Decades have passed since Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo surrendered to the Americans, and even longer since our greatest intellectuals were laid to rest. However, one man remained steadfast in his pursuit of national independence: Artemio Ricarte. As a veteran of the 1898 revolution, Ricarte not only resisted the new Western colonizers, but also fought for a truly independent Philippines well into the 20th century.
Despite years of exile in Guam with Apolinario Mabini, Ricarte never wavered in his refusal to take the oath of allegiance to America. While Mabini eventually gave in upon his return to Manila, Ricarte remained true to his patriotic convictions and faced permanent banishment. He became known as the “last revolutionary” and plotted multiple uprisings against the American occupation, including the infamous “Ricarte Fourth of July Plot,” which aimed to mobilize labor unions to seize power in America’s sole Asian colony.
Ricarte relied on the potential intervention of a rising power to encourage revolts back home, particularly turning to Imperial Japan. With its rapid industrialization and victory over czarist forces, Imperial Japan became the de facto patron and host of Asian nationalists. Ricarte eventually moved to Japan, where he continued his political activities and started a new life. He ran a restaurant in Yokohama and taught Spanish in Tokyo.
However, World War II disrupted everything. Overlooking Imperial Japan’s fascist turn and brutal colonization of neighboring countries, Ricarte supported the invading forces in establishing a new regime in the Philippines. Unlike nationalist figures in Indonesia and Vietnam who welcomed Japanese assistance against European powers, the Philippines had a different reception due to its strong American influence. Imperial Japan’s atrocities only fueled public resentment against the new imperial power.
Ricarte’s tragic situation, as described by Nick Joaquin, serves as a cautionary tale. Some individuals who once championed the cause of post-colonialism against Western hegemony have now become enablers of a new aggressive empire closer to home. They may even blame Ukraine for defending itself against Russia, or our own patriots for defending our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. True patriotism involves distinguishing past wars from present threats, considering historical injustices while addressing contemporary challenges. It requires intellectual courage to condemn both the historical crimes of Western empires and the contemporary threats posed by Eastern empires. This is the essence of Filipino patriotism.
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