Figure 1.--Corregidor is a rocky island dominates the entry into Manila Bay. The Spanish built a firtress there and the Amerricans expnded the fortifications. This photograph ws taken by an American soldier stationed at the expanding fort (1915). We see a group of children at the village on Corregidor.

Clothing during the Spanish era was similar to Latin Amrica, basically white compesino clohing for th Filipinos and more European stylses for the urban elite. Then in the more remote areas there was still tribal clothing. The United States seized the Philippines fron Spain during the Spanish American War (1898-99) and created a commonwealth. The economy lnguished under the moibund Spanish Empire. Amneruican iknvestment briought dconimic griwth. Tribal styles gradually disappeared as the economy expanded, but in many years left and enduring impact. This began to change with the coming of the Americans and the development of a more modern economy. This all developed slowly. Economic development had a substantial affect on clothing because as the population increasingly entered the monied economy, they bought more Western style clothing of course adjusted for the warm tropical climate. One Filipino source tells us that, "When the Americans came, Filipinos including the boys were taught how to wear the right and proper attire. During that time, all boys and men were wearing white polo shirt, white coat and white pants symbolizing good grooming and cleanliness." We are not entirely sure what that meant. Here the American efforts to create a comprehensived public school system was a factor. The only other Asian country with a public school system at the time was Japan. We see some styles similar to Latin American styles like the Guayabera shirt. The Filipino version is the barong or Barong Tagalog. It is today considered to be the national dress shirt of the Philippines, more worn by adults than boys. While a casual styles, it is mostly be worn on formal occasions. The Japanese briefly occupied the Philippines during the Pacifiic War (1941-45). As far as we know, thy had no influence on clothing, excepot the shortages of food and clothing that develophed during their occupation and management of the economy. After the War the Unites States as planned before the War granted independence (1946). Economic growth was slow, but stady and Filipinpos as in Europe adopted generic Western styles also influenced by the climate and lower income levels than in America and Europe.

Created: 5:38 PM 5/15/2021
Last updated: 5:38 PM 5/15/2021