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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Celebrating Hungarian National Day in Manila

Celebrating Hungarian National Day in Manila

Published Oct 19, 2025 12:05 am  |  Updated Oct 18, 2025 04:05 pm
(Speech of H.E. Kövér László, Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, during the Oct. 23 National Day Reception held on Oct. 14, 2025 in Manila.)
It is my pleasure to stand before you today to commemorate the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence, in the spirit of the love of freedom and democratic commitment that live in the hearts of both the Hungarian and Filipino peoples. It is an honor to be able to celebrate this important Hungarian National Day here in Manila as well, joined by our good friends.
On Oct. 23, 1956, the Hungarian people stood up for their freedom, national sovereignty, and democracy. In 1956, the Hungarians not only fought a revolution, but also reinforced the ideal of human freedom in the 20th century and left it as a legacy for future generations. Although the revolution failed, history did not stand still: in 1989, Hungary was the first of the Central European countries to peacefully open the way to the full restoration of freedom and democracy. For us, these dates stand as a reminder that freedom is not a single achievement, but a continuous struggle.
These ideas are not foreign to the people of the Philippines. Your history also shows that the sacrifice made for freedom is not merely a political struggle, but — above all - the protection of national identity and the future of the community. This shared experience brings us closer together, not only as states, but as peoples who believe in self-determination and the power of democracy. Although oceans separate us geographically, the struggle for freedom still connects us. In the Philippines, as in Hungary, it is well understood that a country can only become truly strong when its citizens have a decisive voice and when decisions are not made under the influence of external forces, but arise from the will of the community.
The Hungarian-Philippine friendship is not just a diplomatic formula, but an intimate alliance between those who understand that love of nation and the desire for freedom are close to people's hearts, no matter what continent they live on.
Our shared Christian traditions also connect us. The moral principles rooted in faith, respect for the community, and the protection of human dignity are all values that form a bridge between Hungary and the Philippines.
These values reinforce our conviction that freedom is not only a right but also a responsibility, a responsibility toward future generations.
In today's globalized world, it is particularly important to stand up for our independence.
Democracy must be defended not only with words, but also with deeds. I am particularly pleased that in recent years, this important relationship has grown into increasingly close collaboration between the two countries. Relations between our parliaments have developed significantly: friendship groups have been established with the aim of engaging in direct dialogue, learning from each other's experiences, and jointly seeking answers to the challenges of today.
A milestone in this process was the visit to Hungary in October 2023 by Juan Miguel Zubiri, former President of the Senate of the Philippines, in the year marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. This visit not only served to deepen political and economic cooperation between the two countries, but also reinforced our commitment to friendship and mutual respect.
Today, when world politics is increasingly fraught with uncertainty, the cooperation between Hungary and the Philippines, which is based on solid foundations, is particularly valuable to all of us. Both nations know that the values of freedom, democracy and faith remain alive only if we nurture them in our everyday lives — in politics, in the economy, in culture and on the international stage alike.
I spoke of past sacrifices caused by political ideologies, but it is not only such ideologies that often cause us to undergo trials and tribulations; unfortunately, the forces of nature above us also often claim human lives. Please allow me to express my deepest condolences for those who lost their lives in the Cebu earthquake and to wish strength to their families, and to those who lost their homes in this natural disaster. Our thoughts and prayers are with them!
In the spirit of friendship and mutual support between our peoples, I hereby announce that, on behalf of the National Assembly of Hungary, we are donating five million forints and, through the Hungarian government's Hungary Helps Programme, we are providing five million forints in emergency humanitarian aid to those in need in Cebu. And beyond this the Catholic Church also supports those in need with five million HUF.
In closing, allow me to once again express my gratitude to everyone present, my compatriots, contributors, and friends, for allowing us to celebrate together today.
May God bless the Hungarian and Filipino peoples and give us wisdom, courage, and strength to build a common future!
Maraming salamat! Mabuhay!
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