July 22, 2002
Theme: Hhiniusang Paglantaw: Abante sa bag-ong ugma

Assalamualaikum.

To our elected officials, sa minamahal kong mga Boholano, guests, magandang araw po sa ating lahat, maajong adlaw sa tanan.

Today is a triumph for the province of Bohol. I am honored to be with you on the celebration your 168-year heritage of your province. Let us acknowledge the hard work of your leaders and the contributions of the people of Bohol as we celebrate this occasion.

Boholanos ang fiercely protective of their peace and unity. And it was shown in one incident nga dunay mga terrorista who sought refuge in your island. And paspas kaayo naresolba ang problema tungod kay ang mga Boholano was very cooperative with our law enforcement officers sa pagtudlo kung kinsa ang mga tao na terrorista ug mga dunay dautan nga mutibo na misulod sa inyohang isla.

I really have to agree that Boholanos are fiercely protective of their place, of their territory. And of course, your culture and unity as people.

Let us also honor and reflect on Bohol’s deep history– of indigenous culture, colonization, and liberation, including the recent memories still throbbing in the heartfelt stories of our families who have been battled by calamities but chose to rise above and reclaim their lives.

Nalipay pud ko sa ikaduha nga nakadawat ko ug imbitasyon gikan sa inyoha na mutambong sa inyong selebrasyon sa Bohol day tungod kay nahatagan ko ug oportunidad pud na mubisita didto sa clarin para makighimamat sa atoang mga maestra, sa atoang mga regional directors sa Department of Education, ug sa atong schools division superintendent para maistoryahan ang mga kinahanglan pa na buhaton nga mga repairs and reconstruction and renovation sa atoang mga buildings nga nadaot sa nilabay na kalamidad na Odette.

Bohol is dear to my heart. I was with you when you surmounted the devastation of Typhoon Odette. Those were difficult, sleepless days and nights for all of you. Yet, I witnessed how you ascended to acceptance, forgiveness, and starting anew.

Out of this shared experience comes your collective courage to rebuild the province back into its iconic beauty. For everyone to see its charm again – the works of miracles arranged by the devoted and loving hands of the Boholanos.

To see all of you today, the same people, now armored with tenacity and grace, is a glorious moment and I am happy to be with you, to be with all of you today.

The province of Bohol has always been a welcoming place, a new home for others, and one of the finest spots in the global view, glistening in its continued preservation of people, culture, tradition and faith.

This is a gathering to put another seed of optimism in the hands of the Boholanos. This new life pulses alongside the potentials inherent to this province.

Ang pag-abante sa maayong ugma pinaagi sa hiniusang paglantaw usa ka halangdon nga gasa sa atong mga kamot. Dili tanan lugar dunay gasa nga sama niini. Dinhi sa Bohol, nagkahiusa gayud kamo sa inyong tinguha nga maka tagamtam ang tanan og maayong pagpuyo — bisan pa man sa kadaghan nga miagi nga kalisud.

Pinaagi sa inyong pagkahiusa, walay duha-duha nga maabot gayud ang adlaw, nga makita ninyo ang bunga sa inyong paningkamut.

(Advancing a better tomorrow through a united vision is a noble gift in our hands. Not every place has a gift like this. Here in Bohol, you are truly united in your desire for everyone to enjoy a good life — despite the many past hardships.

Through your unity, there is no doubt that the day will come, when you will see the fruit of your efforts.)

The entire Bohol will blossom, blossom again, blossom more — and you’ll be there again, in awe of what power your collective courage and harmony can bring.

This harmony binds you together. It is the same harmony that is your guiding light — helping you reach many destinations. This is a direction to strengthen our families, where our children are secure and we are living in peace. This is a direction where our communities are moving forward, getting a taste of progress and development. But most importantly, this is the same direction where the readiness to extend generous support to our communities never dries up and never unnoticed and unreturned.

May you continue to believe in yourselves so that together, you will accomplish your goals and join the rest of our people, fulfilling the mandate of God and our nation.

Let us keep one another in friendship, prayer, and pride as we take the next steps of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

I ask the Boholanos’ support as the new administration makes decisions in our best interests.

I hope that Bohol’s collective harmony and your faith that overcomes challenges will spread across the country and our ofws around the world.

My dream is to see all of us, wearing a singular Filipino spirit for love of country and service just as the Boholanos.

Patuloy po nating suportahan ang ating gobyerno at maging mas masigasig sana tayo sa pagpapakita ng ating pagmamahal sa ating bansa at kapwa filipino.

Again, I am truly happy that I have received your invitation. Happy 168th Bohol day! Mabuhay kayong lahat.