Realizing Rizal in Germany

The late Ambassador Gregorio G. Abad planted the first footprints of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (KoR) in Australia in the ’70s and in Germany in the ’80s. Philippine envoys have since used this close fraternity as an effective instrument of diplomacy.

In the sincerest form of flattery, Ambassador Jose Abeto Zaide founded KoR chapters in Vienna in 1999 and in Berlin in 2002. With mandate from the Illustrious Supreme Commander of the Order Sir Vicente Palmon, Ambassador Zaide opened the chapter in Berlin and inducted its founding members – including three envoys, the head of German Deutschewelle TV, a TV anchorman, officials of the German foreign office and a political foundation, academics and gentlemen of different callings.

In his remarks, the Ambassador acknowledged the debt of the fraternity to his former boss, Ambassador Abad, who introduced the Order in Germany in 1982 together with then Supreme Commander of the KoR, the former Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee. He also cited the claim of the Ambassador of Malaysia Dato Kadir Mohammed Deen, an ex-Manila hand, that "Rizal does not belong only to the Philippines: he is a Malay hero." "Even beyond that," Zaide added, "Rizal is the prime exponent of universal brotherhood, as manifested in his friendship and professional bonding with Europe’s eminent men of science and letters."

Inducted founding members of the Berlin Chapter were Ambassador Rahardjo Jamtomo (Indonesia), Ambassador Jose Pedro Sebastian de Erice (Spain), Ambassador Dato Abdul Kadir Mohammed Deen (Malaysia), Christoph Lanz (Deutschewelle TV managing director), Thomas Klein (Deutschewelle anchorman), Consul Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian, Oliver Papoli-Barawati, Col. Emiliano Buyco (Defense Attaché), Consul Armando Comia, Consul Sulpicio Confiado, Udo Peter Ernst Dahmen, Consul General Joselito Jimeno, Werner Flechsig, Klaus Hasse, Andreas Herbig, Detlef Hermann, Siegfried Herzog, Stephan Kerber, Michael Marquez, Romulo Morales, Gerhard Mueller and Michael Stockmann.

Senior officials assisted at the closeted rituals of the founding of the Order and the initiation into the brotherhood, all holding the exalted rank of Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR) – Area Commander for Germany Sir Klaus Hartung, Executive Officer for Europe Sir Celso Lacuna, Sir Ruben Navarro and Sir Heinz van Opstal. The Ambassador as initiator is Commander of the Berlin Chapter. The other officers are Heinz van Opstal, KCR (deputy commander), Joselito A. Jimeno (Chancellor), Sulpicio M. Confiado (Pursuivant), Ronaldo B. Villanueva (Exchequer), Dr. Ruben Navarro (archivist) and three trustees, Klaus Hasse, Siegfried Herzog and Christoph Lanz.

The solemn ceremony was accompanied by ballads and kundimans by Jenny Villanueva Stoppel (former UP Madrigals first soprano) and Peter Porticos (piano). Rizal’s poem Canto Patriotico de Maria Clara was rendered into song; and Mi Ultimo Adios was read in Spanish, German, Pilipino, Bahasa Malaysia and English. The Commander of the Hamburg Chapter, Sir Angel Palomares, KCR and its founder Consul Vicente Bandillo, KCR, attended the ceremony.

Knights of Rizal chapters are now in Austria (Vienna), Belgium (Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent), Germany (Berlin, Bonn-Cologne, Dortmund, Hamburg, Freiburg and Heidelberg/Wilhemlsfed), France (Paris) and the United Kingdom (London).