Batangas City Chapter Building Inauguration
March 23, 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen:

During the last century, a famous classical American philosopher, poet, literary and cultural critic wrote these timeless words:

“The loftiest edifices need the deepest foundations.”

The name of that Renaissance man was George Santayana. And when he wrote those words, he was not making a commercial plug for an American cement factory. Nor was he writing an article for Architecture Digest.

No, George Santayana was talking about an important universal value: the value of commitment.

Today, the IBP Batangas Chapter inaugurates an edifice. Today, therefore, is an opportune time to ask this question: How deep are its foundations?

Let me venture an answer to that question: I dare say, the foundations may be described in one word – unshakeable.

This is because history shows us that anything that a Batangueño builds always stands on solid ground. Am I referring to the edifice or to the commitment?

I am referring to both.
Your chapter president told me that this building is a symbol of your commitment to justice. And the commitment of the Batangueño to justice has always had deep foundations.

These foundations have names. They go by the names Miguel Malvar; Felipe Agoncillo; Galicano Apacible; Ramon Diokno; Apolinario Apacible; Espedito Leviste; Teodoro Kalaw; Gregorio Katigbak; Jose P. Laurel; Jose V. Laurel; Salvador Laurel; Marcela Agoncillo; Claro Mayo Recto and the great Apolinario Mabini.

Congratulations to the Batangas Chapter on the inauguration of this building which symbolizes your commitment to justice.

Congratulations. May the eminent roster of distinguished Batangueños be emblazoned by your names. And may they shine alongside the prominent sons and daughters of this province who have become the foundations of our national commitment to serve the cause of justice.