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Monday, 30th January 2023



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Message from Lopez

Heritage and Love of Country

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One of the Lopez Values we hold dear has to do with nationalism or love of country. We have shown our practical adherence to the value in the way we always strive to serve the Filipino everyday in our corporate operations.
We also show love of country through symbolic ways… like how we respect our flag… how we honor our heroes who have sacrificed their lives so that we may all live in freedom. Love of country also means loving ournational heritage… the things from the past that mingle with the present to make us what we are as the Filipino people today.

In my three years now as our country’s Ambassador to Japan, I have been given the rare honor of seeing and participating in a variety of activities that honor our heritage and show our love of country. There were things past administrations did that we have been able to rectify, to put things right, to honor our past.

Before I assumed my post, there was an online petition to protect the Philippine patrimonial properties in Japan because of unfortunate decisions made during the time of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. On the face of it, the Philippine properties were bidded out purportedly for improvements. But the process was done in secret in Japan, with reports of brokers making illicit commissions. Filipinos in Japan campaigned against the sale as they insisted “the historical value of the properties be preserved for the generations to come.”

I knew what I had to do and led the efforts to preserve our national patrimony. In June of 2013, we realized an almost impossible feat by recovering a plum of a property in Nanpeidai, Shibuya district, the former Philippine embassy chancery that was “sold” by the past administration. Concerned Filipinos called the disposition of the property by the Arroyo administration a sale of Philippine patrimony paid for by the blood of Filipinos who died during WW2.

It took several years of litigation before we recovered the Nampedai property in Shibuya. It helped a lot that Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza came on board and helped the cause with our local court whose decision became the basis of the decision of the Japanese court. Last June 1, 2013, the Philippine flag was raised again after 7 years and many of the staff who had worked there before shed tears while singingour national anthem.

Last March 3, we celebrated another victory. A historical marker was unveiled at the Official Residence of the Philippine Ambassador to Japan in Tokyo’s central Chiyoda ward, making it the latest addition to the national registry of Philippine historic sites and structures today. Not too long ago, the past administration tried to sell the property and even practically abandoned the residence in a sorry state until I arrived and worked on its rehabilitation.

Located within a 4,500-square meter property of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Iberian-style residence was first built in 1934 by the family of the prominent businessman Baron Zenjiro Yasuda, whose descendants include the international artist Ms. Yoko Ono.

On March 31, 1944, then President Jose P. Laurel purchased the property for the Philippine Government. In succeeding years, the Kudan – as the residence is also referred to on account of its location near the Kudanzaka hilltop — became both the official home in Tokyo of Philippine Ambassadors to Japan, and a central venue for the conduct of Philippine diplomacy and cultural promotion.

The Kudan is now the first and so far only officially-designated Philippine national historical landmark outside of the country. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines in the resolution declaring the Kudan a National Historic Landmark also urged “the national governmentto retain, protect and preserve the site as part of the national patrimony.”

As I said in my speech during the unveiling ceremonies, the Kudan is the crown jewel of the Philippine Foreign Service, and we should preserve this important part of our diplomatic legacy and national patrimony.

Indeed, this is a happy culmination of a long fight undertaken by concerned Filipino citizens who opposed previous attempts to dispose and privatize the property. There are simply some things that are beyond a commercial price tag. I am proud of my role in helping recover these properties.

In the course of our careers, we will be tested to show our love of country. Doing what is right, what honors our heroes and accomplishments as a nation is expected of us whatever the circumstances might be. Love of country is always… priceless!

