Knights of Rizal Wellington Chapter
New Zealand/Oceania & Pasifika Area, ANZO Region
The Knights of Rizal is an Order of Chivalry from the Philippines, we are a civic, patriotic, cultural, non-partisan, non-sectarian, charitable trust & non-profit organization. Created to honor and uphold the ideals of Philippine national hero José Rizal. The civic organisation of the "Order of the Knights of Rizal" was established in 1911 by Colonel Antonio C. Torres, who later served as the first Filipino chief of police of Manila. The Order was granted a legislative charter by President Elpidio Quirino as a non-sectarian, non-partisan, civic, patriotic, and cultural organization under Republic Act 646 on June 14, 1951. Although not a state order, it is the one order of knighthood in the Philippines officially recognized and endorsed by an official act of the national government, and its awards and titles are recognized by the Honors code of the Philippines as official awards of the Republic. The Order is often worn by members of the Philippine government and diplomatic corps. The insignia of the Order of the Knights of Rizal is ranked seventh in the Order of Wear pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Honors Code of the Philippines. Since its founding, the Order has grown to more than 25,000 members belonging to 131 active chapters in the Philippines and 61 active chapters around the world. Its international headquarters is located on Bonifacio Drive in Port Area, Manila.
Our Leadership Team - Wellington Chapter
The officers of the Chapter for the Rizalian Year 2024-2026.
michael thompson
KCR
chapter commander
Area PRO - Internal Affairs
Dave Cecilio
kcr
Chapter Pursuivant
Area Executive Secretary
ricarte bonita
kor
Chapter Auditor
Area Auditor
Joshua Manlunas
KR
Chapter Archivist
Web Master
angus kincaid
kor
Chapter Chancellor
JP Dimayuga
KR
Chapter Exchequer
Primo Tapia
kr
Deputy Chapter Exchequer
John Rapanut
KOR
Deputy Chapter Commander
Area Chief Financial Officer
Bob Fonacier
KR
Deputy Chapter Pursuivant
Directors
Wellington Chapter
andrae peipi
kr
Membership Committee
Spiritual Director
Angel Borja Jr
KOR
Area Coordinator for Oceania/Pasifika Islands
Socorro SA A. Laureano
Area PRO External Affairs
Las Damas De Rizal (LDDR)
Advisors
Wellington Chapter
jesus gary domingo
kgor
Adviser & Immediate Past Area Commander, NZ/Oceania
USEC - Department of Foreign Affairs, Manila - Philippines
marcelo esparas
kcr
Area Commander, NZ/Oceania
Former Chairperson, Order of the Knights of Rizal Wellington Chapter Charitable Trust
Tom Baena
KGOR
Regional Commander, ANZO (Australia/New Zealand/Oceania) Region
Serafin "Roy" Cabauatan
KCR
Chair, Knights of Rizal Wellington NZ Charitable Trust
Former Chapter Commander/Area Coordinator, KoR for NZ
Members
Wellington Chapter
Ferdinand Panganiban
KR
Special Projects Committee
Sharlon Bolivar
KR
Special Projects Committee
Dindo Moreno
kcr
Protocol/Ceremonial/Heraldy Committee
Gian Carlo Miranda
KR
Legal/Legislative Committee
Michael Cabatbat
KR
Assistant KoR Website Admin/IT
David Reyes Pangilinan
KR
Youth/Esquires of Rizal Committee
Our Mission
To inculcate and propagate the teachings of our national hero not only to the Filipinos, but to foreign nationals as well, and to promote the spirit of Rizalian virtues, patriotism and internationalism and engage in educational, civic, social and cultural endeavours.
Membership
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 for those having the necessary qualifications. Membership is open to all Filipino citizens, of good moral character, who are willing to abide by the rules and regulations of the Order, and who are willing to contribute to the attainment of its objectives.
Qualifications of Membership
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.
Membership Degrees
1st degree -- Knight of Rizal (KR)
A candidate who is admitted and initiated into the degree of 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)
2nd degree -- Knight Officer of Rizal (KOR)
Knight Officer of Rizal is one who has been elevated to the second degree of the Order upon fulfilment of the following degree work requirements: He must have served the Order at least six months in the first degree, and must also be favourably 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)
3rd 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. Provided, however, that any person, not a member of the Order, 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.
4th 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. By virtue of a resolution approved by the Supreme Council a Knight of Rizal duly elected as Supreme Trustee shall be qualified for conferment to the Fourth degree. (November, 1985)
5th degree -- Knight Grand Cross of Rizal (KGCR)
Knight Grand Cross of Rizal is one who has 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.
Plans & Programs
The Order maintains a year-round program of activities to carry out the objectives of the organisation on a national and regional or chapter level. We will update this section regularly, so keep an eye out.
Activities
Our main activities for the year include the solemn commemoration of the birth and martyrdom of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Additionally, the Chapter is actively involved in the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day and other local events (such as representation in the ANZAC Day Dawn Service) and community outreach and engagement programmes. The Chapter also plays an active part in the relevant multicultural council engagement (specifically in Lower Hutt City) which gives us an opportunity to represent the Filipino community interest in these areas.
Knighting Ceremony Nov 2023
