 Someone who has been a true friend and someone who I've been able to get to know in the past several months and I know will be a tremendous, tremendous support of our Filipino and immigrant communities here in New York City and in the region. Please join me in welcoming Consul General Sinan Mannalele. Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor Maria Torres Springer, Commissioner Manny Castro, Commissioner Smermelstein, Andal Castillo, Afilam, Bowling Green Chairman Arthur Piccolo, Commissioner Vida, an adopted Filipino, married to a Filipino, Your Excellency Ambassador Antonio Legdomeo, our permanent representative to the United Nations, all the hard-working men and women of New York City Hall, the Filipino-American community, mga kababaya, and ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon to all of you. Good afternoon. Magandang hapon po. First of all, on behalf of the 85,000 strong Filipino community that has sunk roots and made a home in New York City, I wish to thank Mayor Adams and his administration for hosting this flag-raising ceremony to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. We consider this flag-raising ceremony in these hallowed grounds as a recognition of the many contributions and achievements of Filipinos to New York City, and for that, we are very grateful. The detective said that there is a Filipino saying that whoever fails to look back to where he came from will never reach his destination. June 12, 1898 is the day when our ancestors proclaimed our country's independence from colonial oppression. We look back. We look back to that day to recall the many sacrifices they made for the cost of freedom and self-determination. We honor them for establishing the first-ever constitutional democracy in Asia. As we likewise honor the many other heroes, both celebrated and unsung, who followed after them and contributed glorious pages in our nation's history. At the same time, we celebrate the current crop of present-day heroes, represented by all of you, who are here, Filipinos who have immigrated to the United States mostly for economic reasons and to be reunited with their pioneering family members. Thereby continuing a long tradition of people-to-people exchanges between our two countries. You are the bearers of an illustrious heritage, passed on by seafarers who escaped in dentured service aboard the Manila galleons in the 16th century, the Manila men who fought for the U.S. in the war of 1812. Our soldiers and sailors who fought in the trenches of France and sailed the seas in the First World War and many others. Philham history is replete with so many stories of overcoming adversity, enduring discrimination, being shortchanged when it comes to federal benefits such as our veterans of the Second World War and basically having to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Filipino Americans have triumphed over these challenges and have proven themselves a positive contribution to the fabric of American society. Because of you, Filipino nurses, doctors and other health workers, Filipinos in the military, law enforcement and emergency services, Filipino small business owners, most of whom are women, Filipino accountants, auditors, lawyers, academicians, artists in Broadway, caregivers and housekeepers, because of you the image of the Filipino as hardworking, God-fearing, family-oriented and very friendly and hospitable has been validated time and again. Because of you, we can look to the future with confidence and optimism. Knowing that for the next 125 years our voices will be heard in the corridors of power as many more Stephen Raghas are elected. As other cities follow the example of Mayor Adams and appoint and elect many more Maria Torres Springers and Andal Castillos in their own city halls. Today we look back with gratitude. We celebrate you, our present heroes, and your contributions to this great city. And we rededicate ourselves to working together with the city administration to strengthen the ties that bind our communities together. Today, as we hoist both flags of the United States of America and the Philippines, we honor the great city of New York that has made the American dream a reality for many Filipinos. Thank you and Mabuhay. Thank you so much, Council General. Let's hear it from Filipino New Yorkers! It is now my honor to introduce someone who works so hard on behalf of all New Yorkers, including the millions of immigrant New Yorkers and Filipino New Yorkers who make this city their home. Deputy Mayor Maria Torres Springer. Thank you, Commissioner. Good afternoon. I am so humbled to be with all of you today, not just to help raise the flag in honor of the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence, but to also, of course, celebrate the very rich history of the Philippines, the extraordinary contributions of Phil Ames, and the amazing community of Penoise here in this great city. Now, I come from a long line of very proud Filipinos, strivers, doers, survivors in their own right. And my father, Manny, used to tell me that every bloodline runs in the Filipino. And in many ways, this is also true of our great city, because it is a place which has become home to so many regardless of where their life story began. And so it is truly fantastic that we are able to raise the flag of the Philippines not just once, but twice, over the last seven months. And this is no accident because my boss, the person I now have the honor of introducing, has always been and will always be a true champion of the Filipino community. So please join me in welcoming the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams. Thank you so much. And the posture of acknowledgement of the existence of a group is in the duality of the approach. One, there must be a level of symbolism such as today. The first time we have raised the Philippine flag was last year when I became the