PH Ambassador to NZ Charters Knights of Rizal Chapter in Wellington
Sir Cesar Bartolome KCR, Regional Commander, opens the proceedings. (Wellington PE photo)
WELLINGTON 06 July 2018 — Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand Jesus S. Domingo, together with the Commander of the Australia, New Zealand and Oceania (ANZO) Region Sir Cesar Bartolome KCR, presided over the formal chartering and knighting rites for the Wellington Chapter of the Order of the Knights of Rizal.
Brother Knights and Dames of the first NZ chapter of the Order in Auckland led by Sir Antonio N. Noblejas KCR also graced the occasion.
A complementary movement to the Order, the Kaibigan ng Sentro Rizal (KSR), was also launched during the event.
The Order, which was founded in 1911, was granted a legislative charter as civic, patriotic, and cultural organization in 1951 through the enactment of Republic Act No. 646. It is envisioned to be the lead patriotic and chivalric organization dedicated to the life, works and legacy of the country’s national hero, Gat José Rizal. Its ranks and insignia are recognized in the Honors Code of the Philippines.
The Kaibigan were established to support the “Sentro Rizal,” established by the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.
Sentro Rizal branches worldwide serve as cultural centres to promote appreciation and understanding of Philippine art, culture, language, and history, especially catering to the Filipino youth overseas. Its programs and activities are implemented through the collaboration of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts with Philippine Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
Among the Order’s notable activities are Rizalian youth training and orientation, cultural and historical projects, and commemorations.
The Wellington chapter is the second in New Zealand and fifth in the ANZO Region. There are plans to constitute more chapters in New Zealand and the Pacific.
With more than 10,000 Knights of Rizal worldwide, its membership includes President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, former Chief Justices Reynato Puno and Hilario Davide Jr., former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger; and His Majesty King Juan Carlos of Spain. The newly-elected Supreme Commander of the Order is Justice Elihu A. Ybañez of the Court of Appeals.
These initiatives were conceived to play a prominent role in Philippine cultural diplomacy, the fourth pillar of Philippine Foreign Policy. Other mechanisms already in place include the Youth and Volunteer Ambassadors programs or #YAMBA and #VAMBA, respectively, of the Embassy’s #UniversalDiplomacy framework, which aims to deeper Filipino and Kiwi relations. Of utmost importance is ensuring that Rizal is known and appreciated by the Kiwipino youth in New Zealand.
Ambassador Domingo succinctly articulated the essence of the whole endeavor, to quote: “While Filipinos may be divided among political and sectarian lines, Dr. Rizal and his memory is a welcome and powerful icon of unity.”
The event was held as one of the highlights of the Philippine Embassy in Wellington Independence Month Programme of Activities. Last year, Ambassador Domingo helped to install the Auckland, New Zealand branch of the Order.
The Ambassador also had established the Department of Foreign Affairs Chapter in 1993, and introduced the Order to the Middle East in Riyadh and Jeddah, and throughout the Arabian Peninsula in the early 2000s. END
For more information, visit www.wellingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph / www.philembassy.org.nz or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNZ/
Ambassador Jesus S. Domingo KGOR, as the most ranking Knight of Rizal,
performs the dubbing rites. Also shown in this photo is Sir Otto Azucena.
(Wellington PE photo)
Sir Marcelo M. Esparas KCR, takes his oath as Chapter Commander of Wellington.
(Wellington PE photo)
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, FRONT ROW: Sir Sam Dignadice, KR, Auckland Chapter; Sir Tony Noblejas, KCR, Auckland Chapter; Sir Cesar Bartolome, KCR, ANZO Region; Sir Jesus “Gary” S. Domingo, KGOR, Department of Foreign Affairs Chapter; Sir Roy Buquiron, KR, Auckland Chapter; SECOND ROW, Wellington Chapter: Sir Rusty Velando, KR, Sir Otto Azucena, KR, Sir LarryReyes, KR, Sir Glenn Obach, KR, Sir Francis Laccay, KR, Sir Marc Asilom, KR, Sir Jhong Cruz, KR, Sir Ronald Garcia, KR, Sir Ed Matibag, KR, and Sir Mar Esparas, KCR. (Wellington PE photo)
With their ladies, at front row, from left to right: Villafe Velando, Maria Victoria Reyes, Dorothy Eden Obach, Divina Cruz, Carmela Matibag, Querobine Laccay, Monette Garcia,Maria Remedios Domingo, Marie Leslie Asilom. Second from right is Ms. Jenny Mendoza, a member of the Kaibigan ng Sentro Rizal. (Wellington PE photo)