Celebrations in Toronto:
 
Knights of Rizal, Canada Region celebrated the 151st Birthday Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on June 19, 2012 at Earl Bales Park, Toronto. Wreath Laying was led by Hon. Junever Mahilum-West, Consul General in Toronto with the Rizal Commanders and Ladies.
 


Earl Bales Park, Toronto
Welcome remarks was delivered by event Chairman Sir Meliton Tumamao, KCR. Hon. Consul General Joan Mahilum-West placed the floral offering at Dr. Jose P. Rizal monument at Earl Bales Park, Toronto, with the high ranking Rizal Commanders, followed by the Region Council, Area and Chapter Commanders, the Ladies of Rizal (Kababaihang Rizalista, Aspirations of Rizal and the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal, LKoR)

Con Gen Junever Mahilum-West delivered an inspirational speech. Hon. Joan mentioned about her exposure to the Knights of Rizal in her past foreign assignments. The Rizal Knights and Ladies, and the Consular staff braved the sweltering heat in the park. Commander Sir George R. Poblete, KGOR gave the closing remarks. Everybody proceed to "Time Zone" to continue the indoor ceremony.
 
Dinner at "Time Zone" Banquet Hall
Lady Irene de los Santos made sure that the consulate staff, Knights, Ladies and guests were served delicious Filipino dishes in the "Time Zone". Lady Mila Lupango supplemented the dinner with her special dishes (she brought trays of macaroni salad, deserts, bico and fresh fruits). The team of Toronto Chapter Commander Sir Mario Alpuerto, KCR, Deputy Commander Sir Frank Crawford, KCR, Sir Jojo Taduran, KCR, Sir Beng Mendoza, KOR, Sir Ronnie Gonzaga, KR handled the logistics efficiently. Lady Dolly Poblete did the Invocation before dinner.
 
Initiation of Rizal Knights
Sir Ed Prillo, KGOR, head of the Region Degree Team, conducted the initiation of the six candidates. The Region degree team include Sir Popoy Cana, KGCR (who also presented a tribute to the Knights who died in 2011-2012), Sir Joe Damasco, KGOR, Sir Dr. Tom Virey, KGOR (who also presented the Degree Certificates), Sir Jaime Marasigan, KGOR (our Protocol Officer, who set-up the Wreath laying and Logistics with Sir John), Sir John de los Santos, KCR, Sir Manny Austria, KOR (who acted as team chancellor) and Region Commander Sir George R. Poblete, KGOR, (who dubbed the candidates to Knighthood, KR).
 


Canada Region was also happy to have initiated some young active community leaders to knighthood.
 
Participants in the wreath laying, dinner and ceremonies include the Kababaihang Rizalista, led by Lady Rose Cruz; Aspirations of Rizal , led by Lady Asuncion Ramos; the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal, led by Lady Odette Virey and Lady Bing Marasigan and a number of dedicated and new knights, ladies and guests from other Chapters (including Sir Jose Baile of Brampton Chapter).
 
 Sir Manny Bade, KCR was the emcee (Sir Manny also spoke about Rizal). Ms Ashley Suva also rendered some songs.


Rizal Day was also celebrated on June 19, 2012 in Winnipeg, Windsor, Montreal and Ottawa
 
Rizal Day Celebrations in Winnipeg
Report written and created by Sir Felino de Jesus, KCR
 
On Tuesday, June 19, 2012 the Knights of Rizal and Ladies of the Knights of Rizal celebrated the 151^st anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal’s birthday at Rizal’s Glen Eden Memorial Marker and La Mirage
Restaurant. In his message Sir Gem Anis, KCR stated that the spirit of the Filipino people as a society reflects Rizal’s ideals and values and in his welcome message Chapter Commander Sir Felino de Jesus, KCR quoted two paragraphs of Dr. Rizal’s letter to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt saying:
 
“We want the happiness of the Philippines, but we want to obtain it through noble and just means, for right is on our side and therefore we ought not to do any thing wrong. If I have to act villainously in order to make my country happy, I would refuse to do it because I am sure that what is built on sand sooner or later would tumble down.
 
Fear nothing then. If we always confine ourselves within our rights, reason shall be on our side, despite the friars and the others: and if it is impossible for us to defeat our enemies now, one morning will come and another day will appear, for there must be a God of justice.”
 



The celebration was capped with a dinner at La Mirage Restaurant and a slide presentation of Sir Kenn Green, KR on his first trip to the Philippines and his first impression of the Filipino people in the Philippines. He was impressed by the people’s resilience in that they are genuinely happy with smile on their faces as they struggle thru their day to day lives. As it is done every year Lady Gory lead the singing of patriotic hymns and Jose Rizal song.

The memorial tributes to our dearly beloved Sirs Dr. Rev. Neil Parado, KGOR and Sir Dr. Paul Orallo, KCR from the Supreme Council in Manila signed by our illustrious Supreme Commander Sir Reghis Romero II, KGCR and Supreme Pursuivant Sir Samuel Samuela, KGOR was read by Western Canada Area Commander Sir Dr. Tom Colina, KGOR.
 
The entire program was emceed by Sir Edgar de Leon, KCR.

 

 

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