills and windmills to see when we pass thru Agno and Pampanga rivers.”

Before railroads entered Philippines, one of the best ways to transport goods in Central Luzon was thru water. Emperor Andres had invested on connecting rivers, making canals to make it easy to transport goods within the area. The investment was hastened during the invasion of Cordilleras wherein goods from Manila where needed to go north from Manila Bay to Pampanga River to Agno River.

The Manabat family always passed thru the canal system starting in Itogon. Apu always told the story about him helping to build staircase locks in Agno River coming from pueblo Itogon. Basilio always get bored when Apu keeps repeating the story of how Apu met his grandmother each time, they visit her grave in Varela.

Staircase Locks​

Basilio remembers that his grandmother had fled from their homes during the conquest of General Ruiz of the Cordilleras. His grandmother was an Igorot, an Ibaloi, the people that murdered Count Luis-Rodriguez Varela as told by Apu. His grandmother met Apu in Itogon while Apu was part of the Imperial marine detachment trying to secure the logistics going to the mountains while the Imperial army pressed on the attack. Apu took fancy of grandmother, married and started a family. On her death bed, Apu gave grandmother her last wish by burying her where her family died.

“The river boat has a lot of your favorite.”, said the mother of Basilio. “Puto!” said Basilio while raising his hands and fists with sight of excitement.

Puto (Filipino Steamed Rice Cake)​

Basilio had been eating Nepalese Dal Bhat their whole stay in Varela. A change of cuisine back to a more familiar taste is more than welcome for Basilio.

Basilio enjoyed the dinner with her mother, father and Apu. They were joined in the table by a doctor from Cebu named Sergio, an engineer from Cavite named Emilio, and two young adults who came back from Prussia.

Basilio’s father, Jacinto, was excited to talk with the young adults and talk about what they saw in Prussia. The two young adults studied in Berlin. Jacinto, much like Apu, had passed thru the imperial system. They both studied in public school and had serve in the imperial military. Jacinto joined the Imperial army and participated in the Sino-Philippine war in 1855, Philippine Civil war in 1863 and the Chincha war against Spain. Jacinto much like a lot of those who joined imperial army had an affinity to Prussia.

The first young adult is named Diosdado, a local Kapampangan. He studied law and philosophy. The second young adult is named Vicente, someone who identified himself from Iligan, Northern Mindanao. He studied fine arts, interests in anthropology and painted during his free time. Vicente is a friend visiting Diosdado to celebrate and relax in the river cruise.

Both came from affluent families, rich enough to send children to private school or to study in Europe but not too rich to be noticed by the empire. Vicente’s family was fortunate that his father did not join the Visayan confederacy during the Philippine Civil war.

Jacinto and Emilio enjoyed the conversation about Vicente and Diosdado’s stay in Berlin. Diosdado had more sensible and quieter while Vicente’s story telling fascinated everyone.

Sergio is asked why he preferred having a cruise in Central Luzon rather than going around islands nearer Cebu. Sergio answered he has friends who he bled in war with. He has no friends who had served in Northern Mindanao, Panay, Leyte or Samar. He believes the people there had little in common while people in Luzon are considered the same, a Filipino. Central Luzon as he defined, is civilized, but not as developed as Cebu, lacking factories. It was still more developed than the other islands despite the industries centered around windmills or watermills. This made it ideal for him to rest his lungs from Cebu. He is also a navy man preferring the river boat cruise in Central Luzon than the train trip to Bicol.

Vicente was a bit distracted and looked at Jacinto, Sergio and Emilio’s uniforms. All of three were wearing uniforms with few minor medals dangling. Vicente has no idea what each medal stands for but the smaller old man had several larger medals than the three middle age men and the female. Vicente learned Jacinto and Emilio also served and fought all the way to Beijing.

Much of the Filipinos who passed thru the imperial system wore their uniforms, even if retired, to display their prowess during social gatherings. It became standard practice among Filipinos of the day.

Vicente, Diosdado, Jacinto, Sergio and Emilio were roughly the same height at 165 centimeters. However, Vicente and Diosdado were slightly overweight. Vicente spoke Spanish but had a Cebuano accent. Sergio despite capable of speaking and understanding Cebuano had no accent having been educated and trained by the public system. Everyone notices Vicente’s accent and some words were copied by Emilio from time to time with the Cebuano accent. Vicente tried not to be distracted whenever Emilio makes fun of his accent.

