Knights of Rizal-ANZO Region Creates a new Chapter in Northern Sydney

 
By Francis (Boy) de los Santos,
KCR, Deputy Chapter Commander KOR Sydney Chapter
and Regional Chancellor (ANZO)
Sydney-Australia
September 27, 2019
 




The Knights of Rizal (KOR) Sydney Chapter/ANZO Region has recently created a new chapter in  Northern Sydney.  With this additional chapter, KOR Sydney Chapter/ANZO now has a total of 5 chapters in Australia another 2 chapters in New Zealand making it a total of 7 chapters operating in the Australia, New Zealand and Oceania Region (ANZO).

With this achievement, Sir Cesar Bartolome, KGOR (ANZO Regional Commander) and Sir Danny Peralta, KGOR (Sydney Chapter Commander and Eastern Australia Area Commander), could not hide the smile on their faces as this chapter expansion plan was already in the works for the past 4 years but it was only this year it finally took off and was successfully concluded. The new KOR Northern Sydney Chapter is headed by Sir Bob Alipalo, KCR, who reactivated his membership with the KOR Sydney Chapter barely a year ago after several years of hiatus.  Sir Bob was exalted from a second degree Knight Officer of Rizal (KOR) to the third degree Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR) immediately after assuming the Chapter Commander role of the KOR Northern Sydney Chapter.



The new KOR Northern Sydney Chapter was officially chartered on 18 August 2019 at the Beatrice Taylor Hall in Hornsby, NSW.  The combined chartering and knighting ceremonies were jointly participated by the new Northern Sydney Chapter and Western Sydney Chapter.  Knighted to the first degree Knight of Rizal (KR) were Sir Eddie Irinco, Sir Arturo Marco de Guia, Sir Rado Gathalian, Sir Jay Christian Sy, Sir Roquito Jacob Enriquez, Sir Gerardo Luis Enriquez, Sir Jensen Perez, Sir Miguel Estacio and Sir Eddie Rick Pamilar. 

The lone Knight of Rizal who was not part of the Northern Sydney Chapter but was included in the knighting ceremonies is Sir Paul Watson.  Sir Paul  belongs to the Western Sydney Chapter.  Elevated to the rank of Knight Officer of Rizal (KOR) is Sir Peter Rudd.  Unfortunately, other KOR candidates who should have been elevated but unable to make it that day were Sir Ian Treacy, Sir Ahmed Soekarno, Sir Joey Gabriel and Sir Chad Peralta.  

Sir Bing Rana, KGOR, Past Regional Commander, emceed and moderated the event by calling the names of the program participants one after the other.  Lady Jinky Marsh, Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. (KRI) led the singing of both the Philippine and Australian National Anthems.  Sir Ralph Posadas, KCR, Regional Pursuivant followed suit with the invocation.  Thereafter, Sir Jeffrey Mendoza, KOR, Chapter Exchequer, recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  Sir Danny Peralta, KGOR, Area Commander for Eastern Australia and Sydney Chapter Commander welcomed all attendees who also thanked and appreciated their presence that afternoon.  A special message was delivered by the Honourable Consul General Aian Caringal who came to Sydney all the way from Canberra.

The Knights’ rituals were officiated by Sir Cesar Bartolome, KGOR - ANZO Regional Commander. He was assisted in conducting the rituals by Sir Francis (Boy) de los Santos, KCR, Deputy Chapter Commander Sydney Chapter and ANZO Regional Chancellor, Sir Max Lopez, KCR, Deputy ANZO Regional Commander, Sir Bing Rana, KGOR, Past ANZO Regional Commander, Sir Fiel Santos, KGOR, Chairman-Prefectural Tribunal, Sir Jeffrey Mendoza, KOR, Sydney Chapter Exchequer and Sir Aris Bernabe, KCR of the Sydney Chapter acting as Warden.

As part of the afternoon activities, KOR Sydney Chapter Historian, Professor and Lecturer Sir Floro Quibuyen, KCR; PhD was awarded with a Distinguished Service Medal, which was received by Sir Danny Peralta, KGOR in behalf of Sir Floro who was not able to make it to the ceremony.  Before the start of the formal KOR Northern Sydney Chapter Charter presentation and the Induction of their Board of Trustees by the Honourable Consul General Caringal, Lady Jinky Marsh (KRI)  rendered a popular patriotic song entitled “Bayan Ko” which somehow caused a little ‘chill’ emanating from the historic past among attendees.



Northern Sydney new Chapter Commander Sir Bob Alipalo, KCR delivered his inaugural message afterwards, unveiled the official KOR banner of the Chapter with Sir Danny Peralta, KGOR as the host chapter. The new Chapter's Pursuivant Sir Rado Andaya Gatchalian, KR who celebrated his birthday on the exact day of the event, gave an inspiring speech expressing his gratitude of being part of the inaugural board of Trustees of the KOR’s Northern Sydney Chapter.  Sir Rado was elated to be a part of the KOR and admitted his fervent desire to promote and propagate the ideals of Rizal that is instilled with him even before he joined the Northern Sydney Chapter.  Subsequently, the new Chapter’s Deputy Commander Sir Eddie Irinco, KR expressed his thanks and appreciation to all who helped and supported Sir Bob and their group to ensure a successful event.  Deputy Mayor of Hornsby Shire Councilor Vince del Gallego also gave his warm and a succinct message citing the Knights of Rizal’s important role to play in his electorate.  

Another honoured guest from Sokka Gakkai Organization’s Oceania Region Deputy Director,  Mr. Hans Van der Bent also spoke briefly about his human rights work linking his organization with the same kind of advocacy that Dr. Jose Rizal started while in exile.  Additionally, Mr. Van der Bent mentioned Rizal being a recognized model for the youth at their Sokka Gakkai headquarters in Japan who encouraged peace and promoted education. He said that it is important to note that in the two campuses of Sokka Gakkai Universities (one in the USA and the other in Japan) a statue of Dr. Jose P. Rizal is prominently installed.

In his Fraternal Message, Sir Cesar Bartolome, KGOR thanked everyone for coming to the event and reiterated the meaning and importance of the degrees and corresponding insignias and medals worn by every Knight of Rizal…that they are official decorations and awards recognized by the Republic of the Philippines under its Republic Act 646. Sir Cesar then led all the Knights of Rizal present in the Re-dedication and Rizalian Pledge. Other attendees who showed up at the event included members of KOR counterpart organization, Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. Sydney Chapter (KRI) led by its President Lady Michelle Baltazar, Blacktown Councilor Lady Linda Geronimo Santos who is also the adviser of the KRI Inc., and families and friends of the Knights of Rizal officers and members.