I wish to express my gratitude to the Rockefeller Brothers and to the members of the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation for this signal honor they have bestowed upon the Philippines and me.

I would be remiss if I do not mention here that the revival of our folk dances and music which we now enjoy and are proud to present, was largely due to the initiative and interest of Dr. Jorge Bocobo, then President of the University of the Philippines.

May our youth to whom Rizal referred as the "hope of our fatherland" nurture in their hearts a dedication to propagate and preserve this rich heritage. May they, too, in the example set by our beloved late President Ramon Magsaysay seek, like him, the welfare of our people.