INTRODUCTION
Magandang hapon po at isang taos-pusong pagbati sa inyong lahat! Naimbag nga aldaw kadacayo amin kakabsat!

The warmth of your welcome in this island paradise makes us feel like we never left home.

The First Lady and I, and my entire delegation, are very happy to be here with you. I have looked forward to coming to Hawaii, knowing how close our ties with this wonderful island and its people have always been.

Earlier today, i had a chance to talk with Governor Ben Cayetano and the other officials of the state. I felt very proud of ben, and of all of you who have made the best of yourselves in this community.

It took a long time and a lot of hard work, but if there is anything the Filipino has, it is the patience and the persistence to achieve.
OUR KINSHIP WITH HAWAII
Our kinship with Hawaii dates back to more than 90 years ago, when the first wave of Filipinos came to Hawaii to work in the sugar plantations. The sakadas, as they were then called, became the backbone of the sugar industry of the islands. The continued growth of this most important industry rested in the strong hands of these persevering people.

Hawaiian society flourished. And the children, the grandchildren and the succeeding generations that followed the sakadas immersed themselves in Hawaiian society, further contributing to the development of this state.

Today, we see citizens of this state — proud of their Filipino ancestry — occupying high positions in various sectors — the public services, the private industry, the academe.

Apart from the brilliant example of your own governor, we have a number of distinguished and energetic officials in the state cabinet and legislature, in the city and county council, and other agencies of government who remain proud of their Filipino roots.

Your countrymen back home share in your pride and in your aspirations.

Marami na po akong nadalaw na pamayanang Pilipino sa iba’t ibang sulok ng daigdig. Ang masasabi ko lang po ay ito: basta Pinoy, kahit saan maaasahan! Basta Pinoy, kahit ano, makakayanan!
SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS
While our visit to this island paradise is a journey to renew old ties with our brethren who have left the motherland many, many years ago, it is also a journey of opportunity.

We have come here to share with you the good news about the new Philippines, in the hope that you will help us spread this good news, and strengthen the bonds between America and the Philippines even further.

I know that all of you are eager to hear about new developments in the Philippines and what we have achieved so far in the last three years. Those of you who have been fortunate to have been home recently will agree with the good news that I bring with me.

I can sum up this good news in three but important phrases: economic growth, political stability, and social reform.
ECONOMIC GROWTH
In the economy — owing to a package of progressive structural reforms — we are undergoing a basic and historic transformation — an economic turnaround, something which, a few years ago, our critics said was impossible to achieve.

Last year, our GNP grew in real terms by 5.1.% — the highest in five years and well above our target of 4.5% for that year. By the second quarter of this year, the economy continued to grow by 5.2%. This brings us closer to our goal of exceeding 6.5 % by the end of this year.

Today, against the worst predictions of our former critics, we have established a new Philippines where investments are pouring in, new jobs are being created, and our people are feeling much better about themselves and their future.
DEVELOPMENT THROUGH REFORMS
How did we achieve economic growth and development?

Over these past three years, we launched a comprehensive program of reform — of putting our house in order so that development could take place.

We call this program “Philippines 2000!!!” — whose guiding vision is the modernization of our economy; its opening to foreign investment and multinational industry; and the enhancement of Filipino competitiveness in the global market.

What have we achieved so far?

First, we laid the foundations of political stability and social cohesion. Our nation needed to heal its wounds. No investor will come if alienated sectors of society continue to threaten peace.

In short order, we pursued an active peace process and to end once and for all the internal armed conflicts with communist insurgents and Muslim separatists.

Last October 13, the general agreement for peace signed between the negotiating panels of the Philippine government and the rebel soldiers were presented to me in Malacañang. This closed the chapter of the attempted coups of 7 years ago.

In the meantime, judicial reforms are being instituted to reinforce respect for the rule of law. We are strengthening the hand of our law enforcement agencies and weeding out scalawags, the better to combat crime.
OUR SOCIAL REFORM AGENDA
All these efforts are directed at a fundamental goal: the improvement of the life of the common tao.

