ARTICLE WRITTEN BY MR. DAVID HERMAN ON NICK ESPLANA, A FILIPINO CAREGIVER

16 July 2008 – The Philippine Embassy in Tel-Aviv forwarded to the department a copy of the following article written by Mr. David Herman, an Israeli national, who was touched by the love and devotion of the late Nick Esplana, a Filipino caregiver, to his employer Mr. Efi Rimon, an Israeli Jewish handicapped man.

Mr. Herman described how the late Nick Esplana helped Mr. Rimon flourish in many ways and enjoy an independent existence in some ways.

Mr. Herman’s article serves as a sterling example of the positive impact of the Filipino caregivers to the Israeli community.  The Filipinos’ selfless devotion to the elderly and the sick Israelis touches not only the lives of their patients but also their patients’ families and friends. END

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"I LOVE YOU, NICK!"

By David Herman

"Nick! Nick!" Efi calls out to his devoted Filipino carer in the next room. Day after day, for nine years Nick has answered Efi's call to attend to his every requirement. But this time Nick doesn't answer. Nick is not in Efi's Katamon sheltered apartment. Nick is lying dead from liver cancer in his home in Manila prior to burial.

But this is not only the tragedy of Nick Esplana, the devoted and reliable carer who gave content and meaning to the life of the totally handicapped young man Efi Rimon in his wheelchair, and made his life, such as it is, bearable and challenging. This is also the tragedy of Efi for whom Nick became like a son and father combined, and for whom Nick's sudden illness, departure and death constitute a tragedy of unimaginable proportions, because, as Efi so often told me: "I love Nick."

When the illness struck Nick a few months ago, Efi, who can move only one finger, but whose mind is more nimble and smarter than most people's, found the money to help Nick travel back to Manila for urgent treatment. But it was already too late. Before he could have the life-saving operation, Nick passed way leaving Efi grieving and bereft During Nick's illness he was even looking for ways to fly to his hospital bedside to comfort him - the totally handicapped young man to comfort and encourage his carer! He told me many times during our conversations, with tears in his croaky voice, that he had promised Nick that when Nick was well again he would immediately reemploy him as his carer.

Nick was a fine-looking, athletic, musical, bright, hard working carer, a true role model, with the finest Catholic Christian ethos, and his work was not the easiest, because Efi is totally handicapped from birth and despite his unusually strong independent spirit, requires a lot of attention.

Under Nick's special care Efi flourished in many ways. He became very adept in the use of the phone and cellphone, he loved to listen to music CD's and to watch the films of Van Dam and Clint Eastwood, he kept his room and papers in tip-top order and he learnt to use the fax and dictated many letters concerning himself and Nick to the various social authorities and government ministries. He let nothing stand in his way. He stoutly and successfully defended Nick from any attempt to send him back to the Philippines, because for him Nick was a true passport to life, in those nine years Efi managed to write three or more books about himself and his feelings, and the love of his life, a beautiful handicapped Arab girl who sadly did not return his affections; and also to go on several memorable trips abroad.

I first got to know Efi Rimon when he was still in the Ilan home for the handicapped in Gilo, and I saw his determination and resolve to achieve a more independent existence in his own sheltered apartment which is where Nick entered his life. I too learned to admire Nick Esplana, and through him all the wonderful, selfless, devoted Filipinos and Filipinas who give so much to our elderly and handicapped members of society, just as Nick Esplana in his modest way gave so much to Efi Rimon until a cruel disease and death took Nick away from the one who needed him most. But the seed of love that Nick Esplana planted in Israel in the heart and soul of a young physically challenged Israeli Jewish man will never wither and will remain a deeply moving memorial and example for all time.

David Herman, July 10, 2008. Tel: 02-6536764, email: davidherauut@013.net

PISU & wingret