27 May 2016 - The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles, in cooperation with the Museum of Tolerance and Producer, Barbara Sasser hosted the special film screening of the “Rescue in the Philippines: Refuge from the Holocaust” on May 23 at the Museum of Tolerance, a multimedia museum designed to examine racism and prejudice around the world with a strong focus on the history of the Holocaust.

“Rescue in the Philippines” is a one-hour documentary of the previously untold story of how the five Frieder brothers, Cincinnati businessmen making two-for-a-nickel cigars in pre-WWII Manila, together with Philippine President Manuel Quezon, US High Commissioner Paul McNutt, and Army Colonel Dwight Eisenhower, helped 1,300 Jews escape the Nazis and immigrate to the Philippines. The documentary served as reminder that there are still yet unsung heroes of this tragic chapter in human history.

Immediately after the screening, a “talk back” was led by the producer herself, Ms. Barbara Sasser, Philippine Ambassador to Canada, Ambassador Petronila Garcia and Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim.  Rabbi Cooper, the Associate Dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center was the moderator of the talk back.

Ms. Barbara Sasser, a descendant of the Frieder brothers who were key players in the rescue of around 1,300 Jews opened the talk back and became emotional in recounting the hospitality and courage of President Quezon who was willing to accept the Jews when so many countries did not. She recalled how the Frieders sacrificed their business interests to take time and give money to this effort. She said, “It’s a story of moral courage, religious tolerance and the benefits of being a concerned citizen. And that message is as relevant today as it was then,” she said.

Following a question from the member of the audience, Ms. Sasser also gave an update that a grant was recently given for the teaching and viewing of Rescue in the Philippines at the Holocaust Center. A 30-minute version of the film was developed with a lesson plan giving an overview about the holocaust and how concerned citizens acted during this time of need.  Ms. Sasser further said that they have received requests to share the same lesson plan in the Philippines.

Ambassador Petronila Garcia, a former Ambassador to Israel, shared her insights on the close relationship of Israel with the Philippines. She explained that this action by the Philippines to open its doors to 1,300 Jews escaping the Holocaust in Europe is commemorated through the Open Doors Monument in Tel Aviv. She also mentioned that there is quite a number of Filipinos now living in Israel---at its peak numbering around 40,000 Filipinos. They are in the caregiving sector which shows how Filipinos up to this time continue to care for the people in Israel particularly the sick and elderly.

Consul General Herrera-Lim shared his view about the importance of the film. He said that the film is an essential avenue to educate about and to remember the Holocaust to prevent it from happening again. It is also a significant part of Philippines history that should be told locally and globally.

At the conclusion, Consul General Herrera-Lim presented framed commemorative stamps, featuring the Open Doors Monument, symbolizing the Philippines’ rescue of the Jews and the reaffirmation of the enduring friendly relations of the Philippines and Israel to Ms. Barbara Sasser and to the Museum of Tolerance, accepted by Rabbi Cooper. END