INTRODUCTION
Mula sa araw na ito, ating binubuksan sa publiko ang dambana ng isa sa pinakamagigiting na bayani ng Rebolusyon — si Apolinario Mabini.

Ang pook na ito na siyang kinamatayan ng “Utak ng Himagsikan” ay isa sa labindalawang makasaysayang pook na bumubuo sa landas ng kalayaan o “Centennial Freedom Trail” na ating binibigyang-parangal sa ating paggunita sa ika-sandaang taon ng ating kalayaan.

Ang mga pook na ito ay malaki ang naging bahagi sa mga pakikibaka ng ating mga bayani upang makamit ang kalayaang ating tinatamasa ngayon.

Sa ating pagdiriwang sa taong ito ng sentenaryo, minabuti ng pangasiwaang Ramos — sa pamamagitan ng National Centennial Commission — na lalong pasiglahin at paigtingin ang pagpapahalaga sa mga makasaysayang lugar na ito upang magsilbing ala-ala at inspirasyon sa ating patuloy na pakikibaka tungo sa isang mas matiwasay at maunlad na bukas.
GIVING DUE RECOGNITION AND HONOR
Two days ago, we also opened to the public another Mabini Shrine in Barangay Talaga in Tanauan, Batangas where “The Sublime Paralytic” was born on July 23, 1864. It is also a part of the Centennial Freedom Trail.

All these and more we are doing in honor of this great Filipino, whose frail and sickly body never weakened his love of country.

Mabini — who was born into poverty — rose to become one of the most influential persons of the revolution. His brilliance, skills, integrity and vision earned him the respect and recognition of people here and abroad. Lawyer-patriot Felipe Agoncillo described him as “a man with a mind of gold.”
IMPORTANT ROLES IN THE REVOLUTION
Mabini, who was a lawyer by profession, served in the Aguinaldo Cabinet as president of the council of secretaries and secretary of foreign affairs. He was responsible for the organization of municipalities, provinces, judicature and the police force under the revolutionary government.

He produced an important document, the Programa Constitutional de la Republica Filipina, which became a primary draft of the Philippine Constitution. He recommended the conversion of the dictatorial government of Aguinaldo into a revolutionary government, and formulated “the true decalogue” which served as the guiding rules towards a moral and harmonious society.

In 1899, he was arrested and incarcerated by the Americans. After a year, he was freed but he continued writing political articles which infuriated the Americans who decided to banish him to Guam.

He came home on February 26, 1903, and a few months later — on may 13, 1903 — he died of cholera at the very young age of 39.

Here, in this very place, he spent the last days of his very heroic career. Almost a century has passed since his death, yet his words continue to remind us of the great cost a nation must pay for its freedom. He said:

“… Let us fight while a grain of strength is left us; let us acquit ourselves like men, even though the lot of the present generation is conflict and sacrifice. It matters not whether we die in the midst or at the end of our most painful day’s work; the generations to come, praying over our tombs, will shed for us tears of love and gratitude, and not of bitter reproach.”
MABINI AND DEMOCRACY
Mabini taught the Katipuneros the meaning of democracy. Many Filipinos had never even heard of the word. Many of them never thought that power could emanate from the people and not from the king. He reminded them:

“… Love your God, your honor, your country, the Republic. Work, develop your faculties; let no man rule you but the men you have chosen with your vote.”

It is heartening to know that his concept of democracy still stands true to this day.

Mabini was a man whose physical handicap did not prove to be an impediment to his moral convictions and political principles. Nothing could deter him from pursuing his noble goals for his country and his countrymen.

Siya ay isang napakagandang aral sa mga Pilipinong madaling sumuko sa mga hamon ng buhay. Isa siyang magandang halimbawa para sa ating lahat sa ating patuloy na pagharap sa mga pagsubok sa ating pambansang pamumuhay.

Patuloy nating gunitain at isabuhay ang kabayanihan ni apolinario mabini — ang bayaning may kapansanan at mahinang katawan, ngunit kailanma’y hindi pinanghinaan ng pagmamahal sa bayan.

Mabuhay ang Sentenaryo ng ating Kalayaan!

Mabuhay ang Republika ng Pilipinas!

Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!