MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

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2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES Malacañang Palace Manila Today is a day of remembrance and renewal. We remember the heroism and sacrifice of our forebears who laid the foundations for the establishment of Asia s first Republic in This is a democratic legacy which we as a state and as a nation should rightly be proud of and strive to further strengthen. Likewise, we renew the pledge to continue doing our part in building a more peaceful, progressive and prosperous Philippines. The Philippines has advanced steadily toward greater growth, guided by a common vision for a better shared future and powered by the sinew and might of the hard working and dedicated Filipino. As we commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, the theme Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan underscores the challenges to and the responsibilities of our generation to bring to full fruition the ideals that animated our forefathers noble efforts. These are values that resonate with relevance for the global Filipino nation bound as we are by a common heritage and shared aspirations. I thank the Filipino American community for your demonstrated commitment to help uphold, protect and promote your Filipino heritage. I am confident that you will continue to do your part in contributing to the full development of your motherland. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas at ang diwa ng kalayaani Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino! Department of Foreign Affairs Manila MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS We remember with profound gratitude the gallantry and bravery of our forebears who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that our nation and people can enjoy the freedom and sovereignty we rightly deserve. The Philippine flag that was unfurled in Kawit, Cavite in 1898 soars proudly today for all to see, standing on the strong foundations of our Republic: a country governed by law, strengthened by democratic ideals and continuously reinvigorated by a free, involved and empowered people. We have gone a long way as a democracy; and we have a further way to go still as we pursue greater peace, progress and prosperity for our nation. Our commemoration of the 111th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence underscores our duty to honor the memory of those who came before us and to ensure that those who will come after us will continue to enjoy the full promise of our democracy. This year s theme, Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan challenges us all to do our utmost to harness our individual and collective talents and abilities in the service of our growing global nation. The Filipino-American community with whom the Philippines is bound by common values, shared heritage and mutual aspirations continues to be our partner for growth. I laud your sustained efforts to gain a deeper understanding of our heritage and to contribute to the Philippines full development. I doing so, you continue to build on the democratic legacy of and bring honor to our forefathers. Mabuhay ang diwa ng Kalayaan! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Sambayanang Pilipino!

3 MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR Embassy of the Philippines Washington, D.C. June 2009 With gratitude in our hearts, we commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Philippine Independence with the renewed resolve to bring to full fruition the aspirations of our nation s forebears. This year s theme, Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan reminds Filipinos around the world of the continuing challenge for our nation s people to do our utmost and contribute to the further strengthening of our Republic. Our forefathers envisioned a sovereign and democratic country governed by an accountable government and moved by an involved and empowered citizenry. We have made great strides towards greater peace, progress and prosperity. And we will continue moving forward, propelled by the collective commitment of the global Filipino nation. Filipinos in the United States and the Filipino- American community continue to be the Philippines partners. I commend the sustained efforts to learn more about Filipino heritage and to contribute to the Philippines growth and development. The many achievements of Filipinos here in the United States are an inspiration to Filipinos throughout the world. With this demonstrated commitment, our nation and our posterity can be confident that the democratic legacy of our forefathers will continue to live on and that the fruits of our democracy will be enjoyed by all Filipinos. Mabuhay and diwa ng Kalayaan! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Sambayanang Pilipino! MESSAGE FROM THE CONSUL GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINES I am privileged to join the Filipinos in Guam and throughout the world, in celebrating the 111th anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12, Against the power of an empire, a handful of valiant Indios hurled a challenge against the imperious colonizers. Against rifles and cannons, they held to bolos and courage. Against tyranny and oppression, they held to the ideals of democracy and the determination to fight to freedom. In the end, there was no question of who would prevail. In the end, sheer determination and fearsome courage prevailed. And a new nation Asia s first democratic republic was born. The struggle was not without cost, and the price for freedom was paid for in blood and tears. But it was a price our heroes gladly paid. And it is their sacrifices that we re-live, year after year. The freedom that all Filipinos enjoy today is the fruit of those sacrifices. It is truly cause for celebration that Filipinos continue to live free from the bonds of colonial oppressors. Like every nation, the country has had to face its fair share of challenges, large and small. The economic crisis gripping the world has crossed our shores and affected our lives. It is however a testament to the resilience of the Filipino spirit that despite the hardships that have shaken the world economy, the Philippines looks forward to a bright future. This bright future, in no small part, is owed to the skill and industry of many, many Filipinos working abroad, many of whom have found their place in Guam. These are our modern-day heroes, truly world-class in talent and exceptional in their dedication to their work. The Filipino nation is proud of all of them and of what they have accomplished. Like a light in the darkness, the celebration of Philippine independence brings hope to the Filipino nation: that as our forefathers moved toward their dream of freedom, so too will we, the new generation, find inspiration and the determination to rise above present-day challenges. We are secure in the strength of our democratic ideals and institutions, and confident in the legacy of selfless heroism given to us by our founding fathers. Congratulations to all Filipinos wherever they may be, in Guam or elsewhere around the world. Mabuhay ang Kalayaan! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay tayong lahat!

