184. KNIGHTS OF RIZAL MEDALS

 

KNIGHTS OF RIZAL MEDALS.  A very prolific contributor to the growing list of Rizal medals in the country is the Order of the Knights of Rizal, a socio-civic organization whose aims, among others, are to study, promote and propagate the teachings of Rizal and to preserve, honor and revere his memory. A regalian requirement of the organization is for the newly inducted members and officers to wear Knight of Rizal medals as part of their ceremonial uniforms. The Society and its numerous chapters throughout the country are also responsible for the issuance of varying types of Rizal medals not only to call attention to the twin anniversaries of the hero but also to commemorate certain important events in the life of the Society.

Different types of KNIGHTS OF RIZAL Medals

Early medals and pin issued by the ORDEN DE CABALLEROS DE RIZAL, a precursor to the Knights of Rizal

Sold in Salcedo Auctions, this photo features prominent members of the Caballeros de Rizal. Look closely, you find a young Pres. Manuel L. Quezon

The Order of the KNIGHTS of RIZAL 
(Rizaliana Magazine article, December 1951)

By JUAN F. NAKPIL
Grand Commander

On December 30, 1911, Col. Antonio C. Torres formed an organization originally composed of enterprising young men with varying creeds and beliefs for the purpose of taking care of the annual celebrations and festivities dedicated to the memory of our Greatest Hero and Martyr, Dr. Jose Rizal. A few years later, the members made it into a formal civic and patriotic organization with the right of existence as a Corporation and bearing the name "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal". That was on November 14, 1916.

With the following fundamental aims, the organization had uninterruptedly existed up to the present:

(1) To develop the most perfect union among Filipinos in revering the memory of Dr. Jose Rizal.

(2) To promote among the associated Knights the Spirit of Patriotism and Rizalian Chivalry.

(3) To study and spread the teaching of Dr. Jose Rizal and to keep alive his consecrated memory and to make effective his exemplary and exalted principles,

and...

(4) To organize the annual festivities in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal.

Faithful to the above aims of the organization, the Knights have tenaciously adhered to them and made as the pivotal point of their actions as may be seen in their existence.

Outstanding among the achievements of the Order was the complete Restoration of the House of Rizal at Calamba, Laguna. The work on this project started way back in 1932 when I began working on the plans. The outbreak of the war and other circumstances barred further development. However, determined to push the project through and with the help of the late President Manuel A. Roxas who conceived the idea of soliciting voluntary contributions from school children, funds for the project were raised. President Quirino, in carrying on what was left behind by his predecessor, issued Executive Order No. 145 setting the project in full pace and finally bringing about its  complete restoration. The house was inaugurated by the President last June 30, 1950.

In spite of the lack of publicity compared to other organizations such as the Jaycees, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus or the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, it nevertheless takes pride in being the only one of its kind, genuinely Filipino with a long list of distinguished honorary members such as Former American Governors General W. Cameron Forbes, Francis Burton Harrison,  Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Frank Murphy, and Philippine Presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Ormeña, Manuel A. Roxas and Elpidio Quirino. Another noted Rizalian is Mr. Austin Craig.

It is only with dismay that we can view the present lack of patriotic fervor and callous indifference among our citizens—the inevitable result of the absence of a clear and meaningful study of Rizal the Citizen, the Hero and Martyr. Only in reviving that lost spirit of that Great Filipino can we ever hope to put meaning into the lives of our citizens.

The different committees of the Order are now busy on some vital projects. Among them is the reconstruction of the Cell of Rizal at Fort Santiago. Final plans are ready for said project. The Committee on Propagation of the works of Rizal are studying ways and means by which they can reach the masses so that Rizal's works and teaching can be properly understood, revered and perpetuated.

Cognizant of the need of gaining official recognition for the furtherance of its aims and purposes, a bill seeking for a Charter was presented by the Order to our Congress. Said bill has been favorably acted upon and approved last May 15, 1951. The approval of this Bill No. 251 constitutes an Official Recognition of the Order by the Republic of the Philippines. It will henceforth be known in Spanish as Orden de Caballeros de Rizal and in English "Knights of Rizal". It is non-political, non-sectarian and not in any way affiliated with any other organization.

 The Proponents of this bill believe that with its passage, the Order can be the most convenient instrumentality by which social justice, social discipline and civic virtues can be faithfully and effectively fostered, promulgated and enhanced in this country. The Order will now be able to establish various Chapters all over the islands which will ultimately solve their problem of limited sphere of action.