HAIFA, 01 AUGUST 2024 – To commemorate President Manuel Quezon’s 146th birth anniversary (19 August) and 80th death anniversary (01 August), Ambassador Pedro R. Laylo, Jr. led members of the Filipino community in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Quezon Memorial in the northern Israeli city of Haifa.
The monument honors President Quezon’s compassionate act of providing refuge in the Philippines for 1300 Jews (later called Manilaners) fleeing the Holocaust in Europe. The street is also named after Manila, a sister city of Haifa.
Joining Ambassador Laylo and Mme. Carijane Laylo were the family of the late Mr. Carmel HaCohen, former Philippine Honorary Consul General in Haifa, who lobbied for the establishment of the monument and the naming of the street. With them was Ms. Janice Iawa, the Filipina caregiver who looked after Mr. HaCohen.
Also present were Mr. Danny Weissler, son of the late Manilaner Max Weissler; Mr. Shai Brovender, Philippine Honorary Consul in Haifa; Embassy personne; and Filipino community leaders and members based in the city.
After the ceremony, participants tied yellow ribbons at the monument to signify the Philippines’ solidarity with Israel’s hope to bring home the hostages still being held captive in Gaza.
The Embassy continues to undertake activities which raise awareness of Quezon’s legacy, such as a screening planned in Haifa of the film retelling their story, Quezon’s Game.
The saga of Quezon and the Manilaners brings pride, offers inspiration, and restores faith in humanity. More importantly, it manifests the innate goodness of Filipinos and their enduring malasakit (compassion) for others, according to Ambassador Laylo
Photos ; courtesy Embassy of The Republic of The Philippines to The State of Israel
Photos
The Quezon Monument in Manila Street, Haifa
Amb. Laylo, Embassy staff, Philippine Honorary Consul Shai Brovender, Filipino Community, family of the late Carmel Hacohen (ex Honorary Consul General of Philippines in Haifa), Danny Weissler (son of Holocaust sur
Amb. Laylo offering his wreath at the monument
Participants singing the national anthems of the Philippines and Israel
Amb. Laylo, Embassy staff, and the Filipino Community at the Manila Street sign
Amb. Laylo tying yellow ribbons at the Monument to honor the hostages still held captive (2)
Monument Marker
Street marker for the monument
