The Manila Times
THE Philippines has long been a melting pot of cultures, and among the many communities that have made the country their home, Lebanese families stand out as a testament to successful integration. Families like that of Honorary Consul Joseph Assad, who has represented Lebanon in the Philippines for over 26 years, embody the deep ties between the two nations. These families have not only embraced Filipino culture but have also enriched it with their own traditions, creating a unique blend of shared heritage. The story of Lebanese migration to the Philippines dates back over a century. Many Lebanese families, including the Assads, arrived in the Philippines by chance. According to Assad, a group of Lebanese families originally bound for Australia found themselves in Iloilo after their ship was rerouted due to a typhoon. Instead of continuing their journey, they decided to settle in the Philippines, calling it their new home. “My father, he was 10 years old when he came to the Philippines with his uncles. He was here; he lived here until he was 35, went back to Lebanon, married my mother, and brought her here. So, my mother lived here from the ‘50s up to the ‘70s,” he told The Manila Times in his newsroom interview. His mother became the honorary consul of Lebanon in the 1960s and 1970s, but decided to go back to Lebanon in 1974 and brought her family, except her husband. A year later, the civil war broke out in Lebanon. So, her husband, who was in the Philippines, told her to stay with him until the war subsides. “But my mother, being the woman that she is, spent the whole 15 years of war in Lebanon,” Assad said. After the war, Lebanon had its first election in over 15 years, and Assad’s mother ran and won, becoming one of only three women in the Lebanese parliament. Over generations, many Lebanese families became Filipino citizens, contributing to the country’s economy, politics and culture. From industrial ventures to public service, Lebanese-Filipinos have left an indelible mark on the nation. The integration of Lebanese families into Filipino society is rooted in the cultural similarities between the two nations. Both countries share a strong emphasis on family, hospitality and community. Like Filipinos, Lebanese people value close-knit family ties and often gather for meals that celebrate their rich culinary traditions. Tourism is another shared passion. Lebanon, often referred to as the “Paris of the Middle East,” boasts stunning Mediterranean landscapes, ancient ruins, and vibrant cities. According to Assad, despite being small — even smaller than Palawan — Lebanon has a lot to offer tourists. Sometimes, at the end of winter, Assad shared that tourists could ski up in the mountains and come down and swim in the Mediterranean at the same time. Aside from tourism, similar to the Philippines’ overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Lebanon — with a population of around 5.8 million — has nearly 20 million citizens living abroad, sending billions of dollars in remittances annually. Food also serves as a powerful cultural bridge between the two nations. Lebanese cuisine, known for its rich flavors and fresh ingredients, has found a home in the Philippines. Dishes like shawarma, hummus and Lebanese coffee have become popular among Filipinos, while Lebanese families have embraced Filipino staples like adobo and halo-halo. Assad shared how Lebanese gastronomy has influenced the local food scene. While some Lebanese restaurants have come and gone, others, like Shawarma’s in Malate, continue to thrive. The fusion of Lebanese and Filipino flavors is a testament to the harmonious blending of the two cultures. Notable figures include Gov. Fermin Caram of Iloilo, who played a key role during World War II, and Al Francis Bichara, a former diplomat. The younger generations of Lebanese-Filipinos continue to uphold this legacy. Many are venturing into new industries, such as the restaurant business, while maintaining their cultural heritage. Assad’s own family exemplifies this balance, with his children fluent in Arabic and actively contributing to both Filipino and Lebanese communities. The story of Lebanese families in the Philippines is one of resilience, integration and mutual respect. “Home is where the heart is, and all of us, our heart is here. We’re Filipino even if we don’t look like it, but we’re as Filipino as the next guy,” Assad said. Through their contributions to business, politics and culture, Lebanese-Filipinos have become an integral part of the Philippine tapestry, proving that diversity is a source of strength and unity. Migration wave Lebanese migration became prevalent around the 1850s, due to internal and regional conflicts, particularly around the time when Lebanon was part of the Ottoman Empire. Waves of Lebanese migration increased further and outward from the region during the early 1900s. With the start of this global migration, the Lebanese diasporas with the largest numbers of Lebanese are in Brazil (with around 7 million), Argentina (with about 3 million), Europe, North America, various parts of Asia (including Southeast Asia), and Australia. In this same initial migration period of the early 1900s, a ship that left Egypt with a boatload of Lebanese families bound, encountered a typhoon and was forced to dock in Iloilo. When the waters were calm again, the vessel continued on to Australia — but without some 20 Lebanese families that decided to stay in the Philippines. The families that opted to stay in the Philippines are the Assads, the Ysraels, the Chakers, the Awads, the Ysmaels, the Bicharas, the Kairuzes, the Karams, the Nassrs, the Jureidinis, the Sassines, the Borgeilys, the Araches, the Addads, the Salmans, the Josephs, the Majuls, the Khodors, the Maasabs, the Abrahams, the Saads, the Hashims, the Hemadys, the Kanaans, the Gorayebs, the Moiseses, the Hayeks, the Carams, the Saleebys, and the Takieddins. The Assads, along with many of these original Lebanese families who settled in the Philippines, instead of continuing on to Australia, became part and parcel of the Philippine society. Many Filipinos will recognize some of these Lebanese families as part of Philippine business, politics, and even entertainment. This is something that Filipinos are well acquainted with: traveling abroad, deciding to settle in another country, and becoming fully integrated in the new culture and society.
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