Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel (FFCI)
Formally organized on April 28, 2002 during the Philippine Labor Day celebration at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel (FFCI) is the umbrella organization of Filipino associations in Israel.
The FFCI has been established by its founders for the following objectives:
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To establish and nurture harmonious and fraternal ties among Philippine nationals in the State of Israel;
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To make appropriate and prompt actions/representations on all activities, projects, communications emanating from its federated organizations and members within the context of existing Israeli and Philippine society;
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To coordinate and liaise between Filipino nationals and the Philippine Embassy on matters affecting the interests of OFW in Israel;
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To assist member-associations in providing welfare services to their individual members in the spirit of mutual self-help, particularly those in urgent need of assistance.
During the Labor Day Celebration on April 28, 2002, 13 association leaders ratified the Constitution and
By-Laws of the FFCI that was drafted by a special committee aided by POLO-TA.
Immediately after, they elected the first set of officers, the pioneering batch. POLO-TA supervised the election. Acting as advisers are the Ambassador, the Labor Attache and the OWWA Welfare Officer.
During the same occasion, then Philippine Ambassador to Israel, His Excellency
Marciano Paynor, Jr. inducted into office the following officers:
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President - Linda Lucasan (president of St. Anthony Filipino Catholic Association or SAFCA)
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Vice President - Ernesto Marasigan (president, Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Katagalogan or SAMAKA)
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Secretary - Josephine Sarmiento (representative of Good Shepherd Filipino Community, Jerusalem)
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Treasurer - Gina Liza Roa (representative, Jesus Is Lord Church)
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Auditor - Bro. Roland Ustares (representative, Messiah Baptist Tabernacle, Filipino Members)
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Business Manager - Rein David (president, Tomasian sa Israel)
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P.R.O. - Raul Caasi (president, Bolinao Group)
The Philippine Embassy closely coordinates Filipino community activities with the FFCI to ensure broad participation of Filipinos in such activities. The monthly newsletter prepared by the FFCI provides useful information on matters affecting the Filipino community.
Profile
The Philippine Embassy estimates the Filipino population in Israel at 30,000 workers. Most of them are working in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
In Tel Aviv, the Filipinos seem to reside in distinct areas such as those near the Carmel Market (which is about a 10 minute walk from the Philippine Embassy), the new central bus station (Takana Merkazid) and in Jaffa.
Pangasinenses, Pampaguenos, Ilocanos, Tarlakenos seem to predominate. The Panagasinan group originate mostly from Bolinao; the Pampaguenos, from Sto.Tomas; Ilocanos, from La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Isabela; and the Tarlakenos, from Camiling and Sta. Ignacia.
Filipino worshippers usually pack St. Anthony Catholic Church along Yefet St. in Jaffa for the Saturday masses at 5:30 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. Weddings usually are scheduled during the 5:30 p.m. mass. The church which is run by the Franciscan friars can accommodate about 1,500 people at any one time. In Haifa, Filipinos frequent the St. Joseph Church while in Jerusalem, the Notre Dame Church and the Church of the Terra Sancta. Some ten Filipino born-again congregations affiliate themselves as "In His Care Leadership Network". In Tel-Aviv, the Messiah Baptist Tabernacle, Filipino Members is also represented in the Federation by Bro. Roland Ustares.
The Philippine Embassy estimates the Filipino population in Israel at 30,000 workers. Most of them are working in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa.
In Tel Aviv, the Filipinos seem to reside in distinct areas such as those near the Carmel Market (which is about a 10 minute walk from the Philippine Embassy), the new central bus station (Takana Merkazid) and in Jaffa.
Pangasinenses, Pampaguenos, Ilocanos, Tarlakenos seem to predominate. The Panagasinan group originate mostly from Bolinao; the Pampaguenos, from Sto.Tomas; Ilocanos, from La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Isabela; and the Tarlakenos, from Camiling and Sta. Ignacia.
Filipino worshippers usually pack St. Anthony Catholic Church along Yefet St. in Jaffa for the Saturday masses at 5:30 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. Weddings usually are scheduled during the 5:30 p.m. mass. The church which is run by the Franciscan friars can accommodate about 1,500 people at any one time. In Haifa, Filipinos frequent the St. Joseph Church while in Jerusalem, the Notre Dame Church and the Church of the Terra Sancta. Some ten Filipino born-again congregations affiliate themselves as "In His Care Leadership Network". In Tel-Aviv, the Messiah Baptist Tabernacle, Filipino Members is also represented in the Federation by Bro. Roland Ustares.
There are many church-based groups as well as civic and sports groups in the three main cities. Notable among the religious groups are El Shaddai, Couples for Christ, Jesus is Lord,
Messiah Baptist Tabernacle, In His Care Leadership Network, and the San Lorenzo Ruiz and Terra Sancta parishes-in Jerusalem.
The civic groups are led by SAMAKA or Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Katagalogan sa Israel and UPIMA or Ugnayan ng Pilipinong Manggagawa sa Abroad.
The Philippine Basketball Association in Israel organizes frequent basketball tournaments at the Hapoel Gym in Tel Aviv featuring all-Filipino basketball clubs.
In recent months, several new Filipino community associations have been organized. Among these are the Visayas Mindanao Association, Inc. (VISMIN),
and Association of Igorot MigrantWorkers in Israel (AIMWI).