President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.delivered his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona), addressing racist attacks against Filipinos and reaffirming the nation's dignity.

He emphasized that Filipinos are a 'noble, kind, gracious, and great race' and would not yield to external threats, particularly in the context of tensions with China over the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Marcos referenced the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling, which affirmed the Philippines' exclusive rights to the WPS and rejected China's nine-dash line claim.

He vowed to uphold the PCA award through peaceful and legal means, stating that the ruling is a 'definite benchmark' for interpreting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).The speech also highlighted the bravery of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and fisherfolk in protecting the country's territory.

Recent incidents, including a Chinese Coast Guard assault on a Philippine Navy officer at Ayungin Shoal and a racist video depicting Filipinos as monkeys, underscored the ongoing geopolitical tensions.Marcos urged unity against external threats, asserting that Filipinos would not be conquered despite challenges from within and outside the country.