Senate mulls granting Filipino citizenship to 99-year-old American

MANILA, Philippines - The Senate is considering granting Philippine citizenship to a 99-year-old American for her charitable work in the country and outstanding contribution in helping prisoners of war during World War II.

Senate Bill 2983, introduced by Sen. Sergio Osmeña III, seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to Jessie Josephine Coe Lichauco, with all the rights, privileges, duties and obligations pertinent to such grant under the Constitution.

Lichauco is an American who was born in Cuba but raised in Florida by her relatives after she was orphaned as a young girl.

While working in Washington, she met Marcial Lichauco, then a young Filipino lawyer working with OsRox (Osmeña-Roxas) Philippine Independence Mission. 

In 1933, Marcial invited her to come to the Philippines and they were married the same year. Since then, she has lived in the Philippines.

Lichauco joined the Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas and devoted her time to the Settlement House.

During World War II, she cared for and provided shelter for those in need and supported efforts to reach prisoners of war. When Manila was bombarded during the liberation, she and her husband opened their Santa Ana home to fleeing citizens and provided a makeshift hospital to take care of at least 2,000 people.

After the war, Lichauco worked with the Settlement House, of which she was president for nine years.

She was also one of the founding members of the Red Feather Agency (later known as the Community Chest), an organization that raises funds for member charitable agencies. In her own capacity, she helped over 100 young people complete their education.

Between 1963 to 1966 when her husband was appointed by President Diosdado Macapagal as Philippine ambassador to the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, she served as the ambassador’s hostess. Lichauco was the representative of the Philippines in international organizations, social events and activities involving the diplomatic corps. 

She and her husband opened their home at Palace Green to Filipino students, businessmen, travelers and workers.

The bill also took note of the couple’s hospitality and assistance which are confirmed by the accounts of Filipinos whom they helped and welcomed to their home.

After her husband’s death in 1971, Lichauco spent some years in the United States but still continued to help Filipinos by opening her home in Massachusetts to Filipino students needing a place to stay.

Her century-old home by the Pasig River in Santa Ana remains full of historical memorabilia, making it a repository of Filipino history and a haven for travelers, friends and local residents.