4 The Philippine National Anthem LUPANG HINIRANG Language: Tagalog Bayang Magiliw, Perlas ng Silanganan Alab ng Puso sa dibdib mo y buhay Lupang Hinirang, Duyan ka ng magit ing, Sa manlulupig di ka pasisiil. Sa dagat at bundok, Sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw, May dilag ang tula At awit sa paglayang minamahal. Ang kislap ng watawat mo y Tagumpay na nagniningning; Ang bituin at araw niya Kailan pa ma y di magdidilim. Lupa ng araw, ng luwalhati t pagsinta, Buhay ay langit sa piling mo; Aming ligaya na pag may mang-aapi Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo. English Version Land of the morning Child of the sun returning With fervor burning Thee do our souls adore. Land dear and holy, Cradle of noble heroes, Ne er shall invaders Trample thy sacred shores. Ever within thy skies and through thy clouds, And o er thy hills and seas; Do we behold thy radiance, feel the throb Of glorious liberty. Thy banner dear to all hearts Its sun and stars alright, Oh, never shall its shining fields Be dimmed by tyrants might. The Philippine National Anthem is a product of revolution, a response to the need of the revolutionary times that gave birth to it. And this need arose in 1898, when the revolution against Spain was in its second year and a Filipino victory was in sight. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo astutely recognized the need for national symbols to rally the nation against the enemy. On June 5, 1898, he commissioned Julian Felipe, a Cavite pianist and composer, to work on a march for the revolutionists. Felipe worked on the assignment for six days and on June 11, sitting in front of a piano in the Aguinaldo living room, played his music before the presidente and his lieutenants. Named by Felipe the Marcha Filipino Magdalo (after Aguinaldo s nom de guerre and his faction in the Katipunan), the music was adopted on the spot and renamed the Marcha Nacional Filipina (Philippine National March). The national anthem was heard publicly for the first time on June 12, 1898, when, standing on the balcony of his Kawit mansion, Aguinaldo proclaimed Asia s first independent republic before a cheering throng. Two rallying symbols were presented to the infant nation that day. Also displayed for the first time was the national flag, unfurled to the stirring strains of the marcha nacional played by the band of San Francisco de Malabon (now Heneral Trias) whose members had learned the music the day before. But still without words, Felipe s music was simply a march. It could not be sung. The need for lyrics was just as great as there was for the music. In December 1898, the Philippines was ceded by Spain to the United States of America in the Treaty of Paris. In February of 1899, the Filipino-American War erupted. The defiant lyrics to march the stirring strains of Felipe were supplied by Jose Palma, a 23-year old soldier who was as adept with the pen as he was with the sword. He wrote a poem entitled Filipinas and this was wed to the Felipe composition. The anthem was readily taken by the young nation at war. But on March 23,1901, the war with America ground to a halt with the capture of Aguinaldo in Palanan, Isabela. The American administors discouraged the singing of the anthem and in the 1920s, Palma s original spanish lyrics underwent several English and Tagalog translations. In 1956, a new version penned by the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa (Institute of National Language) was adopted. These are the official Filipino lyrics sung all over the country today and given wider propagation through radio, television and cinema. Source: Sitting L-R: Thelma Sta. Ana, Consul Kerwin Tate, Consul General Olivia V. Palala, Vice Consul Maria Paz Cortes, Margie Morales & Bernadette Galura- Fajardo. Standing L-R: Dario Legisniana, Jo Ann Alonzo, Fides Sang-Ollay, Ivy Tongco, Merela Gret-Aberin, Rowena Garcia, Samuel Fesalbon & Bonifacio Hilongo. The Philippine Flag The Philippine flag bears two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side. In the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays, each containing three individual rays, and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star. THE MAKING OF THE FILIPINO FLAG During his exile in Hongkong in 1897, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo designed the Filipino flag as it looks today. The flag was sewn by Dona Marcela Marino de Agoncillo with the help of her daughter Lorenza and Mrs. Delfina Herbosa de