Vicente starts discussing the topic on that Spanish should not be the language of the empire but any local language. Spain, Spanish is foreign and an invader to the islands. Vicente goes further justifying Cebuano is the ideal language for the empire.

Sergio is asked of his opinion, as a speaker of Cebuano. Sergio’s opinion that he is Filipino first and foremost. It is good to know the roots of the island but he does not support the transfer as it will cost the state time and money all for the sake of changing the language and enhancing the pride of the Cebuanos. When we fought our independence against Spain, we never fought it as Cebuanos but as Filipinos. When we invaded Brunei or China, we did not invade as Tagalogs or Cebuanos but as Filipinos. We do not have a British or Cebuano Emperor but a Filipino emperor.

Vicente changes the discussion and justifies that authoritarian rule of Andres was the ideal government for the land. Monarchy and a parliament or any representative democracy should be discarded. Jacinto, Emilio and Sergio found Vicente’s beliefs interesting. The three veteran soldiers had been able to vote most of their adult life. Apu is asked of his opinion. Apu answered he prefers Andres’ rule, living most of his life under him, but would still serve Alfred if called upon as his sworn duty.

Both Vicente and Diosdado did not participate when Sergio, Emilio and Jacinto shared war stories. However, Vicente was in much great delight when everyone shared their war stories about Spain. Vicente hated the Spanish as much as anyone. When the men started drinking alcohol, Jacinto asked his wife, Corazon, to bring Basilio back to bed. Corazon, who also wore her military uniform, carried Basilio since he was already asleep.

Agno-Pampanga Canal River Boat​

Apu had been sipping his wine, stayed in the end of the table with his walking stick at rest. Apu had dark brown skin, height at 150 centimeters, lean but muscular. Sergio, Emilio and Jacinto all reached ranks equivalent to that of Captain while Apu had only been a non-commissioned officer all his life. However, Apu’s uniform is full of medals occupying most of his torso. Most of notable of his medals are three Hero of the Empire. The Hero of Empire is the highest distinction within the Philippine Empire. All three were personally awarded by Emperor Andres himself for Apu’s exemplary service in the invasion of Brunei, the Opium War and Sino-Philippine War.

Vicente started discussing Blumenbach’s concept of race. They further discuss the Malay race. The alcohol led the discussion went downhill with Vicente stating the Cebuano as different from Kapampangan or Tagalogs as a race. That the Cebuano was superior to any including the Tagalogs and Spanish. No one reacted violently on any thought about the Tagalogs and Kapampangan. Nor had Jacinto, Emilio or Sergio even passionately attached themselves nor identified themselves as Tagalog or, Kapampangan to take any offense of Vicente’s comment.

However, Vicente’s drunk voice insulted the concept of Filipino as a creation of foreigners and inferior to that of the Cebuano. That people in Luzon and Cebu have degraded that they are being led by a foreigner and a weakling having an emperor from Britain and mixed breed mestizo as Prime minister. That they allowed Chinese and foreigners to marry with them weaking the purity of the Malay and Cebuano race.

After Vicente had said it, there was silence. Then, Emilio insulted for the Philippines and the emperor, angrily charged at Vicente holding Vicente’s neck with both of his hands. Jacinto and Sergio tried to separate Emilio from Vicente while Diosdado tried to pull Vicente away from Emilio.

Apu was holding his walking stick more firmly and slammed on the ground. Emilio who had the face of anger turned and looked to Apu and his face turned to fear and then humility.

Apu was also a legend among the Marines, who Emilio is also part of. The empire had deemed Apu too valuable to be a frontline soldier by 1863. However, every young marine was trained at least one point in their lives by Apu.

Emilio suddenly remembered to control his emotions as Apu slams his walking stick. As Emilio releases Vicente, Vicente continues his insults to Emilio calling him a coward and a dog. Vicente continues his insults to Emilio saying that Emilio has a higher rank but is scared and follows a lower rank, weak and old man.

Apu, with a commanding voice, tells everyone to go back to their rooms and sleep. Apu also starts walking back to his room to avoid further confrontation but Vicente went face to face with him while insulting Emilio. Apu can smell the stench of alcohol coming out from Vicente’s mouth. When Vicente held Apu’s uniform and stared down at him saying that he had serve a weakling of an emperor like Alfred, Vicente felt something as his eyesight turned into pitch black.

