FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: August 18, 2011

CONTACT: Adam Cassandra 540-622-5230 – acassandra@hli.org – www.hli.org

“The Philippines: Preserving a Culture of Life”

Pro-Life Documentary Premieres

First episode of HLI’s “True Story Project” highlights struggle from the perspective of the Filipino people

FRONT ROYAL, Virginia — Highlighting one of the most dramatic social and political struggles for life and family in the world, Human Life International’s short documentary film “The Philippines: Preserving a Culture of Life” is set to premiere on EWTN’s worldwide television network.

“The situation in the Philippines is tenuous,” said Stephen Phelan, executive producer of the documentary. “But to hear the Filipino people tell the story of their fight for life and family is to understand just how united and how hopeful Filipinos are as they stand up for truth. All pro-lifers can learn something about the importance of unity and hope in the face of overwhelming odds.”

"The Philippines: Preserving a Culture of Life" debuts on EWTN in America and Canada on August 23 at 3:30 am, then runs again on August 25 at 1:30 pm and August 26 at 9:00 pm. All times EST. The program, shot in cinematic widescreen format and capturing stunning scenes and heartfelt interviews, is already in heavy rotation in the Philippines. Visit www.ewtn.com for local times, or http://www.ewtn.com/audiovideo/index.asp for live streaming video at the scheduled times.

“It is profoundly inspiring to hear everyday Filipinos, as well as leaders from the political realm and the Catholic Church talk about how they have fought off this intrusive, anti-life and anti-family bill in its different forms for twelve years,” said Phelan, who is also director of communications for HLI. “It is in some ways reminiscent of the struggle over health care in this country – a detached political elite continues to force through a bill that the people have said time and again that they don’t want. The bill’s backers use deceptive language, they are funded by hundreds of millions of dollars from outside the Philippines, and they are attempting to attack and divide the Catholic Church. Democracy notwithstanding, they have no intention of taking ‘no’ for an answer, and they are already promising that the bill will pass by the end of the year. But the opposition to the bill is strong and united, and growing. Everyone must understand what is going on in the Philippines, and how we are all bound in the struggle for life and family.”

To view a trailer for the 28 minute documentary, and to learn more about the film and the situation in the Philippines, visit www.hli.org/thephilippines.

About HLI: Human Life International: Pro-Life Missionaries to the World. Founded in 1981, HLI is the world’s largest international pro-life organization and has affiliates and associates in over 100 countries on six continents. www.hli.org

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