07 January 2015 – The Philippine Consulate General, in cooperation with the Knights of Rizal New York Chapter, kicked off the commemoration of the 119th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal in solemn ceremonies held on December 29, 2015 at the Philippine Center.
Revolving around the theme “Dangal ng Pilipino, Gabay sa Pagbabago,” the ceremonies consisted of a floral offering at the bust of Dr. Rizal at the Kalayaan Hall led by Philippine Consul General Mario L. de Leon, Jr. together with the Knights and Ladies for Rizal, reflections on the impact of Rizal particularly on migrant Filipinos and women and the lessons to be learned from his life and works, and renditions of musical pieces that evoke nationalism.
In his opening remarks, Consul General de Leon, Jr. called on the community to unite as a way of honoring Rizal’s legacy and the ideals that he fought for, and to be deserving of his martyrdom. He underscored how history was made when Jose Rizal dragged his feet from his cell in Fort Santiago to Bagumbayan on that fateful day in December 1896. “For that reason, we honor this day for his game-changing martyrdom, particularly his legacy and ideals” said the Consul General. “With his death, the birth of a new Republic, the first Republic in Asia happened – just like the mythical Phoenix rising from its ashes,” he added.
Engr. Sir Roger Alama, P.E., KGCR, spoke about the impact of Rizal’s life on Filipinos today, while Lady Ave Pimo read an excerpt of Rizal’s “Letter to the Young Women of Malolos.” Soprano Ms. Aida Gamboa and Maestro Sir Michael Dadap on the guitar performed “Dulces Las Horas” (Juan D. S. Hernandez, Dr. Jose Rizal) and “Huling Pagsamo” (Sir Michael Dadap, text by Francisco Baylon and Sir Michael Dadap) and led in the community singing of “Bayan Ko.”
On December 30, 2015, the Consul General participated in the wreath-laying ceremony at the park and statue dedicated to Dr. Jose Rizal in downtown Jersey City organized by the KOR- New Jersey Chapter. In his remarks during this event, Consul General de Leon described how “Rizal’s act of surrendering his life had ignited a passion for the revolutionaries to act and finish the work that Rizal had started then.”
The Consul General also attended two other occasions to celebrate Rizal Day, namely The Rizal Ball on December 27 hosted by KOR-Tri State Area (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware) Greater Philadelphia Chapter, and The Regional Commander’s Ball on December 30 organized KOR-USA Regional Command.
Underscoring the role of women during Rizal’s time, the KOR-Tri State Area featured the coronation of Ms. Maria Clara during their event in Cherry Hill after a wreath-laying ceremony. A second-generation Filipina, Ms. Ckysha Martella Magno-Dizon, was crowned Ms. Maria Clara 2016 by Consul General Mario de Leon, Jr. and his wife Mrs. Eleanor de Leon. The KOR-Tri State Chapter was also formally reactivated during the occasion with a medal pinning ceremony for all its members and the elevation of its new Chapter Commander, Dr. Sir Rommel Rivera.
The Regional Commander’s Ball organized by the US Regional Commander Sir Francis Sison gathered the different KOR Chapters in the US Northeast region, namely in New York, New Jersey, Pennyslvania and Connecticut, and honored a number of its Knights with awards and elevation. The common theme throughout the ceremony was how the KOR could act as a unifying force in the community and solidify the patriotic aspirations of Filipinos by honoring the life, ideals and teachings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
“May the Knights of Rizal endeavor to live by this code and keep his great legacy alive in the generations to come. Non Omnis Moriar,” concluded the Consul General. END