The Philippines Yesterday and Today: From A Speech Delivered in Tokyo on September 13, 1963

Introduction
"The Philippines Yesterday and Today" is a speech provided in Tokyo on September 13, 1963 by Diosdado Macapagal, the ninth President of the Philippines. The speech provides insights into the nation's historical and political trajectory, focusing on the challenges that the Philippines faced during the early 20th century, its mission for nationhood, and the progress it made post-independence in terms of financial and political development.

Historical Background
In his speech, Macapagal provides a historical summary of the Philippines, noting that the nation was under colonial guideline by various powers for over 4 centuries. First colonized by Spain in the 16th century, the Philippines experienced a short interlude of British guideline in the 18th century prior to finally succumbing to American control following the Spanish-American War of 1898. According to Macapagal, these colonial experiences formed the nation's political, economic, and social structures, frequently to its hinderance.

Struggles for Independence
Macapagal highlights the numerous has a hard time the Filipino people dealt with in their fight for independence. In spite of overt and concealed efforts to keep order and reduce dissent, revolution broke out against Spanish rule in the late 19th century under the management of nationwide hero Dr. Jose Rizal. The revolution eventually caused the pronouncement of the Philippine Republic in 1898, although this proved temporary following the American triumph over Spain.

The Philippines then ended up being an US territory and began a brand-new stage in its battle for self-determination. Riding the wave of growing nationalist belief, Filipino leaders lobbied for higher autonomy and eventual independence. Macapagal explains that regardless of preliminary resistance, US authorities slowly approved the Philippines increased political autonomy through the succeeding passage of the Jones Act in 1916, the Tydings-McDuffie Act in 1934, and the inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth in 1935.

World War II and Post-War Developments
The Second World War marked a tumultuous period in Philippine history, with the Japanese intrusion and profession of the archipelago. Macapagal praises the durability and guts of the Filipino people in their resistance against the Japanese forces and their eventual freedom by US forces.

Following the war, the Philippines was eventually given independence on July 4, 1946, as promised under the regards to the Tydings-McDuffie Act. With newly found autonomy, the nation started the procedure of nation-building, concentrating on the repair of democratic organizations and stimulating economic advancement.

Economic and Political Progress
In his speech, Macapagal describes the efforts made by post-independence Philippine federal governments to resolve the socio-economic difficulties facing the young nation. These efforts included agrarian reforms to address the predicament of small farmers, labor legislation to foster social justice, and an increase in spending on education and social services to raise living requirements.

Moreover, the Philippines made considerable strides in terms of local and worldwide diplomacy, ending up being an establishing member of crucial international organizations such as the United Nations and the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization. Macapagal praises these policy decisions as reflecting the will and aspirations of the Filipino people to chart their own fate in a rapidly changing world.

Conclusion
In his speech, Diosdado Macapagal offers an engaging account of the Philippines' journey from colonial subjugation to independent nationhood. By detailing the historic and political difficulties the country dealt with, Macapagal highlights how the experiences of the other day shaped the Philippines of today. As the nation progressed in the 20th century, his vision for a more flourishing, peaceful, and democratic Philippines remained a long-lasting goal for future generations.