Message of Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos

A glorious Philippine Independence Day to all our beloved countrymen at home and abroad!

The Filipino nation is more than just a confluence of our history and culture, our political struggles for freedom, or the sum of all our citizens put together. In its truest and largest sense, the life of our nation -- its fundamental reality and supreme vitality -- rests on the enduring foundations of love of God, love of country and Mother Earth, and love of fellow men.

It is for this reason that we have adopted for the 96th year observance of our Independence the theme, :Ang Pilipino Maka-Diyos, Makabayan, Makatao, Makakalikasan". These are the self-same principles enunciated by Apolinario Mabini's Decalogue, by Andres Bonifacio's "Pag- Ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa", by Emilio Jacinto's "Kartilya ng Katipunan", as well as by Dr. Jose Rizal and our other heroic forebears.

By loving God as the fountainhead of all truth, goodness, honor and justice: we also attain our own perfection and thus contribute to the progress of humanity.

By loving our country after God, we honor the patrimony of our race and the bounties of our inheritance, and preserve these for the benefit of our descendants. Our new emphasis on the protection of our environment underlines our concern today for the development of our beloved Philippines on a sustainable basis.

By loving our countrymen, we bind ourselves to the same joys and sorrows, the same aspirations and interests that make for peace, unity and the preservation of life.

Today, the Philippines is at the threshold of greater social, economic, political and cultural growth as it enters the 21st century. It is only by forging anew our unity and enhancing our freedom on the basis of far-reaching reforms, change and renewal -- anchored on a profound love of God, of country and Mother Earth, and of fellow men -- can we attain our individual and collective goals, and find our rightful place in a just, peaceful and prosperous world.

MABUHAY ANG SAMBAYANANG FILIPINO!

MABUHAY ANG REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS!

FIDEL V. RAMOS

President