KNIGHTS OF RIZAL-CANADA REGION HOLDS 6TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC

 
By Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Ret.
Montreal-Canada
September 28, 2019
 




The ever-popular fraternal organization, the Order of the Knights of Rizal-Canada Region conducted its successful 6th General Assembly on September 13, 14 & 15, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada with its theme "Dr. Jose P. Rizal: Then and Now.". The KOR-CRA quadrennial celebration was held in three venues in the la belle city, namely: the Crowne Plaza Hotel-Airport, the Hellenic Community Conference Centre and  Chemin de la Cote del Neiges Community Resource Centre.

Over 200 enthusiastic participants to the 3-day event came from the Philippines, 5 USA cities and five Canadian cities. The out-of-country delegations include 2 KOR Supreme Council officers from the Philippine headquarters and several USA Chapters officers from Houston(Texas), Honolulu(Hawaii), Cleveland( Ohio), New York City( New York) and Seattle( Washington). The Canadian delegates are from the host KOR Eastern Region Chapters of Montreal, Gatineau, MacKenzie Montreal Central and West Islands in the province of Quebec as well as chapter officers from the City of Windsor and the Greater Toronto Area's 4 - major cities in the Ontario province.

On September 13th, delegations started arriving and registering early at the Crowne Plaza lobby. The bienvenue meet-and- greet function was held at Scenik Community Centre. More than 4 hours of celebratory fellowship with the usual bantering, "kumustahan at kantiyawan" characterized the first day. Over "papaitan, dinuguan, pancit, caldereta, kakanin, atbp." diet-busting buffet dining & drinking, special speeches, karaoke singing and line dancing punctuated the evening's warm welcoming and fun-filled get together generously hosted by members of the 4 KOR Quebec chapters.



During the second day, the Knights of Rizal delegations were treated to a Montreal city tour in several buses and private vehicles. The tour included paying a homage, wreath-laying, and "kodakan" at the bust statue of Dr. Jose Rizal at Place Rizal at the Snowden's Mackenzie King Park.. The next stop, through an uphill zigzag road, was a faith visit and prayers at the renowned L'Oratoire, the basilica of Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal and the hilly Summit Circle overlooking the City of Montreal. In downtown, the Knights dropped by the Basilique Notre -Dame de Montreal and did "selfies & groupies" poses at the Place- d'Armes The brief tour ended at the Casino du Montreal with a hearty continental buffet lunch and roll-the-dice playing.

The Commanders' Ball, attended by over 350 guests, knights and their family and friends in their KOR & Filipiniana regalia, was held at the Hellenic Community Centre near the Montreal Filipino community hub in the Rue Van Horn and Victoria area. The program included speeches and greetings from Canada's federal, provincial & city government officials, the Philippine embassy and KOR Deputy Supreme Commander Sir Lutgardo Barbo. KOR invested honourary KCR rank to incumbent MP Anthony Housefather and "Suburban" newspaper editor Beryl Wajsman. Among the special guests were Philippine Deputy Chief of Mission Francisco Noel Fernandez, Zenaida Ferry Kharroubi, founder & director-general of Gilmore College International & chief editor-publisher of the "North American Filipino Star" and Princess Crawford, chairperson of the Canada Youth Rizal Council.

Sir F.N.Fernandez delivered the official message of the Philippine Ambassador to Canada and expressed the values of solidarity and gender equality. Citing historical and universal changes in gender parity, Fernandez proposed "updating the Order of the Knights of Rizal to the Order of Rizal", where Sir and Lady are equal members and are "equally entitled into leadership positions", thus "eliminating gender discrimination" in the 58 - year old exclusive Orden de Caballeros. If so, an amendment to Republic Act 646 is then in order. Historical and cultural entertainment numbers were presented and performed with a stirring Dr. Jose Rizal's last day's tableau, folk dances, and folk &  modern songs by Montreal-based Filipino professionals, volunteers and members of the KOR MMC Chapter.

On the third & final day, after a hearty breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Knights assembled for the traditional KOR Plenary Session. The ceremonies, ably emceed by Sir Freddie Espinosa, started with a parade of colours, the singing of the Canadian, Filipino and American national anthems followed by the welcome address of Sir Dario Boco. The solemn ceremony, and-at times punctuated with spontaneous chants and peals of laughter, included speeches and talks by invited guest speakers Sir Lutgardo Barbo, Sir Judge Victor Sison, Sir Alwyn Galela, Sir Lapulapu Cana and Professor Tony A. San Juan of Toronto. The main highlights cover 1) the Knighting of new members 2) installing the West Island Chapter  3) the promotion to higher ranks of deserving officers and 4) the awarding of meritorious recognition to senior Knights presided by Sir Lutgardo Barbo, Sir Avelino Torres( KOR Supreme Pursuivant), Sir L. Cana and Sir Jaime Marasigan. Sir Joe Damasco made his well-received "Regional Commander's Report" on the programs, projects, plans and accomplishments of the KOR Canada Region. The penultimate tasks were the recitation of the nationalistic pledge of "sa ating watawat", the singing of the Order of the Knights of Rizal hymn and the motto: "Non Omnis Moriar " ( Not All of Me Will Die).

The remarkable gathering was superbly organized under the auspices of the KOR Eastern Region chapters and their officers and members jointly led by Sir James Dela Paz, Sir Ramon Posadas and Sir Gerry Dansil. The trio was assisted by Sir Dario Boco, Sir Alfredo Formosa, Sir Angelo Manuel, Sir Bert Abiera, Sir Rey Balansi, Sir Felix De Luna, Sir Dante Tabamo and other KOR officers and their charming Ladies. KOR-Canada Region commander Sir Joe Damasco, Deputy commander Sir Mario Alpuerto and Don Valley Chapter commander Sir Mauro"Jun" Calaguio, Jr., all of Toronto, have solidly provided tremendous guidance and support throughout.

Proudly, in unison, the conventioners agreed that the 2019 KOR 6th Regional Assembly was indeed a thoroughly significant, vividly informative, solidly interesting, highly enjoyable and memorable milestone for all of the brother Knights and their Dames. Merci Beaucoup! Au Revoir Montreal!  Maraming Salamat. Sa Muling Pagkikita! ( Tony A. San Juan)