H.E. Chang Tae-Pyeong, Minister for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, H.E. Lee Hye-min, Vice Minister for Trade and incoming Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Choi Jong-moon, Director-General for South Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Fellow Ambassadors from ASEAN Member-Countries, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening.


The story of Philippine Independence is one that reverberates deep and far.

As with any good story, it has a beginning, a climax and an end. Ours began with a passionate and deep-seated desire to be set free from colonial oppression, a desire that slowly brewed for three centuries and lingered under gathering clouds of nationalistic fervor. This intense yearning for self-determination reached its climax on June 12, 1898 when the Republic of Philippines, forged by the courage and vision of its people, finally flew its flag as an independent country on equal footing with other nations.

The story continues. With a vibrant economy that has successfully overcome global crises and a political machinery that consistently prioritizes the security and welfare of its people, the Philippines is proud to be an active and responsible member of the international community. We are driven by the same courage and vision our predecessors displayed: we continue to strengthen our national foundations as we reach out to our neighbors on mutually important issues such as poverty alleviation, human security and environmental sustainability.

We have, for the better part, achieved success on these issues with the continuing partnership of like-minded countries. The Republic of Korea, for instance, remains a close and significant ally from when we stood side-by-side during the Korean War until now when relations have expanded to vast and diverse fields.

In particular, the Philippines holds in high esteem the “Low Carbon, Green Growth” economic model proclaimed by South Korea as a national aim that will guide its actions for the succeeding years. Our two countries are working closely together on Multi-Industry Clusters bound to raise agricultural productivity and community well-being in Philippine rural areas. As an archipelagic country, the Philippines also fully supports the objective of the 2012 World Expo in Yeosu on “The Living Ocean and Coast.” South Korea is proving that business can be made from, and perhaps more importantly for, the environment.

As a show of solidarity with South Korea’s—and the global community’s—efforts to protect the only planet where all of us have found timeless stories of human conviction, hope and purposeful march towards progress, we are dispensing tonight with the usual cake-cutting ceremony. Instead, I will later invite our honored guests to join me onstage in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony, where the actual saplings will be planted in Incheon City on June 13 when we celebrate our Philippine Migrant Workers’ Day.

The story of Philippine Independence reverberates deep into our national psyche, far across our neighbors and towards a future where our children can benefit from the full potential that a healthy, diverse and sustainable environment provides.

At this point, I wish to invite all of you to raise your glasses as I propose a toast to the nation and peoples of the Republic of the Philippines, to the enduring friendship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, and to our collective desire for a world we can proudly bequeath to coming generations.

Mabuhay!