Natividad (niece of the Philippine National Hero - Dr. Jose P. Rizal). It was first raised during the declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898 in Kawit, Cavite. It was made of silk with a white triangle containing a sunburst of eight rays at the center, a five-pointed star at each angle of the triangle, a blue field and a red field. The white triangle stands for equality and fraternity; the blue field for peace, truth and justice; and red field for patriotism and valor. The eight rays of the sun stand for the first eight provinces that the colonizers have put under martial law. The three stars symbolize Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Source:

5 Hada Adai, Mabuhay, and congratulations on this 111th celebration of Philippine Independence. This annual celebration MESSAGE FROM GUAM DELEGATE MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO symbolizes the intense love and devotion of the Filipino people for liberty and freedom. Living for over three hundred years under the rule of Spanish colonial masters, the Filipinos longed for basic human rights. Led by revolutionaries like Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo and Apolinario Mabini, the Filipino passion for equality and freedom culminated in the Philippine Declaration of Independence on June 12, During these independence day events, let us understand that the freedoms we hold dear to our hearts are tributes to those who gave their all during times of tyranny and oppression. The members of our community share many traditions, beliefs and culture which strengthen and magnify our love of freedom and democracy. Let these common beliefs and ideals continue to foster the strong friendships and loyalties that have made our island a true paradise. On behalf of the people of Guam I would like to thank the Filipino community for their goodwill and contributions that make our island a prime model example of democracy at work in the Pacific. To all Filipinos, Happy 111th Anniversary on this celebration of Philippine Independence. Maraming Salamat Po and God Bless Us All. Sincerely yours, MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO Member of Congress

6 Community: Gov. Felix P. Camacho, Sen. James Espaldon, Sen. Edward Calvo, Philippine consul general Olivia Palala, and other members of the Filipino Community of Guam gather for a group photo during the proclamation signing ceremony for the Philippine Independence Month in Adelup on May 27. Philippines invites tourists to come, stay and Live Your Dream The Philippines is embarking on a major promotions campaign that would not only bring visitors to the country but would actually entice tourists to settle in using its many scenic tropical attractions. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is banking on selling second homes, i.e. vacation houses, condotels, etc., which it plans to disseminate worldwide, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Central to the success of the campaign, the DOT has lined up a series of strategic marketing and promotional activities anchored on aggressive TV and print ad placements in key markets. The campaign is designed to draw interested parties to a dedicated Web site with direct links to participating real estate developers respective sites. The DOT said the most appealing aspect of the project is the very affordable property prices in the Philippines, particularly areas outside Metro Manila. Most people think real estate properties that cater to their ideal lifestyle is way beyond their means but that dream home in the Philippines is within their reach. Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano said through the Live Your Dream project, the DOT wanted to communicate to the world that the Philippines is the place where your dream lifestyle turns into reality. Every property is a community in itself everything within your reach. You have an improving economy, affordable real estate properties, hospitable people, and practically everything is within your budget. Targets of the campaign are specifically foreigners, 35 to 50 years old, aspiring to have their dream lifestyle abroad and who have visited the country and are familiar with its lifestyle. The Philippines has the best beaches in the world, the most scenic nature getaways, the most hospitable and friendly people who are the only predominantly English speakers in the whole of Asia, unlimited business opportunities and unrivaled entertainment hotspots, Durano said.

