The Embassy of Israel in Manila, in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), recently honored in a commemorative rite the Filipino and Israeli lives that perished in the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.
With the theme “Three Years of Resilience Despite the Loss,” the event led by Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh brought together victims’ families, survivors, and Philippine government officials for a candle-lighting ceremony, a photo exhibit honoring the Filipino victims, including the hearing of survivors’ horrifying accounts.
Expressing her solidarity with the bereaved families, Ambassador Kursh said, “We will be standing together in times of sorrow, in hugging those eight families, and God willing, in times of many celebrations and times of peace in Israel.”
Four Filipino nationals, Paul Vincent Castelvi, Loreta Alacre, Angelyn Aguirre, and Grace Cabrera, were killed in the October 7 attacks. Four others, Cydrick Garin, Leah Mosquera, Mary Ann de Vera, and Lucille Jean Gershovich, later lost their lives amid the continuing conflict.
Also recognized during the ceremony were Filipino survivors Camille Jesalva, who protected the elderly woman under her care during the attacks, and Jimmy Pacheco and Noralyn Babadilla, who were taken hostage but later released.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan noted the Philippine government is committed to assisting the victims’ families and protecting the welfare of Filipino workers in Israel. They also stressed the importance of continued coordination between the two governments.Â
In closing, Ambassador Kursh reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to supporting the affected Filipino families in coordination with the DMW and OWWA. She also recognized the contributions of Filipino workers to Israeli society and the close ties between the Philippines and Israel.
