Quezon honored for Holocaust-era humanitarian legacy

A commemorative event honoring the humanitarian legacy of former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon was held Tuesday at the National Museum of Natural History in observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

The program opened with welcome remarks from Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Dana Kursh, followed by a message from United Nations Resident Coordinator Arnaud Peral, who also led a candle-lighting ceremony in memory of Holocaust victims. Each candle symbolized a victim who lost contact with their family.

A film presentation highlighting Quezon’s leadership and compassion during the Holocaust was central to the event. The screening of the 2018 film “Quezon’s Game,” starring Raymond Bagatsing, depicted how Quezon allowed Jewish refugees to enter the Philippines at a time when many countries refused them sanctuary.

Under Quezon’s administration and with the support of then U.S. High Commissioner Paul V. McNutt, Jewish refugees were granted refuge beginning in 1934. On 21 August, 1937, Quezon further formalized the policy by issuing Proclamation No. 173, endorsing an open-door immigration approach that enabled Jews to seek safety in the Philippines before World War II spread across Europe and Asia.

By the late 1930s, more than 1,300 Jewish refugees had settled in Manila, escaping near-certain death in Europe.

German Ambassador H.E. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoske said the purpose of the film screening was not to influence educational policy, but to share historical experiences.

“I am not here to tell the Philippines what they should do,” Pfaffernoske said. “Keeping the memory alive is a challenge not just for Germans, but for people all over the world. This is not an Israeli-German thing. This is something celebrated around the world as the holocaust is unfortunately something we have to remember so it don't happen again.”

Bagatsing said his family has a political background, but that he chose acting as a way to tell stories, including Quezon’s role in providing refuge for Jewish people during the Holocaust.

The event was organized by the Israeli Embassy, German Embassy, the Department of Education and the United Nations, highlighting the Philippines’ historical role as a haven for Jews fleeing Nazi persecution during World War II.