Independence Day Speech

June 12, 2002

ARE WE TRULY AN INDEPENDENT PEOPLE?

Why do we continually celebrate an event that has become monotonous, dull and boringly ambiguous in this so-called computer age?  Why do we bother observing an event that has become so obscure, it does not even bring flicker in our hearts anymore?  Why do we have to spend the day off from the office just to be here and pretend we are a worthy bunch of Filipinos, declaring our patriotism by celebrating the Independence Day, and then deplore all that is Filipino after this day has passed? 

We do not even sing the “Lupang Hinirang” with all our hearts.  And truly it is funny, for I am here, about to speak regarding independence and nationalism, but my tongue obviously speaks otherwise.  I am spokening dollar!

Today marks the 104^th anniversary of our Independence.  It is the most important episode that has ever occurred in our history.  Our ancestors bravely fought for it even if it meant losing their properties, loved ones and their lives just to be able to give us this freedom that we are now enjoying.   Our liberty from our foreign tormentors gave us this privilege of ruling over our own people and land, of establishing a socio-political system that best catered our interests, and a government only us can administer.   

We are what we are now because of an event so courageously fought by our ancestors.  Yet we are where we are now because of things we have learned to unlearn.  We have forgotten how important it is that we have our independence today. 

Ladies and gentlemen, our leaders, the youth, honored guests, mga igsoon, I address to you this question: Are we truly an independent people? 

Our leftist brothers contend that we have never been free at all.  They say that June 12 is just to commemorate our independence from the Spaniards, but not from the Japanese, and not especially, from the Americans.   They argue that we are still being held in the neck by the US through our indebtedness with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank which the US largely controls.  And because of this, Uncle Sam can freely dictate upon us its whims and wishes, to the detriment of the Filipino people.

Culturally, the Americans have a deep impact upon us.  We dress like they do, we eat what they do, and we say what they do, or is it do what they say?  We are even said to be brown Americans. 

But no matter what is said about us Filipinos, I still believe that deep inside us, we are true-blue Filipinos who are hoping that soon we will emerge as a superior nation, based on a solid foundation of strong identity.  Hoping that this country will finally be the great country that it ought to be.  

We are a people who are proud of its heritage.  And despite the economic and political woes that we face now, we still hang on and trust that through our collective effort, we will soon come out as a victorious nation.

We easily emulate other cultures and gracefully assimilate them in ours because we are affectionate and hospitable.  These traits define our individuality and it is for these same characteristics that we have survived through our history.  Our warm reception to our foreign guests does not necessarily mean that we love them more than our own.   We fight for our people.

Maybe there is so much to learn about being independent, maybe we found ourselves often stumbling.  But which nation has not ever committed a blunder throughout its existence?  Truly, it is through our mistakes that we learn. 

I say that we are independent.  We decide for ourselves and we choose what we think is good for ourselves.  We just need to be faithful and be supportive to each other.  No one could ever help us but ourselves.  No one could ever be proud of us but us.

We are a young nation.  There is so much to do to nurture our God-given independence.  Let us never give up our hope of finally becoming great as a nation.

I thank you all for keeping that ray of faith in the Filipino people alive.

Mabuhay ang Pilipino at mabuhay ang bansang Pilipinas!