The lighting of six candles in remembrance of six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust (left to right) Gina Gonong, Mandomel Melicor, vice president and secretary Sarah Duterte, Kira Danganan-Azucena, and Ilan Fluss | Photo via DepEd
PASIG CITY, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) joined the commemoration of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day at a ceremony on Thursday, January 26, recognizing the importance of the culture of social justice and diversity.
Spearheaded by the International Cooperation Office (ICO), the event was attended by the DepEd executive committee, assistant secretary Kira Danganan-Azucena of the DFA-UN and International Organization, the Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss, and assistant secretary Mandomel Melicor of the DFA Middle East African Affairs.
“The Holocaust saw the systemic oppression and persecution of six million Jewish victims and millions of others. The atrocity committed by the Nazi regime and their collaborators is beyond comprehension,” Vice President and Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said in her message.”Still, we must remember, and we must not forget, the names and the faces of the victims, the families torn apart, and the communities destroyed. We must remember so we may never forget the dangers of hate and intolerance.”
The VP Secretary also cited the late President Manuel Quezon’s Open-Door Policy that enabled thousands of Jewish refugees to seek temporary refuge in the Philippines, which embodies the Filipinos’ kindheartedness. She led the ceremonial lighting of six candles to remember the six million Jews that were victims of the Holocaust.
Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Gina O. Gonong highlighted the lessons imparted by the Holocaust. “This unfortunate event inspires us to produce peace-loving and peace-building learners and strive to transform our schools into safe spaces for everyone where we keep our human values alive,” Gonong said.
DepEd said it recognized the need to continue to promote Holocaust education across all schools in the county and to persuade other DepEd field offices to join these kinds of commemoration events. The Department also used this day to reaffirm its commitment to encouraging its teachers and learners to be advocates for social justice and respect for human rights.
-With Jay Domingo/PDM
