Knight of Rizal: Keeping alive Rizal's legacy across borders, generations

MANILA, Philippines - Under the leadership of OKOR Supreme Commander Sir Reghis Romero II, the Order has been tirelessly going up and down the country and around the world, moving beyond the call of duty in promoting the Rizalian values.

 The Order of the Knights of Rizal is a fraternal order dedicated to propagate the teachings of the national hero. The Order was granted a legislative charter in 1951 via Republic Act 646, and has been active in espousing the ideals and traits that set aside the renowned Filipino amongst all others.

 â€œDr. Rizal showed us the way through his gradual awakening and heroic transformation — from gifted boy to a man who stood up to the seemingly insurmountable challenge of his time,” says Romero.

The Knights have zealously adhered to their calling, as these past four years have witnessed the OKOR zealously preparing and carrying out plans to mark the various historical milestones that came one after another.

The country celebrated Rizal’s sesquicentennial (150 years) birth anniversary in 2011, the centennial anniversary of the inauguration of the Rizal monument in 2013 as well as the 100th death anniversary of Doña Teodoro Alonzo, the mother of Jose Rizal.

It was during this time that the Knights elected their new supreme council of 2010-2012, headed by Sir Pablo S. Trillana III, Knight Grand Commander of Rizal (KGCR) and Supreme Commander with Romero being named as Deputy Supreme Commander.

During the 2011 International Assembly and Conference held on February 17 to 19 at the Manila Hotel, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III was conferred the Knight Grand Cross of Rizal, the highest degree of knighthood by the Order. This is the same honor granted posthumously to his father, the late senator Ninoy Aquino.

The President himself gave emphasis to the fact that all ranks, awards and insignia granted by the Order of the Knights of Rizal are also recognized by the Honors Code. Any decorations that are conferred by the Order are officially acknowledged and honored by the Republic of the Philippines.

The OKOR, as dictated by its charter, spearheaded the ceremonies for these events with the appropriate pomp and grandeur befitting the occasion. But the youth of today are not easily taken by solemn processions. Keeping in step with the rapidly changing times, the OKOR also prepared a slew of activities aimed for the youth who stand to benefit the most from Rizal’s wisdom.

Keeping in mind this prime audience for the Knights, it is only fitting that Rizal’s own personal brand of leadership be passed on to those who would eventually occupy important positions in the country.

The Order is no stranger to organizing leadership training camps across the country.

Their regional chapters in the provinces play host to numerous leadership training seminars at any given time and culminates in their annual National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute (NRYLI) traditionally held in Baguio City.

Romero addressed the youth in his closing statement for the 50th NRYLI. He said, “Young golden NRYLI graduates, please do not forget that Dr. Jose Rizal’s life is a compact and genuine embodiment of our aspirations as a nation and a race. His teachings and ideals are not bound by time because they are pure and holistic. He may have lived more than a hundred years ago, but his legacy lives on and remains unquestionably relevant yesterday, today and in the future.”

 The Knights also commended excellent students in their 2013 Search for the Ten Outstanding Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines (JRMSP). The Knights have combed through the nation looking for the special few students who embody the best of Jose Rizal’s virtues in order to hold them as shining examples of hard work, diligence and ingenuity. The Order has long been in the business of exalting worthy students, as they entered into the 25th year of the JRSMP last Dec. 10, 2013.

In 2012, the Knights led the nation in the re-enactment of the transfer of the urn containing Rizal’s remains. From his sister Narcisa’s home in Binondo to the famous monument in Luneta Park. Marking the centennial of this transfer, Rizal’s remains were finally given a send-off worthy of his contribution in laying the foundation for a free and independent Philippines.

“The re-enactment of said event, in coordination with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, other government instrumentalities and the descendants of Rizal, was poignant and memorable as it was attended by at least ten thousand people and was accorded full media coverage before, during and after the event,” Romero recalls.

The event significantly ushered in the year 2013, which would prove to be an exceptionally busy year for the Knights.

In the aftermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda, the Knights recast the events that they planned for Rizal month 2013 in deference to the destruction that Yolanda left in its wake. The year’s planned fun run was retooled into a Unity Run wherein Filipinos wholeheartedly displayed their gratitude to global donors following the massive outpouring of support and aid that the country witnessed immediately after the disaster.

