Sir Choy Arnaldo, KCR, Deputy Area Commander of France
officiates at the ceremonies of Knighthood and Elevation.
Through a rare conjunction of events, three chapters of the Order of the Knights of Rizal held joint ceremonies to induct new members and elevated one knight to officer rank. Meeting at Pavillion de Jade in Paris on Sunday 5 April 2009, Dimasalang Óle de France, Paris and Prague chapters gathered in a private room decorated with their three banners.
Sir Christophe Petit and Sir Rey Cailin blindfolded, about to be knighted
As the clanging bell echoed through the halls, the colours trooped in followed by two blindfolded men, Christophe Petit, French and Ray Cailin, Filipino. In a booming voice, Sir Bernard Pot, KCR, Commander of Dimasalang Óle de France, enunciated the opening words of the ceremony†: ´†You have been temporarily deprived of your sight, to recall the day when our national hero, JosÈ Rizal, was blindfolded, and executed as a martyr on the plains of Bagumbayan.†ª

Sir Bernard Pot, KCR dubs Sir Christophe Petit
Sir Bernard Pot, KCR solemnly dubbed the first knight, as member of the Dimasalang Óle de France Chapter†: ´†Debut, Sir Christophe†ª.

Sir Jess Umali, KCR dubs sir Rey Cailin.
Sir Jess Umali, KCR dubbed the second knight, as member of the Paris Chapter†: ´†Tumindig ka, Sir Ray†ª.
Mrs Caimoy pinning the KR medal on Sir Christophe Petit, KR.
Mrs Cailin pinning the KR medal on Sir Rey Cailin, KR.
For his three years of faithful service, Sir Melvin Reyes was elevated to Knight Officer of Rizal by Sir Noubikko Ulanday, KCR, Deputy Area Commander of Czech Republic and Commander of the Prague Chapter.
Sir Noubikko Ulanday, KCR, Deputy Area Commander for Czech Republic And Commander of the Prague Chapter, swears in Sir Melvin Reyes as Knight Officer
Sir Leo Mojica, KCR and lifetime member, Deputy Commander of the Dimasalang Óle de France Chapter covers the event for ABS-CBN Balitang Europe.
At the banquet table, Deputy Area Commander for France, Sir Choy Arnaldo, KCR called upon Sir Noubikko to offer a few words.
´†I invite you all to Prague, and if you all come, our 4th European Regional Assembly of the Knights of Rizal will be the largest gathering ever of Filipinos in the Czech Republic. We are only 53 Filipinos in the Republic, 3 of us are Knights. Airtickets are as low as 65€ one way from Paris and we have a 4 star hotel with 60% reduction. That’s only 65€ per night per couple. In both Prague and Leitomerice, you will be completely hosted by us, including tourist sight seeing.†ª
The ceremonies ended with lunch and exchanging news. The meeting marks the first official joint ceremony of the two chapters of France, graced on this occasion by the presence of the brother knights from Prague. The 4th European Regional Assembly of the Knights of Rizal in Prague promises to be a festive occasion.
Sincere congratulations to all Rizalists, women and men, wherever they are, who do good, bringing honor to the Philippines and the name Dr Jose P. Rizal, the 'Man For All Seasons', who will never bow to any despot nor sacrifice his integrity and the country's well-being in exchange for any high medal, sash, rank nor position!
Make us proud and keep it up!
for Country and People!
:)
Lazir
Heidelberg, Germany