7 Foreign transfers, BPO boom fire up Philippines property Two factors that are almost unique to the Philippines healthy remittances from an estimated 10 million Filipinos working overseas and an unprecedented wave of foreign companies setting up backroom and outsourcing operations in the country are driving a resurgent property industry despite a general slowdown in the local economy as a result of rising prices. Developers predict a boom in the property sector much bigger than the surge felt prior to the Asian financial crisis of Global property consultant CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) sees bright prospects for the real estate industry, adding the growth in the local sector would be more spectacular than other key cities in the Southeast Asian region. CBRE Philippines general manager Trent Frankum considered the Philippines as the hottest market in Southeast Asia in a speech before regional real estate executives in a Hong Kong convention. The assembly was held to identify real estate investments trends and had the biggest names in the property industry from Asia, Australia and the United Kingdom. According to Frankum, the Philippines, aside from tourism, is expected to cash in on other industries such as infrastructure and mining. As it is, foreign investors look kindly at the positive effects of the stable Philippine peso, increasing tourist arrivals, the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) boom, and the positive effect of overseas Filipino worker (OFW) dollar remittances into the country. This year alone, remittances averaging $1 billion a month are expected to pour into the country with Filipinos working overseas expected to bring in $156 billion; feeding the growth of a bigger middle class jockeying for a piece of real estate which it can call home. The growing number of tourists is also fueling increased demands for resorts and hotels. Tourist arrivals exceeded two million for the first time since 2004, with roughly 3,091 million registered arrivals last year. New markets such as Russia, and Middle East, China, and Korea are expected to help sustain this momentum. CBRE is confident tourist arrivals will top 3.4 million this year, good for about $5.8 billion in international tourism receipts. Hotel room occupancy likewise rose to percent in 2007 from percent in New hotel and resort developments are currently in strategic business locations such as Makati City, Fort Bonifacio, and the Bay Area as well as top tourist destinations such as Cebu and Boracay, further enhancing industry prospects, Frankum said. In reclaimed land along Manila Bay, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) is developing an ambitious $15 billion 1220-hectare Entertainment City Manila project with local conglomerate Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) forming a joint venture with Malaysian gaming giant Genting Berhad and Star Cruises, the first of four pre-qualified groups to be awarded a license. AGI president Kingson Sian foresees the project to eventually be one of the premiere entertainment destinations in the region. The project, which is envisioned to be a wholly integrated tourism and entertainment zone, offers glimpses of the tropical charm of the Philippines to mainly gaming enthusiasts. PAGCOR chairman Efraim C. Genuino sees the project to be the biggest tourism development the country has ever seen. The integrated city will be a onestop destination for people of all ages. We envision families and tourists coming in droves to enjoy a complete range of fun and exciting amenities at par with international standards, Genuino said. Among the main features of the project are luxury hotels, amusement parks, meeting and convention facilities, state-of-the-art theaters, a sports stadium, race tracks, shopping malls, restaurants, a professional golf course, museums and cultural complexes, residential villages, a waste management facility, a marina and boardwalk and an observation tower which will be among the tallest mega-structures in the world. Japanese gaming equipment supplier Aruze had teamed up with another giant, Wynn Resorts, to put up the Okada Resort Manila Bay, which will have 2,000 standard rooms and 300 VIP suites. Eastwood City at night In it will rise the world s biggest Oceanarium, theaters, a 40,000- seater Las Vegas-size sports arena, a museum and a giant Ferris wheel similar to the London Eye (to be called the Manila Eye). The Genting-AGI Consortium will build several hotels with a minimum 2,000-room capacity, a worldclass theme park, a museum and an iconic building similar to the Opera House of Australia. Also being considered is a theme park in the level of the