Grandson, Harpaz hail Quezon

Israeli Ambassador says late President saved his people during Holocaust

The grandson of President Manuel L. Quezon called on Filipinos yesterday to emulate the ideals of his late grandfather whose 141st birthday was celebrated on 19 August at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. “On this day, let us remember the example set by Quezon — that integrity adheres to principles and the willingness to do what is right regardless of the consequences is what defines us in our legacy for the future generation,” Emilio Avanceña, Quezon’s grandson by his daughter Zenaida, said.

The celebration was led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, her first as the city’s chief executive with Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Rafael Harpaz as the guest of honor and speaker.

They were joined by Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño, National Historical Commission Chairperson Rene Escalante, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran Rector and President Fr. Clarence Victor C. Marquez, O.P.

Harpaz in his speech recalled Quezon’s contributions to the country and the people of Israel during the Holocaust.

Ambassador Harpaz expressed his gratitude to President Quezon for saving the lives of over 1,200 Jewish refugees by allowing them to come to the Philippines.

Quezon was also known for pushing for women’s suffrage in 1937 and for the adoption of Filipino as the national language.

He died in New York in 1944 while in exile during the Second World War.