A century ago, a group of young Filipino leaders gathered together to face insurmountable odds to unite the country to freedom from the clutches of its colonizers.  Guided with the burning desire to achieve “immediate, absolute and complete independence through peaceful means”, renowned political leaders Sergio Osmeña, Manuel L. Quezon, Rafael Palma, Leon Ma Guerrero and others formed the Nacionalista Party (NP).

One hundred years later, the Nacionalista Party, under the leadership of Senate President Manny Villar, continues with its mission to unify Filipinos, now against the oppressive clutches of poverty and inequality. 

“Despite efforts of our previous leaders to address the problem, poverty continues to persist.  What we need is an entirely different approach that would provide a lasting solution to the problem,” Senate President Villar said.  “It is the new challenge that we, Nacionalistas, face as we honor the ideals of our founding fathers on the occasion of our 100th anniversary.” 

To mark the significant occasion, the Nacionalista Party launched the book entitled “Building the Nation: First 100 Years, Nacionalista Party 1907-2007.”  The book, authored by Carmelo and Joyce Crisanto, explores the early days of the organization to the present; how the Party flourished and struggled through the days of glory and trials of the Filipino people in building the nation in the last century.  

“It tells us a story of how the past Party Presidents—Sergio Osmeña, Manuel L. Quezon, Jose Yulo, Eulogio ‘Amang’ Rodriguez, Sr., Gil J. Puyat, Jose B. Laurel, Jr., Salvador ‘Doy’ Laurel  navigated through the colonial, neo-colonial, and independent stages of the country producing, in the process, six Philippine Presidents,” Villar said.

The launch was held at the Philippine International Convention Center last 28 November 2007 where Nacionalistas from past and present generations attended. 

The event also marks the launch of NP’s Centennial Gift of “P100,000 for Individuals or Organizations who want to Build a Business to Serve the Community” project. The brainchild of Senate President Villar, the initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship as a way to combat poverty in the country. 

Through the Sipag at Tiyaga Livelihood Caravan, Filipinos from all over the archipelago will be provided with livelihood and skills training.  Those who excel in their respective fields will then be provided with a gift of P100,000 to help them in their own businesses. 

A successful businessman prior his entry to politics, Villar hopes that the project will produce the next breed of entrepreneurs that would lead the country to economic recovery.  “A nation of entrepreneurs will have a winning chance in the economic arena of the world,” Villar said.

Likewise, Villar hopes that the book will serve its purpose as an inspiration and guidebook for future political leaders.  He encouraged them to follow the lead of the Nacionalista leaders, keeping in mind their responsibility as public servants and practitioners of change.

“As public servants, we should keep in mind our motto- “Ang Bayan Higit Sa Lahat” (The Nation Above All Else) as we go along with our responsibility to provide a better future for our people,” Senate President Villar said

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