Knights of Rizal Canada
| Collantes
not alone? Discovery being kept a secret?
Deputy Regional Commander for Canada West retains position in tacit defiance of the UFSC |
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Winnipeg, Manitoba - When most of the OKR world made a lot of noise in protest of the unexpected reorganization by Sir Lina last August, the Winnipeg Chapter did not cause as much as a whimper. They remained quiet and did not react one way or another. Until they were paid a visit last October 2 by representatives of the Toronto-based Canada Regional Council of the UFSC (United Factions' Supreme Council) headed by Sir Emiliano Silverio and his lone deputy Sir Chito Collantes.
Dr. Romulo F. Magsino, KGOR Suddenly, Sir Collantes is no longer alone as Deputy Regional Commander. Although Collantes was the only one appointed by the controversial Lina Council, Dr. Romulo F. Magsino, KGOR, continued on his duties as Regional Deputy Commander for Western Canada, a position he has held under Sir Lapulapu P. Cana for several years in a row. This was revealed by default during the ceremonies on the occasion of the Youth Recognition event at the newly built Rizal Centre in this City., Sir Magsino was shown in the printed program and on the OKR letterheads as current Deputy Regional Commander for Western Canada. This position was not in the Manila concocted organizational chart . According to an attendee from Toronto, although the discovery was a surprise to Sir Silverio and company, they did not do or say anything that might have offended their hosts. On the contrary, two weeks after their return to Toronto, Sir Silverio admitted at the "mini summit" that he has recommended to Manila the recognition of Sir Magsino as one of his deputies, in addition to Collantes. This matter was apparently kept from becoming public knowledge. No word so far has been heard from Sir Lina about the "adjustment" and no public announcement has been made either way. Upon learning of the news, Sir Alexcs Trinidad, KCR, commented "like his deputy Sir Magsino, Sir Lapulapu P. Cana, KGCR, is still the legitimately appointed Regional Commander for Canada". He added,"there's really no reason why he (Sir Cana) should not continue to function in his capacity as such." It was learned that the Knights of Rizal Reform Movement will be tackling this issue during their next meeting. |
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Further rift averted as Silverio, reformers come to"understanding" Ka Miling to deliver to Manila message of concerned Knights October 21, 2005 |
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Scarborough, Ontario -A hastily arranged “mini summit” between the Lina-appointed Regional Commander for Canada and the representatives of the Knights of Rizal Reform Movement held here on October 16, 2005 did not only diffuse a growing tension between Sir Emiliano Silverio and Sir Ramon Zerrudo Jr. but resulted in the two expressing brotherly love and a better understanding on the part of Sir Silverio about the issues of the reformists. Prior to the meeting a deteriorating exchange of emails between them led to Sir “Ka Miling's" (as Sir Silverio is fondly addressed) calling Sir “Jun” (as Sir Zerrudo is popularly known) names and this alarmed a number of people in Canada. Of particular concern was the effect of the episode on the elderly Ka Miling’s health. |
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Toast to Rizalian brotherhood: Sir Emiliano Silverio, KGCR (left), meets with KRRM supporters (L-R) Sir Joe Sison Luzadas, KGOR, Sir Jun Zerrudo, KOR, Sir Lapulapu Cana, KGCR and Sir Nick Alo, KCR. Sir Lino Reyes, KCR, (right) brokered the event. |
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“For
one thing”, Sir Zerrudo said during the gathering, quoting one of
his email replies, “it is out of character for a man of Ka Miling’s
stature to steep so low as to compare me with a monkey and that is
why I doubted the idea was completely the highly respected Knight’s
own”. In any case, he said, he did not take any offense at any of
the remarks. Enough reason, according to Sir Nick Alo, KCR, for him to join in the email fray and complain about Ka Miling’s use of ungentlemanly language. Sir Joe Luzadas, KGOR, also commented on the threat made by Ka Miling in one of his emails that if people did not stop the “rabid” public debate, he would be forced to expel rebellious Knights and ban them from wearing the OKR uniform. Sir
Luzadas said that if the fraternal organization continues to
suppress the freedom of expression under this threat, he would be
the first to “proudly” surrender his uniform together with his
sash and medals. Absence of uniforms will not diminish one bit his
