History

The Order of the Knights of Rizal is a civic, patriotic, cultural, non-sectarian, non-partisan and non-racial organization. Its history goes back to December 30, 1911 when a certain Colonel Antonio C. Torres organized a group of men from different walks of life for the purpose of commemorating in a fitting manner the execution and martyrdom of Philippine's national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Thereafter, year after year, the same group would gather to celebrate the birth and commemorate the death of Dr. Jose Rizal. During Rizal Day celebrations, these men would be seen conspicuously on horseback reminiscent of the knights of old who were known for their chivalry and exemplary life.

To provide a continuing entity and to encourage others to join them, on November 16, 1916 these admirers of Dr. Rizal organized a private non-stock corporation called "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal". In 1951 the Supreme Council of the Order created a Committee on Legislation for the purpose of studying the feasibility of filing a bill in the Congress of the Philippines to be enacted into law to enable the Order to secure a legislative charter. Recommended for approval on May 15, 1951, the measure (Republic Act 646) was signed in law by the President of the Philippines on June 14, 1951. Hence, RA 646 converted the "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal" into a public corporation and gave it the name Order of the Knights of Rizal.

The Order has now close to 200 local (Philippines) Chapters and more than 50 Chapters in foreign countries such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States.

In the pursuit of its lofty objectives, the Order is supported by its affiliate organizations. These are the Kababaihang Rizalista, Ladies Auxiliary of Rizal, Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal (KAPARIZ), Kapisanan ng mga Gurong Nagmamahal kay Rizal (KAGUNARI), Esquires of Rizal, Kabataang Maka-Rizal, and other organizations in universities and colleges in many parts of the Philippines and abroad.

Charter Members in 1928

Objectives

General

• To study the teachings of Dr. Jose Rizal
• To inculcate and propagate them in and among all classes of the Filipino people
• To exhort our citizenry to emulate and practice the example and teachings of our national hero
• To promote among the associated Knights the spirit of patriotism and Rizalian chivalry
• To develop a perfect union among the Filipinos in revering the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal
• To organize and hold programs commemorative of Rizal's nativity and martyrdom

Specific

• To study and spread the ideals, teachings and exemplary life of Rizal especially to the Youth of the Land
• To organize chapters and to undertake such programs of activities which will promote individual commitment to the idealism of Rizal and encourage personal involvement in (solving) the contemporary problems of the nation
• To train and to develop the Filipino Youth in character building, citizenship training, democratic leadership, enlightened nationalism and dedicated service to country and people

        (Sec. 2, R.A. 646)

Code of Ethics

A Rizalian

• Loves his country and people
• Venerates the memory of the nation's heroes by making their ideals his own and his children's
• Is industrious, self-reliant and persevering
• Stives to do justice to all his fellowmen
• Maintains a tolerant and understanding gratitude towards his fellowmen
• Values honor as he values his life
• Finds meaning and purpose in life
• Upholds freedom at all cost
• Promotes social justice and general welfare of his countrymen
• Is truthful and honest in thoughts and in deeds

Membership

Members of the Order

The members of the Order are known as Knights of Rizal (Caballeros de Rizal or Mga Maginoong Maka-Rizal) and are classified into five degrees.

Qualifications

All persons of legal age, of good moral character and reputation, who are in sympathy with the purposes of the Knights of Rizal, are eligible for active membership, upon unanimous approval of the Supreme Council en banc of a written application therefore duly endorsed by at least two active members of the Order. (Sec. 4, Rep. Act 646) 

The pertinent provisions of the Code of By-Laws of the Order shall likewise apply in the admission of new members.

Degrees of Membership

There are five degrees of membership in the Order of the Knights of Rizal:

First Degree: Knight of Rizal (KR)

A candidate who is admitted and initiated into membership is known as a Knight of Rizal.

To qualify for admission to the first degree, one must be of legal age, of good moral character and reputation, who believes in Rizal and is willing to learn more about him' and follow his teachings. Application for membership shall be made in writing and duly endorsed by at least two members in good standing of the Order and approved by the Supreme Council or chapter concerned. (Art. IV, Sec. 1 Code of By-Laws)

Second Degree: Knight Officer of Rizal (KOR)

A Knight Officer of Rizal is one who has been elevated to the second degree of the Order upon fulfillment of the following:

He must have served the Order at least six months in the first degree, and must also be favorably recommended by a Special Committee created for the purpose by the Supreme Council or by the Chapter concerned. (Art. IV, Sec. 1 Code of By-Laws)

Third Degree: Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR)

A Knight Commander of Rizal is one who has been exalted to the third degree of the Order.

Any Knight of Rizal, regardless of the degree he is in or of the time he has served therein, who has fulfilled the requirements as may be prescribed by the Supreme Council for the purpose may be exalted as "Knight Commander of Rizal," upon approval of the Supreme Council.

