Malacañang Holds Premier of Israeli Film

The Philippine premier of “Rescue in the Philippines: Refuge from the Holocaust” was hosted by President Benigno Aquino III at the Malacañang Palace last August 7, 2014 and is scheduled to be shown in the US Embassy, United Nations office and in some selected schools.

Public Press Officer Catherine Castaños of the Enbassy of Israel said the film was produced by 3 Roads Communications and the story revolves around the dramatic and innovative rescue mission of then President Manuel L. Quezon, the Frieder brothers, US High Commissioner and former governor of Indiana Paul McNutt and US Army Col. Dwight Eisenhower, to save the Jews from Nazi Germany during World War II.

The film, according to Castaños, was all about the 1,300 Jews who found refuge the Philippines during World War II.

Castaños said the event was attended by President Benigno Aquino III, US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, Israel Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Adam Levene, Undersecretary for the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning office Manuel L. Quezon III and his family, Department of Health Undersecretary Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro, descendants of the Frieder brothers 3 Roads Communications President and Executive Producer Russel Hodge, CEO & Executive Producer, Cynthia Scott and Holocaust survivors.

Castaños stressed that Aquino, during his speech, said that he hopes that all those who will watch the documentary, whether in classrooms or homes in the coming years, would continue to adopt the spirit of volunteerism to help their fellowmen.

She quoted Aquino as saying “While many countries turned their backs to the Jews, President Manuel L. Quezon opened the doors of his country as he shared the same sentiments with the Frieder brothers, McNutt and Eisenhower on the right to live and it was simply the right thing to do to help their fellowmen who needed help.”

She also said President Quezon in the documentary was quoted saying “The people of the Philippines will have in the future every reason to be glad that when the time of need came, their country was willing to extend a hand of welcome.”

According to Castaños, it took 2 years to film the documentary and it was by far one of the most gratifying things they’ve accomplished in their lifetime, as she quoted the 3 Roads Communications President and Executive Producer, Russel Hodge and CEO & Executive Producer, Cynthia Scott.

She added the people behind the film and Jewish organizations also arranged for the donation of $2.5 million worth of prosthetics as well as raised about $1.4 million for the typhoon Yolanda victims in the Philippines. (With Press Release from The Embassy of Israel)