Photos  by Jess Amihan and Ed Usapdin

June 14, 2012, Manila Yacht Club—It is Charter Day, the 61^st anniversary of RA 646 and the 101^st year of the Knights of Rizal.

When Knights of Rizal gather, it is usually tumultuous and noisy affair as old friends get together, the hall is filled with cheers and chat and murmurs.

All of a sudden promptly at 6PM, the Color Guard snapped to attention, as Sir Alfredo S. Lim, KG, area and regional commanders and the newly elected Supreme Council officers.


Sir Reghis Romero II, KGCR, supreme commander, formally opened the ceremonies of Charter Day. The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila then rendered an original  polyphonic arrangement of Fr Eduardo Hontiveros, SJ’s  Ama Namin, replacing the traditional invocation. They also led the National Anthem to the quick tempo version played by the bands welcoming the wounded katipuneros  and casualties returning from the battles of independence from Spain.

Reminiscent of that day, and in order to ensure continuity of the Order and its mission, the deputy chairman of the Electoral Tribunal, Sir Tirso Velasco, KGOR then presented his report of the elections held last May 27 at Taguig City University. Sir Tirso had already served as member of this Tribunal for the last five elections, so it was with experience and authority that he announced that this was the first time in the history of the Knights that the Supreme Council trustees were all elected solely by acclamation of the voting knights. “There being nine candidates, and nine seats for the trustees of the Supreme Council, if there are no objections, I declare all elected by acclamation,”  declared the chairman, Sir Eugenio Labitoria, KGOR.  Just after this same announcement at the actual General Assembly and Election last May, the chairman promptly added: “This is the fastest, cleanest, most harmonious election I have ever chaired!”

As Sir Tirso read the names of the new trustees and their new functions, they each came forward to the podium.

• Sir Reghis M. Romero II, KGCR, supreme commander
• Sir Jeremias C. Singson, KGOR, deputy supreme commander
• Sir Danilo Concepcion, KCR, supreme chancellor
• Sir Avelino Torres, KGOR, supreme pursuivant
• Sir Diosdado Santos, KGOR, supreme exchequer
• Sir Reynaldo Malig, KGOR, supreme auditor
• Sir Rene B. Elias Lopez, KGOR, supreme archivist
• Sir Eddie Hildebrando Limon, KGOR, deputy supreme pursuivant and overseas representative

• Sir Carlos A. Arnaldo, KGOR, deputy supreme exchequer.

 


The deputy chairman then called upon the guest of honor, Sir Alfredo S. Lim, KGCR to administer the oath to the new officers.  Amidst the applause, the PLM Student Chorale Group sang Tagumpay.

It was heartening to note the presence that evening of Ms Gemma Cruz, chairperson of the Historical and Cultural Commission of the City of Manila, and former Miss Philippines and Miss Universe, descendant of Jose Rizal; Sir  Justo Torres, KGCR, supreme commander emeritus and former justice of the Supreme Court; and Sir Carmelo ‘Boy’ Gempesaw, KGCR, former supreme commander and always a stalwart supporter of the Knights.


The new supreme commander then presented his acceptance discourse, emphasizing the work that lay ahead, cooperating with government agencies, working with professional partners, recruiting new knights and chartering new chapters, training the youth in leadership. In a personal tone, he also referred to the role his parents played in his own education and upbringing, his father also being a chapter commander of the Knights.

Hiyas ng Maynilad, the dance troupe of the Panatasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila,  then presented two dances, Binasuan and Maglalatik.

Honorable Mayor Lim then took the floor as the guest of honor and keynote speaker. He began, “I am not a hero. I am just an ordinary citizen. . .  like you.” He invited the Knights to join the City of Manila in celebrating the memory of our national heroes and in embellishing their monuments.


To close the ceremonies, Sir Reghis Romero, KGCR led the knights in the Oath of rededication and the fraternal motto, “Non Omnis Moriar.”

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A note on RA 646: the Charter of the Order of the Knights of Rizal
 
By Carlos Arnaldo, KGOR
deputy supreme exchequer
Today, the Order  of the Knights of Rizal counts some 6,000 members all over the world, in all regions of the Philippines, but also in the key capitals of Europe and USA, in the Mideast, Africa and Asia. We trace the origins of this international Order to  December 30, 1911 when the first knights gathered to honor the martyrdom of our national hero, at his prison cell in Fort Santiago and his death by firing squad on the plains of Bagumbayan.

Although the Order of the Knights of Rizal existed since 1911, established by Colonel Antonio C. Torres, then Chief of Police of Manila, it was only on June 14 1951, that the Order became a legal and political body, a ‘moral person’ in legal terms, and through the passage of Republic Act 646, became an  equitable and correspondent partner of  major government agencies
The mission and goals of the Order are thus now enshrined in government law:
 
*  To develop the most perfect union among the Filipinos in revering the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal;
 
*  To promote among the associated knights the spirit of patriotism and Rizalian chivalry;
 
*  To study and spread the teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal and keep ever alive his consecrated memory and to make effective his exemplary and exalted principles; and
 
*  To organize the annual festivities in honor of Dr. Rizal."
 
To paraphrase the introductory note of the sponsors of Senate Bill 251, our Charter now serves  as an historical monument to Rizal, it constitutes an official recognition by the Republic of the Philippines of the inestimable value to the nation of his teachings and examples, and of the wisdom and necessity of inculcating these in the minds and hearts of our people so they may strive to follow and practice them.

Thus, the Knights contribute to the fostering of social discipline, civic virtues, and love of justice.

“Let Rizal’s life and martyrdom influence and guide the destiny of the nation.

Let this and future generations live the Rizal Way. ”
Although just a few days ago we celebrated Independence Day, commemorating the proclamation of General Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898, our nation still has a long way to fully achieve its independence, and that is the task of our younger generation, to finish what we have left undone.
Our mission:  to lead the youth to do this.

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine