Filipinos of October 7

In Makati, the Israeli Embassy, with DMW and OWWA, marked two years since the fateful 7 October Hamas attack in Israel by honoring ordinary Filipinos rendered extraordinary by their acts of heroism.

The ceremony paid tribute to Angelyn Aguirre, Loreta Alacre, Grace Cabrera and Paul Vincent Castelvi, overseas Filipino workers who were murdered by Hamas while protecting those under their care.

Also honored were Cydrick Garin, a Filipino-Israeli soldier in the Israel Defense Forces who was killed in action, and Leah Mosquera, who was injured by an Iranian missile during Operation Rising Lion and later passed away from her injuries.

The ceremony also recognized the heroism of two survivors, Gelienor “Jimmy” Pacheco, who was held captive by Hamas for 49 days, and Camille Jesalva-Junio, for their courage and endurance.

Pacheco shared his harrowing experience in captivity, surviving days without food and enduring extreme conditions in underground tunnels, and at times resorting to eating tissue just to stay alive.

He expressed gratitude to the government of Israel and the Philippine government for their unwavering support, sharing that he named his newborn daughter Israela in tribute to resilience and the enduring friendship between the Filipino and Israeli people.

Ambassador Dana Kursh led the ceremony alongside DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan. During the program, Secretary Cacdac presented Ambassador Kursh with a Tagalog translation of One Day in October, a joint initiative of the Embassy and the DMW.

The book features Jesalva-Junio’s personal account of the attack, developed in collaboration with the Commission on the Filipino Language. The translated edition includes stories of heroism, among them Camille’s courageous act of saving herself and Nitza, an elderly Israeli woman under her care.

Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration reflected on the quiet strength of Filipino heroism. “Ang kabayanihan ay hindi parating nasa balita, o nasa social media, pero naroroon sa tahimik na pagbangon, pagpapatuloy ng buhay sa araw-araw,” she said.

She extended sincere thanks to the government and people of Israel, represented by Ambassador Kursh, adding, “Thank you for the friendship, the care, the assistance, the respect given to our overseas Filipino workers. In moments of crisis, real friendship is measured not in words but in action, and we acknowledge that support.”

Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac also paid tribute to the Filipino caregivers, describing them as “symbols of unmatched heroism and sacrifice.” He emphasized that their decision to stay with their patients during the attack reflected the deep compassion and professionalism of Filipino workers abroad. “They chose to stay, to protect, and to serve. That is the Filipino spirit,” he said.

Ambassador Kursh expressed deep gratitude to those who came to honor the victims and survivors, saying: “I’m wishing each and every one of you to heal, to keep on hoping, to keep on praying for peace, and to keep the unity of all of us fighting for peace. We must continue to defeat terrorism and to hold on to hope, heroism, and healing.”

The ceremony served as a powerful moment of remembrance, unity, and reaffirmation of the strong bond between Israel and the Philippines, built on compassion, courage, and a shared pursuit of peace.

As the event came to a close, the stories of survival and sacrifice stood as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Filipino people. Through grief and adversity, they continue to embody hope, heroism and healing. The enduring friendship between Israel and the Philippines shines brighter in the face of tragedy, reminding all that even in the darkest moments, humanity can prevail through compassion, courage and unity.