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Speech of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III
President of the Philippines
At the dedication rites of Cory Aquino Democratic Space and Henry Sy, Sr. Hall
[Delivered at the De La Salle University, Taft Avenue, Manila, on February 13, 2013]
Thank you. Good evening. Please sit down.
Secretary Armin Luistro; Secretary Cesar Purisima (should be here, is he here already? He has reduced a lot that’s why I missed him); of course, the man of the hour, Secretary Gil delos Reyes; Bro. Ricky Laguda; Mr. Jose Titoy Pardo who was the first to text me that our stock market breached a new high at 6,500 [applause]; Mr. Hans Sy; Ms. Tessie Coson; Mrs. Sy; of course, our very virtuous, very productive, very energetic Congresswoman Em Aglipay [applause]; former Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros Baraquel; board of trustees, alumni, donors, officials, and staff of the De La Salle University; fellow workers in government; honored guests; ladies and gentlemen
Good evening.
Whenever I set foot on this campus, I remember that this is hallowed ground. I understand that yesterday, we observed the 68th anniversary of the massacre in De La Salle College, which happened during the Second World War. Sixteen brothers and twenty-four civilians were killed that day, some of whom, I’m told, were relatives of mine. As we pay tribute to their memory, we are again reminded of how peace is the bedrock of happiness, prosperity, and national progress. It is the foundation upon which the Lasallians that followed helped rebuild not just a prestigious university, but an entire country.
You know I am not from here, I guess that’s obvious, but in many ways, I share the same values that you are taught in this school. La Salle has always made a point to stand for truth and accountability—with my mother during our struggle against the dictatorship, or during the decades after we reclaimed democracy through People Power. Despite being from the other school, I also have a special fondness for this
President of the Philippines
At the dedication rites of Cory Aquino Democratic Space and Henry Sy, Sr. Hall
[Delivered at the De La Salle University, Taft Avenue, Manila, on February 13, 2013]
Thank you. Good evening. Please sit down.
Secretary Armin Luistro; Secretary Cesar Purisima (should be here, is he here already? He has reduced a lot that’s why I missed him); of course, the man of the hour, Secretary Gil delos Reyes; Bro. Ricky Laguda; Mr. Jose Titoy Pardo who was the first to text me that our stock market breached a new high at 6,500 [applause]; Mr. Hans Sy; Ms. Tessie Coson; Mrs. Sy; of course, our very virtuous, very productive, very energetic Congresswoman Em Aglipay [applause]; former Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros Baraquel; board of trustees, alumni, donors, officials, and staff of the De La Salle University; fellow workers in government; honored guests; ladies and gentlemen
Good evening.
Whenever I set foot on this campus, I remember that this is hallowed ground. I understand that yesterday, we observed the 68th anniversary of the massacre in De La Salle College, which happened during the Second World War. Sixteen brothers and twenty-four civilians were killed that day, some of whom, I’m told, were relatives of mine. As we pay tribute to their memory, we are again reminded of how peace is the bedrock of happiness, prosperity, and national progress. It is the foundation upon which the Lasallians that followed helped rebuild not just a prestigious university, but an entire country.
You know I am not from here, I guess that’s obvious, but in many ways, I share the same values that you are taught in this school. La Salle has always made a point to stand for truth and accountability—with my mother during our struggle against the dictatorship, or during the decades after we reclaimed democracy through People Power. Despite being from the other school, I also have a special fondness for this