INTRODUCTION
The First Lady and I are deeply honored to represent the Filipino people on this special occasion hosted by your majesties, who are paying a second visit to our country, this time with the distinctive purpose of sharing with us the historic and joyful celebration of the centennial of Philippine independence.

During my visit to your country in September 1994, and your visit to the Philippines in April 1995, we had the opportunity to combine remembrances of our common past with the business of advancing our economic, social, political and cultural relations. On both occasions, various agreements were forged between our two countries aimed at putting into reality our common objectives of strengthening our ties and bringing greater progress to our peoples.

Today, I am happy to note that our exchange of visits is bearing fruit. We have seen an encouraging resurgence of economic and trade activities between our two countries. Spanish companies in such diverse fields as infrastructure, financial services, power generation, and food processing, have established operations in the Philippines. Bilateral trade was also bolstered, although more efforts are required to further expand this important sector of our relations.

Your Majesties, our two countries should continue to pursue an active and complementary role in the field of trade and investment. This will open fresh opportunities for both our countries.

The Philippines is strategically located to serve as a gateway in the Asia-Pacific region for Spain. Likewise, Spain could serve as a bridge for the Philippines in our quest to reach out to the European market. This is the trend of today’s globalized business environment. Let us therefore use our centuries-old ties and our new-found business opportunities to further reinvigorate our relations.

In the area of development assistance, I wish to acknowledge Spain’s commitment of US$30 million for projects and programs endorsed by the Third RP-Spain Joint Commission on Technical Cooperation for the Period 1998-2000.

Early this month, projects supportive of my government’s undertakings on poverty alleviation, human resources development, technology transfer, capability building of local government units, and the peace process in Mindanao will be implemented with Spanish financial assistance.

Inspired by the centuries-old association between the Philippines and Spain, both our governments also included in our cooperation agreement projects that would help preserve the rich historical and cultural legacy of Spain in this country. Under this cooperation agreement, Spain will assist in the restoration and preservation of buildings, churches, forts, bridges, ancestral homes and other historical landmarks in different parts of the Philippines.
CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL
The preservation of our Spanish heritage, which has become an indelible part of our national identity, forms part of the rationale behind the celebration of the Philippine Centennial. One of the declared aims of the centennial is for the Filipino people “to relearn the values of our historical struggle and use these values for future development.”

I remember a phrase in one of the centennial documents which says: “Embrace the Past and Envision the Future.” this theme — adopted by our Spanish friends in connection with their participation in the “Expo Filipino” — sets the tone not only for the celebration of our centennial, but also for the course of our long-term relationship.

With the age of colonization well behind us, we are now in an era where relations between countries are characterized by sovereign equality, beneficial partnership and mutual respect. This is the direction that the Philippines and Spain are charting today.

In this spirit, I now propose a toast for the continued good health and well-being of their majesties, for the happiness of the Spanish people, and for the enduring friendship of the peoples of the Philippines and Spain.

Viva España!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!