Heartening mark of distinctive Filipino traits

Allow me to openly thank the Inquirer for the very inspiring article “Monument to Philippine humanitarianism rises in Israel” (Lifestyle, 6/12/17). In times like this, we’re proud to be Filipinos.

The article relates how the Philippine Commonwealth, led by President Manuel L. Quezon, issued 30,000 passports to Jews in 1939 to help rescue them from persecution. This “humanitarian gesture made an impact on the consciousness of Jewish survivors who had to pick up the pieces of their shattered selves after the war. To the Jews and the Israelis, the Philippines was the only nation in Asia to run to their aid.”

The article wonderfully continued: “As a result, the Philippines has been numbered by Israel and the Jews among ‘Righteous Gentiles.’”

In a recent visit to Washington, DC, we noticed, in the Holocaust Memorial Museum, that the Philippines seems to be not included in the list of those who extended help to the Jews. Anyway, the humanitarian act that our country did is worthy of emulation by leaders and citizens alike as a noble act of rising above self in serving the needs of others.

The article likewise mentioned that a modern public sculpture called “Open Doors” was installed in Tel Aviv, Israel, where these cherished words of Quezon are inscribed: “It is my hope and, indeed, my expectation that the people of the Philippines will have in the future every reason to be glad that when the time of need came, the country was willing to extend a hand of welcome.”

These are heartening marks of the Filipino traits of compassion and hospitality that must be passed on from generation to generation.

CHING D. AUNARIO, chingauna@yahoo.com