Last US Independence Day rites at Charles Parsons Ballroom

Notable personalities from various sectors that include business, government, the diplomatic circle and media filled the Charles Parsons Ballroom of the US Embassy in Manila to commemorate the 238th Independence Day of the United States of America.

According to US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, this will be the last July 4 celebration at the Charles Parsons Ballroom — that is, until such time as it becomes fully renovated, which will take a minimum of two years. The US Embassy has been enhancing its facilities in the past several years with several facilities such as three annex buildings and access control facilities added within the Embassy complex along Roxas Boulevard.

The Ambassador told us, however, that he is hoping to host one more Independence Day celebration at the historic ballroom before he leaves for his next posting. Not many know that the ballroom — which is now immortalized in the annals of history as the place that served as the courtroom where the October 1945 trial of General Tomoyuki Yamashita and Masaharu Homma was held — has been named after US Navy Commander Charles “Chick” Parsons.

In 2004, then US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Joseph Mussomeli led the ceremonies that named the ballroom after Parsons, in recognition of his role during World War II. He organized a fleet of submarines that helped keep the resistance going in the Philippines, embarking on dangerous secret missions to deliver supplies, radio equipment and medicines for soldiers.  In fact, he was dubbed as “MacArthur’s Emissary” in a book written by Travis Ingram that paid tribute to his contribution during World War II — particularly since he served as the critical link between General Douglas MacArthur who was in Australia and the Filipino guerillas who were battling the Japanese.

Photos by Ramon Joseph J. Ruiz