The Nacionalista Party (NP) has the distinction of being the most enduring political party not only in the Philippines but also in Asia. This April 2005, it celebrates its 98th founding anniversary with an honor roll of producing six Philippine Presidents as well as a stellar cast of congressmen and senators. At its birth, the Nacionalistas fought for independence from colonial rule through peaceful means. The venerable Claro M. Recto provided the clear vision of what a nation should be at a time when certain sectors were agitating for being simply a federal state.