Masaya at Masaganang Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat! Kami ng Unang Ginang at aming buong pamilya, sampu ng aming mga kasama sa pamahalaan, ay nakikiisa sa inyong pagsalubong sa isa na namang taon na punong-puno ng pag-asa at pagsubok.

The Philippines is truly blessed this New Year. We, a young democratic nation predominantly composed of young people, are most privileged to host the celebration of World Youth Day. We are blessed because as we begin the New Year, His Holiness Pope John Paul II will again visit our country.

He will also join us in thanksgiving for the enduring strength of the Christian faith among our people. It has been some four hundred years since the first Christian missionaries set foot on Philippine soil to spread the gospel.

The year 1995 will be a historic milestone in our country’s economic life as we become part of a much more open international trading system. Our exports of goods and services can now compete on better terms against those of other countries. The new General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) starting today translate into more business, more jobs, and ultimately more income for our households.

The opportunities open to us in 1995 are multitude. Seizing these opportunities will require greater effort among our people. I therefore call on all of you to unite and join hands in a fresh resolve to give greater strength to the gains we have achieved so far and to sustain the economic growth and social reforms that our collective labors have given us in 1994.

We must remain steady on the course we have chosen to modernize and gain our rightful place in the community of nations, in which each Filipino can hold his head high.

Mga kaibigan at mga kababayan, handog ng 1995 sa ating lahat ang maraming pagkakataon upang maipagpatuloy natin ang mga tagumpay na ating nakamit nitong nakalipas na taon. Marami ring pagkakataon upang matuto tayo sa mga naranasan natin noong mga nakaraang taon. Nasa ating lahat ang pasya. Sa tulong ng Panginoong Diyos, makakaya nating lahat kung tayo’y nagkakaisa.

Sa inyong lahat — mga mahal na kaibigan, kapatid at kababayan — isang maligaya, mapayapa, at masaganang Bagong Taon !!!