Historical markers unveiled at official residence of PH envoy to U.S.

From left to right:  US State Department Philippine Desk officials Mr. Brian Frere, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, Consul General Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, and former Head of the Philippine National Commission on Culture and Arts National Committee on Monuments and Sites Ivan Henares unveil the Filipino and English versions of the historical markers for the Ambassador’s Residence. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Historical Markers from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) were unveiled at the Official Residence of the Philippine Ambassador to the United States.

The unveiling by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez icoincides with the 75^th anniversary of the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States.

Romualdez was joined by PH Embassy Consul General Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, US State Department Philippine Desk officials Mr. Brian Frere and Mr. James Shea, and former Head of the Philippine National Commission on Culture and Arts National Committee on Monuments and Sites Ivan Henares during the unveiling ceremony.

Romualdez shared that “63 years ago, Presidents Carlos Garcia and Dwight Eisenhower signed a joint communique embodying Philippine-American friendship and mutual goodwill at the Filipiniana Room just a few steps from where we are today.”

The installation of National Historical Markers for the Official Residence of the Philippine Ambassador to the United States was approved by the NHCP on May 10, 2021. The cast iron markers will be installed on the Residence’s façade within the year.

The markers were designed by Waddy B. Wood and built in 1904 by William Lipscomb and Company for Retired General and Mrs. Charles L Fitzhugh. In 1913, Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon had the opportunity to visit and was impressed by the structure and design of the house. In 1946, the house was acquired by the first Philippine Ambassador to the United States Joaquin M. Elizalde. Then in 1949, the Philippine Government bought the property from the Elizaldes. Since then, it has become the official residence of succeeding Philippine Ambassadors to the United States.