‘Thank you’

Posted on Jun 13 2005

The following is the speech delivered by Gov. Juan N. Babauta during the vin d’honneur held Friday at the Hibiscus Hall of the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach, as part of celebrations for the 107th anniversary of the Philippines’ declaration of independence.

In the Philippines and all around the world today citizens of the Philippines celebrate Independence Day, because all around the world today there are citizens of the Philippines, living and working away from home.

I am very honored to be here to help you celebrate, and to recognize your long years of struggle that finally resulted in Philippine independence. But I want to do more than celebrate with you.

I want to say thanks to all the citizens of the Philippines, who have come to the Northern Marianas to live and work.

Thank you to the Filipino nurses, who every day help keep us healthy.

Thank you to the Filipino teachers, who help educate our children.

Thank you to Filipino architects and engineers, who help create the buildings and infrastructure we all enjoy.

Thanks to Filipino accountants, who help manage business funds honestly and wisely.

And thanks to Filipinos who have invested their own money to open their own businesses.

Filipinos live and work all over the world—not just the Northern Marianas—in order to support families at home in the Philippines.

This is a tremendous, collective sacrifice by your people that is sometimes forgotten beneath the good spirits so many Filipinos exhibit day-to-day. But today is also a good day to remember your sacrifice and this dedication to your families that is a hallmark of the Filipino people. In this respect you are an example to us all.

The people of the Northern Marianas are very sentimental about our families and our islands. So, we understand the bittersweet nature of your time away from your own island homes.

For that reason, I want to tell you again that even though you are far from home you are welcome here.

Your many contributions are appreciated.

You are a part of our community.

You are a part of our family.

Thank You. Maraming salamat po.(Juan Babauta)

Man On The Street

Jambalaya

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