KNIGHTS OF RIZAL TEXAS AREA COMMAND BORN

By Ben Ongoco, KGOR
Houston-Texas
January 5, 2016



The Knights of Rizal has evolved a new Area under the U.S.A. Region of Commander Francis D. Sison, KGOR and weaned from the Central U.S.A. Area Command of Dr. Juan Castro, KGOR based in Missouri.

The proclamation was read by commanders Sison and Castro on Dec. 27 during the commemoration of the 119^th death anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Hilton Hotel Southwest ballroom in Houston

Used to be under Central U.S.A. area commanders Boni Cenir and Lee Capati, it started with Houston Chapter commanded by Sirs Ben Ongoco,KGOR, Lope G. Lindio, Mel Garraton, Randy Datu and now by Roland Rasos, KCRs.

Atty. Mel Garraton and Randy Datu were named by Supreme Commander Jeremias Singson, area commander and deputy area commander respectively. Zoilo Salud is the area pursuivant.

Other existing chapters in Texas are Bayanihan, Pagasa, Austin Powers and Beaumont Golden Triangle commanded by Shalimar(Boyet) Singson, Pete S. Ellorin, Roel Eligio(Jun) Orteza and Dr. Nestor Punay and still counting on Galveston, San Antonio, etc.

At least three chapters can compose an area in the Knights of Rizal table of organization.

Receiving the Distinguished Service Medal are: Sirs Mel Garraton, Randy Datu, Roland Rasos, Boyet Singson, Pete Ellorin, Zoilo Salud and Sanan Jackson. Ben Ongoco, KGOR and Lope Lindio, KCR received the U.S. Regional and Medal of Recognition from USA regional and area councils.

Also recognized were Belle Datu, founder of the Kababaihang Rizalista, Necoy Garraton, president and the members of the Rizalian ladies.

The program started with the entrance of the Color Guards of the Knights of Rizal, followed by the singing of the national anthems by Jhonette Abitria and Kathryn Dimalaluan and invocation by Rev. Dindo Caporal and dinner entertainers Bulaklakan by Kababaihang Rizalista and singing artists Paul Enriquez and Jing Velasco, aside from Abitria and Dimalaluan with emcee Aralita Pang and DJ Velasco.

There are now 96 members of the Knights of Rizal in Texas.