It is always a special pleasure to join my comrades-in-arms in the Association of General and Flag Officers (AGFO), Incorporated, especially on this most festive of occasions.

Following Filipino Christian tradition, Christmas is usually spent among close family, dearest friends, and valued associates. So what better way can we keep the tradition than with AGFO members — brothers in the military profession — celebrating together in the company of our beloved spouses.

On this occasion we set aside our work and official duties, and experience only the magical and joyful atmosphere that Christmas brings.

Let us bless this room with joy, warmth, understanding, love and forgiveness, as our Lord blessed the world by his coming two thousand years ago. Let peace and goodwill reign in our hearts this Christmas, and rule our thoughts and actions this coming year.

However, given this opportunity to speak before you, I cannot resist passing on some words of advice, if we want our organization to grow and attain more progress.

We are a potent force in nation-building and can effectively assist in accelerating the economic development of the country. This is because our members have exceptionally adequate training and education in various areas of national policy.

And they have gained invaluable experience in management and leadership — a leadership imbued with discipline, and dedicated to the service of the Filipino people.

For these achievements, among others, I feel proud of our members in AGFO.

The active generals among us are deeply involved in defense, security, the maintenance of peace and order and nation-building.

Our people depend on them to provide and secure that environment within which we can achieve and maintain political stability, and promote trade and commerce freely among ourselves and with the outside world.

On the other hand, the retired generals have made their mark in various areas. For instance, several very capable generals who have been elected to public office, and are now serving, superbly, the cause of peace.

Knowing their capabilities, i have prevailed upon a few of these old soldiers to help me in government as administrators, executives, and consultants.

Still others have distinguished themselves in private business as entrepreneurs or managers. Several more retired generals now work as respected professionals — in education, law, medicine and community work.

A more recent development in the association is the organization of cooperatives. This is a really promising venture that will harness the management expertise, experience and specialties of our members.

The end-result of this is that AGFO can then contribute effectively in the accelerated take-off of our country toward our shared vision of “Philippines 2000!!!”. I wish the organizers every measure of success and I urge everyone to give the cooperatives their wholehearted support.

Perhaps the best piece of news i can give you is that — if we all play our roles — each Christmas and new year can only get better and better in the years ahead. And i do not mean this only in the material sense.

As we improve the material lives of our people, so shall we strengthen their spirit and their faith. We need to remind ourselves and our fellow Filipinos that Christ came to the world to preach not despair, but hope — to give every human being a chance to prove himself worthy of God’s kingdom.

Let us all try to deserve — and to avail ourselves of — that generous opportunity, by continuing the tradition of service by which our organization has been distinguished.

Well, to go back to the party, let us make the most of the evening. Christmas comes only once a year, and I should not speak too long lest I rob you of the fun and joy of fellowship.

Good evening, merry Christmas and happy new year to all!