Today marks the 125th anniversary of the Department of Foreign Affairs. We were one of the first government Departments to be established in the country, our leader, the intellectual force of the revolution.

This occasion invites us to reflect on this journey, from the very birth of our nation, the first Asian Republic.

The Department was borne out of the Philippine revolution. As such, it is tightly wound into the fabric of our national identity, and an enduring symbol of Philippine pride and independence to the rest of the world.

The DFA has been true to its task of proclaiming our people, our values and our aspirations, helping shape our nation and the world around us in profound ways.

Today, I join all of you in taking immense pride in being part of this Department, and the role it has played and continues to play in nation-building.

Through countless challenges, both expected and unforeseen, the Department has not only survived; we have flourished. Through transformations in the nation and the world, through challenges such as the global pandemic, and across time zones, the Department has thrived as a faithful servant of the nation.

You, my dear colleagues, the more than 2,800 personnel of DFA, are the lifeblood of this institution.

Each day, wherever you are, you bring to life the values of patriotism, integrity, professionalism, excellence, and service.

Some of you are on the frontlines, providing compassionate assistance to Filipinos abroad. Others work behind the scenes, negotiating agreements for the benefit of our people and country. Others are in the home office, persevering and pushing new frontiers and fostering an environment that nurtures and empowers all our personnel. Altogether, wherever we are, we are bound by these values that infuse our actions with inspiration and purpose.

I thank and salute each and every one of you — the men and women of the Department of Foreign Affairs — for your true and faithful service. A meaningful celebration of the 125th DFA Day is a celebration of each of you and your day-to-day service.

As we remember this day our past achievements as a Department and as a nation, let us also ponder that our greatest triumphs are still waiting to be realized. Let us forge ahead towards a future where the Department’s legacy shines brightly, for the Republic that we serve, and for generations to come.