Frederick, MD (PRWEB) December 12, 2013
In a just-released statement by His Excellency Jose L. Cuisia Jr., the Ambassador of the Philippines to the U.S., Cuisia praised producers of this year's documentary, "Rescue in the Philippines" for their quick response to the Typhoon Haiyan disaster. In his remarks, Cuisia applauded the producers for establishing a relief effort designed to provide $2.5 million worth of prosthetics to critically-injured victims.
Cuisia recognized the commitment made by film producers Russ Hodge, Cynthia Scott, Barbara Sasser and Peggy Ellis, the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics to deliver thousands of prosthetics to Filipinos who are in dire need.
"On behalf of...the Philippine government and the Filipino people, I'd like to thank Peggy and Russ for collaborating on this production of 'Rescue in the Philippines' documentary, which I'm glad to hear is an Oscar contender-and I will certainly be rooting for it."
When it was released earlier this year, Rescue in the Philippines --depicting a little-known chapter in history where Filipinos helped rescue 1,300 Jews from the Holocaust--was called "gripping" by The Los Angeles Times and "as heartbreaking as it is courageous" by The New York Times. It is currently in contention for an Oscar.
Cuisia said that as a result of the actions by then-Philippines President Manuel Quezon during World War II, he is heartened the life-saving gesture will now be returned. "I am so pleased that we had a president who was enlightened enough to allow the 1,300 Jews to come to the Philippines and...for that noble deed, I think a lot of people in the Philippines (now) will benefit from this enlightened decision."
To date, "Rescue in the Philippines," produced by 3 Roads Communications, has been presented in movie theaters in major cities throughout the U.S., as well as on hundreds of public television stations around the country. It was also honored with special presentations at the United Nations and on Capitol Hill.