MANUEL M. LOPEZ
Philippine Ambassador to Japan

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Archive

  • ► 2022
    • ► December
      • • Let’s help one another heal
      • • Building a resilient Philippines
      • • Our hope this Christmas
      • • Remembrance, reflection, gratitude
  • ► 2021
    • ► December
      • • Honoring the reason for Christmas
      • • Prosperity for all
      • • A time of cheer
      • • Making Christmas memorable
  • ► 2020
    • ► December
      • • Humanity at its finest
      • • Moving forward in a new world
      • • Hope for better days
      • • Stewardship and fidelity
  • ► 2019
    • ► December
      • • The truest treasure
      • • Continuing our great work
      • • The gift of life
      • • Seeking peace
      • • Perfectly united
  • ► 2018
    • ► December
      • • Let’s help keep the lights on
      • • Family is our place of love
      • • Spreading Christmas cheer
      • • Renewing family ties
    • ► March
      • • Keeping the lights on in the transition to an all-renewable future
  • ► 2017
    • ► December
      • • Together we have stepped up
      • • A year of rebirth and gratitude
      • • Looking forward, looking back
  • ► 2016
    • ► December
      • • Choosing to be powered by good
      • • Our mission remains the same
      • • Remember God’s love
      • • Changing with the changing times
      • • Each Christmas is a new opportunity
    • ► June
      • • Keynote Remarks of First Philippine Holdings chairman and CEO Federico R. Lopez at the 3rd Annual Summit of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines on June 17, 2016
      • • Keynote Remarks of Lopez Holdings chairman emeritus Oscar M. Lopez at the 3rd Annual Summit of the Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines on June 17, 2016
  • ► 2015
    • ► December
      • • Continue to push the boundaries
      • • We cannot lose hope in the Filipino
      • • Let us count our blessings every day
      • • Thank you for a remarkable year
      • • The wonders of Christmas
    • ► October
      • • Remarks of Chairman Emeritus Oscar M. Lopez, on the Lopez Achievement Awards 2014 held at Studio 10, ABS-CBN Compound on October 15, 2015
      • • Remarks of Federico R. Lopez at the 2014 Lopez Achievement Awards Ceremony held at ABSCBN Studio 10 on October 15, 2015
    • ► July
      • • For love of country, we are prepared to take action to make it better
    • ► May
      • • Remarks of Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez, Chairman and CEO of Lopez Holdings Corporation, at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting held at Power Plant Mall Cinema, Rockwell Center, Makati City
      • • Remarks of Federico R. Lopez, Chairman and CEO, at First Gen Annual Stockholders Meeting on May 13, 2015
      • • Remarks of Federico R. Lopez at the Annual Stockholders' Meeting of Energy Development Corporation on May 5, 2015
      • • Oscar M. Lopez: even at 85, there are worlds left to conquer
    • ► April
      • • The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name
      • • Oscar M. Lopez on Longevity and Success
    • ► March
      • • Remarks of Lopez Group Chairman Emeritus Oscar M. Lopez at the 2012 Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines and Conferment of the degree of Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa
    • ► February
      • • Excellence is a Habit
    • ► January
      • • Towards A New Year of Promise
  • ► 2014
    • ► December
      • • Christmas is a time for gratitude
      • • Christmas message from Eugenio Lopez III
      • • Christmas message from Federico R. Lopez III
      • • Christmas message from Presentacion L. Psinakis
      • • Christmas message from Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez
      • • Christmas message from Oscar M. Lopez
    • ► October
      • • The Parley between Lopez and Marcos
      • • Why Choose Philippines?
      • • When War Escalates to Devastating Results
      • • The Inevitable Decline: Did Marcos Finally Go Too Far?
      • • Mayhem in Malacañang: Find Out What Caused Eñing’s Massive Fit
      • • The Yolanda Hero and the Unsung Hero
    • ► September
      • • Igniting the fallout: The unbelievable tactic President Marcos enforced
      • • Inspirational Remarks by Lopez Group Chairman Emeritus Oscar M. Lopez on the occasion of the Lopez Achievement Awards Ceremonies held at ABS-CBN Studio 10 on September 24, 2014
      • • A fork in the road: When two brilliant forces arrive at a point of dissent
      • • Discover what happened when a national problem took a turn for the worst
      • • Guess who came to the Nationalista victory party
      • • Don Eñing fights his greatest battle
    • ► August
      • • Remembering Ninoy this August 21
    • ► July
      • • CSR Challenges to Corporations
