Virginia garden party marks Jones Law centennial

Minister JV Chan Gonzaga with the Jones family, Philippine Embassy’s Economic Minister Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga (second from left) together with the Jones family at the 6th Annual Historic House Party of the William A. Jones Home in Warsaw, Virginia on September 24. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Filipino diplomats, community members and US dignitaries marked the centennial of the Philippine Autonomy Act, also known as the Jones Act for Philippine Independence, on Sept. 24 at the William A. Jones Home in Warsaw, Virginia.

Organized by the Richmond County Museum, the sixth Annual Historic House Party brought together representatives from the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, the Jones Family, as well as members of the local community, including Filipino Americans from as far as Washington, D.C. and northern Virginia.

Enacted by the 64^th US Congress on August 2,1916, the Jones Law, laid down the framework for a more autonomous Philippine government, preparatory to the grant of independence to the Philippines by the United States.

Through this law, the Philippines saw the creation of a bicameral legislature, the introduction of a representative electoral process, and the recognition of the fundamental civil and political rights of persons living within the bounds of the Philippine Islands.

In the formal program for the afternoon, Minister Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga, representing the Philippine Embassy, and Elizabeth Hart Jones, representing the Jones Family, delivered brief remarks.

Both recognized the importance of the Jones Law in Philippine colonial history. However, they also stressed that the law became the foundation on which the “deep friendship and vital partnership” between the Philippines and the US were built over the years.

The William A. Jones Home in Warsaw, Virginia. CONTRIBUTED

“Today, we celebrate not only the centennial of a piece of US legislation, historic it might have been…We have created the fabric… of our mutual commitment to freedom, to democracy, to self determination, to human rights, and to respect for our common humanity,” Chan-Gonzaga said in his remarks.

Hart-Jones said, “At that age of empire building, it was a radical idea to let go of a treasured territory like the Philippine Islands. However, Congressman Jones had a profound belief that the United States had a more important mandate to promote freedom around the world.”

Becky Marks, president of the Richmond County Museum Board, read a letter from Congressman Robert Wittman, who reiterated the importance of the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and the United States.

Chris Fols, a local high school student, read his winning essay on Congressman Jones from a contest sponsored by the museum.

Throughout the afternoon, as guests enjoyed chicken adobo and empanadas, the lawn of the Jones Home was transformed into a cultural stage. Various Filipino dances were performed by the Sayaw! Diversity Group and the Richmond Pilipino Youth Dancers.

Guests also toured the Jones Home, a Victorian house originally built by Congressman Jones around 1888. It is furnished with many mementos of the Jones couple’s travels to Asia. The great-granddaughters of Congressman Jones, Anne (and her husband Rusty Gilfillan), Elizabeth, and Mary Lee and Elizabeth’s own daughter, Marjorie Boehlert led the tour.

The Jones Law Centennial took place during the 70^th year anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States.