17 December 2004 – The Philippines waved its flag high during the recently concluded Asiabiz 2004 organized by Israel College of Management Academic Studies on 10-16 November 2004 in Rishon LeZion, Israel.

In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Ambassador to Tel Aviv Antonio C. Modena said Vice President Noli l De Castro graced the “Philippine Day”, a Philippine Trade Tourism and Cultural roadshow, organized by the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv on 14 November 2004, in connection with Israel’s Asiabiz 2004.

The Vice President congratulated Ambassador Modena, the Philippine Embassy personnel and the members of the Filipino Community in Israel for the success of the “barrio fiesta”, which attracted over 5,000 visitors.   The event was covered by the Israeli Press, which featured a brief interview with the Vice President in the afternoon news and the Philippine show in the evening news of Israel channel 3.

Originally intended for a two-hour promotion, the Philippines was the only country among the nine participating countries (which include Indonesia, Thailand, India, Japan, China, Australia and Taiwan) that was given the privilege to hold a one-day promotion by the organizers upon the request of the Embassy.

Spectators were treated to day-long performances of Philippine dances by the members of the Filipino community in Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv.  An Israeli group amazed everyone with their demonstration of skill with the Philippine martial art “Arnis”, while Filipino doctor Isagani Leal introduced traditional herbal medicine and acupuncture to a curious Israeli audience.

The Israeli audience also admired the display of traditional Philippine costumes, the exhibit of master painter Emmanuel Garibay and the display of Philippine furniture. Tourism inquiries multiplied as posters provided by the Department of Tourism filled the campus.

Visitors and businessmen flocked to the Philippine product display to get a taste of Filipino products such as halo-halo, coco jam, dried fruits, banana chips and other Filipino foodstuffs. The Embassy hopes that the interest shown by the Israeli public to Philippine products could be a signal of a possible market for these products in Israel.  Companies in the Philippines sent these products with the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry.

The  week-long  Asiabiz 2004  culminated  with the  business  forum on  16 November 2004,  with  was  attended  by  some  250 businessmen from Israel and other countries. Ambassador Modena headed the Philippine presentation. After the forum, several businessmen approached the Ambassador for inquiries about different business opportunities in the Philippines. END
 
 

/jay