CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES CHICAGO

Press Release No. ____

Philippine Consulate General in Chicago Spearheads Commemoration of the 120th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal

Consul General Generoso D.G. Calonge led the Filipino community in Chicago in honoring the martyrdom of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in two separate but equally meaningful ceremonies.

Together with officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General and some leaders

of the Fi lipino community, Consul General Calonge laid a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Margate Park, Chicago. His remarks on the reverberating and inspiring life and works of Rizal uplifted the spirits of those present in the chilly morning of Friday, December 30.

Consul General Calonge then presided as "Supreme Chancellor" for the Knights of Rizal Central Area assembly later in the evening held at Seafood City, Chicago.

The august gathering of the Knights ofRizal- Chicago, Malaya, Magiting and Maynilad Chapters - and Ladies for Rizal saw the elevation to the second degree of "Knight Officer of Rizal" of seven members of the Maynilad Chapter, including four personnel from the Consulate General, and one member of the Malaya Chapter.

New members were also initiated or dubbed as "Knights of Rizal" including Morton Grove Trustee Ed Ramos, PNB Manager Butch Odulio, Jun Delfin and Mark Tan, while honorary membership was granted to Mr. Carlos Go, CEO of Seafood City, who was also inducted as a member of the Consulate-based Maynilad Chapter.

Knight Grand Commander of Rizal Eli Faypon delivered a stirring oration on Rizal as a focal point for unity amid troubled times. Fellow KGCR Dr. Rufino Crisostomo also shared his insights on the growth and impact of the Knights of Rizal in Chicago over the years.

The Maynilad Chapter served as host of the program with Deputy Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. acting as master of ceremonies ably assisted by Knight Grand Officer of Rizal Felix Gonzales of the Malaya Chapter.

Consul General Calonge highlighted the timeless voice and universality of the principles espoused by Dr. Jose P. Rizal that not just Filipinos but peoples around the world can continue to learn from, which on this solemn occasion the Knights ought to rededicate themselves to further studying and spreading. END

122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, Il linois 60603 , USA Tel. No. 1(312) 583-0621; Fax No. 1(312) 583-0647 www.chicagopcg .dfa.gov.ph.chicagopcg@att.net

Consul General Generoso D.G. Calonge, Knight Grand Officer of Rizal and Commander of the Maynilad

Chapter, dubs Mr. Ed Ramos, a Trustee of Morton Grove Village, a “Knight of Rizal,” as Mr. Butch

Odulio, PNB Manager, a fellow initiate, looks on.

Above: Newly elevated “Knight Officers of Rizal” from the Maynilad Chapter (from left to right, Consul

Melchor Lalunio, Anton Ocampo, JP Ferrer, Dr. Gerry Guzman, Ruben Salazar, Alvar Rosales and DCG

Romulo Victor Israel Jr.) pose with their certificates in front of the inducting officers, Randy Famacion,

Eli Faypon, Willi Red Buhay, CG Calonge, Rene Abella and Dr. Rufino Crisostomo.

Below: A panoramic photo of the Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal from the USA Central Area who

attended the Rizal Day ceremonies at the Seafood City, Chicago. (All photos courtesy of KGOR Felix

Gonzales)