I Stand Proud
by Marlene Aguilar
My name is Marlene Aguilar. I stand before you a proud Filipino from Isabela. My forefathers
came from Ilocos where Gabriela Silang, one of our female generals is also from. Over 350 years ago she
led an army of Filipino men into battle against Spain. Possessing the courage and skill of a great warrior
she was not defeated in battle. She was captured and sentenced to death after refusing the Spanish authorities’ pardon for her subversive behavior. She was beheaded. She gave up her life for her people,
for her country and for freedom. Given the same circumstances, I would do the same today.
I have traveled to over 30 countries and the more I see of the world the more I love the Philippines.
I do not stand as second class citizen next to anyone. I am Filipino and I have always carried a Filipino
passport. It saddens me that too many of my people do not love the Philippines. It pains me to see Filipinos
at the airport flashing their foreign passports proud that they are no longer Filipino citizens! It breaks
my heart that the leaders of our institutions allow the destruction of the walls of Intramuros, a symbol of
our history and culture.
I remember going to school when I was a little girl seeing cars stop in the middle of the road
because the national anthem was playing. Men, women and children stopped too. They placed their right
hands on their hearts to sing this beautiful song. I stopped and sang with them, touched by the beauty
and integrity of this sacred ritual that gave honor to my motherland. I grew up in the Philippines with
warm memories of the Filipinos’ love and respect for my country and nothing, nothing will take that
away from me!
Mabuhay po ang sining Pilipino!
Maraming salamat po!
Speech by Marlene Aguilar
Myths and Legends of the Philippines book launching
Philippine Center, New York
June 2001 |