      • • Lessons from Typhoon Yolanda
      • • The exciting conclusion to the most epic chapter of the 100-year history of the Lopez Group (page 8)
      • • Lopez Values: a powerful rival makes an unforeseen move
      • • Remarks of Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez, Lopez Group Chairman at the Lopez Service Awards Night on July 2, 2014
      • • Just as Macapagal goes in for the kill, the chink in his armor is revealed
    • ► June
      • • From Bridges to Betrayal: the Lopez-Macapagal battle takes on another surprising twist
      • • Just When Macapagal Thought Victory Was His For The Taking…A Surprise Move from the Lopez Camp!
      • • Celebrating the Filipino Identity
      • • Chaos Warfare: Find out what brilliant tactic Don Eñing used to beat Macapagal at his own game
      • • Don Eñing lost BISCOM to Macapagal but What He Did Next Will Amaze You
    • ► May
      • • Defeating the Enemy with the Power of Unity and Trust
      • • Let’s celebrate something GOOD!
    • ► April
      • • The Start of an Alliance. Read page 8 of Underestimated webcomics
      • • Summer Break
    • ► March
      • • Facing a New Vendetta: Page 7 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • A Bitter Demise: Page 6 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • An Iroclad Approach: Page 5 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • The adversary strikes back. Read page 4 of Underestimated webcomics
      • • Heritage and Love of Country
      • • What happens to Montilla in the Battle of Biscom?: Page 3 of Underestimated Webcomics
    • ► February
      • • How far have we come since EDSA 86 People Power?
      • • Outsmarting the Foe: Page 2 of Underestimated Webcomics
      • • Hope for the Laborers’ Plight: Page 1 of Underestimated Web Comics
    • ► January
      • • Resilient and Unsinkable: Why the Lopez Spirit Is Never Underestimated
  • ► 2013
    • ► December
      • • This season, Selflessness is more than possible
    • ► September
      • • To Fly and Fly Again comic series
      • • A Letter from Oscar M. Lopez
    • ► July
      • • Eugenio at Heart series
      • • A Lifetime of Excellence
    • ► June
      • • Independence and Nationalistic Pride
    • ► May
      • • Happy Mothers’ Day to everyone
    • ► March
      • • Pope Francis of the Poor and Lent
    • ► February
      • • Remembering the Spirit of EDSA
      • • Chinese New Year
  • ► 2012
    • ► December
      • • The Hope for Unity: The Winning Entries to the “What Do You Want This Christmas” Lopez Values Stars Facebook Contest
    • ► November
      • • What do you want this Christmas?
    • ► October
      • • LAA: Setting Ourselves Apart
      • • EDC and Claudio Bravo
      • • OML on Senator Juan Ponce Enrile’s Memoir
    • ► September
      • • In Pursuit of Education and Social Justice
    • ► July
      • • It’s Good to Go Green!
    • ► June
      • • Winners of the Nationalism Essay Contest
      • • Nationalism in the Workplace
      • • Nationalism and the Lopez Group Employee
      • • How can we express nationalism in our everyday work?
      • • Ang Pagiging Makabayan
      • • We now have our own Facebook page!
      • • Back-to-school this June
    • ► May
      • • Ready, Set, Succeed: OML’s Take on Life
    • ► April
      • • It’s More Fun to Choose Philippines
    • ► March
      • • How can we express our nationalism today in our everyday work?
    • ► February
      • • Dragon Energy
  • ► 2011
    • ► December
      • • This Season is the Best Time to Give Thanks
    • ► November
      • • A Whole New World
      • • Giving Voice to Lopez Values
    • ► October
      • • Serving the Kapamilya
    • ► September
      • • Social Responsibility
    • ► July
      • • Eugenio Lopez on his 110th Birth Anniversary
    • ► June
      • • Rizal the Sportsman and our Palaro
      • • It Is Never Too Late To Try Something New
    • ► May
      • • Giving Back
    • ► April
      • • Why Do I Climb Mountains?
      • • Lent at 81
      • • Creating Trust
      • • Getting Ready for the Big One
    • ► March
      • • Aligning the Values
      • • Unity in Tragedy
      • • Remembering the “Ides of March”
      • • Our Values Unite Us
    • ► February
      • • Love for Country
      • • Eyes on the Prize
      • • Happy Valentine’s, Kapamilya!
      • • Kung Hei Fat Choi!
    • ► January
      • • Are You A Lopez Values Superstar?
      • • Happy New Year, Kapamilya!
  • ► 2010
    • ► December
      • • Happy Holidays!
  • ► 0000
    • ►
      • • To survive and not despair

Web Comics

Enemy of My Enemy (Part 2)
Enemy of My Enemy (Part 2)
Enemy of My Enemy (Part 1)
Enemy of My Enemy (Part 1)
Underestimated
Underestimated
To Fly and Fly Again
To Fly and Fly Again

Under Estimated

 

Man in the Frame

 

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