Rescue in the Philippines

In pre-war Manila, a mix of unlikely cultures and people reminiscent of “Casablanca” gathered to save lives. Five cigar makers from Cincinnati. The president of the Philippines. A future president of the United States. A U.S. High Commissioner. They all sat down to a series of poker games where the stakes were life or death for an unimaginable number of men, women and children, who were guilty of only one thing—being Jewish.

Such is the exotic setting for the new documentary “Rescue in the Philippines: Refuge from the Holocaust” in recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Month, the film, which some might see as a Far East version of "Schindler's List," will be available for broadcast April 2013.

Meticulously researched, the documentary takes viewers on a fascinating journey of five American brothers from the Midwest who leveraged their political friendships in the Philippines to rescue as many Jewish refugees as possible. Among the friendships made were the charismatic First Philippine President Manuel Quezon, then Colonel Dwight Eisenhower, and U.S. High Commissioner Paul McNutt. From their friendships and late night poker games would come the call to action to help those in need half a world away.

In August 2012, a first-look of the film was screened at the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was well-received by Israeli and Philippine ambassadors as well as members of the renowned Yad Veshem, the World Center for Holocaust Research and Education located in Tel Aviv. Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso Colonge expressed the desire that with the film, "Yad Vashem would be able to consider extending due recognition to the Philippines and President Manuel L. Quezon.”

Voices from Rescue in the Philippines:

“It’s one thing to sit around a card table and talk about a worrisome situation—even a dire situation. It’s quite another to actually take some action, and I think that’s why this is a story for all time.” –Susan Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower

“I think for my grandfather, it was perhaps that simple. You have a country. You have a little authority. You have an opportunity. Someone has asked for refuge—which is the most basic humanitarian appeal anyone can make. You answer it.” –Manuel Quezon III, grandson of the late President Manuel Quezon