sprawling Universal Studios Park in California. Genting Berhad holds the exclusive development rights of Universal Studios in Asia. SM Investments Corp. on the other hand proposes to build a worldclass gaming facility with Asia Pacific Gaming of Australia. Also in its blueprint is a major luxury hotel to be managed by Radisson Hotels and Resorts, a museum and a sports arena. Bloombury s plan is to put up three luxury hotels with a total capacity of 1,500 rooms with designer retail shopping, celebrity-themed dining, a showroom, a museum and a major entertainment and sports center. Other developments lined up include the $153 million Kingdom Hotel, which is a combined hotel and residential condominium to rise in Makati City. We expect 18,143 units to be provided from 28 upcoming residential condominiums in Makati that are targeted for completion between 2008 and Likewise in Fort Bonifacio, 11,652 units are expected to come on the market from 33 residential condominiums being constructed from 2008 to 2012, according to CBRE s Frankum. The offshoring and outsourcing boom in the Philippines had also created new opportunities for the real estate market. Major investors and businesses are looking at the Philippines be- continued on page 11

8 MESSAGE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF GUAM Hafa Adai! Although it has been more than a century since the Philippine Islands proclaimed sovereignty from colonial rule following the Spanish-American War, the same level of forward progress and will to be independent rings true today in the bustling Republic of the Philippines and continues to thrive in the hearts of Filipinos around the world. This holds true for Guam as well, where the Filipino community continues to play an active and integral role in the continual advancement of our island. But even more important is the unique identity Filipinos contribute to the island s overall diversity, a social structure that continues to surpass the test of time. And just as it has done for many years, I am confident that the local Filipino community will continue to contribute to and for the benefit of the entire island and all of its residents. Today is a very important day for the Republic of the Philippines, and for Filipino communities around the world. And it is with honor that I wish to congratulate the Republic of the Philippines and its people on the 111th celebration of Philippine Independence Day. Thank you and Si Yu us Ma ase. Mabuhay ang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang Republika ng Pilipinas! Sincerely, Alicia G. Limtiaco Attorney General of Guam

9 Foreign transfers, BPO boom fire up Philippines property Continued from Page 9 cause it is one of the largest English-speaking nations in the world and has 33.5 million Filipinos in the workforce, Frankum said. That labor advantage, in fact, is bringing in major multinational BPO operators to set up shop in the country while those that entered the country much earlier are expanding their operations. US BPO firm Accenture, for instance, had leased 1.3 million square feet of additional space this year. Other companies, such as Teletech, have started to look outside Metro Manila to set up BPO offices. All of Teletech s six facilities are located outside the capital. Third party BPOs are not stopping in their expansion, with a handful such as Convergys, IBM, Sykes, TeleTech, and People Support already pursuing and have secured more sites in the country, Frankum said. MESSAGE FROM THE FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF GUAM In light of the nation s recent economic crisis, the anticipation for the massive military build up in Guam has brought back faith and hope to our island. With new jobs and businesses expected to improve our local community, it has become inevitable that alliances between companies hoping to land government contracts are now widespread. But who are the persons expected to ultimately make this happen? Who else but the Filipino overseas workers on Guam. After World War II, thousands of Filipino workers became the island s new heroes. From the hardworking farmers and skilled carpenters, educators to engineers and doctors, the Filipino workers helped restore Guam s debilitated state. Since then, these pioneer workers and their successors have become exceptional providers for their families here in Guam as well as the Philippines. The remittances from overseas workers in Guam and other parts of the world have significantly kept their families happy and the Philippine government afloat. W i t h twenty percent (20%) of t h e Philippines gross domestic product in the form of remittances from hardworking overseas workers, the Philippine