As we mark this important event, we are reminded of the tremendous scarifies of those who came before us, dared to dream, and fought for the liberty and dignity of our great nation. Ours is a nation steeped in the tradition of democratic ideals that extol individual freedom, thought, and enterprise. We, as nation, have faced and continue to face the myriad challenges and complex realities of an every-changing world. Yet, driven by our own industry and spurred on by our collective goals, we have pressed ahead, amply demonstrated our resilience, and, through our God-given abilities, worked hard to accomplish what we must.

Enabled by a stable political climate and a robust democratic tradition, the Philippines posted its best economic performance by far, in two decades, with the economy growing at 7.6 percent in 2010, easily surpassing the 5 percent target set for that year. Likewise, the country is steadily moving up the world's competitiveness scale, in terms of economic performance and business efficiency. Furthermore, remittances from overseas Filipinos hit an all-time high of US$18.76 billion in 2010, as Philippine exports grew by 34 percent, breaching the US$50 billion mark, thanks to a nimble electronic sector.

Indeed, the Philippines sees no limits to its broadening horizon, and overseas Filipinos would do well to reflect this sense of mission. Around the globe, millions of Filipinos continue to serve as living bridges to other peoples and other cultures, opening new vistas for their compatriots back home, while bringing the world to the Philippines. Filipinos in Pakistan are definitely part of this global phenomenon. I therefore encourage my fellow Filipinos in Pakistan, my "kababayans," to work closely with the Philippine Embassy in Striving to break new ground in Philippines-Pakistan relations. There is plenty of potential in this relationship waiting to be explored and unleashed. Trade, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contacts are but some of the areas in which the Philippines and Pakistan could further work shoulder-to-shoulder.

Again, my congratulations to Filipinos in Pakistan, as they celebrate the anniversary of the declaration of the Philippine independence. Let this also serve as a fitting occasion to renew the Filipino nation's commitment to the people of Pakistan and to 62 years of warm friendship and enduring partnership between our two countries.