Press Release

Knights of Rizal celebrates Dr. Jose Rizal’s 155th Birth Anniversary

By Sir Jaime T. Marasigan KGOR
June 19, 2016
Reporting from Manila



Last June 19^th, 2016, the National Headquarters of The Knights of Rizal celebrated three memorable events; the 155^th Birth Anniversary of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal, the 100^th Anniversary of the Order as a corporate organization and the Induction Ceremony of the incoming 9-Member Supreme Council for the RY 2016-2018 headed by the former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, KGCR.


At 7:30 AM at the Rizal Monument in Manila, the National Historical Commission in concert with the Government of the City of Manila and the Knights of Rizal conducted a flag raising and  wreath laying ceremonies in honor of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. His worship Joseph Estrada, the mayor of the City of Manila was the main principal of the event together with the members of the Knights of Rizal headed by Sir Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson, KGCR, Supreme Commander for the RY 2014-2016 and Sir Reghis R. Romero, KGCR of the Council of Elders. Also present were the members and officers of a number of KOR Affiliate Organization. The morning event at the Rizal monument included a ceremonial protocol by the members of the Philippine Marine Honor Guards and Rifle Team with the City Government of Manila’s Band Contingent participating.


Later in the evening, the Knights of Rizal Commanders Ball was held at the Manila Polo Club at Forbes Park in Makati for the formal inaugural ball and induction of the new set of Supreme Council for the Rizal Year 2016 – 2018 headed by the former Supreme Court Chief Justice Sir Reynato S. Puno, KGCR, Supreme Commander. The incoming members of the new Supreme Council are: Sir Diosdado D. Santos, KGOR, Deputy Supreme Commander from Bulacan; Sir Avelino V. Torres, KGOR, Supreme Chancellor from Cavite; Sir Maximo S. Salazar, KGOR, Supreme Pursuivant from NCR; Sir Enrie A. Mendoza II, KGOR, Supreme Exchequer from Ilocos Sur; Sir Reynaldo B. Malig, KGOR, Supreme Auditor from Pampanga; Sir Frisco San Juan Jr., KGOR, Supreme  Archivist from Rizal; Sir Rene Elias C. Lopez, KGOR, Deputy Supreme Pursuivant from Davao and Sir Jaime T. Marasigan, KGOR, Deputy Supreme Exchequer and Overseas Representative from Ontario, Canada.

The first part of the evening’s program components consisted of commemoration, induction and turn-over ceremonies. The second part of the program is the centennial celebration and valediction of the outgoing Supreme Commander, Sir Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson, KGCR. Other guests present during this memorable event were Sir Justo P. Torres, KGCR, Supreme Commander Emeritus; Sir Lamberto Nanquil, KGCR, Chairman of the Council of Elder; Sir Jose D. Lina, KGCR, Sir Virgilio Esguerra, KGCR, Sir Pablo S. Trillana, KGCR and Sir Reghis R. Romero II, KGCR.


The Knights of Rizal was initially founded on December 30, 1911by a group of men headed by Col. Antonio C. Torres for the purpose of commemorating the execution and martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal in an honourable manner during its anniversary. The Order of the Knights of Rizal formerly known as the Orden de Caballeros de Rizal is the only civic organization with legal status under RA 646 similar to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the Girl Scouts of the Philippines and the Philippine National Red Cross, all classified as public corporations.


At present the Order has approximately 10,000 members spread worldwide such as in the USA,  Europe, Canada, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and Other countries. Overseas Chapters report to the appointed Regional Commanders and Area Commanders under the administrative umbrella of the Supreme Council based in Manila.

In Canada, the Region is divided into three distinct areas headed by an Area Commander as follows: Western Canada, under Sir Felino de Jesus, KGOR based in Winnipeg, the Central Canada under Sir Joe Damasco, KGOR based in Toronto and the Eastern Canada under Sir Rey Balansi, KGOR based in Montreal. The Current Canada Region Commander is Sir Jaime T. Marasigan, KGOR based in Toronto, Canada.