 

[Namayan]

60. The New Imperial Policy (1868-1870)

Of East Asia

In Japan, factions that supported the restoration of Imperial court over the Tokugawa shogunate won a decisive victory. The 16-year-old Emperor Meiji moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.

The Philippines have been supporting the shogunate forces since the opening of Japan to international trade.

The French were more supportive of the factions in favor of the restoration of the imperial governance.

With the loss of the shogunate control of Japan, Philippines loses its main backer to sell products to Japan. The new government in Manila found a solution by selling Philippines rights to protect Joseon Kingdom to the new Japanese government. However, the sale was under the condition that the Philippines retained Jeju Island. The Japanese government also requested to include Archbishop and Ryuku islands. Philippines agreed to sell Archbishop islands but refused to return Ryuku to Japanese control.

The Japanese did not push further requests going south to Philippine territory. The Japanese have both admiration and fear for the Philippines. They admire the militarization and development of the Philippines with their capacity to conduct wars even in North Africa, beating a European power, Spain. They also fear that Philippines is near enough and strong enough to invade the Japanese home islands.

The Japanese negotiations changed and focused on Korea instead. The Philippines even facilitated a treaty of friendship and trade treaty between Japan and Korea.

In return, the Philippines gets all the current contracts and projects for the modernization of Japan from railways, trains, weapons, ships and manufactured goods bought from the Philippines.

Besides winning contracts in Japan, the transfer of Korean protectorate to Japan ends the possible land war with China or Russia and any financial maintenance of the Imperial army.

Since the end Sino-Philippine war in 1855, the Qing emphasized on adoption of Western firearms, machines and scientific knowledge. The Qing hired advisors from Europeans, United States and the Philippines. However, most of the imports came from the British empire and the Philippines. Philippine goods were cheaper due to proximity. Philippines even helped building Chinese arsenals with the first Chinese corvette Yangwu built in Foochow arsenal in 1868.

The new Philippine government since the coronation of Alfred I and Prime Minister Ibarra swinged the foreign policy from military aggression to commerce. The Philippines expecting the Chinese to cancel the naval patrol treaty by 1875 was willing to return Dalian to the Qin as early as 1870. The reduction of the Philippine army and future vulnerability of a perceived land war with China pushed the decision to give back Dalian. Dalian and Port Novales was under negotiation to be returned to the Chinese but the negotiations stalled due to better offers. The Japanese was willing to handsomely pay to transfer Port Novales to them instead. Several countries including the Russians placed their bids on acquiring Port Novlaes. Eventually, due to the influence in Manila, the British purchased Port Novales and Dalian from the Philippines. The British used their influence in Manila to prevent any Russian acquisition in China.

The Philippine Civil war devasted the rural areas and crops in the Philippines. Land confiscated by the state and emperor from the Visayan Confederacy landed elite was transformed into growing opium. Opium was then exported mostly to China.

Philippines had never sold opium to China as national policy before. During the time of Emperor Andres, the policy was invasion, territorial acquisition and getting financial concessions thru conquest. Never had Emperor Andres allowed the sale of opium coming from the Philippines or her territories.

African Possessions

The purchase of Socotra, Mayotte and Fernando Po islands left Philippines with islands far from Borneo or Luzon. There was a problem connecting these islands to Manila thru telegraphic lines. Telegraphic lines have to pass thru islands or lands not under the control of Manila. Although Manila is capable of financing a national telegraph line from Manila to Fernando Po Island, it was not willing to risk a nationalized line in foreign territory. Nor was Manila willing to sell the three islands.

So, Manila placed a bid to British and French companies to build telegraph lines from Manila to Socotra, Mayotte and Fernando Po Island.

Security of Resources

The Philippine Civil war has proven that Luzon Island cannot provide all the necessary resources. When Cebu was cut off from Luzon, coal, good quality coal, was difficult to procure.

Emperor Alfred signed and approved the collection of what the Philippines deems as strategic resources. By 1870, the Philippine Reserve Authority was created.

The goal is to retain at least a 5-year stock of resources of a war time consumption housed in Luzon. Coal will the primary resource stock.

Gold, Silver, Iron and Copper are also stocked despite the capability to mine them in Luzon. Other metals not found in Luzon are heavily imported and stocked by the Reserve Authority.

