The Philippine Embassy in the State of Israel led the members of the Filipino community in its annual celebration of Labor Day and Flores de Mayo 2017 on 30 April 2017 at Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv.

The Philippine Embassy in Israel leads the procession of Filipino community groups and their colorful floral arches during the Flores de Mayo.  Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial is accompanied by other Embassy officials and children of Embassy personnel.

This year’s celebration was attended by about 250 people and participated in by 22 Filipino community organizations and groups. A total of 32 pairs of adults and children “sagalas” dressed in traditional Filipiniana attire and gowns paraded with their respective groups colorful floral arches providing guests and locals a glimpse of one of the Philippines’ biggest and colorful cultural traditions.

Fr. Andrew Wong, Rector of the Salesian Monastery – Ratisbonne in Jerusalem, gave an invocation at the start of the program. Other notable guests who attended the event included Fr. David Neuhaus, Patriarchal Vicar for St. James Vicariate for Hebrew Speaking Catholics in Israel, Mr. Eliav Blishowsky, Director for International Relations of the Tel Aviv Municipality, Fr. Carlos Santos of St. Peter’s Church in Jaffa, as well as prominent members of the community, the Philippine Honorary Consuls, members of the Filipino clergy in Israel, and friends of the Embassy.

Filipino community members delighted the audience with songs and dances during the program that followed the parade. A “balagtasan” on the virtues of “sipag” versus “talino” and a “tinikling” dance performance pleased the audience. The TLVIP Kids Batch 3 and the E-Force kids charmed the crowded with their respective medley of traditional dances. Mr. Erich George Oquendo, the Embassy’s Political Assistant, serenaded everyone with his rendition of “Ikaw Ang Pangarap” while Mr. Rani Montemayor from the community dedicated the song “Pagsubok”, in celebration of Labor Day, to all Filipinos working in Israel.

This year’s Labor Day theme was “Matatag na Kabuhayan at Trabaho Tungo sa Progresibong Pagbabago” and the winning entry for the Best Slogan Award for the theme was by United Novo Ecijano – Israel with its catchy and meaningful slogan: “Maunlad na Kabuhayan, Malawak na Kaalaman, Matatag na Kinabukasan, Susi sa Progresibong Pagbabago Para sa Bayan”.

Filipino students in Israel join the festivities with a variety of cultural dances.

Members of the Filipino community gracefully dance the “Tinikling” to the delight of the audience.

Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial welcomed the participants and guests. He praised and encouraged the Filipino workers in Israel to persevere and to continue to promote the good relationship between the two countries by valuing their work in Israel. While Labor Attache Rodolfo Gabasan, on the other hand, read the message of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Silvestre Bello III.

The King and Queen of Flores de Mayo 2017 are both from the San Lorenzo Ruiz Community in Jerusalem, together with the Little Prince and Little Princess from the United Novo Ecijano – Israel.