"I, __[Name]__, do solemnly swear...that I will bear true faith and allegiance...to the United States of America...that I will serve them honestly and faithfully...against all their enemies whomsoever...and I will obey the orders...of the President of the United States...And the orders of the officers appointed over me...according to the rules and Articles of War."
With this pledge, approximately 250,000 Filipino men joined the U.S. Armed Forces in the months before and the days just after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. For the next several years, they would share the fate of their American counterparts on the battlefield, in prisoner of war camps, and throughout the countryside as part of the guerrilla resistance. Accordingly, Washington promised them the same health and pension benefits as their American brothers. Even after the war, in October of 1945, Gen. Omar Bradley, then Administrator of the Veterans Administration, reaffirmed that they were to be treated like any other American veterans.
But on February 18, 1946, the Congress passed and President Truman signed Public Law 70-301, known as the Rescission Act of 1946. It said that the service of Filipinos "shall not be deemed to be or to have been service in the military or national forces of the United States or any component thereof or any law of the United States conferring rights, privileges or benefits."
Ever since, Filipino veterans and others appalled by this injustice have lobbied without success for a reversal of the Rescission Act.
Excerpt from PBS American Experience, MacArthur.
With this pledge, approximately 250,000 Filipino men joined the U.S. Armed Forces in the months before and the days just after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. For the next several years, they would share the fate of their American counterparts on the battlefield, in prisoner of war camps, and throughout the countryside as part of the guerrilla resistance. Accordingly, Washington promised them the same health and pension benefits as their American brothers. Even after the war, in October of 1945, Gen. Omar Bradley, then Administrator of the Veterans Administration, reaffirmed that they were to be treated like any other American veterans.
But on February 18, 1946, the Congress passed and President Truman signed Public Law 70-301, known as the Rescission Act of 1946. It said that the service of Filipinos "shall not be deemed to be or to have been service in the military or national forces of the United States or any component thereof or any law of the United States conferring rights, privileges or benefits."
Ever since, Filipino veterans and others appalled by this injustice have lobbied without success for a reversal of the Rescission Act.
Excerpt from PBS American Experience, MacArthur.
Mount Tahoma Auditorium
Lolo - A Short Film
Release Date: Veteran's Day Weekend 2012
WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY MUSEUM
Mount Tahoma Auditorium
Tacoma, Washington
November 10, 2012 / 4:00 PM
Release Date: Veteran's Day Weekend 2012
WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY MUSEUM
Mount Tahoma Auditorium
Tacoma, Washington
November 10, 2012 / 4:00 PM
The Writer-Director's Statement
Ronald J. Lagman is a Tacoma, WA. based filmmaker who is also a member of the 446th Aerospace Medical Squadron at McChord Field. Born and raised in the Philippines, Ron has in his heart a special place for WWII Filipino-American Veterans who fought in the Philippine Islands.
"Hundreds of thousands of young Filipino men uttered the very same pledge of enlistment I did when I volunteered in the United States Air Force. But for several decades, we as a nation have forgotten their sacrifices."
This is the backstory of Mr. Lagman's latest narrative short film, "Lolo," or Grandfather. MANONG, is a World War II Filipino-American Veteran. For more than fifty years of his life, he had dreamt only of being granted his U.S. citizenship as a member of the United States Armed Forces who fought in the Philippine Islands under General Douglas MacArthur. For many decades he and many others like him were denied their rights and benefits as U.S. soldiers. Now in his old age, and finally granted some rights, he discovers a new and challenging world that is not what he expected and hoped. The film is about family, honor, respect; but more than these, it is about a man's undying courage and conviction.
The goal of the completed film is to promote, educate, and bring to light the many challenges our WWII Filipino-American veterans face everyday in their old age living in America and in the Philippines today. The avenues for promoting this range from local screenings at high schools, colleges and universities, town halls, and film festivals in the United States and abroad; of course the Philippines is a destination. A study guide will also be made available online for educational purposes.
Production of the film begins this Spring 2012 in Tacoma, Washington. And the picture will have it's premiere on Veteran's Day weekend of 2012. The City of Tacoma, through the Tacoma Arts Commission's TAIP Program, has awarded Lolo a grant to get the production off the ground. Along with some personal funds from Mr. Lagman and financial donations from his family, friends, and supporters, we are on are way to making this film come to fruition. But we still need your support. You can contribute by sending us a check or money order (PO Box 111315, Tacoma, WA. 98411), donate via Paypal (ronald.lagman@gmail.com), and or by simply sending an email and letting us know how you can help. We appreciate all your support.
A final word from the filmmaker: "With a grateful heart, my sincere thanks. Salamat" (Thank you). Ron.
"Hundreds of thousands of young Filipino men uttered the very same pledge of enlistment I did when I volunteered in the United States Air Force. But for several decades, we as a nation have forgotten their sacrifices."
This is the backstory of Mr. Lagman's latest narrative short film, "Lolo," or Grandfather. MANONG, is a World War II Filipino-American Veteran. For more than fifty years of his life, he had dreamt only of being granted his U.S. citizenship as a member of the United States Armed Forces who fought in the Philippine Islands under General Douglas MacArthur. For many decades he and many others like him were denied their rights and benefits as U.S. soldiers. Now in his old age, and finally granted some rights, he discovers a new and challenging world that is not what he expected and hoped. The film is about family, honor, respect; but more than these, it is about a man's undying courage and conviction.
The goal of the completed film is to promote, educate, and bring to light the many challenges our WWII Filipino-American veterans face everyday in their old age living in America and in the Philippines today. The avenues for promoting this range from local screenings at high schools, colleges and universities, town halls, and film festivals in the United States and abroad; of course the Philippines is a destination. A study guide will also be made available online for educational purposes.
Production of the film begins this Spring 2012 in Tacoma, Washington. And the picture will have it's premiere on Veteran's Day weekend of 2012. The City of Tacoma, through the Tacoma Arts Commission's TAIP Program, has awarded Lolo a grant to get the production off the ground. Along with some personal funds from Mr. Lagman and financial donations from his family, friends, and supporters, we are on are way to making this film come to fruition. But we still need your support. You can contribute by sending us a check or money order (PO Box 111315, Tacoma, WA. 98411), donate via Paypal (ronald.lagman@gmail.com), and or by simply sending an email and letting us know how you can help. We appreciate all your support.
A final word from the filmmaker: "With a grateful heart, my sincere thanks. Salamat" (Thank you). Ron.
