03 July 2015 - Nine new members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) in New York were knighted and warmly accepted into the fraternal order in commemoration of the 154th Birth Anniversary of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal on June 19 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. de Leon, Jr. and New York Chapter Commander Sir Atty. Ferdinand Suba led the flower offering to commence the solemn celebration which was attended by members of the Knights and the Ladies for Rizal from in its New York, New Jersey and Long Island Chapters.
Consul Kerwin Tate, in his opening remarks, welcomed the Knights of Rizal and thanked them on their efforts in honoring the life and greatness of Jose Rizal and expressed hope that as a grateful nation, it be deserved of his martyrdom and lives for the ideals that he fought for.
Consul General de Leon, himself a Knight Commander of Rizal, recalled in his keynote address the theme of the 2015 Philippine Independence Day celebration and correlated it to Jose Rizal’s resolve to return to his homeland and urge for reforms to attain the freedom everyone hoped for at that time. He underscored that the recurring message of reform and freedom today – from poverty, corruption, destruction of heritage, tyranny – reflects the Filipinos’ aspirations of a truly independent nation.
“As bearers of our country here in New York, we have the duty to fulfill our contribution in community and nation building, as remote as we may be physically from the motherland,” emphasized the Consul General.
The solemn Knighting Ceremony of mostly younger generation Filipino-Americans, who, despite the distance found resources and time to give back to their kababayans in the Philippines, was the highlight of the event. Among the younger generation who were inducted were - Michael Vea, a 2013 Filipino Young Leaders Program, a co-founder of the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) Infinity Chapter School in New York, who volunteered as an ambassador of Teach for the Philippines, aimed at expanding educational opportunity in the country; Miguel Gomez, from Ateneo University School of Law, a member of Fraternal Order of Utopia and currently reviewing for the New York State Bar; Jhett Tolentino, a theater producer and the third Filipino who received Tony awards; Melvin Olaes Salazar and Maxim Geraldino. Others were Rev. Fr. Erno Diaz, Gawad Kalinga volunteer Sonny Ramirez, Evan Prado and Paul Grimsland.
Past Regional Commander for the USA, Sir Roger Alama, thanked the new Knights and reminded them on the high ideals of Gat Jose Rizal which every member should aspire for and live with.
The Knights of Rizal in New York, since its inception in 1992, is now incorporated as a non-profit foundation with the New York State Department of State and also acquired a 501 (C) (3) exempt status from the Internal Revenue System (IRS). Atty. Suba, after his election as KOR-NY chapter commander, applied for the recognition of this exempt status. END