Knights of Rizal launches Rizal Month 2012

In celebration of Rizal Month 2012, the Order of the Knights of Rizal has programmed several activities throughout December.

 

Activities include the 50th National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute Conference and the awarding of the Ten Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines. The celebration will culminate with the highlight of Rizal Month 2012: the commemoration and re-enactment of the transfer of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s mortal remains to Luneta on the morning of Rizal Day, December 30. The Order of the Knights of Rizal presented its lineup of activities during the official launch of Rizal Month 2012, held on a Blogger’s Day last December 1 at the International Headquarters of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, Port Area, Manila.

 

The Order of the Knights of Rizal owns the distinction of being an organization chartered under Republic Act No. 646 with the mission “to propagate the ideals and teachings of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.” Under the leadership of its Supreme Commander Sir Reghis M. Romero II, the Knights of Rizal has programmed various activities for December, which was declared Dr. Jose P. Rizal Month under Presidential Proclamation No. 126 issued in 2003. 

 

The month-long celebration seeks to promote among Filipino youth the visions and ideals of Dr. Jose Rizal, encouraging them to look up to the National Hero as their role model. 

 

“We are inviting the public, especially the youth, to partake in the month-long celebrations. In the midst of our current struggles for good governance, justice and progress, we look back to Rizal’s life, works and martyrdom which greatly still hold relevance today,” Sir Reghis M. Romero II, Supreme Commander of the Order of the Knights of Rizal said.

 

100th Year of the Transfer of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s Mortal Remains 

 

The highlight of this year's Rizal Month is the commemoration of the 100th year of the transfer of Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s mortal remains.

 

Dr. Jose P. Rizal was executed in December 30, 1896 in Bagumbayan and was not given a dignified burial. It was only in 1912 that he was given a stately burial ceremony.

 

In 1912, during the commemoration of the death of Dr. Rizal, the urn containing the remains of the hero was transferred to Bagumbayan in an elaborate and solemn ceremony facilitated and organized by the newly formed Caballeros De Rizal (Order of the Knights of Rizal), Rizal’s family and the Masonic Lodge of the Philippines.

The 1912 event was the only ceremony that the Filipino nation has bestowed upon the hero after his death.  This event accorded Jose Rizal all the praises and venerations due to him despite under American colonial.

 

“Rizal’s remains were put to the final resting place during our struggle for independence. It is time that we honor him with a stately burial now that we are an independent, sovereign and progressing nation” explains Romero.  

Romero adds, “We are honoring the memory and sacrifice of our National Hero as a grateful people. It is a statement that we are a nation working towards a future that he has ideally envisioned.”

 

Awarding of the Ten Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines

 

Another event in line for Rizal Month is the Search for the Ten Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines. The 10 winners will be awarded with cash prize, a medal, a trophy and a certificate to be conferred on Rizal December 29, 2012.

 

Public and private colleges and state universities were invited to forward their nominations. The award has been successfully conducted in the last 24 years and aims to recognize students who best epitomize the Rizalian qualities of academic excellence and student leadership.

 

50th NRYLI Conference

 

A major activity in line with Rizal Month 2012 is the National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute Conference (NRYLI) to be held from December 13-16, 2012 in Teachers Camp, Baguio City. The NRYLI Conference, now on its 50th year has the theme "Buhayin si Rizal sa Bawat Batang Pilipino."

 

The conference aims to inspire participants to become present-day “Rizals” who are living out the heroic qualities as they continue to work for social reforms to end the injustice and inequality in the country.

 

For interested participants, please contact Norman Esteban at 09274259001. Press release from the Order of the Knights of Rizal