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Film narrating Philippine assistance during the Holocaust screened at DLSU

 

A screening of the documentary “Rescue in the Philippines: Refuge from the Holocaust,” which chronicles the plight of some 1300 Jews and their journey of seeking refuge in the Philippines to escape the Holocaust, was held today, August 8, at the Verdure, Henry Sy Sr. Hall.

In attendance were officials from the Embassy of the United States, Manila and some survivors from the Holocaust. The event was organized by the International Studies Department, the Organization for American Studies, and the American Corner Philippines.

 

Historical context

History Department Chair Dr. Rene Escalante was invited to discuss the historical context of the film. According to Escalante, a relatively unknown accomplishment of Manuel Quezon was dealing with the Jews in the 1930s with the help of the Frieder brothers, originally from Cincinnati.

“[The Philippines] accommodated more than a thousand when they were persecuted in Germany and other parts of the world,” Escalante said. “I think the greatest contribution of this film is that it highlights the kindness, generosity of the Filipinos.”

Dr. Fernando Santiago from the History Department also discussed the historical backdrop the documentary is rooted on. According to Santiago, in the 1930s there already was a sizeable Jewish community in Manila, composed mostly of businessmen.

When Adolf Hitler rose to power a couple of years after and ordered the systematic persecution of the Jews, in the Philippines, the Commonwealth was just budding. “[The Jews] sough a safe haven in Manila,” Santiago explained. Alex Frieder suggested to then president Quezon for the Philippines to become a sanctum for Jewish refugees from Europe. “Their efforts brought 1300 Jewish refugees being refused entry in other countries,” he said.

 

Philippine screening

Peggy Ellis, co-producer of the documentary, introduced the film to the audience. The documentary has been aired more than 2,000 times in America and has been reviewed by the New York and Los Angeles Times. It is also qualified for Oscar consideration, shared Ellis. The documentary also had its Philippine premiere screening yesterday at the Malacañang Palace.

Ellis explained that descendants of those rescued did not even know of the fateful event until recently. “Eisenhower never wrote about it in his diaries,” she also said, stating that then US Army Colonel Dwight Eisenhower was trying to protect the rescuers.

After the screening, an open forum was conducted. An interaction activity was also held, where the attendees were able to interact with some of the Holocaust survivors present at the event.

Alexis Sobremonte

By Alexis Sobremonte

Althea Gonzales

By Althea Gonzales

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