MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
On the Occasion of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of
Philippine Independence
I join all Filipinos across the globe in celebrating the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. Today, our shared heritage comes to the fore, as our hearts swell with pride to commemorate this pivotal milestone in our history. We honor the courage, selflessness, grit, resolve, and passion of our forefathers that won us our liberty and marked our identity as a people. 117 years later, we stand humbled by, and grateful for, their gift of sovereignty.
We are reminded that ours is a democracy earned through the valiant sacrifices of our predecessors, and a relentless pursuit of peace, development, and solidarity. Though the tides of fate have brought us to different shores, our rallying cry resonates with the same dream for our countrymen: An inclusive, progressive nation.
We call on you to exercise the rights and freedom borne from the toil of our ancestors and contribute towards shaping a more proactive and mature discourse, perpetuating positive change to the broader spectrum of society, and emancipating our citizenry from the shackles of poverty, corruption, and greed. Together, let us weave our own voices of compassion and hope into a narrative of resilience and empowerment, and make tangible the legacy we are crafting: The Philippines we will all be proud to bequeath to coming generations.
May we all have a meaningful Independence Day.
BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
M A N I L A
12 June 2015