PH Consulate General, Knights of Rizal in NY Celebrates Jose Rizal’s 157th Birth Anniversary
The knighting Ceremony of the nine members of Knights of Rizal – New York Chapter is held during the celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal’s 157th birth anniversary at the Philippine Center on 19 June 2018. (New York PCG photo)
NEW YORK 04 July 2018 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York, in partnership with the Knights of Rizal (KOR)-New York Chapter, led the commemoration of Dr. Jose Rizal’s 157th birth anniversary at the Philippine Center in New York.
The evening began with cocktails at the Philippine Center lobby, after which guests proceeded to the Kalayaan Hall for the formal part of the evening.
The program commenced with an offering of flowers to the bust of Rizal by Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville C. Tate, Consul Arman R. Talbo who himself is a Knight, KOR members from New York and New Jersey, Ladies for Rizal, families of the Knights, and guests from the Filipino-American Community.
Deputy Consul General Tate, in his welcome remarks, underscored the role of this generation to honor the dream of a free country and the sacrifice of Rizal — not by dying for a cause, but by living the national heroe’s struggle to uplift the lives of Filipinos.
Former Consul General and Knights of Rizal member Mario de Leon Jr. gave his reflections on the life of the national hero, and discussed Rizal’s travel to New York where he stayed in the former Manhattan Hotel from 13 to 16 May 1888 on his way to London.
De Leon mentioned that it was Sir Roger Alama of the New York Chapter who discovered the said footsteps of Rizal, and facilitated the installation of the marker in the Hotel on 13 May 1995 which was recognized by then National Historical Institute.
A knighting ceremony of nine members of KOR New York Chapter was officiated by KGCR Francis Sison, KGOR Dean Suba, KGOR Victor Sison, and KOR-NJ Gali Munar and Ed Toloza.
The induction of the newly-elected officers of KOR-NY for 2018-2020 was also officiated by Francis Sison and members of the Council of Elders. New Chapter Commander Mariano Aquino acknowledged the responsibilities of the Knights of Rizal, and underlined the importance of brotherhood in achieving the vision of KOR. New members of the Ladies for Rizal –New York Chapter were also inducted. END
The newly inducted officers of the Knights of Rizal New York Chapter headed by the new Chapter Commander Mariano Aquino (fourth from left) shows the freternal greeting. (New York PCG photo)
The new batch of the officers of the Ladies for Rizal New York Chapter is officiated during the 157th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal held at the Philippine Center. (New York PCG photo)
For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph / www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNY/.