FOR: ALL REGIONAL AND DEPUTY REGIONAL COMMANDERS, AREA AND DEPUTY AREA COMMANDERS, CHAPTER COMMANDERS AND MEMBERS, and COUNTERPART ORGANIZATIONS
RE: 17TH OKOR INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY

As unanimously approved by the Supreme Council in its regular meeting held last September 13, 2008, and as per consensus in the 2007 16th International Assembly and in various Regional Assemblies, MANILA, PHILIPPINES will be hosting the 17th OKOR International Assembly on February 20-21, 2009 and the Organizing Committee is to be headed by Sir Rogelio M. Quiambao, KGCR as Chairman. The program of activities and venues will be announced later after the Committee has finalized the details.

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In line with bringing Rizal among the youth, the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR), the Organizational Change Consultants International (OCCI), Inc., and the Pilipinas Bayang Banal Movement (PBBM) conducted Rizal Is Alive Forum last July 26, 2008 at the Mother of Unity Building, J.P. Rizal Street, Marikina City. [Continue Reading...]

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By Henry F. Funtecha, Ph.D. – One of the surprising things about Dr. Jose Rizal that should be recognized by every Filipino is the relevance of his political thoughts in every step of our political development. This is particularly of great importance in the light of the many political issues and concerns that confront the nation today. [Continue Reading...]

The Philippines’ national hero whose writings led to a revolution that established the first republic in Asia was given an honor in Singapore by way of a bronze bust relief recently unveiled in the city-states’ Asian Civilization Museum Green. [Continue Reading...]

By Ambeth Ocampo
MANILA, Philippines—There was a time that the big bookstore chain National Bookstore was so busy with other merchandise that books were actually neglected in their presentation and shelving. There was a small “Filipiniana” shelf for books on the Philippines and by Filipino authors, and everything else was arranged by subject, hence books of fiction were placed in odd places: “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez was placed under “health” while “Praying Man” by Bienvenido Santos and “Sins” by F. Sionil Jose, despite the sex, sat side by side with bibles under “religion.” [Continue Reading...]

By Blooey P. Singson
With the ‘Complete Jose Rizal, NHI and Filipiniana.net deliver Rizal in equal measure, providing a more balanced and accurate impression of both the man and the hero. Over the years, hundreds of books have been produced about Rizal, ever since the Rizal Bill (Republic Act 1425) was passed in 1956, mandating the inclusion of the study of Rizal’s life and works in school curricula. [Continue Reading...]

By Sir Felix O. Gonzales, KGOR
On June 19, the Office of the Consulate General and the Order of the Knights of Rizal, Central USA offered flowers at the foot of the Dr. Jose Rizal Monument in Chicago. The floral offering was headed by Consul General Blesila C. Cabrera and the consular staff and Sir Bonifacio Cenir, KGOR Area Commander for Central USA and the knights and ladies to honor and celebrate the birth of the Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal born on June 19, 1861. Con. Gen. Cabrera and Sir Boni Cenir, KGOR both emphasized on the ideals of the Dr. Jose Rizal to be our guide in teaching the youth for a better Philippines. Marge Appleton of the Ladies for Rizal gave a short word of felicitation on the birth of the national hero. [Continue Reading...]

By Ahmed Cuizon
Jose Rizal’s romantic exploits wherever he went is legendary. But at age 29, did he really have an affair with a Belgian woman 16 years his senior? Apparently so, some historical accounts say. But Pros Slachmuylders, a Belgian, believes otherwise and shows evidence that history writers need to rectify the books.
[Continue Reading...]

By Rafael Castillo, MD
HEIDELBERG, Germany—As one walks on the narrow streets and passages of the old town where centuries-old building have been preserved, one can appreciate a lot of history. And it’s heartening to note that our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was somehow part of it. At the main square of the famous University of Heidelberg, one can almost imagine the 25-year-old Rizal, taking a drink from the fountain or reading a book under the shade of the old tree. [Continue Reading...]

Place Dr José Rizal, on Rue Maubeuge, Paris 14th district.

This year 2008, June 19 marked the first time that the commemorative plaques at sites in Paris visited by our national hero, Dr José Rizal, were decorated with flowers. Of the eleven sites in Paris, only six had the official plaques of the National Historical Commission. [Continue Reading...]

Pasig City (20 June) — Over a century after his last visit, Dr. Jose Rizal, is once again back in his old stomping grounds in Singapore. The Philippine national hero was a frequent visitor of this now ultra-modern island-state. But in the late 19th century, Singapore was a quaint, English colony which greatly attracted the peripatetic Filipino. [Continue Reading...]