I am honored to convey my greetings to all Filipinos in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as our nation celebrates the 116th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence in 1898 in Kawit, Cavite.



Today, we pay our respects and give gratitude to our pioneering Filipino ancestors for their unfailing courage, strength of spirit, steadfast commitment and selfless sacrifice for their vision of a free, independent and dynamic Philippines.



In celebrating this momentous occasion in our history, with the theme, “Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilpino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago,” we are reminded of our continuing journey in pursuit of change and progress — that we have in our hands the responsibility to build on the gains we have derived from our independence and to ensure that such gains are felt by the majority and become permanent.



I take this opportunity to pay tribute to over 700,000 Filipinos in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who contribute significantly to our society and economy, and who have demonstrated the value of perseverance, hard-work, determination and selflessness in their second home — Saudi Arabia. Your efforts have not only enriched the lives of your loved-ones back home but also contributed to the progress of our country. Your commitment and cooperation has brought about positive change in our society and has immensely contributed to the attainment of our goals.



To the Filipinos in Saudi Arabia, maligayang araw ng kasarinlan!



Mabuhay ang mga Pilipino sa Saudi Arabia!



Ezzedin Tago

Philippines Ambassador to Saudi Arabia