Israeli ambassador in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - His Excellency Menashe Bar-On, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the state of Israel to the Philippines, together with his lovely wife Eti, visited Cebu to join in  the festivities that marked  the 66th  National Day  of Israel at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. Hardworking Emily Chioson, Honorary Consul of Israel in Cebu, hosted the intimate gathering.

In his speech, Ambassador Menashe Bar-On proudly shared and outlined Israel’s numerous programs in the Philippines that include Agro Studies where students under the program canlearn different techniques and methods in the field of agriculture. Another laudable program is MASHAV, Israel’s agency for international development cooperation. Through the project, Filipinos are sent to Israel to learn the latest techniques in various  fields such as medicine, community development, climate change and the environment.

In response, Consul Chioson  pledged  continued support to help promote and sustain the joint projects and programs of both countries, as well as develop and strengthen small and medium scale enterprises.

Guest of honor Cebu Provincial Governor Hilario Davide III, for his part, led the toast to the comprehensive relations between the two counties that will continue to flourish in the years to come. The governor likewise thanked the  Ambassador for Israel’s speedy response to the destruction caused by typhoon Yolanda in Bantayan and Camotes Islands.

In attendance at the affair were members of the diplomatic circle  in Cebu. They included Chioson’s father, Ambassador Frank Benedicto,her husband Samuel Chioson, honorary consul of Portugal,honorary consuls Michel Lhuillier of France, Candice Gotianuy of Norway, Grand Benedicto of Romania, Julie Alegrado of Austria, Anton Perdices of Spain, andEnrique Benedicto of Belgium.

After the exchange of pleasantries, guests proceeded to the ballroom for  a musical performance by Tal Kravitz, an Israeli musician and singer who has been wandering for years, researching and searching for music, in various remote areas throughout the world. From every point in his journeys, he brings back songs, sounds, rare instruments and the living stories behind them.

The multi talented Kravitz is a graduate of the National School of Choir Conducting in Tel-Aviv, where he also studied composition and classical singing. He has studied ethnic music at Bar Ilan University. He performs throughout the world on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel and  represents his country in international festivals, lectures and performs in universities around the world.