23 January 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Brussels hosted the annual commemoration of the 117th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal by the Order of the Knights of Rizal (KOR), Belgium on 30 December 2013.
Apart from the members of the KOR, also present were the representatives of the organizations Kababaihang Rizalita and Las Damas de Rizal. The traditional format of the event was followed with the singing of the National Anthem, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and floral offering at the bust of Dr. Rizal located at the Embassy grounds.
Messages were also delivered by heads of the various KOR Chapters across Belgium, namely those in Aalst, Brussels, Charleroi and Antwerp (Diamond), and also from the Kababaihang Rizalistas and the Las Damas Rizal. The messages all enjoined people to remain true to the ideals of Rizal, a man for all seasons, whose integrity, intelligence and industry are worth emulating by all – in their respective roles in any society.
KOR has four Belgian Chapters with a membership of around 200 members.
Mr. Albert Arevalo, Area Commander for Belgium, delivered the Welcome Remarks and awarded a Certificate of Recognition to Mr. Kristoff Mortier, for his contribution as a member of the Belgian First Aid and Support Team (BFAST) that provided relief for Yolanda victims.
The message of Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Victoria S. Bataclan, delivered by Embassy Administrative Officer and Officer-in-Charge Remedios L. Landicho, reaffirmed appreciation of the invaluable support of KOR in ensuring the spirit of Rizal lives in Belgium and in Europe. A conference on Rizal’s ideas was proposed at the University of Ghent, where El Filibusterismo was published.
A refreshing highlight of the program was the participation of the two daughters of KOR members, Magalie Segaert, who read an anecdote of Rizal’s life, and Alyssa Arevalo, who read Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios. END