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Photo courtesy of America Public Television |
A striking and heartfelt statement was uttered by President Manuel L. Quezon during the Philippine Commonwealth Period in the early 40s. And he said,
"The people of the Philippines will have every reason to be glad that when the time of need comes, their country will be willing to extend a hand of welcome."
That statement was in response to the firm intent of Quezon to accept thousands of Refugees during the Nazi Germany Holocaust, where millions of European Jews were persecuted under the powerful command of their leader, Adolf Hitler.
Despite his physical weakness and impending death due to a pulmonary disease, Quezon displayed remarkable courage and chose to be a humanitarian, providing social justice to those persecuted. Of the potential 10,000 refugees that Quezon was willing to accept, about 1,200 were given shelter. We opened our doors and welcomed them wholeheartedly, providing them with a piece of land and a livelihood for security and survival.
Quezon's foresight was indeed accurate. In our present day, the impact of his actions is still felt. In 2018, a film was produced in his honor, titled 'Quezon's Game.' This film, shown to the world in December and the Philippines in May 2019, showcased our solidarity and compassion and reaffirmed our open-door policy for accepting refugees. It is a testament to our nation's proud history of humanitarianism.
I watched the film this month, and it made me proud to be a Filipino. We are indeed a Nation of kind-hearted people with a sense of humanity and social dignity.
When the world turned down those refugees, only one nation embraced them with open arms: the Filipinos. We gave them not only shelter but also helped them regain their identity and sense of humanity. That goodwill was recognized by the Jews when a statue of Quezon was built in Tel Aviv, Israel, in his memory and the friendliness of the entire Filipino nation.
When some of our present-day leaders would utter words of killing his own people, President Quezon was different and indeed a gentleman with the highest regard for human life by saving more than a thousand lives.
Today, we need a leader who is tough and values and upholds the sanctity of human life. Hundreds of millions of stateless people are currently seeking refuge due to wars, armed conflicts, persecution, and even economic downfall. They are sick, dying, and unwanted by their own people. However, they are still hopeful for a miracle for the second life they deserve.
Today, June 20, is World Refugee Day, a day of reflection and action. It is a celebration for Filipinos of our dignity and pride, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the hundreds of millions of stateless people currently seeking refuge. May our sense of humanity be upon us all for those who are abandoned, unwanted, and persecuted. We are Filipinos, and we have a proud history of saving lives. Let us continue to uphold this legacy.
© 2019 Del Cusay
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