College to Host Film Screening of Documentary on Alumnus’ Life as POW on Veterans Day, Nov. 11
WWII and Korean War veteran and alumnus, Paul Loong ’58, tells his story as a POW in "Every Day Is a Holiday," which was created by his daughter and filmmaker, Theresa Loong.
On Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, Manhattan College will recognize alumnus and Korean War veteran Paul Loong ’58 with a film screening of Every Day Is a Holiday, which tells his story as a prisoner of war (POW) in Japan during World War II. The free screening will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a discussion with Dr. Loong and the film’s director.
Chinese-American filmmaker Theresa Loong, daughter of Paul Loong, created Every Day Is a Holiday to chronicle her father’s experience as a POW from 1942 to 1945, and his
subsequent struggle to gain U.S. citizenship. After moving to the U.S., Paul Loong became a merchant seaman and traveled the world. He also signed up for the draft and served in Korea during the Korean War. With the help of Congress, he officially became a U.S. citizen in 1956, completed his bachelor’s degree at Manhattan College in 1958, and went on to medical school in Italy, eventually practicing as a doctor at a Veterans Affairs Hospital in East Orange, N.J.
The documentary first aired on public television in May 2012, and captures Paul Loong’s story through his personal diary, archival war footage, and conversations between father and daughter.
Theresa Loong is founder of the interactive production company, FORM360, and has worked with AMC Networks, New York Magazine, The New York Times, Intellitoys, Architecture for Humanity, Milestone Films and Time Warner.
The film screening will be held in Manhattan College’s Hayden Hall, Room 100, and the event is free and open to the local community.
For more information, please visit www.everydayisaholiday.org.