Having been in the country for 3 years now, the Ambassador can speak some Tagalog words with ease because of his ability to speak multiple languages such as Hebrew, English, Arabic, Spanish and Portuguese.

Since residing in the Philippines, the Ambassador has been at the forefront in strengthening the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Israel and one of the many programs his country shares with the Filipinos is the “Agrostudies program.” Each year for the past 5 years, over 300 Filipino students from all across the country are sent to Israel to take up their one year on-the-job training on livestock, fishery and farming technologies. With the knowledge that they gain from the program, they are able to share it with their families, schools and communities.

Given the distance between Israel and the Philippines, this did not hinder the growing relationship of both countries and when Typhoon Yolanda hit the Philippines, in Ambassador Bar On’s own words, “It was never a question if we would help. It was a question of how and when.” The Ambassador together with the elite rescue team members of the Israel Defense Forces flew to Bogo City, Cebu and assisted those in need of help by bringing with them a mobile hospital and medicines as well as helped reconstruct schools and water filtration systems.

Having been in the diplomatic community for many years, the Ambassador can empathize with the thousands Filipinos and Israelis working abroad and noticed that for the past 50 years, there have been no direct flights between the Philippines and Israel. With the signing of the  of Air Service Agreement last May 26 by Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Abaya and Ambassador Menashe Bar On, this agreement not only aims to boost the economic and tourism sectors of both countries but as well as pave way to explore endless trade opportunities.

 Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia, Office of Middle East and African Affairs (OMEAA) Assistant Secretary Julius Torres, DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Israeli Ambassador Menashe Bar On, Israel’s Consul and First Secretary Mr. Doron Abudi and Israel’ Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Adam Levene.

On July 28, 2014 outgoing Israeli Ambassador Menashe Bar On received the Order of Sikatuna Award from Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario in recognition of the many milestones he has achieved of promoting the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Israel during his three-year tour of duty. He was cited for his outstanding contribution in the establishment and implementation of many programs such as Disaster Risk Mitigation and Disease Prevention and Control.

Many articles have been written about Ambassador Bar On and his wife Madame Eti and all have only one thing to say about the couple, that they are “well-loved” by the diplomatic community and they will surely be missed not only by the staff members of the Israel Embassy in Manila but as well as lives they’ve touched along the way during their stay here in the Philippines.

Outgoing Ambassador Bar On will be replaced by Ambassador Ephraim Ben Matityahu who was previously assigned as Ambassador to Vietnam and before that was Consul General in Australia. The incoming ambassador is an advocate of helping those in need and one of the many programs he conducted in Vietnam was providing free eye surgery to the poor. In addition to this, he is also supports agricultural programs wherein Israel shares their knowledge and expertise to the local farmers of his host country.