Quezon’s Game Director Matthew Rosen, President of the Jewish Association of the Philippines Salito Malca, Ambassador Dana Kursh of the Embassy of Israel, Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffersnoske of the Embassy of Germany, Mathias Kruse, Deputy Chief of Mission of German,y and Education Undersecretary Peter Irving Corvera light up six candles in memory of the six million Jewish men, women, and children who were murdered during the Holocaust.

On Jan. 27, 2026, the Embassies of Israel and Germany in the Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Education and the United Nations, held a solemn commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the National Museum of Natural History in Manila. The ceremony honored the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and paid tribute to former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon’s humanitarian legacy in offering refuge to Jewish families fleeing Nazi persecution.

The program began with welcome remarks from Israeli Ambassador Dana Kursh, followed by a message from United Nations Resident Coordinator Arnaud Peral. A candle-lighting ceremony symbolized remembrance and resilience, with six candles representing the six million Jewish men, women, and children murdered during the Holocaust. Each flame carried the enduring responsibility to ensure such atrocities are never repeated.

A central highlight was the screening of Quezon’s Game (2018), a film depicting President Quezon’s efforts to provide sanctuary to Jewish refugees in the 1930s. Actor Raymond Bagatsing, who portrayed Quezon, joined a panel discussion alongside Director Matthew Rosen, Quezon’s grandson Ben Avanceña, and representatives from the diplomatic community.

Under Quezon’s leadership, and with the support of US High Commissioner Paul V. McNutt, the Philippines adopted an open-door immigration policy. In 1937, through Proclamation No. 173, Quezon formalized this humanitarian stance, enabling more than 1,300 Jewish refugees to settle in Manila before World War II engulfed Europe and Asia.

Ambassador Kursh shared a deeply personal testimony, recalling her grandmother’s survival of the Holocaust: “For many people around the world, the Holocaust is something they encounter in history books — tragic, horrifying, but distant. For me, and for many Jews and Israelis, it is not distant history. It is personal. My grandmother, Rachel Dudszek, was born in Warsaw. During the Holocaust, Nazi Germany murdered her parents and seven of her brothers and sisters. She was the only survivor among eight siblings. She chose life, rebuilt, and passed the memory forward. I carry her story with me — not only as grief, but as a responsibility.” She emphasized that remembrance must be active, urging younger generations to carry forward lessons of moral courage and leadership.

German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke underscored Germany’s unique responsibility in confronting the crimes of the Holocaust: “January 27th is not just a date on the calendar, it is a day when we, the German people, confront ourselves again with the darkest chapter of our history. We renew our firm commitment: this must never happen again.” He further highlighted Germany’s pledge to uphold human rights and the security of the State of Israel, stressing that dialogue and understanding are vital defenses against division and prejudice.

Ambassador Kursh reflected on Quezon’s enduring inspiration: “When I shook the hand of President Quezon’s grandson, I felt as though I was shaking Quezon’s hand himself. His courage and compassion remain a source of pride and inspiration for all of us.”

The commemoration gathered dignitaries including UN Resident Coordinator Arnaud Peral, DepEd Undersecretary Peter Irving Corvera, Salito Malca, president of the Jewish Association of the Philippines, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society representatives, and the Jewish community. Their presence underscored the collective responsibility to remember the Holocaust and to honor acts of moral courage that shaped history.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the global pledge of #NeverAgain. It honored Quezon’s humanitarian vision as a bridge of hope and reminded participants that remembrance is not only about confronting the past but also about building a future rooted in compassion, justice, and unity. From the ashes of history, the commemoration in Manila stood as a testament to resilience, reconciliation, and the enduring power of moral leadership.