Fox19 Interview

“I hope [viewers] will walk away with the idea that one doesn’t need to be a president. One doesn’t need a title, that if you see an injustice and there is something that you can do, that you do it. Just needs a passion and perseverance, and you can make a difference.”

- Barbara Weston Sasser

The New York Times

The Los Angeles Times

Fox19 Cincinnati & N. KY

The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Village Voice

The Hollywood Reporter

GMA News

Arutz Sheva

LA Weekly

Rotten Tomatoes

Inquirer Global Nation

The American Israelite

Jewish Daily Forward

jweekly.com

Asian Journal

Asian Week

The Gazette

Austronesia

Galveston Daily News

Documentary Channel

Covering Media

VSPAN.asia

Manila News

News 47

• The Village Voice
• San Francisco Chronicle

Rescue in the Philippines, Refuge from the Holocaust

Sunday, Apr 7 5:00p to 7:00p

New People

San Francisco, CA

The documentary tells the story of how the Frieder brothers, Cincinnati businessmen manufacturing cigars in pre-World War II Philippines, together with Manuel Quezon, the first Philippine president, US High Commissioner Paul McNutt and Col. Dwight Eisenhower, helped 1200 Jews escape the Nazis by immigrating to the Philippines. It’s the “Schindler’s List” that nobody knows about!

Shortcode

This is the sourceTest TitleCaliforniaCompany

This story’s importance also extends to current geopolitical events that are unrelated to the Holocaust. In its continuing fight for survival and acceptance Israel fights daily battles for understanding and legitimacy in virtually every country in the world and in the global multilateral organizations … There is a genuine opportunity, to strengthen the Philippines’ understanding of and ties with Israel. In this regard, this film has the potential to be of tremendous assistance in this ongoing work.

James R. BusisAmerican Jewish Comittee

The biblical prophet Micah asks, “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God?” And that injunction was carried out by…Manuel Quezon, when in the latter 1930′s, he opened the doors of his country to 1,300 desperate German and Austrian Jews, victims of Nazism. It’s an injunction that was followed by the Frieder Brothers of Cincinnati when they supported and gave employment in their Manila cigar enterprises to these immigrants. And it was supported by Paul V. McNutt, American High Commissioner in the Philippines when he expedited the rescue. This rare piece of humane W.W.II history has not been told before. Now it is documented by the Frieder granddaughters in the ‘must see’ production of ‘Rescue in the Philippines.’

Lotte Cassel HershfieldPhilippine refugee

The story you’ve uncovered is inspiring…I watched the work you have done so far as a distant relative of one those visionary brothers. I also watched as a lifelong journalist and editor at the New York Times, who takes some pride in knowing a great story when I see one.You are creating a film that brings the old intrigue to life, talks with survivors and nails down once and for all a bit of history hidden for over half a century. Thanks to your efforts this inspiring story will take its place in the history books of many nations– and maybe, maybe influence better behavior in today’s contentious world.

Soma Golden Behr, Fmr. EditorNew York Times & Frieder in-law

I think [Eisenhower] would have seen the injustice and the horror that was unfolding in Europe, and would’ve thought that it was the right thing to do what you can do to try and be there for other members of the human race.

Susan EisenhowerPresident Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

Compassion is a very important emotion though, and I think that’s what makes that period so inspirational, the fact that people could feel that compassion and did put themselves at risk to do something.

Susan EisenhowerPresident Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

He [Eisenhower] found a situation in the Philippines that an opportunity to give and provide moral support to this courageous family, who decided to take the initiative when they didn’t have to. It’s a remarkable story, I think, of a band of individuals in the Philippines far away from where the crisis was occurring. People who decided to do something and to go to that effort…it shows the power of the story and the effort itself.

Susan EisenhowerPresident Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

I think it’s a wonderful story about how you can never underestimate how you can continue to be of help even if you’re not in the main place. As it turns out, the role [Eisenhower] played in uncovering the Holocaust and assuring that it was chronicled for all time and up being a significant contribution in and of itself.

Susan EisenhowerPresident Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

Very few Filipinos know that Quezon was, in his own way, a kind of Schindler. And it has come out and I think people have been proud of that.

Professor Ricardo Trota Jose, Phd.Manila

They could’ve just hung out and played poker…but no, they had something in their hearts. They had a burning desire to do something good. And they all used their personal relationships to work it out.

