KNIGHTS OF RIZAL- CANADA REGION PURSUES NEW INITIATIVES

 
By Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Ret.
Toronto-Canada
June 2, 2019
 


The Knights of Rizal, true to the ideals and teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero, noticeably are in the vanguard move and forward mode. Yes, that is right. The Knights of Rizal -Canada Region under the sterling stewardship of Regional Commander Sir Joe Damasco, KGOR, together with his ever supportive regional & chapter officers and members , are pursuing new and strategic initiatives and proudly have made laudable achievements within the fraternal organization and admirably, in the  Filipino Canadian communities in Canada.

For the past one-and-half years, the Knights of Rizal with the visionary leadership of Sir J. Damasco have proven to be on task and equally deserving of admiration and respect  for his numerous engagements meeting and working towards notable transformation in the life and operation of the  26- year  old entity .

Since assuming the mantle of governance in 2018, amiable Sir Joe with the continued encouragement of the KOR  officers and advisers, is  presently and has instituted trailblazing initiatives and strategies worthy of emulation and inspiration within the 15 active Chapters across Canada.

Beside the established seasonal and regular Rizal-focused functions, among the 10 organizational activities and actions considered "first" in the KOR chronicles worthy of mention are:

1) Formation of KOR Chapters in Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Ontario and Western Canada;

2) Partnership with Talakayan Radyo Filipino, over once-a-month Saturday broadcasts with KOR resource persons on topics about Rizal's life, works, and writings;

3) KAPARIZ Youth Council's free Heritage Month -Filipino Movie Night "Rizal, the Movie", June 8, 2019;

4) Periodic seminars , workshops and fora on Rizal's biography, life, writings, travels, ideals, philosophies and teachings impacting Filipinos and nn-Filipinos alike;

5) Regular site accommodation for special functions and meetings at Earl Bales Park Community Centre and Downsview Hub, both in North York, Toronto;

6) Federal registration and / or incorporation with Service Canada;

7) "Rizal Cup" in sponsorship or partnership in community-based basketball (sport) tournaments;

8) Sustained guidance and mentoring of new Chapter officers and members;

9) Continuous development of officers or officers potentials for leadership transition; and

10) Building and operation of an official KOR Website.

In a recent interview with Sir Joe, he promised and expressed assurance that he is "fully determined and always hopeful" that his "program of service and leadership" is aimed at helping and contributing continuously "his utmost best in producing meaningful achievements of the KOR-Canada Region, its Chapters and membership, as well as attaining a "respectable place for the Knights in the Canadian environment"  for the present and the foreseeable future . ( Tony A. San Juan)