Wala po tayong mas mataas pang hangarin kundi ang pagpapabuti at pagpapaunlad ng kabuhayan ng ating mga karaniwang mamamayan.

We are doing our best to ensure that the economy grows and succeeds well enough to provide steady incomes, stable prices, and a peaceful and safe community for all.

We have pursued a social reform agenda aimed at meeting the basic needs of our poorest and least advantaged countrymen — housing, medical care, education and livelihood.

We hope, ultimately, to build a Philippines that all Filipinos everywhere can be proud of, and would be happy to visit or to reside in for the rest of their lives.

We realize that many Filipinos — for reasons we understand and respect — have chosen to live and to work outside their country. For these migrant workers, the best we can do is to ensure that their rights are protected and enhanced.

In this respect, I am aware that the major issues of general interest and application to Filipinos in Hawaii are those having to do with citizenship and immigration policy.

Recently, however, the House of Representatives has just passed a house bill that enables former citizens who lost their Philippine citizenship upon marriage to foreigners to regain their former citizenship by repatriation, meaning, by merely taking the oath of allegiance and registering before a Philippine civil registry office such as the Philippine Consulate.

Under this program, there is no need for the former Philippine citizen to undergo the rigorous process of naturalization.

The contribution of the various ethnic groups to the development and continued growth of Hawaii is immeasurable. To impede the continued flow of diversity in this state will certainly undermine its strength.
PHILIPPINE-HAWAIIAN RELATIONS
Still, as we address these concerns, let us not forget that more than 160,000 people (12%) of Hawaii are of Filipino ancestry. This well-rooted kinship is the bond that cements the relations of the Philippines with Hawaii — a linkage that is strong and enduring.

With the structural reforms we have undertaken to make it easier for our foreign friends and relatives to avail themselves of the opportunity to participate in the dynamic development of the Philippines, we are optimistic that Hawaii will respond to our call for stronger partnership.

You yourselves could invest back home and contribute to the task of propelling the Philippines into the mainstream of the 21st century. Your investment could be in many forms — in financial, technical, educational, or advisory capacities.

The entrepreneurs among you could initiate trade and investment projects. Others could help through the introduction of new technologies and tourism opportunities.

You could also help us simply by spreading the good word about business opportunities and the investor-friendly climate in the Philippines.

Whatever you do, I know that one thing is clear: wherever Filipinos are in the world, they never really leave home, and they are never really alone.
CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL
At this point, may I address a special concern of ours these next three years.

On June 12, 1998 we will be celebrating the greatest milestone in our history as a nation, in the 100th year of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. The celebration of this great historical event takes into account four centuries of our forefathers’ quest for freedom, at the cost of many lives and fortunes, leading to the Philippine Revolution of 1896 and culminating in General Emilio Aguinaldo’s Declaration of Independence at Kawit, Cavite in 1898.

The message of the Philippine Centennial is: “Kalayaan, Kayamanan ng Bayan”. Together let us celebrate the memory of our heroes and rekindle the fire of our love of country.

In this spirit, I call on every Filipino and everyone of Filipino descent to derive inspiration from our glorious past and use it to propel our country forward to “Philippines 2000!!!” and indeed, into the 21st century.

This chance come only once in our lifetime. By using it well, we shall leave behind a strong legacy of heroism for future generations and instill in our children and undying love for our country.

Let us make the centennial live in the hearts and minds of every Filipino in every corner of the world. Let us participate in its activities and programs, organize centennial committees in our communities, and join the Philippine Centennial Movement.
CLOSING
In closing, I would like to thank you all for giving me this opportunity to meet with you. I appeal for your continued unity, cooperation and most of all, the retention of your Filipino identity and sense of patriotism.

I will go home with warm memories of having met you here, and I look forward to welcoming you soon in the Philippines.

Mabuhay ang inang bayan!

Mabuhay Philippines 2000!!!

Mabuhay kayong lahat dito sa Hawaii!

Mahalo!