dedication to the Rizalian cause, he told the beleagured brother. During the dialogue it became evident that it was really not a matter of Sir Silverio trying to staunchly defend the legitimacy of the Lina Council - rather, it was, as he candidly admitted, his lack of understanding about what the reformists were clamoring for. It
appeared he did not have the correct and full information that was
published in the Scarborough Chapter’s website nor those that were
being circulated through emails. Sir Silverio had to rely on
information forwarded to him from the office of Sir Chito Collantes
(his deputy) where his email is maintained. Sir Silverio apologized
for the controversial email and said that he now appreciates the
fact that the issues were not against him personally. Sir
Lino Reyes, KCR, reiterated that the “fight” is directed as it
should be, against those in the Philippines who the reformists are
holding responsible for the Order’s current plight and not against
anyone in Canada. Sir Jun Zerrudo, Coordinator of the Knights of
Rizal Reform Movement, concluded “we are all victims of
circumstances here” and added that discussions should
be confined to issues only. Sir
Lapulapu P. Cana, KGCR, the other Regional Commander for Canada,
reassured the revered Ka Miling that the people’s complaint had
nothing to do with him personally but since he was appointed by Sir
Lina, it is unfortunate that by extension Sir Silverio’s own local
council is not spared the question of legitimacy. Feeling
relieved, Sir Silverio said he will respect the free expression of
thoughts and ideas and will henceforth ignore any further discussion
of the issues on the internet and promised to take up the reformists’
agenda with Manila next month when he will go to attend an assembly
called for the 'ratification of the amended By-Laws'. Sir Silverio was given a “KRRM Information Packet” that contained all pertinent information about the issues raised by the Scarborough Chapter and which are now being put forward by the Movement. |
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(Editor's note: The following letter of Sir Barry Bowman, KGOR, is deemed to reflect the sentiment of many members around the world over the lack of attention paid by the United Factions' Supreme Council to the members' comments and proposals. Sir Bowman was appointed by Sir Jose D. Lina after Sir Hans Schoof declined the appointment originally offered to him.) October 11, 2005 To
the Supreme Commander & Supreme Council I
am writing to you on behalf of the Members of our Order based in
Europe. It is now some time since we received the proposals for the
By-Laws and for which you requested all interested parties to submit
their ideas and changes for the perusal of the personnel involved in
amending and updating the by-laws of our esteemed Order to bring us
all into the 21st Century.The time given was practically impossible
as we only received these documents less than 7 days in which to
submit our propositions to you. However
nonetheless there have been many documents sent both by e.mails,
faxes and mail to the HQ for you to see that we are all interested
in our organisation having the best by-laws that would make all
interested parties having the kind of Manual that is fair and
unbiased to every fee paying member whether they are KR or KGCR. This
is the first time in history that the Overseas Chapters have had the
chance to have a say in how their Organisation is going to be run
for the next decade and it would be a tragedy if all these proposals
are being ignored or just filed away. It should be the right of
every paid up member to have the right to their say, to have a full
vote in elections and to see that the Order of the Knights of Rizal
World-wide is run fairly and without any malice to any member. We
all know that when the manual first came out there were very few
Overseas Chapters and there was no provision for them apart from
actually making their way to Manila to cast their vote. We must be the only Order that did not recognise the rights for members to cast their votes or to have a say in how the Order should be run or even how the Officers in all Chapters Regions and Supreme Council should be elected. We now have been asked to have our say and up to time of writing this e.mail we have been given no further updates or information to how this major change is shaping. Sir,
don't you think that we all as members of the Order are entitled to
be given a summary of what is transpiring at present regarding these
changes so that we all would be fully aware of how under your
leadership this change is progressing. I
hope that you will see your way to have an update sent to all
parties and that we know what exactly is being done for the benefit
of our esteemed order. Yours
in Rizal Sir
Barry Bowman KGOR Regional Commander for Europe |
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