The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines and the Department of Education (DepEd) partnered recently for the annual commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila.
“Holocaust remembrance is not just about looking back; it is a commitment to confronting hatred, denial, and distortion. The fight against antisemitism continues today, and we must be unwavering in our resolve to fight it, including through education,” Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss stressed.
“Antisemitism, the hatred that fueled the Holocaust, continues to rise globally, including in the Philippines and is alarming. We cannot simply watch as this hateful ideology spreads,” he added.
Under the leadership of Secretary Sonny Angara, DepEd committed to an ongoing Holocaust remembrance in its facilities.
“Today’s commemoration is not just about remembering the past, it’s about reaffirming our commitment to an education that will help our youth reject hate, embrace diversity, and work to create a future where unity triumphs over division,” DepEd Usec. Gina Ong said.
Mr. Gabriel Quezon-Avanceña represented the Quezon family and narrated the humanitarian act of his late great grandfather President Manuel L. Quezon who opened the doors of the Philippines to approximately 1,300 Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi regime.
The commemorative event also featured a photo exhibit and highlighted the lighting of six candles representing the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust.
Aside from Fluss, Ong, and Avanceña, the candles were lit by German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke, Jewish Community in the Philippines President Salito Malca, and DepEd student representative Rhian May Gonzales. Also in attendance were representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, local government unit of Manila, Jewish and other diplomatic communities, including DepEd teachers and students.
The United Nations General Assembly designated every January 27 as the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Holocaust saw one-third of the Jewish population wiped out.