Ricardo Quezon AvacenaPresident Quezon's grandson

»

• Options
  • hide_author – default show; hide_author=true
  • hide_source – default show; hide_source=true
  • ids – default none; ids=2 or ids=”2,4,6″
  • limit – default none; limit=10
  • random – default newest first; random=true
  • tags – default none; tags=fire or tags=”fire,water”
  • char_limit – default none; char_limit=200
• This is the sourceTest TitleCaliforniaCompany

  This story’s importance also extends to current geopolitical events that are unrelated to the Holocaust. In its continuing fight for survival and acceptance Israel fights daily battles for understanding and legitimacy in virtually every country in the world and in the global multilateral organizations … There is a genuine opportunity, to strengthen the Philippines’ understanding of and ties with Israel. In this regard, this film has the potential to be of tremendous assistance in this ongoing work.

  James R. BusisAmerican Jewish Comittee

  The biblical prophet Micah asks, “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God?” And that injunction was carried out by…Manuel Quezon, when in the latter 1930′s, he opened the doors of his country to 1,300 desperate German and Austrian Jews, victims of Nazism. It’s an injunction that was followed by the Frieder Brothers of Cincinnati when they supported and gave employment in their Manila cigar enterprises to these immigrants. And it was supported by Paul V. McNutt, American High Commissioner in the Philippines when he expedited the rescue. This rare piece of humane W.W.II history has not been told before. Now it is documented by the Frieder granddaughters in the ‘must see’ production of ‘Rescue in the Philippines.’

  Lotte Cassel HershfieldPhilippine refugee

  The story you’ve uncovered is inspiring…I watched the work you have done so far as a distant relative of one those visionary brothers. I also watched as a lifelong journalist and editor at the New York Times, who takes some pride in knowing a great story when I see one.You are creating a film that brings the old intrigue to life, talks with survivors and nails down once and for all a bit of history hidden for over half a century. Thanks to your efforts this inspiring story will take its place in the history books of many nations– and maybe, maybe influence better behavior in today’s contentious world.

  Soma Golden Behr, Fmr. EditorNew York Times & Frieder in-law

  I think [Eisenhower] would have seen the injustice and the horror that was unfolding in Europe, and would’ve thought that it was the right thing to do what you can do to try and be there for other members of the human race.

  Susan EisenhowerPresident Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

  Compassion is a very important emotion though, and I think that’s what makes that period so inspirational, the fact that people could feel that compassion and did put themselves at risk to do something.

  Susan EisenhowerPresident Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

  He [Eisenhower] found a situation in the Philippines that an opportunity to give and provide moral support to this courageous family, who decided to take the initiative when they didn’t have to. It’s a remarkable story, I think, of a band of individuals in the Philippines far away from where the crisis was occurring. People who decided to do something and to go to that effort…it shows the power of the story and the effort itself.

  Susan EisenhowerPresident Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

  I think it’s a wonderful story about how you can never underestimate how you can continue to be of help even if you’re not in the main place. As it turns out, the role [Eisenhower] played in uncovering the Holocaust and assuring that it was chronicled for all time and up being a significant contribution in and of itself.

  Susan EisenhowerPresident Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

  Very few Filipinos know that Quezon was, in his own way, a kind of Schindler. And it has come out and I think people have been proud of that.

  Professor Ricardo Trota Jose, Phd.Manila

  They could’ve just hung out and played poker…but no, they had something in their hearts. They had a burning desire to do something good. And they all used their personal relationships to work it out.

  Ricardo Quezon AvacenaPresident Quezon's grandson

  »
  Examples
  • Test TitleCaliforniaCompany

    This story’s importance also extends to current geopolitical events that are unrelated to the Holocaust. In its continuing fight for survival and acceptance Israel fights daily battles for understanding and legitimacy in virtually every country in the world and in the global multilateral organizations … There is a genuine opportunity, to strengthen the Philippines’ understanding of and ties with Israel. In this regard, this film has the potential to be of tremendous assistance in this ongoing work.

    American Jewish Comittee

    The biblical prophet Micah asks, “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God?” And that injunction was carried out by…Manuel Quezon, when in the latter 1930′s, he opened the doors of his country to 1,300 desperate German and Austrian Jews, victims of Nazism. It’s an injunction that was followed by the Frieder Brothers of Cincinnati when they supported and gave employment in their Manila cigar enterprises to these immigrants. And it was supported by Paul V. McNutt, American High Commissioner in the Philippines when he expedited the rescue. This rare piece of humane W.W.II history has not been told before. Now it is documented by the Frieder granddaughters in the ‘must see’ production of ‘Rescue in the Philippines.’

