30 October 2010, Tel Aviv – The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv launched the second round of Leadership workshop for the Filipino community leaders in Israel on 30 October 2010. iREMIT, an accredited remittance center of SSS, PAGIBIG and Philhealth based in Tel Aviv, sponsored the Embassy's project.

Forty two (42) Filipino Community leaders from the different organizations affiliated with the Federation of the Filipino Communities in Israel (FFCI), an umbrella organization whose membership currently totals to 37 organizations, attended the workshop

The workshop aims to further develop leadership skills and provide additional knowledge to Filipino workers which they would subsequently share to their members the lessons and skills they have learned from the workshop.

It also increases the participants' effectiveness as leaders and eventually help the Embassy in the the promotion of the plans, programmes and services of the Philippine government.

The training seminar was divided into three parts: outdoor activities; indoor activities in the form of lecture and group work; and a surprise simulation activities on social graces. The modules of the seminar include Financial Literacy, Cultural Awareness, Government Services, and Protocol and Social Graces. The mechanics of the workshops were carefully crafted to impart the importance of developing team work and confidence building.

According to Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia, who was the guest of honor during the simulation activity on Protocol and Social Graces, the introduction of the modules of the workshop was very timely. She noted in particular that the Financial Literacy module provides Filipinos in Israel with the adequate knowledge on how to properly handle not only the finances of the organization and but also personal finances.

The Ambassador noted that Filipinos are highly sought after worldwide especially in the field of providing professional caregiving services to the elderly. She emphasized that in Israel, Filipinos are well-loved and well protected by the Israel government. On this note, she encouraged Filipinos to be culturally sensitive and aware with the uniqueness of Jewish culture in order to establish harmonious relationship between the employee-employers.

The Ambassador congratulated all participants and encouraged them to help the Embassy in the promotion of Philippine culture, tourism, government services, among others. Assisted by the Labor and Cultural Attachés, Ambassador Garcia awarded Certificates of Completion to the partipants.

Vice Consul Ferdinand Flores, Cultural Attaché Chester Omaga-Diaz, Labor Attaché Merriam Cuasay, Welfare Officer Petrona Bergado, Consular Assistant Fatima Tabio, Protocol Officer Alvin L. Conchas III, Mr. Junnel Dassun of iREMIT, POLO/OWWA Administrative Assistants Dina Daquigan, Arnel Altarejos and Jerald de Sagun worked hand-in-hand as facilitators of the workshops.

Other Embassy Officials and Staff, Mr. Simi Salpeter, a devoted supporter and friend of the Embassy, Mr. Yossi Zarig and Mr. Yariv Fischer of Alpha Club-iREMIT, acted as guests during the simulation activities on social graces

The simulation activity was also an opportunity for the Embassy to award the Certificate of Appreciation issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Federation of the Filipino Communities in Israel (FFCI) for their "Sagip Kababayan", a relief operations of the Filipino community in Israel to aid the victims of Typhoon Ondoy in September 2009. At least 600 families in Pasig, Pangasinan, La Union and Baguio benefited from this charitable work. Ms. Minerva Villanueva, President of the FFCI during that time, received the award on behalf of the organization.

Filipino Community leaders commended the workshop and expressed appreciation for the Embassy's unwavering support to Filipinos in Israel. They added that they have learned many lessons which they can apply in managing their respective organizations.

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