Founding days

A prominent diplomat posted in Manila told me, in one of those shooting-ourselves-in-the-foot Pinoy moments, that perhaps what we lack is grievous bloodshed to unite Filipinos behind dramatic, lasting reforms, and instill a strong sense of nationhood – something that’s still lacking in our weak republic.

The diplomat, who like several others I know has genuine affection for this country, noted that while every life is precious, shedding blood could have a cathartic, purifying effect, like a detox program. A goal achieved with blood, tears, and of course a lot of sweat tends to be more cherished.

Our two popular revolutions were peaceful, the diplomat noted. Where blood was in fact shed – in the armed uprising against Spain and, for a few years, the United States – the lessons imparted are mostly filed away and forgotten together with textbooks as soon as the school year is over.

The diplomat subsequently reversed gears and noted how lucky we are not to have experienced serious bloodshed since World War II. But I know several prominent Filipinos who share the extremist view, in moments of frustration over our country.

We should, of course, be careful what we ask for. Frustrated Pinoys surely don’t want the kind of bloody warfare and human suffering that went into the creation of a state such as Israel. Despite being surrounded by hostile neighbors and periods of war, however, the Jewish state has achieved impressive progress since its creation on May 14, 1948.

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Israel has its share of economic and social problems, with people marching in the streets over housing and the rising cost of living. A final peace agreement remains elusive. Its national security apparatus, one of the most lethally efficient in the world, has often come under criticism from human rights advocates.

But Israel at 64 is a vibrant democracy (democratic warts and all), with a free press and a highly educated and competitive workforce. Tens of thousands of Filipinos work in Israel, not just because they like the high pay but also because the Jewish state is also the site of many Biblical events treasured by Catholics.

Israel celebrates its “Independence Day” or Yom Ha’atzmaut based on a set date in the Hebrew calendar, which changes every year in the calendar we are familiar with. This year the date fell on April 26, but the embassy in Manila celebrated the event last night at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila.

Currently in town, coinciding with the event, are the deputy director general of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ruth Kahanoff, who also heads the ministry’s Asia-Pacific department, and Chaim Choshen, director for the South and Southeast Asian division.

Kahanoff and Choshen dropped by our office yesterday together with Israel Ambassador Menashe Bar-On. All three have been talking with Philippine officials since Tuesday to explore areas for strengthening bilateral cooperation.

Both countries are mere blips in each other’s radar screens. Not too many Filipinos are aware of Jewish history or what Judaism is all about, although there are enough Pinoys who must be aware that the continuing Middle East conflict means higher fuel and power costs for us.

Annual bilateral trade, Bar-On noted, is a “very, very low” $200 million, heavily in Israel’s favor.

Tourism can also use a boost. Only “a few thousand” Israeli leisure travelers visited the Philippines last year, Bar-On said. In contrast, Thailand got 180,000 Israeli tourists. Kahanoff attributed this to aggressive Thai tourism marketing as well as direct flights between Thailand and Israel.

Among the areas where Israel can provide assistance are in green energy development, water laws and management as well as telecommunications. Bilateral cooperation is strong in agriculture and agri-technology.

Filipinos are also aware of Israel’s highly sophisticated defense industry and the civilian high-tech facilities needed to support it such as optical and satellite programs. Israeli guns are weapons of choice for many Pinoy enthusiasts, including President Aquino.

“Unfortunately, because of our situation, we had to develop our defense industries,” the soft-spoken Kahanoff told us. Like all Israelis, she once served in her country’s armed forces. Their defense industry products – a major revenue earner for the country – are there for any interested buyer, she said.

The typical Israeli has spent his or her life living with armed conflict, in defense of the Jewish nation. So the day David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel 64 years ago, hours before the end of British Mandate Palestine, is remembered every year with spirited jubilation.

“We never take it for granted that we won our independence, so we really celebrate,” Kahanoff said.

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EUROPE DAY: Also celebrating its creation, on May 9, was the European Union. EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux toasted bilateral ties with Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, but the ties, like those with Israel, could use improvement.

The Philippines has to start paying more attention to other regions apart from North America. The EU, after all, is the country’s largest group trading partner, and trade levels could go much higher. Our Southeast Asian neighbors are getting more European investments and tourism.

Recent votes in France and Greece against austerity measures have brought uncertainty to the dream of European economic integration (and global economic recovery) on Europe Day 2012.

But we’re already way behind several of our neighbors in forging closer ties, with EU member states as well as Israel. It isn’t too late to catch up.