INTRODUCTION
We are here today to commemorate a proud and victorious chapter in the annals of our nation. And as a Filipino, I find it thrilling to note that since EDSA, we have been celebrating more triumphs than defeats as a people.

One hundred years ago, here in Binakayan the Philippine Revolution showed the world by the strength and valor of its arms that it was not just another uprising against colonial rule, but an authentic revolution for national independence. One hundred years later, we are proving in our part of the world that we can modernize and develop as a democracy.

Between the Battle of Binakayan and the struggles of our people today there is a thread that brings them together — and it is the image of the Filipino nation rising from trial and difficulty to claim its place in the family of nations.
PROVING GROUND FOR THE REVOLUTION
Binakayan stands out as a crucial chapter in the early stages of the Revolution because here Spanish forces made a determined effort to crush the revolution — and here our revolutionary forebears stood their ground against overwhelming odds.

The Spanish forces mounted a coordinated offensive on these shores that sought to capture the towns of Kawit and Noveleta. Yet the strength of Spanish artillery failed to break the spirit of our brave and heroic soldiers led by General Emilio Aguinaldo, General Candido Tirona and General Pio Valenzuela. Our soldiers fought a savage battle that raged for four long days. Behind the trenches and bulwarks designed by General Edilberto Evangelista, they exchanged fire with fire with the enemy.

During the battle — in one of the hand-to-hand combats that took place — General Tirona was mortally wounded by a bayonet. But his death only impelled his fellow Katipuneros to fight harder and fiercer. They fought on as they had never fought before, driving the attacking forces back to the coast of Binakayan — and in the end broke the back of the Spanish offensive.

This battle was the first victory of the revolution. From here the revolution would spread to other provinces and battlegrounds. From here the Filipino revolutionaries showed their conviction that they could win and would not wane. And the rest, as they say, is history.
LESSONS FROM THE PAST
In commemorating this glorious event, we rightly pay tribute to all our compatriots who fought here — both those who fell and those who survived the battle.

But more than paying tribute, we as worthy heirs must also seek to learn the timeless lessons of this chapter in our history. More than anything, the Battle of Binakayan reminds us of what is within our national capability to accomplish — that with persistence, determination, and the spirit of bayanihan, we can perform great feats as a people.

For many years, this idea — this conviction — that we Filipinos could win had become a forlorn hope among many of us. As our country faltered in crisis and decline, we started to believe that we could not prosper as a nation or compete in the world.

But the defeatism is now gone. Today, we — our people and our leaders together — have risen to the calls and challenges, just as our forefathers did here in Binakayan in 1896. In the spirit of bayanihan and cooperation, we have come out of sick bay, put our house in order, and brought our country back into the path of growth and development. And now — on the eve of our first national centennial — we bid to become one of the tiger nations of Asia.
BATTLES FOR THE FUTURE
The fervor in which we embark on this task should be comparable to the fervor with which our forefathers fought the victorious Battle of Binakayan. For the battles we now face are not fought on the fields and beaches against foreign enemies. They are fought rather in our homes, our farms, our factories, our offices, our laboratories, our schools and our markets. And the enemies this time are the social ills that beset every developing society. In our case, poverty, crime, apathy, graft and corruption are the worst threats to our progress. We are now fighting for the hearts and minds of our children, and for the future of generations of Filipinos after us.

As we near the 21st century our social responsibilities become even greater in a world that is getting smaller through the great advances of modern technology. We are now in the period that Rizal described in “The Philippines a Century Hence” — the time when advancement and ethical progress shall inevitably come to the Philippines.

As we look beyond the boundaries of our nation, we must also look within and assess our strengths and weaknesses. And we must strive to strengthen ourselves in those things in which we are weak, and enhance ourselves in those where we are strong. Therein lies our excellence and competitiveness in a more competitive world.
VICTORY IN OUR TIME
We are now entering into the final phase of our preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Leaders’ Summit which the Philippines chairs this year. Hosting it is already a victory in itself because APEC gives us a chance to show the world the strides we have made since EDSA.

But “showing the world” does not mean, as some have suggested, “showing off.” it means rather showing to others what kind of partner the Philippines can be — whether as investment destination, as trading partner, as tourist attraction and as respected member of the councils of nations.

The agreements that will be forged during the summit will greatly contribute to our economic progress and social equity. It will give us the opportunity to enter other markets, to compete as part of the global community and to generate more jobs for our people.

This opening up of economic horizons in our country is the new victory we celebrate in our time. And i believe it is only fitting that we dedicate this victory to all who fought and fell here in Binakayan a century ago. For with this victory, we show that the sacrifices made by our martyrs were not in vain.

One hundred years after the victorious battle of Binakayan, we again are fighting a new campaign for excellence, and we again will celebrate another victory.

Sa pamamagitan ng APEC, ating maipapakita sa buong mundo na malayo na ang narating ng Pilipinas. Ating masasabi na iba na ang Pilipino at may bagong Pilipino na muling sisibol.

Ating ipagdiwang ang tagumpay na ating natamasa sa binakayan at ang mga tagumpay na atin pang tatamasain. Sa ating pagbubuklod at pagsasama maipapakita natin na naghilom na ang mga sugat ng ating nakaraan.

We shall forge ahead with the programs, policies and reforms that have enabled us to rise again as a nation. We shall face all the challenges before us and prevail, because we will hold together. And we shall “win the future,” as I promised to you upon assuming the presidency four years ago.

Victory over stagnation is at hand. Economic and social progress shall be our reward!

Let’s go for it! Go, go, go!!

Mabuhay ang diwa ng Binakayan!

Mabuhay ang lalawigan ng Cavite!

Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!