KOR 22^nd International Assembly in Antipolo

 
By Sir Alwyn Galela, KGOR.
Antipolo
March 4, 2019
 


Antipolo-February 22-24: The Knights of Rizal’s 22^nd International Assembly has come and gone.  This time it was held in the buzzling, yet still tranquil, city of Antipolo. Close to 400 Knights and their Ladies including support staff from the IHQ attended the 3-day event. It was graced by KOR personalities that made the Assembly truly grand and impressive. What with two past Chief Justices, a former Senator and the current Department of Defense Secretary, the Supreme Council hit a homerun with this celebration in terms of show of force of who’s who in Philippine politics and KOR’s ability to present a slate of respectable Rizalists in one roof.



 The event was not marred by the sudden and unexpected death of its SC Emeritus- Sir Lamberto Nanquil who was very much an active part in the pre-Assembly organization. In fact, during the Necrological Service held the night before the Assembly, it was sort of a passing of torch from one dedicated leader to its present hierarchy headed by newly-elected Supreme Commander Justice Elihu Ybanes. Sir Lamberto’s eulogy is a litany of both past successes and present challenges that serves to remind to those present that the term Rizalism, to the KOR, is a verb rather than a noun. From a point of view of a common KOR member, it is but fitting to sort of come back to the Mothership and reaffirm, if not rekindle to some, this challenge of Rizalism.



This year’s theme “Rizal, Amidst of Challenges in a Competitive World” was expounded by the Keynote Speaker, Secretary of Defense Sir Delfin Lorenzana.  He challenged the Assembly to act in unison and, going back to their respective Local Chapters, be a beacon of Rizalist values and leadership. Respective Regional Commanders presented their reports to the Assembly and formally submitted them to the Supreme Council.



The much-anticipated launching of the very first KOR coffee table book was presented to the Assembly to be available for distribution in the middle of March. To cap the night, two inspirational messages from Sir Justice Hilario Davide, former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court and former Supreme Commander, and from His Excellency Jan Top Christensen, Ambassador from Denmark preceded a very entertaining cultural presentation by the CALABARZON Region Festival of Excellence group.



No less than the Mayor of Antipolo, Sir Casimiro Ynares III and Sir Jose Lina, Jr, also former Supreme Commander and former Philippine Senator, opened Day 2 with inspirational messages. Sir Jose Lina even granted a bonus by serenading the Assembly-goers with traditional Philippine folk songs much to their entertainment. Sir Pablo Trillana, former Supreme Commander, gave a spirited presentation about revisiting the 7 Rizalian prophecies. Almost all of these prophesies found their way to reality except two. These are, according to Sir Triallana, that the Philippines will revert to a form of Federalism in governance and that the Philippine economy will be robust enough to transform us into an economic power to reckon with. Sir Trillana opined that there are tangible signs that these two prophesies, contained in Rizal’s book- A Century Hence, will come to fruition.

 The Assembly was also the occasion to memorialize individual Knights’ contributions to the KOR by the presentation of Awards and Citations. Four deserving Knights were conferred with the 5^th highest rank of KGCR. During the KOR Gala that night, the Immediate past Supreme Commander Sir Justice Reynaldo Puno was given the highest Award given by the KOR- the Rizal Pro Patria Award for invaluable service.  The Fraternal Message was given by the current Supreme Commander Sir Justice Elihu Ybanes. He thanked the Assembly-goers on participating on this biennial Assembly and announced major projects forthcoming- including a new KOR IHQ Building and KOR Museum. He also led that Assembly-goers to the Rizalian Pledge and Rededication/Fraternal Sign to formally close the 22^nd International Assembly.

A Farewell Mass presided by Fr. Alex Balatbat and the unveiling of Rizal’s 150^th Pilgrimage Marker at the Antipolo Shrine dedication led by Sir Gerardo Calderon started the Cultural and Educational Tour around and beyond Antipolo. The tour included visits to Hinulugan Taktak with lunch and Pinto Museum. The group was divided into two groups. One group toured East Ridge Golf Club, Thunderbird Casino, the Petroglyphs and Art Galery on the Street. The other group toured Regina Rosari and Pililia Windmills. Everyone enjoyed their tour, a great way to conclude the 22^nd International Assembly.