The Order of the Knights of Rizal-Hawaii Chapter will be hosting the 4^th U.S.A. Regional Assembly and Conference on September 1-3, 2012 and the 2^nd Dr. Jose Rizal Awards Gala on September 2, 2012 at the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii.
 

The Order of the Knights of Rizal is an international fraternal organization that was established in 1911 in Manila and subsequently chartered by law under Republic Act 646.  Its purpose is to spread the ideals and teachings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the Philippines’ foremost national hero, especially among the youth who Rizal considers as the “fair hope of the Fatherland.”  Buoyed by its lofty universal principles, the Order has spread not only in the Philippines but to other countries as well.  At present, there are chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia, the Middle East, Britain, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, and other parts of Asia, with a membership of more than 10,000.  Members include government officials, businessmen, academics, doctors, literary men, engineers, students, artists, etc.
 
The Hawaii Chapter was established in 1971.  Among its past commanders and members are distinguished members of the community, Filipinos as well as non-Filipinos.  Its current commander is Sir Raymund Liongson.   Among the projects that the chapter has done are: the erection of the Rizal statue at the Filipino Community Center, passage of a Honolulu City Council resolution naming part of College Walk as Dr. Jose P. Rizal Square, the roving Rizal exhibit, the Alay kay Rizal Dramafest at UH, the Rizal Youth Leadership Institute, the annual Dr. Jose Rizal Awards, and the annual Rizal birth and death anniversary celebrations. 
 
The Regional Assembly and Conference
 
The last U.S. regional assembly and conference was held on September 3-5, 2010 in Las Vegas.  Held every two years, the regional assembly and conference brings together members of the Order from all over the world not only to renew ties of fraternity but to discuss and exchange ideas on topics that relate to the life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal,
Philippine martyr and national hero.  This year’s theme is “Rizal’s Legacy and Its Implications to Nation Building.”  It seeks to address how Rizal’s life, ideas, and teachings have molded or led to the growth of nationalism not only in the Philippines but elsewhere, and how they continue to influence the socio-cultural, political and economic life of the same.  It is hoped that from this assembly and conference, new insights or practical ideas can emerge that could help peoples better face the challenges of nation building. 
 
Speakers from Hawaii, mainland U.S.A., Canada, Europe, and the Philippines – from the fraternity, the academe, and the community – will share their views on the theme.  The keynote speaker will be Dr. Belinda Aquino, professor emeritus and former director of the Center for Philippine Studies of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and recipient of the first Dr. Jose Rizal Award given by the Knights of Rizal-Hawaii Chapter in 2011. 
 
The Assembly/Conference Program
 
The assembly/conference will start in the morning of Saturday, September 1, 2012, with registration followed by the opening ceremonies.  The welcome and opening remarks will be given by Sir Raymund Liongson, KCR, commander of the Knights of Rizal-Hawaii Chapter, and Sir Tom Rodriguez, KGOR, U.S. deputy regional commander, respectively.  The assembly will be declared open by the KOR supreme commander, after which Sir Serafin Colmenares Jr., KGOR, will introduce the keynote speaker.  After the keynote speech, Sir Eddie Limon, KGCR, will give his report as regional commander for the U.S.A.  Lunch follows.
 
Immediately after lunch on September 1, there will be an optional bus tour for the attendees to the U.S.S. Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor, followed by a visit to the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, and end with a luau at Paradise Cove.
 
Sunday, September 2 will be the conference proper.  There will be several plenary speakers/panel discussions in the morning, followed by lunch which will feature a luncheon speaker.  The afternoon will be devoted to several break-out sessions.  In the evening, starting at 6:00 p.m., the 2^nd Dr. Jose Rizal Awards Gala will be held.  In addition to dinner, attendees will be treated to a short presentation by the Knights of Rizal-New Jersey Chapter on “The Trial of Dr. Jose Rizal,” and then by a speech from the evening’s guest speaker.  This will be followed by the introduction of the recipient of this year’s Dr. Jose Rizal Award, who will then give his/her acceptance speech.  Entertainment and dancing follow, featuring Kristian Lei, Paul Cortes, and other entertainers.
 
