Norman Hingston Hill (1887-1971) may not be a name that immediately springs to mind for many Filipino historians. However, Hill played a significant role as a member of William Francis “Frank” Murphy’s staff during his tenure as governor general of the Philippines (1933-1935) and as the first United States high commissioner to the Philippines (1935-1936). While stationed in Manila, Hill meticulously compiled 15 scrapbooks filled with newspaper clippings from the years 1933-1936. Today, these scrapbooks are housed in the prestigious Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Scrapbooks, though subjective in nature, provide valuable insights into the compiler’s interests and the spirit of the times. It would be ideal for historians to examine complete newspapers rather than isolated clippings, but unfortunately, only a limited number of prewar Philippine newspapers and periodicals have survived to this day. Furthermore, obtaining complete sets of certain periodicals often requires sourcing them from abroad in physical copies or microfilm. Nevertheless, the Hill scrapbooks offer a glimpse into the Philippines of Murphy’s era. The first volume of the scrapbooks sheds light on the pressing challenges that Murphy faced and successfully addressed during his time in office. Education and schools were areas of concern, as well as the impact of US sugar quotas on sugar production. The Philippine National Bank had to undergo reformation to rescue it from corruption and bankruptcy. On the political front, much debate was centered around the Hare-Hawes-Cutting bill, which aimed to establish the process and date for the independence of the Philippines from the US. While the bill was developed by the Os-Rox Mission, led by Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Roxas, it faced opposition from Manuel Quezon. Traditional history textbooks mention the Hare-Hawes-Cutting or HHC Bill of 1933, which was passed by the US Congress but ultimately rejected by the Philippine Senate under Quezon. Instead, the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934 was ratified, leading to the creation of the 1935 Philippine Constitution, the establishment of the Philippine Commonwealth, and the eventual achievement of independence for the Philippines in 1946. Textbooks provide a general overview of these events, but often lack the intricate details that make history truly engaging. Personally, I often find myself diving deep into historical minutiae, discovering the richness that lies beyond the surface. The 1934 scrapbook contains news about Philippine trade, including sugar, hemp, abaca, and even the meat industry. It offers a comprehensive view of the various steps involved in the production and sale of meat, from animal slaughter to consumer purchase. Additionally, the scrapbook includes clippings related to the activities of the Philippine Historical Research and Markers Committee established by Murphy. This committee aimed to highlight and preserve historic sites and landmarks, starting with Intramuros, where significant institutions such as San Agustin Church, University of Santo Tomas, and the College of San Juan de Letran are located. Some clippings even feature photographs, such as the “life belts” (popularly known as lifesavers or “salbabida”) that were installed on three of the Pasig River bridges: Jones, Santa Cruz, and the Colgante (Hanging Bridge). These lifesavers were attached to the bridges via long ropes, designed to prevent accidents and suicides by minimizing the risk of drowning. The clippings in the scrapbooks encompassed more than just news; they also delved into the intriguing realm of regional politics beyond the confines of Manila. For example, the January 16, 1934 edition of the Herald reported a physical altercation between Dr. Emilio Osmeña, son of Senator Sergio Osmeña, and Vicente Sotto at the Elite, a popular café in Cebu. Dr. Osmeña confronted Sotto over allegations that Senator Osmeña had used government funds to enhance the value of his property by constructing roads. The confrontation escalated, resulting in Dr. Osmeña landing a punch that gave Sotto a black eye. Sotto attempted to retaliate, but Dr. Osmeña managed to dodge a stick with a concealed sharp point that was thrown at him. Following the incident, Cesar Sotto, the candidate’s son, accompanied by two companions, sought out Dr. Osmeña. It seems that politics outside of Manila often took on a more personal and physical nature. In another incident, the governor of Oriental Negros was assaulted by a town presidente and his supporters at the Dumaguete wharf. Returning to Manila, we encounter a story involving 200 indigenous people from Mindanao who were staying at the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes in Intramuros. They demanded mosquito nets to aid in a good night’s sleep, as they were scheduled to perform at the Manila Carnival Mindanao Night. A racist bureau official mocked their request, pointing out that most of them had never even heard of mosquito nets, having slept without them for their entire lives. Bureau Director Teofisto Guingona intervened and granted the indigenous people their request. Reading the news of 1934 in 2023 is akin to embarking on a journey through time for historians. It forces us to reflect on why our society seems to have undergone so little change in the past 89 years. History isn’t merely a reflection of the past; it also serves as a critique of the present.
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