Last November 27, I was invited to join the outreach of the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines in Manila. I was honored to receive the following prior to the event:
EMBASSY OF ISRAEL MANILA
PRESS RELEASE
שגרירות ישראל שגרירות ישראל
מנילה, פיליפינים מנילה, פיליפינים
The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, in cooperation with the Jewish Association of the Philippines and the City of Manila, will visit the Sta. Ana Elementary School for an outreach event.
A story-telling session and gift-giving program will be held together with the teachers and kindergarten pupils of the Etz Ha-Haim from the Jewish synagogue. The Jewish Association of the Philippines will also donate books for the school as an early Christmas gift.
Sta. Ana Elementary School was specifically chosen because of Angela Briana Alforque, a five-year-old Filipina, who showed her love for Israel by dressing as Miss Israel during the United Nations Day celebration in Manila. She chose to dress as Miss Israel following the crowning of Israel’s Noy Ben Artzi as Miss Congeniality at the Miss Asia-Pacific International pageant in the Philippines on October 9.
This was my second time to be a invited by the Embassy. The first one was during the opening of the Common Ground art exhibit at UP Diliman. I was eager to be a part of this event as I also love volunteering. It was a perfect opportunity to merge my advocacy and friendships in the diplomatic corps.
The theme of the event was Israel and Manila: Reaching Out to Strengthen Relationship, and I saw firsthand how it was implemented. Students from both Israel and Manila were able to interact with each other when they had the storytelling session. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and I know that this is just the beginning of this relationship.
This may have been touted as an early Christmas offering, but I know that this initiative will spark a cultural exchange that will last beyond the holidays.
It is important to continue to strengthening relations between Israel and the Philippines. The two countries have common faith origins and values such as hospitality and friendliness. To start the cultural exchange with the children will instill in them the power of acceptance and inclusion. This will then bring forth a lifelong passion for openness.
To end this article, Amb. Rafael Harpaz has mentioned that this gift-giving is simply a celebration of the long history of the close relations between Israel and Manila. Israel and the Philippines have a government to government agreement to accept overseas workers with no placement fees, which he greatly appreciates. This gathering which started with Angela’s costume as Miss Israel has really touched him and he hopes that Israel will be a part of more cultural exchanges between the two countries.
It was an honor to be a part of this day, and I hope to witness more exchanges between Israel and the Philippines.
