INTRODUCTION
One hundred years ago today, this historic province was witness to its share of the reign of terror instituted by the then colonial rulers to quell the beginnings of the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Cavite started its series of uprisings on august 31, 1896 at San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias), Noveleta and Cavite el Viejo (now Kawit).

The series of executions began on September 4, 1896, when four members of the Katipunan involved in the Battle of Pinaglabanan were executed at Bagumbayan. Eight days later, on September 12, thirteen men were put to death in this city’s Plaza de Armas in Fort San Felipe. We now know them as the Trece Martires of Cavite.

Other executions subsequently followed in Pampanga, Bulacan and Nueva Ecija, culminating in the one most deeply felt by the Filipinos, the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on December 30 of that same year.

We are here today to honor and render the nation’s tribute to those Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite and to all the men and women of a century ago who risked their lives or offered the supreme sacrifice for love of country. In doing so, we not only celebrate the ideals and principles in which they fervently believed.

We also want our countrymen and women to enshrine in their hearts those same heroic ideals and patriotic spirit in order that we, in our time, can push together for a brighter future for our beloved Philippines — a future in which peace, progress and democracy shall reign supreme.
CARRYING ON THE LEGACY OF OUR HEROES
In our long struggle to achieve nationhood, our people have time and again proven that our most cherished aspirations are for freedom, peace and a progressive life. Filipinos like Jose Rizal, your own Emilio Aguinaldo, and more recently, Ninoy Aquino, greatly contributed to the preservation of our inherent right to be free by paying for it with their lives.

Apart from the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite, many more nameless patriots lie in unmarked graves. They all fought gallantly and valiantly in order that we may enjoy freedom today. It is only proper that we give them the tribute and honor they richly deserve.

More than this, we want Filipinos of today, especially the youth, to follow and emulate the lives of our heroes to ensure their future and our country’s progress. The Philippines of 100 years ago had been a nation of young idealists — from the leaders of the revolution against Spain and the campaign for Philippine independence from the United States to the soldiers and resistance fighters of the Second World War.

Succeeding generations of youth have thus met the challenges of the times. It is now our turn to prove ourselves capable of keeping this revolutionary tradition alive.

This is the underlying message of the series of centennial events we have been commemorating since the beginning of 1996 — which is the year of the Filipino heroes — and on to the centennial of our independence in June 1998.
THE PROMISE OF PROGRESS
Apat na taon na ang nakararaan simula nang ako ay manumpa bilang inyong Pangulo. Apat na taon na rin tayong nagsisikap upang ating makamit ang mga mithiin ng ating mga bayani — ang pagkakaroon ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran para sa ating bansang pilipinas.

Apat na taon na rin ang nakararaan simula ng aking ihayag na: ang bansang ito ay magtatagumpay; ang bansang ito ay mananaig; ang bansang ito ay uunlad na sa wakas — kung tayo ay magkakaisa.

We are now on the threshold of the fulfillment of the promise of progress. Everywhere around us — especially in the Calabarzon (Cavite-laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) area — we see the wheels of economic progress and social reform moving steadily and surely.

We have succeeded in securing our freedom from dictatorship with the EDSA Revolution of February 1986. Now we are vigorously pursuing the vision we call “Philippines 2000!!!” — to achieve the status of a newly industrializing country (NIC) by the turn of the century.

Here in the province of Cavite the signs of progressive development are highly evident and reflective of our national thrusts. This has been made possible through the economic and social reforms, and the collective will of the majority of the citizenry to unite above partisan politics, and to work together for the common good.

I am certain that, if only for this achievement, the Thirteen Martyrs of Cavite did not give up their lives in vain.

As we pave the way for the attainment of a just, peaceful, democratic and progressive Philippines, we must ask ourselves whether we are prepared to undergo the hard work and make the sacrifices that are required of us as citizens of our republic. Kaya ba natin ito? Kaya ba ito ng Pinoy?
PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT IN OUR TIME
Recently, we forged an unprecedented agreement that leads to a lasting, honorable and comprehensive peace in southern Philippines. It is the kind of peace that shall open the floodgates of progress for our brothers and sisters in Mindanao and would be beneficial to all Filipinos — whether Muslims, Christians or indigenous people. It is a peace that will enable our government to promote people empowerment, social cohesion and equitable development.

The Ramos administration will continue to extend the hands of peace to all the factions which are still engaged in armed conflict against the republic. We will continue to pursue the peace process towards the remainder of Filipinos still holding out so we can end the divisiveness among our people and further strengthen our national unity.

We must prepare ourselves and our nation for the responsibilities that are required of us if we are to merit higher respect and greater dignity in the community of nations. At the same time, we must pursue a culture of excellence and make the best of our potentials. Only this way can we compete successfully with our neighbors in Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world.

By this way can we give full tribute to all our heroes who gave their all for the sake of our beloved Philippines, exemplified by the 13 Martyrs of Cavite.
CLOSING
Let us work together more closely to achieve peace and development for our nation. Let us blaze the trail that future generations of Filipinos may follow so they may enjoy the fruits of the sacrifices of our Thirteen Martyrs and other patriots, and of the labors of our generation.

Sama-sama nating tuparin ang mga pangarap ng ating mga bayani para sa ating bayan. Gamitin nating patnubay at gabay ang kanilang mga adhikain para makamit natin ang tagumpay ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran.

Mabuhay ang diwa ng Trece Martires ng Cavite!

Mabuhay ang Sentenaryo ng ating mga Bayani!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!