Old PH Chancery in Washington DC Designated as National Historical Landmark

Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (right) and Dr. Rene R. Escalante (left) unveil the historical markers dedicating the Old Chancery of the Philippine Embassy as a Philippine National Historical Landmark at a ceremony held at the Embassy on 09 November 2018. (Washington D.C. PE photo)

WASHINGTON, D.C. 10 December 2018 — "It is with great honor and a deep sense of responsibility that the Embassy accepts this solemn charge today of preserving the history, nationalism, and dignity that this building embodies for the people of the Philippines."

Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez declared at the formal ceremony on 9 November 2018 dedicating the Old Chancery of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. as a National Historical Landmark of the Philippines.

Two historical markers, one in Filipino and another in English, were also unveiled at the ceremony.

"As a people with a deep sense of nostalgia, Filipinos will ever be mindful of the hard work of our forefathers that have taken us to where we are today in 2018. We shall do what we can to protect and safeguard it with honor. And this building, this National Historical Landmark, no doubt, will constantly remind us of our sacred charge, and of our solemn responsibility," Ambassador Romualdez added.

Purchased in 1941, it was in the Old Chancery on 1617 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington D.C., where Resident Commissioners Joaquin M. Elizalde and Carlos P. Romulo presided over the transition of the Philippines from being a Commonwealth into an independent republic in 1946. For a time during World War II, the building was also the headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Government-in-Exile.

"Crucial meetings, such as war cabinet meetings, were held in this building. These gatherings were attended by President Manuel L. Quezon and Vice President Sergio Osmeña," said National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairperson Dr. Rene R. Escalante.

After independence, the building then became the first Chancery of the Embassy. On 16 April 2018, it was declared a national historical landmark by the NHCP. A national historical landmark is defined as a site or structure that is associated with events or achievements significant to Philippine history.

"With its storied past, this building, no doubt, needs to be preserved and promoted as an important cultural property," Dr. Escalante added.

In his remarks, Ambassador Romualdez also recalled the many milestones over the years not only in the fight for Philippine independence, but also in Philippines-US relations.

"This building clearly stands as eternal testament to the hard work, the persistence, and the commitment that all those who worked here - and even before that - put to bear on the great project of Philippine independence.” Ambassador Romualdez said.

The Ambassador invited the audience to look back at the significance and value of all that has come to pass in order to understand that the relationship between the two countries will always be of manifest importance.

This was affirmed by Acting Director for Maritime Southeast Asia Manu Bhalla of the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, who represented the US Government at the ceremony.

"The U.S.-Philippines alliance is strong to this very day.  Just as we stood together in World War II to combat forces fighting against liberty, we continue to stand – shoulder to shoulder – together now in the global fight against terrorism.  As we strengthen and expand our broad relationship with the Philippines, we look forward to working together across the many areas of mutual interest to further strengthen our bonds," Director Bhalla said in his remarks.

The ceremony was attended by a diverse audience from the US, the business community, academe, and the Filipino-American community. Special guests included the centenarian Mrs. Evangeline Paredes, President Quezon’s former Personal Secretary when he was in exile in the US; and Ivan Henares, former head of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Committee on Monuments and Sites.

The unveiling of the historical markers was followed by a short program that featured a presentation from Dr. Escalante on the NHCP’s work, and the airing by Professor Erwin Tiongson of the Philippines on the Potomac Project, a recording of the 1942 celebration of Commonwealth Day featuring speeches from former President Quezon, US President Theodore Roosevelt and Mexican President Manuel Avila Camacho.

The ceremony was supported by the US-Philippines Society, while Philippine Airlines was the official carrier of the historical markers from the Philippines to the United States.

The Old Philippine Chancery in Washington, D.C. is the second structure to be designated as a Philippine National Historical Landmark outside of the Philippines. The official residence of the Philippine Ambassador in Tokyo was declared a National Historical landmark in March 2013.   END

For more information, visit www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph / www.philippineembassy-usa.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA @philippinesusa on Twitter

Ambassador Romualdez and Dr. Escalante sign the Certificate of Transfer and Acceptance of Historical Marker at the unveiling ceremony held at the Embassy on 09 November 2018. (Washington D.C. PE photo)

(L-R) Philippine Embassy Economic Minister Jose Victor Chan Gonzaga; Philippine Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Patrick Chuasoto; Ambassador Romualdez; Dr. Rene Escalante; and Chief of NHCP Research, Publications and Heraldry Division, Alvin Alcid pose for a group photo after the signing of certificate. (Washington D.C. PE photo)

Mrs. Evangeline Paredes, former Personal Secretary of President Quezon and Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez shares a light moment after the unveiling ceremony. (Washington D.C. PE photo)

Guests at the unveiling ceremony – (L-R) Former Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines, Mr. Michael Klecheski; Former Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Ramon Cardenas; Ambassador Romualdez; and US-Philippines Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson. (Washington D.C. PE photo)