2015 APCO Freedom Day Ball

Message from the
Australian Prime Minister
I am pleased to provide this message for the Freedom
Ball Gala Dinner and Dance.
On 12 June 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo
proclaimed the independence of the Philippine
Islands, marking the end of 300 years of Spanish
rule.
The event saw the unfurling of the Filipino flag, the
performance of the national anthem, and the public
reading of the Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration stated that the Filipino people “are
and have the right to be free and independent,” and
that the nation from “this day commences to have a
life of its own”.
One hundred and seventeen years later, it remains a
powerful symbol of Philippine sovereignty and selfdetermination.
Tonight is an opportunity to celebrate this historic
event and to reflect on the contribution of the
Filipino-Australian community to our country.
The Filipino-Australian community has grown
significantly since the early 1900s when some 700
Philippines-born people were living in Australia.
Over 170,000 Philippines-born people now call
Australia home and they continue to greatly enrich
our nation.
Australia and the Philippines have an enduring
friendship, underpinned by our trade, education
and people-to-people links. In 2013-14 our two-way
trade was worth almost $4 billion and some 9,000
Filipino students were studying in Australia.
I pay tribute to the Alliance of Philippine Community
Organisations for your efforts raising funds for
people affected by Typhoon Haiyan. Australians
were proud to lend a hand and our cooperation
reflected the strong bonds between our peoples.
I wish you all an enjoyable evening.
Message from the
Philippine President
My warmest greetings to the Alliance of
Philippine Community Organisations as
you hold your Freedom Ball Gala Dinner
and Dance in commemoration of the 117th
Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine
Independence.
I am deeply heartened that you remain proud
of your Filipino heritage even if you are now
leading comfortable lives in your adoptive
home. May these activities bind you closer as
a community, promote a greater awareness
among the youth about the culture and
history of our people and foster a deeper
appreciation and understanding about our
country in mainstream Australian society. Let
this occasion also be an opportunity for you
to consider visiting the Philippines with your
friends and families, that you may not only
see the numerous attractions that our islands
have to offer, but also witness for yourselves
the profound transformation that our nation
has undergone in the last five years.
More than a century has passed since our
forefathers lifted the yoke of foreign rule and
founded the first democratic republic in Asia.
Yet the fight for freedom continues, this time
against the scourge of corruption, poverty
and ignorance. May the determination and
commitment demonstrated by our heroes
inspire us in our present struggle, that we may
bequeath to younger generations a future that
they rightly deserve.
May you have a happy and meaningful
celebration.
The Hon Tony Abbott MP
Prime Minister of Australia
BENIGNO S. AQUINO III
M A N I L A 13 June 2015