    Philippine refugee

    The story you’ve uncovered is inspiring…I watched the work you have done so far as a distant relative of one those visionary brothers. I also watched as a lifelong journalist and editor at the New York Times, who takes some pride in knowing a great story when I see one.You are creating a film that brings the old intrigue to life, talks with survivors and nails down once and for all a bit of history hidden for over half a century. Thanks to your efforts this inspiring story will take its place in the history books of many nations– and maybe, maybe influence better behavior in today’s contentious world.

    New York Times & Frieder in-law

    I think [Eisenhower] would have seen the injustice and the horror that was unfolding in Europe, and would’ve thought that it was the right thing to do what you can do to try and be there for other members of the human race.

    President Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

    Compassion is a very important emotion though, and I think that’s what makes that period so inspirational, the fact that people could feel that compassion and did put themselves at risk to do something.

    President Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

    He [Eisenhower] found a situation in the Philippines that an opportunity to give and provide moral support to this courageous family, who decided to take the initiative when they didn’t have to. It’s a remarkable story, I think, of a band of individuals in the Philippines far away from where the crisis was occurring. People who decided to do something and to go to that effort…it shows the power of the story and the effort itself.

    President Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

    I think it’s a wonderful story about how you can never underestimate how you can continue to be of help even if you’re not in the main place. As it turns out, the role [Eisenhower] played in uncovering the Holocaust and assuring that it was chronicled for all time and up being a significant contribution in and of itself.

    President Dwight Eisenhower's granddaughter

    Very few Filipinos know that Quezon was, in his own way, a kind of Schindler. And it has come out and I think people have been proud of that.

    Manila

    They could’ve just hung out and played poker…but no, they had something in their hearts. They had a burning desire to do something good. And they all used their personal relationships to work it out.

    President Quezon's grandson

    »
  • This is the sourceTest TitleCaliforniaCompany

  • No testimonials found

    »

RESCUE IN THE PHILIPPINES: REFUGE FROM THE HOLOCAUST

NEW DOCUMENTARY TO BE BROADCAST STARTING APRIL 2013 IN HONOR OF HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE MONTH

A fascinating, but seldom-told, chapter of WWII history is recounted in a one-hour documentary, narrated by Liev Schrieber, that airs on public television stations nationwide beginning in April (check local listings.) Produced by 3 Roads Communications, “Rescue in the Philippines: Refuge from the Holocaust,” is distributed by American Public Television (APT). The program will also air on WORLD, public television’s premier news and documentary channel, later in 2013.

The documentary chronicles an intricate international plan of rescue and resettlement that saved 1,300 Jews from certain death in Nazi concentration camps. In pre-war Manila, an unlikely mix of poker players gathered to save lives. Five Jewish-American cigar makers from Cincinnati. The president of the Philippines. A future president of the United States. A U.S.High Commissioner.

The high- profile group of poker buddies — Col. Dwight Eisenhower, First Philippine President Manuel Quezon, the U.S. High Commissioner Paul McNutt, and the Frieder brothers,  Cincinnati businessmen who made two-for-a-nickel cigars in pre-World War II Manila – devised a plan.

 “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

Each brought a specific expertise to the mission. Its success depended upon Quezon’s pivotal support, McNutt’s diplomatic expertise and political savvy, Eisenhower’s organizational skills and gift for strategy, and the Frieders’ ability, with the help of the Jewish community in Manila, to create new lives for a steady stream of desperate refugees.

 “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

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 plot the rescue of as many Jewish refugees as possible.

Through interviews with historians, friends and relatives of participants, and first-person accounts from survivors who share their harrowing stories of escape to the Philippines, the documentary details how late-night poker games evolved into a call to action that saved hundreds of lives.

 ”Rescue”…(is) significant to our history and should be known to all.”

-Yaniv Revach, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Israel, Manila

About 3 Roads

The producers from 3 Roads Communications have also brought the award-winning show “The Truth About Money with Ric Edelman”, “Legends of Airpower”, and “For the Love of their Brother” to public television stations. Their newest documentary will bring you around the globe, giving you first-hand accounts of this compelling story.

WEBSITE:
 www.3roads.com

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Scott

3 Roads Communications

1 W. 2nd Ave.
Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 662-4121 cynthia.scott@3roads.com

APT CONTACT: Dawn Anderson,

American Public Television (APT) (617) 338-4455, ext. 149 dawn_anderson@APTonline.org