It was also in 2013 that the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of the Rizal Monument was held.

The Rizal Monument design is known as the Motto Stella. Meaning guiding star, the Motto Stella has long been a constant fixture for Manileños going about their daily activities. The monument was designed by famed Swiss artist Richard Kissling. His design was actually just the runner up in the competition to decide the monument that was to rise in Luneta. The original winner was unable to pay the bond to secure the financing of his proposed monument and the honor went to Kissling and his Motto Stella. Once more the Knights have led the ceremony regarding the centennial anniversary of the monument.

Though locally chartered, the OKOR is actually a sprawling international organization with numerous  chapters worldwide. Membership is spread out across such a diverse number of different locations.

 From May 15 to 30, 2013, a delegation from the Knights, led by Romero, went on  a four-nation tour of Europe to visit their area chapters. They visited the Czech Republic, Belgium, Germany and France.

Here, Romero urged the Knights the world over to revisit the goals of the Order as he presented the conclusion there is much to do. “This challenge is now in my heart and in this trip, I would like to wage a strong call to every Knight around the world to re-visit what the Order of the Knights of Rizal is here for. After that, let us see what tangible and specific steps should we take…The Knights of Rizal have done their fair share in this. By encouraging our youth to become new Rizals, to work beyond borders, and to innovate across sectors, your annual Rizal Youth Leadership program is just one example of the many ways in which you have fulfilled your part in our collective responsibilities as Filipinos and as Knights.

In Paris, the OKOR awarded the Women of Malolos medal to Madame Brigitte Ayrault, wife of then French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault for her unceasing efforts in providing education and assistance to the street children of Manila through the Virlanie Foundation.

The trip also included visits to many places where plaques, streets and parks are dedicated to Rizal commemorating his stay in the locales of Europe. Admiration for Rizal transcends nationality and race, as evidenced by the growing membership in the Order among the European natives in their respective area chapters.

At the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague, the local knights were also eager to prove their own version of Filipino hospitality. The visitors took in the sights of scenic Prague and had their fill of cured meats and authentic Czech beer. The first thing one would have noticed was that there were not  only Filipino expatriates amongst the European chapters but also quite a number of locals.

In Germany they visited the scenic villages of Wilhelmsfeld and flowery Heidelberg. It was astonishing to see that there were just as many monuments to Rizal here in this far away place as any town in the Philippines.

Even small details such as places Rizal stayed in, even for a single night were enough to merit a plaque to commemorate the occurrence. In Wilhelmsfeld, the mayor himself joined the Knights in unveiling a new monument dedicated to the National Hero. There was even a street named Calamba in the village, which is also its sister city. It was in Wilhemsfeld that Rizal finished the Noli during his three-month stay with Pastor Ullmer.

In the Belgian municipality of Eeklo, Sir Lucien and Lady Madeleine Spittael of the Belgian chapter of the OKOR showed their guests their own extensive treasure trove of Rizal memorabilia. The sheer volume of Rizalian documents, clippings and memorabilia that Sir Lucien had would have been the envy of any Philippine museum. It was quite touching to witness individuals so captivated by the life and works of Rizal and living his legacy through his values and spirit, despite vast differences of distance, culture and time.

Finally at the Hotel Matignon, they awarded Madame Ayrault with the prestigious medal. To further highlight the importance of the honor, the Prime Minister of France himself was in attendance.

Madame Ayrault had this to say about Rizal. “From this episode (Letter to the Women of Malolos), one of the founding pillars of Philippine history, I am struck by the universal message of emancipation. For it is by education, by developing one’s knowledge and skills, that each one takes his destiny in hand and finally becomes a free woman or a free man.”

There was a hearty cultural exchange between the two groups, with the Filipinos showcasing some of our own traditional dances and the French serving their world famous vintages from the greatest wineries in the world. Rizal may have stayed in Europe for a brief period of time, but the impact he made upon the locals with his wit, charm and ideals has survived up to today and is evident from the Knight’s tour of Europe.

Considering their efforts in these past few years, the Knights have done an admirable job of keeping the spirit of Rizal alive. By kindling the fire of leadership in the next generation and opening their eyes to the possibilities enabled by education, hard work and ingenuity, the legacy of Rizal is sure to endure so long as the youth continues to cherish and uphold his teachings and ideals.