The Israeli Embassy in Manila dedicated an improv show featuring the Israeli improv group Duda to honor the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel and to commemorate Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople.
“Secretary Ople’s life was dedicated to advocating for OFWs. In my close collaboration with her, I had the privilege of witnessing her unwavering commitment and compassionate leadership. Her unique blend of pragmatism and empathy made her a formidable advocate for OFWs. Together, we faced numerous challenges, driven by our shared commitment to enhance the lives of these unsung heroes. Her legacy of compassion, justice, and solidarity continues to inspire us all,” Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss expressed.
Ambassador Fluss also highlighted the OFWs in Israel who are hardworking, compassionate, and notable for their world-class care.
There are around 30,000 Filipinos working as caregivers and hotel workers in Israel. The Israeli government is working closely with the Philippine government, especially with the Department of Migrant Workers, to ensure that their rights are protected and respected. They are provided with medical insurance, pension fund, yearly leave with pay, and all of the social rights given under Israeli labor rules. The labor market in Israel is regulated by the rights of the employees.
In attendance to the improv show held on the evening of the 6th of September were family and friends of then Sec. Ople, officials from the DMW, members of the diplomatic community, government officials, relatives of the OFWs in Israel, and friends of the embassy. Duda presented a show based on the stories of some OFWs in Israel that the group interviewed prior to their performance in Manila.
Improvisation or improv is a form of live theatre in which the plot, characters, and dialogue of a story are unscripted and created spontaneously by the performers.
Duda was one of the groups that performed at the Manila Improv Festival which is the biggest improv festival in Asia. The group performed on the opening night last September 8 in Ayala Malls Circuit Makati. This is the second time for Duda to join the improv fest in Manila, the first one was way back in 2019.
In addition to their performance shows, the group also introduced improv to children at White Cross Orphanage in San Juan City and held an applied improv workshop with the medical practitioners from different hospitals in Manila and some members of the Philippine Navy.
