 Welcome to the opening ceremonies of Balakutan-23. I'm honored to experience, to support, to celebrate the long-standing friendship, partnership, and alliance between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States. Our nations and our military forces share an unbreakable bond built through decades of working shoulder to shoulder promoting peace and stability. In this, the 38th iteration of Balakutan, Philippine and U.S. forces are coming together in large numbers, approximately 17,600 participants in total, demonstrating our commitment to each other and to our mutual defense treaty. While this ceremony signifies the beginning of Balakutan, trust me, Philippine and U.S. forces have spent months working hard, planning, and preparing for what is sure to be an extraordinary exercise. I would like to recognize and thank our gracious Philippine hosts for your hospitality and your commitment to supporting this exercise, and your commitment to supporting our alliance. Shoulder to shoulder, we will always prevail. Maraming Salamat Po, Mabuhay. Thank you, sir.