Philippine Reserve Authority guarded state-owned tropical forests still untouched. Logging is banned in Luzon to preserve the wood for any possible future war. Wood is to be imported from other islands of the empire in Visayas, in Borneo or Mindanao. Forestry and logging industry collapsed in Luzon. Those who wish to remain as lumberjacks had to migrate to different islands. The authority had to find the balance of having enough tropical forests but without sacrificing agriculture land. Unproductive lands are purchased by the state and grown tropical wood.

Rice, fruits and vegetables are encouraged while cash crops like coffee or opium are discouraged. Rice production is heavily subsidized and supported by the imperial government. The Imperial government provided new tools and trained the rice farmers. Infrastructure for production like irrigation. Roads, railroads and more importantly ship thru sea or canal helped transportation of these goods within local markets and for exports. Every inch of Luzon and Cebu islands are made sure that their agricultural products can reach any part of the islands for local purchase and consumption.

Poultry farms are encouraged over raising cattle to avoid large grazing lands in the small land area of Luzon and Cebu.

To preserve fish, local tradition of smoking, drying and fermenting are already common. Canning food became a major industry for Luzon and Cebu after 1870 as the imperial state buys stocks to feed millions, in case of war or famine, and to supplement Imperial granaries in Luzon and Cebu.

Wheat, grain, despite lacking of local farming, is also stocked but at the behest of Emperor Alfred.

Cebu Island and Sarawak are also stocked with reserves but on a smaller scale as Luzon. Metals are the primary stock in Cebu rather than Coal. Logging is also now banned in Cebu. Sarawak stocks are mostly food, ammunition and spare parts.

Parts of the Agriculture industry in Luzon became expensive in upkeep due to subsidies. Agriculture products that are deemed strategic like rice is not seen as products that produce profit but rather a resource that is needed to be produced for war during a blockade.

Foreign Affairs

With the growing merchant marine of American nations, and the Philippine economy more dependent exporting local produce to China, Pacific American trade became less crucial to the Philippine economy. Other than army cuts, naval budget cuts were affecting the capability to base islands. Ibarra made the navy to decide which to cut, Pearl Harbor or Galagapos. The Philippine navy decided to retain Galagapos due to it being newer and that before the acquisition of Pearl harbor, naval ships were already going to and from Manila to Acapulco. Philippines also wants total control of any island they are basing. The empire does not wish to deal with local foreign politics nor is in the mood nor policy to conquer the Kingdom of Hawaii. The British, French, Mexicans and the United States wanted to buy Pearl Harbor from the Philippines and tried to outbid one another.

The French somehow acquired the purchase of the base. However, the purchase had conditions. Manila wanted France to include in the purchase Marianas and Caroline Islands. The Philippines did not want to base all the Caroline Islands and Marianas Islands nor pay for its upkeep.

The Philippines wants to conclude the purchase during Marie Sofie’s coronation in Paris but Napoleon II will only sign the purchase only after Marie Sofie is crowned in Manila.

Philippines retained Guam and islands or atolls that they plan to base for coaling and to lay telegraphic lines to and from Manila to Galagapos.

The reduction of islands and bases in the Philippines reduced the upkeep of the navy but retained the projection of the Philippines to the Americas.

With the sale of Pearl Harbor, the Philippines informed the Kingdom of Hawaii of the end the protectorate. The Philippines also left the Pacific alliance signed with Andean Union and Chile.

The Philippines have effectively reduced the responsibility and the potential to drag Philippines to war. This policy of neutrality will give a chance to sell local products to both sides fighting a war.

Miguel Ibarra foreign policy focused on avoiding wars with the British empire, the French empire and United States. All three were regarded as nations with larger industrial naval capacity and large navies that Philippines cannot hope to match in a long-drawn-out war.

Philippines became more friendly with the French and United States. The foreign policy also called for friendly relations with Britain, friendly enough not to be attacked by Britain but not friendly enough to go on the direction at the whims of Britain.

Miguel Ibarra also believes the Empire of the Philippines has been lucky these past five decades from Independence from Spain, war with China, Civil war and war with Spain. He also believes the empire to be overextended. He does not wish to further overextend the empire nor end like China dictated by foreign powers on policy.

Emperor Alfred also wanted to be free of his mother’s influence or at least remove any notion or perception that he is being manipulated by his mother.