MANILA – “I’m asking each and every one of us here, especially the eight amazing families, to keep on hoping, to keep on looking at the things, the joyful things, the wonderful memories of your loved ones, because the only thing that will help us stay resilient and stay hopeful is to stay hopeful despite this tremendous loss.”
Thus, Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh at the commemoration of the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel titled “3 Years of Resilience Despite Loss,” held on Oct. 13 at the Ascott Hotel in Bonifacio Global City.
Kursh recognized the families’ strength and recalled the experience of Bernie Lavarias, husband of the late Mary Ann de Vera, who returned to Israel after losing his wife in October 2023.
Joining her in paying tribute were Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan.
“Mourning passes, but grief remains, because that is what makes us strong. So, it’s three years of resilience despite, of, and because of our loss, our grief, that we feel a sense of further strength and responsibility towards those left behind,” Cacdac said in his message.
“We will continue, as our President has so directed, to maintain our strong bilateral relations with the State of Israel. So, to the families and to our dear OFWs, to the Filipino-Israeli community, we will be resilient,” he added.
DMW Undersecretary Felicitas Q. Bay and Assistant Secretary Julyn Ambito-Fermin also attended the commemoration to show their support for the families.
The commemoration concluded with prayers, songs, and a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of those who lost their lives. Punto News Team with Israel in the Philippines, DMW