Mayor of the city of New York. This is the second time. And the raising of the flag here at Bowling Green is a symbolic gesture of stating that we acknowledge you, we see you, we know your commitment, your dedication, and how much you have played such a crucial role in the city. But that symbolism must be matched with substance. How do we ensure that in a very substance way that you are at the seat of power, that you are there to speak on behalf of not only all New Yorkers in general, but specifically on the communities that you represent. When you're at the seat of power, you will never be left out of the sharing of power. The substance of my actions to match the raising of the flag was to ensure for the first time in the history of the city with 110 Mayors that we have the first Filipino American to be a Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springham. Our portfolio of business and development, economic development, housing is not a portfolio of just going through the motion. She is at the foundation to determine how well this city is going to do. When you look at the fact we've recovered 99% of the jobs we lost during pre-pandemic. When you look at the fact we need new housing and building and structures and attract businesses here to the city. When you look at the fact that we're seeing tourism return to the city, 56 million last year, 65 million predicted this year. When you look at the economic stability of this city, you must understand that not only are members of your community, not only are they part of the medical profession, the small businesses, not only are they part of the law enforcement like the detective we have here, but they're also a part of the major entities that must move this city forward. Why is that significant? New York City is the greatest city on the globe. We need to be clear on that. Even those who wait online to take a picture with the bull know that New York City is the greatest city on the globe. So if New York City is the greatest city on the globe, that makes me the greatest mayor on the globe. It means that the greatest economic developer is from your community that's the greatest on the globe. You have the largest economic developer in the entire globe is from your community and our deputy mayor. But we don't stop there. You know, we compete with Hollywood when it comes down to the attractions of movies and how you build out stages. How do you encourage people to come and see the Hollywood experience? The person in charge of that, Commissioner Castillo, is also from your community. So your community is so much in the fabric of this city and what we represent. So yes, we're raising the flag. That's our symbol, but don't miss our substance. The combination of our substance and symbol is saying to you, I see you. I recognize you. I respect you. I need you. You believe in families. You believe in business. You believe in public safety. You believe that there's a resiliency that comes with this city. We never surrender. We never get in given we're hardworking. We're committed. We're dedicated. We know that there's something special about this place from here. Ideas cascade throughout the entire country to say that this is a country where you can keep your culture while you embrace the American culture. You never abandon that culture. It's the combination of all of our cultures that create this great product, this great experience we call the American dream. Thank you for what you have done, what you will do and what you are currently doing. Thank you very much. Mr. Mayor, it appears that your short measurement is a state secret. We have been trying to get it for the longest time, but we couldn't get it. So we got the second best possible thing. If you could artist is with us here, Mr. Ronald Cortez. That's over there. He's over there. Come on here. Come on. As a souvenir of last year's attempt to put you in a baron that sort of failed, but now we have it memorialized in this frame. Thank you. Well, you're a great artist. Wow. It's easy to paint a good looking guy. Here, here. Thank you, brother. Thank you, Councillor General. Thank you, Mayor. Prior to our flag raising ceremony, I'd like to introduce our following speaker who before becoming assembly member was a community organizer out in the streets working to build the trust of the community and organizing immigrant communities in their community and beyond. And so I am proud to welcome up to the podium, Assemblymember Steve Raga. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Mayor, for hosting this again and to all our leadership in our city. It's an important day because we're here and like it was said earlier, our community is seen and especially such in a year where we're celebrating the 125th year of our independence. How much more can or more fitting can we celebrate here in Bowling Green and lifting our and raising our flag along with the American flag? This is great. It's a wonderful celebration. It's always good to see our community here. And again, repeatedly, because last year I was here. It was not a failed attempt. He successfully put on his baron. So it's there's always there for our community and speaking up when we need. And also it's great to see that he has a Filipino leadership in the administration and folks that are doing well and doing best by all New Yorkers. So thank you again for having this event. Congratulations and to our 125th year. And it's great to see all our community leaders here once again in celebration with our city. Thanks so much, Mayor. Thanks, Commissioner. Thank you, Assemblymember. And now we will begin our flag raising ceremony. But first, let's hear it from Filipino New Yorkers. And first, we will raise the flag of the United States of America. Our cultural performers of this afternoon, the San Lorenzo Rees Choir of New York, the University of Philippines alumni and friends from Daya.