08 November 2007—The Organizing Committee for the Celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Philippines and Israel and municipal officials as well as engineers of  Rishon LeZion inspect the site of  the Doors” monument at the Holocaust Memorial Park.  “Open Doors” is  the first Philippine monument in Israel recognizing the humanitarian deeds of the Philippines  in saving the lives of Jews escaping the Holocaust in 1939.   Chargé d’Affaires Gilberto G.B. Asuque (in long sleeves barong) discusses with municipal officials led by Amb. Itzak Oren (3^rd L, top photos), Director of the Rishon LeZion Foundation, and the construction engineers the plans  for the  concrete base for the monument and the texts of the plaque describing the monument and plaque for the list of donors. The site being inspected by the group is the area cleared of grass wherein the monument base of 11 meters by 9.10 meters would be built in November 2007 by the Municipality of Rishon LeZion. The Municipality plans to add a small ampitheater in front of the monument that could accommodate at least 100 persons and where future Filipino cultural activities could be held. (Embassy photo)

/Gary