00:00I would like to believe that even if we gather to commemorate the liberation of Manila year
00:08after year, as our predecessors before us, our deep respect has not faded, nor will it
00:16ever fade.
00:18Our deepest respect for the soldiers who suffered, for the soldiers who lost their lives as they
00:23marched more than 60 miles from Bataan to Tarlac during the infamous Death March, for
00:29the thousands who never saw the light at the end of the tunnels in Corregidor, for
00:34those whose lives and families were changed forever by war, and of course, our deepest
00:40respect for the veterans who are here today, veterans who come regularly and whose numbers
00:45have dwindled over the years.
00:48On behalf of a grateful nation, I wish to recognize the veterans present here today
00:54and their families.
00:55We are privileged to not have to see what you had seen, to not have ingrained in our
01:02memories what you had to go through.
01:05May we continue to deserve living and thriving in this world that you have built for us.
01:12Filipinos pay the highest price for democracy to be preserved and for democracy to flourish.
01:19Standing on this hallowed ground, we are reminded of our solemn duty to always do what is necessary
01:25to ensure that we bequeath a sovereign and proud country to future generations.
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