The History of the Order of the Knights of Rizal

HISTORY

         The history of the Order of Knights of Rizal goes back to December 30, 1911 when Colonel Antonio C. Torres organized a group of 9 men from diffrent walks of life for the purpose of commemorating in a fitting manner, the execution and martyrdom of our foremost national hero, Dr. Jose 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, this group would be seen conspicuosly on horse back, reminiscent of the knights of old known for their chivalry and exemplary life.

        To provide a continuing entity and to encourage others to join them, these admires of Dr. Rizal on November 16, 1916, organized a private non-stock corporation and named it the "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal." The incorporators of the corporation were:
Antonio C. Torres, Juan Flameno, Martin P. de Veyra, Jose A. del Barrio and Jose S. Galvez.

        Colonel Antonio C. Torres, who before the last war was Chief of Police of Manila, was   the   first   Supreme   Commander.   The following have since then been Supreme Commanders of the Orden: Martin P de Verya, Manuel Lim, Juan F. Nakpil, Herminio Velarde, Teodoro Evangelista, Hermenegildo B. Reyes, Santiago F. de la Cruz, Jesus E. Perpinan, Vitaliano Bernardino, Jose Ma. Paredes, Claudio Teehankee, Jose S. Laurel III, Justo P. Torres, Jr., Simeon C. Medalla, Conrado M. Vasquez, Sr., Filemon H. Mendoza,   Angel   Rica   Alvarez, Elias B. Lopez, Lamberto C. Nanguil, Demetrio L. Hilbero, Rogelio   M. Quiambao, Vicente   P. Palmon, KGCR,   and   the incumbent Sir Carmelo T. Gempesaw, KGCR

         In 1951, the Supreme Council of the Order created a Committee on Legislation for the purpose of studying the feasibility of filling a bill in the Congress of the Philippines to be enacted into law to enable the Order to secure a legislative charter. Justice Roman Ozaeta was the Chairman of the Commitee with Sirs Carlos Hilado and Pedro Sabido as members. The bill seeking to give the Order of the Knights of Rizal a legislative charter was docketed as Senate Bill No. 251, with then Senators Enrique Magalona, Lorenzo Sumulong, Esteban Abada, Emiliano Tria Tirona, Camilo Osias, Geronima Pecson, Jose
Avelino and Ramon Torres as sponsors. In the lower house, Congressman Manuel Zosa
of Cebu was the principal sponsor of the measure. The explanatory note of the Bill read as follows:
                   "The purpose of the attached bill is to accord to the civic and patriotic
          organization known as "Orden de Caballeros de Rizal" (Order of the Knights
          of Rizal) the same kind of official   recognition   and encouragement as that
          accorded to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines by Commonwealth Act No.111,
          by granting to it a legislative Charter and investing it with the necessary powers
          to enable it more fully and more effectively to accomplish the   laudable
          purposes for which it was organized."
                   "The bill if enacted into law will also serve as a historical monument to
          Rizal; it will constitute an official recognition by the Republic of the Philippines
          of the inestimable value to the nation of his teachings and examples and of the
          wisdom and necessity of inculcating them in the minds and hearts of our people
          so they may strive to follow and practice them. The authors and proponents of
          this bill believe that if the purposes thereof are faithfully and effectively carried
          out, social discipline, civic virtues, and love of justice will be fostered, promoted,
          and enhanced in this country, and that the knights of Rizal as chartered entity is
          the most convenient instrumentality by which this desirable ends can be attained:
          Let Rizal's life and martyrdom influence and guide the destiny of the nation. Let
          this and future generations live the Rizal way."

          Recommended for approval on May 15, 1951, the measured was signed into law by the President of the Philippines on June 14, 1951, becoming Republic Act 646.