113th Year of Dr. Jose Rizal’s Martyrdom Commemorated in the Windy City

By Sir Felix O. Gonzales, KGOR

The temperature in Chicago was in the low teens with single digit wind factors when the knights of from Central USA and the staff of the Philippine Consulate General Office in Chicago offered flowers at the foot of Dr. Jose Rizal monument on N. Marine Drive. The floral offering was headed by Consul General Blesila C. Cabrera and Sir Bonifacio Cenir, KGOR. A short message regarding the martyrdom of the national hero was delivered by Consul General Cabrera and KOR Central USA Area Commander Sir Boni Cenir who emphasized on the sacrifices of Dr. Jose Rizal. Sir Felix Gonzales, KGOR read the 1st and 14th stanzas of the Mi Ultimo Adios and Sir Ban Gallardo, Sr., KGOR recited the same in Spanish.

The Knights of Rizal observance of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal was held in the evening at the Little Quiapo Restaurant, Chicago. A floral offering was held indoors and a simple program of the commemoration followed. Insights regarding the Mi Ultimo Adios were delivered by Sir Raul Fermin, KOR of the Chicago Chapter and by Sir John Claridad, KOR of the Malaya Chapter respectively. Consul Roberto T. Bernardo was the keynote speaker who also emphasized on the role of Dr. Jose Rizal’s martyrdom and the Mi Ultimo Adios.

Sir Franciso Pisaro, KR was initiated to 1st Degree Knight of Rizal, Malaya Chapter. He underwent two weeks of intensive training/seminar of the Order of the Knights of Rizal. The Malaya Chapter new set of officers was also installed into office by the Central USA Area Commander, Sir Bonifacio Cenir, KGOR.

The program climaxed with the report on the progress of the Central USA delivered by Area Commander, Sir Bonifacio Cenir, KGOR.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 15th, 2010 at 3:40 pm and is filed under Announcements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.