I thank you, Mayor Jordan, for your warm and kind words of welcome, and for presenting me this key to San Francisco.

Of all the gestures of friendship, truly this is most special. For with this key, you open to us the freedom of your lovely and dynamic city. It is not for nothing that San Francisco is known worldwide as the city where visitors leave their hearts.

But there is also a special reason why San Francisco should be special to a Filipino and an Asian like me. Of all the cities of the United States, this city is the premier showcase of the harmonious meeting of east and west. Through here pass many who come to America, and from here embark many going to Asia and the Philippines.

I myself on my very first trip to the US entered through San Francisco 47 years ago.

Many generally assume that relations between Filipinos and Americans began in that fateful time when America embarked upon her first and only colonial adventure at the turn of the last century — when it took the Spanish-American war to the orient and annexed the Philippines. In fact, contact between us began much, much earlier — through the Manila-Acapulco galleons which used California as a way station because of the arduous pacific crossing.

When in 1898 Filipinos and Americans clashed over the fate of our republic, it was from San Francisco’s historic Presidio that they set sail. Later, when the war was won and tutelage began, the famed Thomasite teachers embarked from here to make educational history in my country.

Through the decades and the centuries, these early acts of exchange have been replicated over and over — such that today hundreds of thousands of Filipinos make their home here in San Francisco and California. And such also that the traffic of goods and services between San Francisco and manila constitutes a large part of our bilateral trade.

But I did not come this far today merely to reflect on the past or celebrate the present. I have come to America to discuss with you how we can take our relationship to new heights –into the next century.

Already, we both know that Asia Pacific today — this region we both belong to — is the fastest growing area in the world. The trade that takes place here surpasses that of the Atlantic. While Europe is troubled by recession and civil war, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing dynamic growth and has found the way to contain or resolve its old conflicts peacefully. No wonder, many are saying that the next hundred years will be the Asia-Pacific century.

Mr. Mayor, the problem we face now is how to seize the welcome challenge of opportunity. How do we harness these tides and opportunities in order to bring growth and well-being to our countries? How do we use our historic relationship to ensure that America and the Philippines get full benefit from Asia-Pacific growth?

To these questions, our respective governments must give answer. But it seems to me just as important that individual cities and states here in America that our business and cultural communities must help in the effort.

During my 14-day visit to your country, I hope to discuss all these things with you and your leaders. I shall also take part in the meeting of 13 heads of state of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in Seattle on November 19th.

As important, I want to tell you what the new Philippines can bring to our common quest for a better future and for a stronger Philippine-American relationship. I hope to leave with the American people a lasting image of today’s Philippines — of a nation that has finally found greater solidarity and the determination to make a better account for itself, of a democracy that provides for both freedom and effective government, of an economy again on the road to growth, and of a people once again on the move.

It is fitting that my journey as Philippine president should begin here in San Francisco for this is where our partnership was first sown and where, I am happy to note, it has developed the most.

Once again, thank you for the generosity of this welcome. You can be sure we shall not only enjoy our stay here in San Francisco but shall also leave our hearts.

Mabuhay/long life!!

Thank you and good day.