Message from Teofisto T.Guingona,JR.
Message from Teofisto T.Guingona,JR.
Vice President and Secretary of Foreign Affairs
The Republic of Philippines
It is with great pride and joy that Filipinos all over the
world celebrate the 103rd Anniversary of Philippine Independence.
Today, we honor with even greater attention the memory of our
heroes. We recall their martyrdom for the freedom that we now
enjoy. We are profoundly grateful.
Today, we remember their indomitable spirit in fighting for
our right to govern ourselves and determine our future. We are
deeply appreciative.
Indeed, we keep alive the memory of our heroes' struggles, for
they constitute the glorious epic of our nationhood. We will
never forget their legacy of freedom and independence. For
freedom is the buttress of our national unity and brotherhood;
independence is our path to total development and global
competitiveness.
Free and independent, we can raise our voices with pride:
BAYAN, MAGKAISA! MANGUNA!
With such grateful remembrance, we Filipinos look ahead.
Untouched by mere sentiment, we move forward.
Spurred by a vision of realistic reform, national progress,
and international respect, we act.
Inspired by practical aspirations, we work and pray to
maximize our families' options for choice, to give our children
an optimum education and to assure them -- and all Filipinos --
and improved quality of life.
What encourages us constantly is faith in God, as well as
ethnic optimism.
The Filipino has an almost unlimited ability to rise above
every crisis.
Thus, be he a high-technology specialist in Silicon Valley or
an investment banker on Wall Street; a petroleum engineer in
Riyadh or a governess in Rome; a management trainee in Hong Kong
or a jazz virtuoso in Taipei, the Filipino faces every challenge
with courage; strives to overcome every problem with a smile;
meets every situation with trust in God and a confidence in self,
and in the help, if necessary, of fellow Filipinos.
This is the strength of our people -- a poignant appreciation
of yesterday; a determined and prayerful effort to meet today's
challenges; and a sturdy hope in God-blessed tomorrows fortified
by our countrymen's unfailing BAYANIHAN and PAGKAKAISA.
Manila, June 12, 2001