IN DEFERENCE TO THE SAD AND TRAGIC "DEATH-IN-PROGRESS" OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD CALLED THE ORDER OF THE KNIGHTS OF RIZAL THIS WEBSITE WILL TEMPORARILY SUSPEND FURTHER POSTINGS OTHER THAN THE GROWING LIST OF ESTEEMED MEMBERS WHO WERE COMPELLED TO RESIGN EITHER COMPLETELY FROM THE ORGANIZATION OR FROM THEIR APPOINTED POSITIONS.

FOR THE INFORMATION OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC PARTICULARLY STUDENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES WHO NORMALLY VISIT THIS SITE ON RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT, WE APOLOGIZE NOT ONLY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE BUT FOR THE IRONIC MANIFESTATION OF A SOCIAL IMPEDIMENT THE ERADICATION OF WHICH RIZAL GAVE HIS LIFE FOR - THE SHAMEFUL COLONIAL AND RETROGRESSIVE MENTALITY - PRESENTLY EXEMPLIFIED BY PHILIPPINE-BASED PROMINENT PERSONALITIES WHO WERE MANDATED TO MANAGE THE AFFAIRS OF THIS ONCE ILLUSTRIOUS ORGANIZATION. THEIR INCOMPETENCE AND IRRESPONSIBILITY ARE THE TELLING CAUSES OF DESTRUCTION AND THEIR ARROGANCE THE DEATH KNELL OF A GLORIOUS LEGACY. 

IT IS INDEED VERY SAD THAT AFTER NINETY SIX (96) YEARS SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1911 WE ARE WITNESSING AN UNBELIEVABLE AND HORRIFIC COLLAPSE OF A NOBLE MOVEMENT IN THE UNIVERSAL CAUSE OF RIZALISM. THE LOSS IS SO TREMENDOUS IT CANNOT BE MEASURED FOR IT IS A LOSS THAT HAS NOT EVEN BEGUN TO MAGNIFY AND MAGNIFY IT WILL.

IF ONE HAS TO DRAW A PARALLEL IT WILL SHOW THAT THE EXPERIENCE OF THE KNIGHTS OF RIZAL IS REFLECTIVE OF THE EXPERIENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES. IT EXPLAINS WHY THE COUNTRY IS AND REMAINS TO BE THE "BASKET CASE OF ASIA": THE LEADERS ARE EDUCATED BUT ARE PATHETICALLY IGNORANT, THEY ARE SINCERE BUT ARE CALLOUSLY UNCARING, THEY ARE COMMITTED BUT ONLY TO ADVANCE THEIR OWN SELFISH INTEREST AND CRAVING FOR POWER, INFLUENCE AND GRATIFICATION. IT IS REMARKABLE THAT AFTER OVER A CENTURY SINCE RIZAL'S MARTYRDOM MANY PEOPLE IN THE PHILIPPINES HAVE NOT LEARNED AT ALL FROM OUR NATIONAL HERO. THE MEMORY OF RIZAL HAS BEEN TRIVIALIZED AND HIS INSPIRATION DIMINISHED TO A GOOD-FOR-NOTHING ICON. 

SHAME ON YOU MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL AND SHAME ON YOU MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS! IF THERE WAS A MECHANISM IN THE ORGANIZATION'S BY-LAWS YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPEACHED, IF IT WERE A PARLIAMENT YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN BOOTED OUT OF OFFICE, IF THE MASSES WERE INVOLVED YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN THE OBJECT OF THE IRE OF PEOPLE POWER. THE ONLY HONORABLE GESTURE AND ACT OF DECENCY YOU CAN MAKE IS TO VOLUNTARILY RESIGN. SACRIFICE YOUR LOFTY POSITIONS, SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE, EMULATE RIZAL! THE TRUE RIZALISTS SHOULD NOT RESIGN. YOU SHOULD. 

AS A PUBLIC CORPORATE BODY CHARTERED BY CONGRESS TO PROPAGATE AND EMULATE RIZAL (R.A.646, 1951), THE ORDER OF THE KNIGHTS OF RIZAL, WE ARE SORRY TO SAY, HAS FAILED MISERABLY IN ITS MISSION. FORGIVE US OH, BELOVED JOSE, FORGIVE US. . . 

HEARTBREAKING DECISIONS TO RESIGN:

• February 18, 2007: Sir Hans Schoof, former Deputy Supreme Commander

• March 3, 2207: Sir Klaus W. Hartung, former Regional Commander for Europe 

• March 4, 2007:  Sir Lucien Spittael, Deputy Regional Commander for Europe

• March 8, 2007: Sir Gunther Hecker, Deputy Area Commander for Germany

• March 9, 2007: Sir Fritz G (Dr.) Hack-Ullmer, recipient of the Order of Sikatuna (Maginoo)

• March 9, 2007: Sir Frederik Hack-Ullmer, grandson of a personal friend of Dr. Jose Rizal (Rizal stayed in their house for a little while and became endeared to the family)

• March 11, 2007: Sir Manfred Holtzmann, former Mayor of Wilhelmsfeld, Germany

• March 11, 2007: Sir (Dr.) Stefan Bauer, sponsor of a major medical mission to Bohol

• March 16, 2007: Sir Peter Eisele, avid Rizalist, educator and philanthropist in Philippines (Davao)

• March 16, 2007: Sir Lutz Ruhloff, sponsor of aid programs for Smokey Mountain and aid operations for handicapped children in Phiippines

• March 18, 2007: Sir Norbert Pischka, active in philanthropic work with children in the Philippines (Quezon City/Dao/Talavera)

• Other resignations have not been made public; the descendants  of Ferdinand Blumentritt are grieving and in great distress over what has become of the historical champion of Rizalism.

(Note from the editor: An in-depth analysis of the situation, explaining the specific reasons for the exodus as well options being weighed by challenged members is presently under editorial consideration. Please visit again soon. Thank you.)

OK,  let's talk about it in the Kapehan Sa Internet (Knights of Rizal Chat Room) - anything that is relevant.  Please see  schedule at right.  All visitors welcome: members, non-members, students, etc.

Kapehan Schedule

(chat time)

EVERYDAY

9:00 am EST

12:00 am EST

4:00 pm EST

7:00 pm EST

9:00 pm EST

or anytime as arranged by at least two parties