Your excellency, the dean of the diplomatic corps; Archbishop Moreni; your excellencies of the diplomatic corps; your excellencies of the international agencies; President Diosdado Macapagal; my co-workers in government; other special guests; mga kababayan, ladies and gentlemen.

Today, we celebrate the 95th anniversary of Philippine independence with pride and confidence.

Pride, that on this day, we can declare that we are truly independent, that we are now solely responsible for our own political stability, and for whatever we can achieve in our pursuit of progress under a free-market economy that is the hallmark of democratic nations.

Confidence, that in five years’ time, on the centennial of our independence in 1998, we can declare that the hardships and sacrifices of our revolutionary heroes have not been in vain. Because we shall have liberated our people from the shackles of poverty.

The challenges before us are daunting. They required the same courage and resolve that our heroes have shown. But we are as determined and as united as never before to overcome our problems.

We are committed to build a nation of heroes, not only as soldiers to keep the peace, but also as farmers, workers and civil servants to move the nation forward toward economic sufficiency by the turn of the century. We are pushing global excellence as the standard for our industry and agriculture, helping them optimize efficiency of production that they may better compete in the world market.

We have focused our foreign policy to respond more effectively to the need to be closer to our neighbors in ASEAN, and the rest of Asia and the Pacific, while enhancing our historic ties with the United States and many other countries. We continue to strengthen our cooperation with all other nations devoted to the sharing of economic progress and the expansion of human freedom.

I take this occasion as a timely opportunity to express, in behalf of the Philippine government and our people, our gratitude to all the nations and international agencies that have extended their support and assistance so that we may strengthen our resolve for greater self-reliance and improve our capability for sustained development.

Many of my activities during the past year were geared towards strengthening ties with other countries in our desire to elevate the status of the Philippines and manifest the need for solidarity amongst nations.

In the age of the Cold War just past, great powers typically progressed from economic strength to military power — and then to imperialism.

Today, no state need aspire to hegemony — because each can attain its goals to peaceful commerce and integration in the community of nations.

A truly global village has arisen. And it is founded not on force, but on mutual benefit under the umbrella of the United Nations.

In our time, economic interdependence and the thirst for freedom bind separate nation-states together and reconcile even the most bitter of enemies.

Against the gravitational pull of mutual benefit, ideology cannot prevail. And even the most obstinate nationalism must give way to international cooperation and sharing.

On this day, we rekindle the flame that inspired and moved the heroes of 1898 so that our people will have a greater sense of national purpose in the pursuit of our vision for “Philippines 2000!!!”.

We rededicate ourselves to that cause for which our heroes fought in war and peace: to build a nation where everyone can co-exist peacefully and productively, where justice and equality may reign, and where people can live in freedom and dignity.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, please join me now in a toast:

To international friendship, peace and prosperity, and to our common resolve to seek a better future.

Long live and mabuhay!!!