PH Embassy Celebrates Labor Day, Flores De Mayo in the Holy Land

Philippine Embassy officials, headed by Ambassador Neal Imperial, lead the members of the Filipino community during the parade.

TEL AVIV 10 May 2018 – Over 150 people, including representatives from the Tel Aviv city government and members of the local and religious community in Israel, gathered at the lush Hayarkon Park in northern Tel Aviv on 06 May for the Embassy's third annual joint celebration of Labor Day and Flores de Mayo. 20 Filipino community organizations participated in the Flores de Mayo parade, carrying flower arches and wearing costumes representing their respective regions.

The event, organized in partnership with the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and Overseas Workers' Welfare Office in Israel, served as the Embassy's salute to over 25,000 Filipino workers in Israel, on the occasion of Philippine Labor Day.

Ambassador Neal Imperial thanked the Filipino community and the Embassy's guests for joining the celebration, and took the opportunity to honor the contributions of Filipino workers to the country's development.

"Kami po ay nagpupugay sa manggagawang Pilipino, lalo na sa ating mga Overseas Filipino Workers na katuwang namin sa pagsulong ng pambansang kaunlaran," Ambassador Imperial affirmed.

In a nod to female workers, who make up more than half of the Filipino population in Israel, the ambassador explained that for the Embassy, the Flores de Mayo celebration is intended to honor the particular contributions of Filipino women and mothers to the country's development.

"Here in Israel, over seventy percent of our workers are women, some of whom have chosen to pursue overseas work to make sure that their family’s future is secure. Today, we honor them for their sacrifice, and for their love."

"Kayo ang tunay na lakas ng pagbabago,", Labor Attaché Cynthia Lamban told Filipino workers, reading from Labor Secretary Silvestre Q. Bello's message elaborating on the 2018 Labor Day theme, Pagpupugay sa Manggagawang Pilipino: Dangal ng lahi, kabalikat sa progresibong pagbabago!

The Filipino community concluded the celebrations with a potluck picnic along the banks of the Hayarkon River after the conclusion of the program. END

Ambassador Imperial welcomes the crowd to this year’s Labor Day and Flores de Mayo celebration.

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