Ughh...I have a caption for the pic somewhere, but I cant remember what book its in. But essentially Governor Taft is visiting Datu Uto (while Datu Uto retained the title of Datu rather than claim the title of Sultan for political reasons, in the last half of the 19th century he was by right and power pretty much Sultan of Buayan), and for some reason I want to say they are watching a bull-fight, but I cant remember. If Mabagani sees this thread I am sure he will remember the caption. Anyways, this is very early on into America's colonization of PI, as Datu Uto dies shortly after from a tropical disease (I believe it may have been from a cholera epidemic or was it Malaria I have his bio buried under a pile of other books, but am too lazy right now to dig). Oh well...

Spunjer for all our joking, why do I have the feeling the guy on the left could probably kick all our A$$es without breaking a sweat.:D Anyways, just dont focus too much on him, remember the pretty weaponry as well;) :eek: :p

Guys:

The picture of the assembled Moro dignitaries is dominated by the two Americans in white and I am really surprised that an immigrant to the U.S. is the one to point out that the rotund gentleman in the center of the picture is William Howard Taft, then Governor of the Philippines and later President of the United States. Taft had left the Philippines by 1904, and from 1904-1908 he was supervising the construction of the Panama Canal.

The other distinguished gentleman in white is Major General Leonard Wood, Governor of Moro Province and later Army Chief of Staff under President Taft. Wood was only in the Philippines briefly, serving as Governor of Moro Province from 1903-1906, during which time he commanded U.S. troops in putting down a Moro rebellion in 1904. I believe the photograph dates from 1903-1904, when both Taft and Wood were in the Philippines.

Because the Moro in this picture are carrying weapons in close proximity to the distinguished U.S. administrators, it was probably taken before the Moro uprising that was put down by Wood. So I would guess the picture dates from 1903.

Very interesting picture.

Ian.

In the time I was posting my message, Federico beat me to the ID of Taft. :mad: :D

BUT he's too young to possibly know that he was later President Taft (maybe anyways).
An immigrant, by the way,Ian, is THE logical person to be aware of such fantastic information/trivia as many to most Americans have little interest in our own history.
Perhaps because there is so little of it? **grin**
Mike