INTRODUCTION
Your Majesties,

You do our country and our people great honor in taking part in this commemoration of the Centennial of Philippine independence, so let me begin by expressing to you our most sincere thanks and appreciation.

That your visit with us a second time during my presidency i will not attribute to my exertions as host, but to our common devotion to freedom and independence.

Such mutual endearment between our two peoples is not just because we have had four centuries of shared history — not just because Spain brought us Christianity and turned us into the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia.

I think it has more to do with something indefinable — with the way Filipinos live and the way we feel, and all the many other little things that come under the name of “culture”.

Our two countries have remarkably followed similar routes in our march through the dark night of authoritarianism to democracy in the post-war era; both of us have gained our democracy at great cost. We, therefore, treasure it all the more.
CHALLENGES OF THE NEW WORLD
Your Majesties,

The old colonial bonds that once tied the fate of the Philippine archipelago to Spain are no more. They ceased almost a century ago. In their place, there are only shared values, historic experiences and cherished beliefs, yet, it may be that these links are all much stronger for being the ties of free and sovereign nations.

Today, in the great challenges of a new time in world affairs, we are discovering again what we can do and build together.

In this closing chapter of the millennium, the end of the cold war and the rise of globalism have ushered a time of great hope and positive change for humanity — not least for developing countries like the Philippines which also want to share in the fruits of progress.

At the door of this new world, we Filipinos could not be more pleased than to find our Spanish friends standing on the same platform with us — also yearning and working for peace, economic growth and social progress.
BUILDING ON OUR RELATIONS
Your Majesties,

Our exchange of visits to each other’s country over the past three years did not only afford both of us the opportunity to see the charms of our respective lands, but they also enabled us to find more ways to accelerate the process of rebuilding and strengthening our friendship.

Indeed, we have been able to invest new value and warmth to the totality of Philippines-Spain relations.

We commemorate the centennial of the declaration of our independence by honoring and remembering all those who contributed to the growth of the Philippines and forged strong bonds of affinity with us — Filipinos, Spaniards and other nationals alike.

We are highly honored and privileged, your Majesties, to have you with us in commemorating this special moment in our national life which does happen only once-in-a lifetime.

May we all sail into the 21st century with fair winds and following seas, with the true and firm guiding hand of the Almighty!

Viva España!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!