A Knight of Rizal who has been elected as a member of the Supreme Council or as Chapter Commander shall be qualified for exaltation as Knight Commander of Rizal.

However, any person who is not a member of the Order but who has distinguished himself by meritorious service which has enhanced the objectives of the Order, or has written a book of general acceptance on Rizal, may also be exalted to this category upon written recommendation of the Prefectural Tribunal created by the Supreme Council or by the Chapter concerned, duly approved by the Supreme Council. The written recommendation of the Prefectural Tribunal created by the Supreme Council or by the Chapter concerned, shall specifically state the achievements of the candidate for exaltation which have been considered as the basis for the recommendation for exaltation.

Fourth Degree: Knight Grand Officer of Rizal (KGOR)

A Knight Grand Officer of Rizal is one who has been conferred the second highest degree of the Order.

Any Knight of Rizal or any person who has performed an outstanding achievement for the Philippines or for the Order, may be conferred the degree of Knight Grand Officer of Rizal by the Supreme Council.

Fifth Degree: Knight Grand Cross of Rizal (KGCR)

A Knight Grand Cross of Rizal is one who has been bestowed the highest degree of the Order.

Any Knight of Rizal or any person who has performed an outstanding achievement for the Philippines or for the Order, may be conferred the degree of Knight Grand Cross of Rizal by the Supreme Council at a Regular or Special General Assembly called for the purpose.

After the election and organization of the Executive Officers of the Order; a trustee of the Supreme Council elected as Supreme Commander shall be conferred the Knight Grand Cross of Rizal.

Other Awards

Distinguished Service Star: A Knight of Rizal who has performed an outstanding achievement for the Order may be awarded the Distinguished Service Star upon the recommendation of the Prefectural Tribunal and approved by the Supreme Council.

Distinguished Service Cross: A Knight of Rizal or any person who has performed an outstanding achievement for the Philippines or for the Order may be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross upon the recommendation of the Prefectural Tribunal and approval by the Supreme Council.

Chapters

Formation and administration of Chapters

The Charter of the Order and its Code of By-Laws authorize the formation and administration of Municipal, City, Foreign and Institutional Chapters throughout the Philippines and in foreign countries thus:

"A group of five or more persons of legal age residing in any locality outside of Manila and who are of good moral character and reputation, may associate themselves and form a chapter of the corporation (Order) upon approval of a written petition to the Supreme Council. It shall be the duty of each Chapter to promote and carry out the purposes of the corporation in the locality where the Chapter is organized." (Section 6, RA 646)

The Code of By-Laws provides:

"A group of nine (9) or more persons of legal age, residing in any municipality or city and who are of good moral character and reputation, may organize themselves into a chapter of the Order upon recommendation of the corresponding Regional Commander and approval in writing by the Supreme Council upon petition filed for the purpose. Provided, however, that only one Chapter shall be permitted to organize in a municipality or city."

Programs and Activities

In order to carry out the objectives of the organization, the Chapters are mandated to conduct on a year-round basis various programs and activities:

• To study and spread the teachings of Rizal
• To organize and to hold annual programs in honor of Rizal such as June 19 (birth anniversary) and December 30 commemorating his martyrdorn
• To hold programs, convocations, seminars, training institutes in schools and universities
• To hold oratorical and essay contests among students and private citizens
• To organize institutional chapters from the elementary to' the college level under the auspices of the local chapter
• To help organize auxiliary units composed of women civic leaders who may. function as counterpart organizations of the local chapter
• To solicit and donate books, writings and- other reading materials by and about the national hero to libraries and other reading centers
• To sponsor contests and give awards to outstanding citizens for outstanding achievements in the arts and sciences, the professions, industry, agriculture, and the promotion of international understanding
• To erect, if there be none, a monument, marker or bust of Rizal within the proper vicinity or locality
• To sponsor literary contests on poetry, essays and characters in Rizal's novels; within the context
• To participate and discuss public issues of RizaI's philosophy and ideals which will promote unity, freedom and peace with justice
• Any other such activity or project which will in one way or another lead to the development and perpetuation of the sublime memory of our national hero.

Supreme Council

The highest governing body of the Order is the Supreme Council. It formulates and executes policies for the entire organization and sees to it that the year-round program of activities are carried out by the Chapters within their territorial limits.

The annual General Assembly elects the nine (9) trustees of the Supreme Council. In turn, they elect the officers composed of the Supreme Commander, Deputy Supreme Commander, Supreme Chancellor, Supreme Pursuivant, Supreme Exchequer, Supreme Archivist, and three (3) Supreme Trustees.

Copyright 2006 Knights of Rizal Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

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