LABOR

3rd GLOBAL FILIPINO NETWORKING CONVENTION, Cebu City- January 20, 2005

In an occasion like this, I am reminded of one of the favorite quotations of Ninoy Aquino, borrowed from the words of E.T. White. “There are two ways of spreading the light of truth in this world; one is by becoming the candle and the other is by becoming the mirror that reflects the light of that candle.” It is my hope that, as we are gathered here today partly in search of the answer of the Overseas Filipinos to our nation’s ills and problems, I shall be one or the other to all of you.

Ms. Loida Nicolas-Lewis.

Mr. Greg Macabenta.

Mr. Patrick Gregorio.

Other officers, members and friends of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations and Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Governor Garcia, and guests… good evening.

As a broadcast journalist for more than two decades, principally as executive anchorman of TV Patrol, Magandang Gabi Bayan and ‘Kabayan’ radio program over DZMM in Manila, I have been exposed, as it became a part of my way of life, to the socio-economic and cultural evolution of the Overseas Filipinos.

Because jobs in the Philippines for many decades pour like rain during El Nino, many have been forced to join the Filipino Diaspora for jobs.

In the process, you and the rest of the global Filipino population have become one of the major sources not the only of economic stability but also year-ender inspiration to all of us who remain in this country.

When everything else seems to fail in this country according to some pessimists, the best news every December that the media is traditional reporting, aside from ChRistmas of course, is the annual remittance of the OFWs.

But beyond the economic contribution that this sector brings to our country, the Overseas Filipinos and Migrant Workers are no longer trapped in the old paradigm. It is not only conscious and committed to help back to our motherland; it is now engaged in networking with all Filipinos abroad in order to consolidate the PinoyPower Worldwide.

Totoong nasa pagkakaisa ang lakas, at nasa sama-samang pagkilos ang tagumpay.

Ito ang tunay na diwa ng ‘bayanihan sa abroad’. Ito ang tunay na pagiging isang ‘kabayan’. Nagkakatulungan sa isa’t-isa, at kolektibong nakakatulong pa sa bayan.

It is for this reason that I commend the National Federation of Filipino American Associations for organizing, together with the Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau, the 3rd Global Filipino Networking Convention.

Through your initiatives and through your organizations, your kababayans in this country are becoming more aware of the significant contributions of Overseas Filipinos in this country and all over the world.

That awareness…that alone helps many Filipinos in this country to reaffirm the faith in theIR SELVES. That alone helps reaffirm the faith in the true strength of Filipino character.

As Vice President of this country, and as Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipinos and Migrant Workers, I would like to see more activities similar to what you are doing now. You are not only strengthening your networking with overseas Filipinos abroad in order to ‘bring back more’ to our country but also ‘inspiring more’ Filipinos in the Philippines.

Sa tuwing nakikita o naririnig ng ating mga kababayan ang tagumpay ng mga pinoy na katulad ni Ginang Loida Nicolas-Lewis, nagpapaala-ala ito na ‘totoong magaling ang mga mga pinoy, may pag-asa pa pala tayong mga pinoy.’

May I ask everyone in this hall to give a round of applause to Overseas Filipinos for becoming a candle to everyone of us here in the Philippines.

Palakpakan po natin ang inyong mga sarili.

Mabuhay ang Pinoy! Sabay-sabay, Malakas.

Mabuhay ang Pinoy sa abroad! (sabay-sabay, malakas, para marinig ni President Bush).

Mabuhay ang Pinoy!

Sabay-sabay para marinig sa UK, sa Germany, sa Canada, sa China, sa buong Amerika at sa buong mundo…Mabuhay ang Pinoy! Mabuhay!

Indeed, in order to neutralize the ‘culture of pessimism’ that dominates the Philippine society today what we need is to see more activities like your 3rd Global Filipino Networking Convention in order to spread the light of truth about the globally competitive character and strength of Overseas Filipino and in order to inspire more kababayans in the Philippines.

From my heart, I wish to thank you all for becoming a candle or a mirror that reflects the light of a candle for every Filipinos.

Maraming Salamat! Mabuhay tayong lahat!

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