The morning of the third day, September 3, which is Labor Day, will deal primarily with Knights of Rizal organizational business and will start off with the presentation of awards to, and the exaltation of, deserving members of the Knights of Rizal.  This will be followed by the submission, discussion and approval of resolutions from the assembly/conference, announcements, “State of the Order” speech by the KOR supreme commander which will formally close the assembly and conference, and then lunch.  The afternoon will be free time for everybody.
 
The 2^nd Dr. Jose Rizal Award
 
The evening of September 2, 2012 will feature the 2^nd Dr. Jose Rizal Award Gala.  The Award is given annually by the Knights of Rizal-Hawaii Chapter to honor Dr. Jose P. Rizal.  It is awarded to a person who exemplifies the life and teachings of the Philippines foremost national hero.
 

Dr. Jose P. Rizal was a polymath and excelled in many fields.  He is known for his literary works, his keen scientific mind, his devotion to an educated citizenry, his vision of an ideal community, but most of all, for his dedication to and struggle for freedom and equality.  For his love of country, he paid the ultimate sacrifice.
 
The Rizal Awards is open to all nationalities residing in Hawaii, male and female.  The candidate must be nominated by at least three reputable civic, professional or community organizations, and must submit a nomination form detailing his/her accomplishments, the impact of said achievements on the community, and how such achievements promote the ideals and teachings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.  The nominee must show exceptional leadership, achievement, service and advocacy in the promotion of change through peaceful means, intercultural understanding, social justice, and democratic principles. 
 
Nomination forms will be made available online at the Chapter’s web site and must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 1, 2012.  Tickets to the event (for those who are not registering for the assembly and conference) are available at $60.00 per person (includes dinner and entertainment).
 
Assembly and Conference Registration
The assembly conference is open to anybody who has an interest in the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal.  Registration may be done online through the KOR-Hawaii website, www.knightsofrizalhawaii.org.  Registration fees are as follows:
 

• for those registering before July 15, 2012, the registration fee is $200 per person;
• for those registering between July 15 and August 15, 2012, the registration fee is $250 per person; and
• for those registering after August 15, 2012, including walk-ins, the registration fee is $300 per person. 

 
The registration fee covers continental breakfast and lunch for three days, the Dr. Jose Rizal Award Gala dinner on September 2, 2012, and the conference kit (bag, souvenir program and conference materials).  It does not include the optional bus tour on September 1.  The optional bus tour costs $75.00 per person (includes the luau).
 
For those who plan on attending the second day only (conference proper and gala dinner), the cost is $120.00 per person ($60 for the conference and $60 for the gala dinner).
 
Sponsorship, Ads and Call for Papers
 
Conference sponsorships are available at several levels:
 

• Diamond ($2,000 – entitles sponsor to a 1-page ad, 2 front tables of 10 each, and recognition during the program);
• Gold ($1,000 – entitles sponsor to a 1-page ad, a front table for 10, and recognition during the program); Silver ($750 – entitles sponsor to a 1-page ad, 5 dinner seats, and recognition during the program); and
• Bronze ($500 – entitles sponsor to a 1-page ad, 3 dinner seats, and recognition during the program). 

 
Deadline for submission and payment of sponsorship forms is Wednesday, August 8, 2012.
 
A conference and gala souvenir program will be printed and advertisements are available at the following prices:
 

• Back Cover (colored - $1,000); [SOLD]
• Inside Front Cover (colored - $500);
• Inside Back Cover (colored - $500);
• Inside Full Page (black and white - $100); and
• Inside Half Page (black and white - $500). 

 
Ads should be camera-ready.  Deadline for submission and payment of advertisements is Wednesday, August 8, 2012.
 
A Call for Papers – soliciting interested speakers/panelists on topics covered by the conference theme – will be sent out soon.  Deadline for submission of abstracts is July 15, 2012.
 
For questions and/or additional information, please visit our website at www.knightsofrizalhawaii.org or call Raymund Liongson at 808-381-4315 or Jun Colmenares at 510-734-4491, event co-chairs.

 

 

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