INTRODUCTION
Matagumpay nating ipinagdiwang ang sentenaryo ng kasarinlan ng ating bansa noong nakaraang Biyernes, ika-12 ng Hunyo. Matapos ang mahabang panahon, naibalik natin ang dangal ng pilipino sa kanyang lahi at ang tiwala sa kanyang sarili. Nakita natin ito sa pagkakaisa at kasiyahan ng milyun-milyong tao na nakibahagi sa pagpupugay natin sa kagitingan ng mga bayaning nagbuwis ng dugo at buhay upang tayo ay maging isang malayang bansa.

Higit kaninuman, utang natin kay Dr. Jose P. Rizal ang kalayaang ating tinatamasa sa ngayon. Siya ang pumukaw sa damdamin ng ating mga ninuno upang ipaglaban ang karapatang humubog sa kanilang kapalaran. Kaya’t nararapat lamang na tayong mga nakikinabang sa bunga ng pagpapakasakit ni rizal ay bigyang-parangal ang kanyang alaala.

We have come here today to open one of the most important shrines in our nation’s history, the place where our National Hero, Jose Rizal, was born 137 years ago.

Cognizant of its significance, the National Centennial Commission (NCC) — together with the National Historical Institute (NHI), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the provincial government and the local government of Calamba — initiated the construction of the Calamba Shrine almost three years ago.

Today we stand here to announce — proudly — the completion of the work on the museum and the placement of a statue of Rizal in his youth in the garden.
ON FREEDOM’S TRAIL
As impressive as a museum and a statue in one’s name may be, these are really small gestures in comparison to the extent of Rizal’s achievements and sacrifices on behalf of his people. Still, they are necessary gestures — gentle, visible and meaningful reminders of Rizal’s continuing relevance to our lives on this threshold of a new century.

Here in Calamba, his earliest values were formed, his character shaped in the bosom of family and friends. Here began a life of such luminosity and accomplishment that you and I, standing here today, can consider ourselves ennobled by the reflected glow of Calamba’s most distinguished son.

As most of you already know, the Calamba Shrine is an integral part of the centennial freedom trail. This series of historic sites — found all over the country — follows the quest of our heroes in their fight for independence. To promote a greater awareness of these places and their significance, this site has been included in the Tourism Highway Package which the Department of Tourism is handling.

Again, let us not forget that buildings and monuments are mere structures — and that only our fervent devotion to the ideals embodied by these structures can make them come alive in our own time and in the future.

Without the support of the people and their active participation in the preservation of our historic legacies, they will remain empty shells bereft of meaning and honor.

We must therefore take an active part in the protection of our heritage through the preservation of our shrines. In these living treasures, we shall be able to provide our children the best tools for their historical education.
CLOSING
Therefore, on this occasion, may I invite you to share your talents to us and to support the preservation of our historical shrines, so that future generations of Filipinos may be enlightened and ennobled by our heroes’ example.

Nitong ating Sentenaryo, lahat tayo ay magkaisa para sa higit pang maaliwalas na kinabukasan ng ating bayan.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!