29 October 2019, Tel Aviv -- Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research, Ernesto C. Abella, graced the inauguration of the Balai Quezon (Quezon House) at the Philippine Embassy in Israel on 29 October. Members of the diplomatic corps and Israeli officials were also present at the launch of the center, which was established to honor President Manuel L. Quezon's policy creating a safe haven in the Philippines for Jewish refugees of the Holocaust.
Also present were Mr. Max Weissler and Ms. Margot Pins Kestenbaum, proud "Manilaners" who now reside in Israel. Mr. Weissler and Ms. Kestenbaum were among the almost 1,300 Jewish refugees who were able to find safety in Manila; the community referred to themselves as "Manilaners" in fond reference to the city that became their new home.
In his keynote address, the Undersecretary noted that Quezon's policy had been driven by principle and a sense of shared humanity: "... the idea that a people would shelter another for the simple reason that they believe in their basic right to exist and pursue a life of freedom and fulfillment." He expressed hope that the Balai Quezon would support efforts to build awareness of Quezon's inspiring legacy, and lauded it for being "the first and only of its kind in the Philippine foreign service."
Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial underscored the significance of the center to Philippine-Israel bilateral relations. "[The "Open Door Policy"] remains the cornerstone of the deep and lasting friendship between the Philippines and Israel," the ambassador said. "It has been our dream, for the past five years, to find a place that would honor this special moment in history between our peoples."
The Balai Quezon will serve three core functions. First, it will serve as a resource center on Quezon's "Open Door Policy". Second, it will administer the Embassy's Filipino Language and Culture Program for Filipino children born in Israel. Finally, it will work with local institutions to build awareness of this historic event and of its impact on Philippine-Israel relations.
Prior to the inauguration, Undersecretary Abella witnessed the turnover and unveiling of Manuel Quezon in Spontanrealismus, a painting by Filipino artist Celeste Lecaroz. The Philippines' Honorary Consul in Jerusalem, Mr. Shimon Weinbaum, who had commissioned the painting, donated the artwork to the Balai Quezon in honor of its inauguration.
The Undersecretary, joined by the Ambassador, members of the diplomatic corps, and Israeli officials, then inaugurated the Balai Quezon with the opening of the Embassy's exhibit entitled "The Philippines and Israel: An Enduring Friendship, a Growing Partnership". The exhibit featured photos of key milestones in the Philippine-Israel bilateral relationship, as well as personal items of the Weissler family that tracked their journey from Poland to Manila that were temporarily loaned from Mr. Max Weissler's private collection.
During the program, Mr. Howie Danao, one of the youngest finalists in local competition Israel's Next Rising Star, performed a stirring Hebrew version of classic Filipino rock song Balita, originally released by Asin. Mr. Danao had also previously performed for President Rodrigo Duterte during his historic visit to Israel in September 2018.
The exhibit is open to the public, and may be viewed by appointment. For queries, the public may contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., subject: BALAI QUEZON.
DFA Undersecretary for Strategic Communications and Research Ernesto C. Abella (center), Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial (left), and Mr. Yaron Mayer, Director for Southeast Asia Department of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (right) during the Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to inaugurate the Balai Quezon (Quezon House) and launch the exhibition entitled “The Philippines and Israel: An Enduring Friendship, A Growing Partnership”.
Ambassador Neal Imperial (left) and Undersecretary Ernesto C. Abella (left) with “ Manilaners” Mrs. Margot Pins Kestenbaum (2nd from left) and Mr. Max Weissler (2nd from right). Behind are the two stand-in figures of President Manuel L. Quezon, which form part of the Embassy exhibition.