GOVPH
MENU

PH Embassy in Tel Aviv Celebrates Philippine Independence Day Event

A person standing at a podiumDescription automatically generated

Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro R. Laylo, Jr., praised the Filipino 07 October survivors and offered their courage, resilience, and strength of character as traits worthy of emulation during his opening remarks. (Tel Aviv PE photo)

TEL AVIV 19 JUNE 2024 – The Philippine Embassy and the Filipino community (FilCom) in Israel gathered to pay tribute to Filipino survivors of the 07 October attacks during the celebration of the 126th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence in Tel Aviv on 12 June 2024.

Leading the honored guests was Noralin Babadilla, one of the two Filipino hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during their rampage in southern Israel last year. Ms. Babadilla said Independence Day holds more meaning following her freedom from 53 days of captivity and deprivation in Gaza. 

Also present was Mary June Prodigo, sister of Grace Cabrera, one of four Filipinos murdered by Hamas during the attack; Joey Pagsolingan and Monica Biboso, who were both hurt and later rescued from their kibbutz; and Imelda Garin and Rico Basilio, parents of Sgt. Cydrick Garin, the IDF soldier of Filipino descent who died in Gaza. 

The Tel Aviv event is the second in a series of low-key celebrations held in lieu of an evening diplomatic reception. An earlier event was held in Nazareth, while the third is scheduled in Jerusalem on 16 June. The regionalized gatherings are meant to reach Filipinos living far from the center. This approach also allows the Embassy to visit these communities and personally thank them for their valuable cooperation during this war. 

Around 250 FilCom members, agricultural (Agrostudies) trainees, Filipino priests and nuns, and other religious leaders, as well as private sector partners trooped to Tel Aviv’s Beit Barbour Community Center for the June 12 occasion. 

In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro R. Laylo, Jr., praised the Filipino 07 October survivors and offered their courage, resilience, and strength of character as traits worthy of emulation. He also thanked the FilCom leaders for their help during the outbreak of the war, such as helping gather information on affected Filipinos, opening their homes as shelters, and assisting the Embassy in distributing emergency relief. 

Drawing parallels with Filipino heroes who fought for Philippine independence, Ambassador Laylo lauded the modern-day heroism of FilCom members. “Across Israel, countless Filipinos displayed heroism during the early days of the war. Many of you rose up to volunteer and displayed bayanihan and malasakit as you extended help to our affected kababayan” the Ambassador said. 

The program also featured performances of Manobo and Tausug dances as well as OPM songs. The event closed with a traditional lunch salu-salo of Pinoy favorites such as bistek Tagalog, pork barbecue, pansit molo, manggang hilaw at bagoong, and buko salad. END 

A person saluting at a podiumDescription automatically generated

Philippine Ambassador to Israel Pedro R. Laylo, Jr., during the flag-raising. (Tel Aviv PE photo)

A person singing into a microphoneDescription automatically generatedA person in a red dress dancing on a stageDescription automatically generated

A group of women dancingDescription automatically generatedA group of women wearing traditional clothingDescription automatically generated

The celebration features performances of Manobo and Tausug dances as well as OPM songs. (Tel Aviv PE photos)

A group of people in a roomDescription automatically generated

For more information, visit https://www.telavivpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.org.il, https://www.facebook.com/PHinIsrael/, or https://twitter.com/PHinIsrael.