Life, martyrdom of Chief Justice Abad Santos brought to US audience

The Philippine World War II Memorial Foundation brought to audience in the United States the film that tells the life and martyrdom of former Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos as his heroic death did not receive full honors.

Abad Santos was executed by the Japanese Army on May 1, 1942 for refusing to pledge allegiance to the occupying Japanese forces.

Produced by the Philippine World War II Memorial Foundation, the story is weaved together through interviews with descendants, World War II Philippine historians, official documents, and excerpts from articles written by Abad Santos’ son, Pepito, who was with his father through his last days.

Present at the screening of “HONOR: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos” at the Philippine embassy in Washington, DC on Friday were the executive producers of the film, Mario Benipayo and Desiree Ann Cua Benipayo who both traveled from Manila to bring the film to Washington, DC audience. Desiree Benipayo is the author of the book with the same title.

“He is one of the greatest heroes of World War II, and yet Jose Abad Santos’ name remains ambiguous to many. He was the highest government official executed by the Japanese yet his death, heroic in all aspects, never received full honors,” she said.

The embassy said the very inspirational movie moved and even brought some members of the audience to tears as the scene of Jose Abad Santos’ martyrdom unfolded.

“HONOR: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos” was shown at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on Sept. 26.

Prior to its Washington, DC screening, the film was also shown at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 15.

The Philippine World War II Memorial Foundation is a non- profit organization that aims to initiate, develop, and carry-out projects and activities that will educate and enlighten the Filipino people, especially the youth about Philippine World War II history.