Philippine Independence Day Message
When, before dusk of 12 June
1898, one hundred and five years ago, General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed to the
world the independence of the Philippines, he declared the realization of a
cherished aspiration. A free and independent nation had been the dream of our
people, inspiring them to rise in numerous revolts to overthrow a foreign
colonizer.
From Mactan to Kawit, the
Lapu-Lapus and Dagohoys, the Diego Silangs and Bonifacios of our nation had
risen to fight injustice and shed blood for freedom. In Madrid, Paris, Berlin,
and other cities of the world, the Lunas, del Pilars, and Rizals, empowered by
genius and love of country, battled for the right of the Filipino to stand with
dignity and honor in the community of nations. With steadfast determination and
valor, with bravery and courage, our people fought. And they won for us liberty
and sovereignty.
When, in Kawit, the
Filipino flag – with three stars representing Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao –
was raised and the Philippine national anthem was played, our people rejoiced,
for they were one in liberty and destiny.
Like our people in
Kawit, we now rejoice. But as our people in Kawit resolved to continue
struggling, in order to keep whole and firm the fabric of Philippine society, so
must we today continue their struggle. In a certain sense, we have yet to
complete the revolution of a century ago. We must continue working hard together
to fortify the unity of our people and make more durable the foundations of our
Republic.
Our people must
reflect on and appreciate the history of our nation – extending long before the
arrival of foreign traders, teachers, missionaries, and colonizers. Our people
must recognize our identical ethnicity and our brotherhood antedating our
differences of creed. Our people must appreciate the reality that despite our
7,000 islands and our variations of the same language family, we are one people.
The task of
safeguarding and strengthening our independence requires a steadfast commitment
to national unity and to sustainable development. These are important elements
of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s vision of a strong Republic. We
Filipinos, united, must continue fighting hand in hand against poverty and all
its consequences of discontent, discrimination, and oppression; all its
abominations of illiteracy, corruption, and criminality – including the scourge
of terrorism.
And as we remember with
pride our forebears’ heroism, so also do we honor our patriots of today.
Millions of our countrymen labor overseas. Striving to maximize the development
options of their families, they are winning – with their industry, their
competence, their edifying attachment to Filipino values – universal respect for
the Filipino.
Our people, particularly
our youth, profoundly crave for the completion of our many revolutions –
including our people power upheavals of 1986 and 2001 – and thus, in a milieu of
law and moral rectitude, achieve the full meaning of our independence.
Together, inspired by the
same spirit, we will achieve!
BLAS F. OPLE
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
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