12 April 2006, Tel Aviv - Philippine Ambassador to Tel Aviv Antonio C. Modena reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Filipinos in Israel launched on  2 April 2006 the Bayanihan sa Israel, a community project spearheaded by the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel (FFCI) and the Philippine Embassy, aimed at further strengthening the ties between the Filipino community and the Israelis through collaborative environmental and social projects or activities.

Ambassador Modena said this community project, which was conceptualized in one of the monthly meetings of the Filipino Community at the Embassy, began with the participation of  at least three hundred Filipinos in the Bayanihan sa Israel : Clean Tel Aviv drive held at the Tachana Merkazit or central bus terminal, an area where large concentrations of Filipinos meet during their rest days.

The Municipality of Tel Aviv, which supported the project, provided logistical support to the Filipinos who came in groups wearing identifying yellow and black shirts. They rounded the area and cleaned the sidewalks and parks in a show of solidarity with the Israelis as they prepared for the celebration of Passover or Pessach.

Ambassador Modena explained that the Passover or Pessach, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, is one of the most important Jewish holidays and is widely celebrated in Israel. Israelis clean their homes in preparation for the Passover, which signifies purity and divinity. Honoring this tradition, the Filipino Community came up with this project to show their oneness with the Israelis on this tradition.

Despite the bad weather, the Philippine Embassy staff joined the community in this Bayanihan sa Israel : Clean Tel Aviv drive that reaped praises from Israelis.   The Ambassador informed the Department that comments from Israelis such us "God bless you for doing this", "you are a wonderful people " or simply "thank you, thank you very much" were repeatedly heard as the group completed their three-hour clean-up drive.

Ambassador Modena echoed Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai's admiration and praises for the Filipino Community for their initiative.  The Ambassador said that the Filipinos have once again proved that, "we are more than just workers. We are also part of the family". He encouraged the Filipino Community to come up with other projects that could be remembered by the Israelis and "we, as Filipinos, could be proud of.”

The Municipality of Tel Aviv, overwhelmed by the gesture of the Filipino community, called the project brilliant and immediately responded by mobilizing its people to work with the Filipinos in the project."  This project is more than the cleaning," said Mr. Arie Shommer, First Deputy to the Mayor of Tel Aviv," it is more on the solidarity which is unprecedented among other communities in Israel".  Mr. Shommer was assigned by the mayor to oversee the project.

The success of Bayanihan sa lsrael : Clean Tel Aviv and the suggestion of the Municipality of Tel Aviv prompted the Filipino Community and the Philippine Embassy to schedule Bayanihan sa Israel: Makulay na Paaralan on 30 April 2006. The Filipino Community together with Israeli volunteer groups and students will paint one of the elementary schools in Tel Aviv where most of the children of immigrants hold their classes. END
 
 

/bjg