government has graciously given many the privilege and rights of dual citizenship and the right to vote on local and national elections. Now it is up to us to wisely take advantage of the power and honor given to us. In the upcoming elections, let us vote for those who will look out for our national interests as Filipinos and Filipino-Americans and let us be vigilant and aware of the actions and inactions of our elected officials. Let us continue to be impressive and skillful workers. Let us work together to restore Guam and our community. With the nation in crisis, we must remember that we can be heroes once again. Let us help rebuild our island and show that our skills and passion for a beautiful life cannot be held back by a recession. Let us show Guam and the nation that we, the Filipino heroes of Guam, can rise above this tough time and help bring back a life of ease and prosperity. Mabuhay ang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang Guam! Mark V. Pangilinan Chairman Emeritus Board of Trustees Filipino Community of Guam

10 Message from the Filipino Community of Guam President Mabuhay! Ako po ay bumabati ng maligayang kabuwanan ng ika- 111 taon na Kalayaan ng ating bansang Pilipinas. Kalayaan, translated in English as Freedom or Independence is very valuable. Many who are now called heroes paid the ultimate price for the freedom of our country. Here on Guam during the month of June, we celebrate the accomplishments of our heroes. In today s world, all Filipinos on Guam, no matter what color your passport may be or whichever country s seal is on its cover, you stand alongside your non-filipino brothers and sisters with a sense of dignity and pride as you celebrate independence. This independence allows us to make an impact on our country both here and at our homeland. You are a part of Guam s history in the making. You may be a teacher, doctor, nurse, business leader, or a frontline employee. You are a part of the new hero of our home country - the Philippines. Bahagi ka ng bagong bayani ng ating bansang-bayang Pilipinas. (You are a part of the new hero of our country, the Philippines). Give me liberty or give me death!, Patrick Henry once said. Such words of pride and determination inspire us. To my fellow kababayans here on Guam, let s be proud of who we are, what we do and what we can do. Let s be more determined to inspire and show our children why we are Proud to be Pinoy. One hero category I am particularly proud of, are the inventors. Aside from the yoyo being invented in my hometown of Paete, Laguna, there are others that are a bit more modern. The white light that help us distinguish the colors between a black suit and the dark blue pants in our closets is the fluorescent lamp, invented by Agapito Flores; Love Karaoke? It was invented by Filipino Roberto Del Rosario. It was called the SAS or Sing Along System; How about the moon buggy? Eduardo San Juan invented the Lunar Rover. It was used by Neil Armstrong and other astronauts when they explored the moon in 1969; Fe Del Mundo was the first Asian to attend Harvard School of Medicine. She invented the incubator; Surfing the internet and surfing it faster is possible because of a Filipino who is credited with 8 major contributions to the Information Technology. Diosdado Banatao of Cagayan, who is an Electrical Engineering Graduate from Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, is most known for introducing the first single-chip graphical user interface accelerator that made computers work a lot faster and for helping develop the Ethernet controller chip that made Internet possible. There are more, so many to list. I suggest you Google it and I m positive there are more to come. As for this year s Philippine Independence theme, I bid everyone, Mabuhay! Sa ating kagitingan, kagalingan at kasipagan. Mabuhay tayong lahat, mga kapatid!. (Mabuhay! To our valor, skillfulness and industriousness. Mabuhay to all of us, my brothers and sisters). The official theme of this year s Philippine Independence as set by the Department of Interior and Local Government is, Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan.. Translated to English, Valor, Skillfulness and Industriousness moving toward a True Independence. Freedom isn t free, it has a price. This is also the perfect opportunity for me to say, Maraming Salamat Po, for all you do and for all your contributions to our beautiful island of Guam. We will be celebrating our Philippine Independence Ball on Friday, June 26th at the Sheraton Laguna Resort. I invite everyone to come and join us. Tickets are now available at National Office Supply in Barrigada. Alex Gagaring Filipino Community of Guam President