Fil-Ams celebrate the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal

The Rizal Day commemorative event in New York featured a one-day art exhibit, wreath-laying and knighting ceremonies. Image: Edwin Josue/Facebook

SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine consulates in San Francisco and New York have partnered with the Knights of Rizal in commemorating the martyrdom of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal on his 127^th death anniversary on Dec. 30.

Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer and Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Raymundo Del Rosario led a wreath-laying ceremony at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall.

Consul General Neil Ferrer and Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Raymundo Del Rosario lead a wreath-laying ceremony marking the 127th anniversary of the martyrdom of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in San Francisco. Photo from San Francisco PCG

In New York, Consul General Senen Mangalile and the New York chapters of the Knights of Rizal and the Ladies for Rizal spearheaded a commemorative event titled, “Rizal as Artist: Iterations in American Art.”

The event featured a one-day art exhibit, wreath-laying and knighting ceremonies. The New York Chapter of the Ladies for Rizal also held their induction ceremony during the event.

Before the wreath-laying ceremony at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall in San Francisco, Ferrer welcomed Del Rosario at Sentro Rizal.

San Francisco was Del Rosario’s first international stop as the newly elected national head of the Knights of Rizal.

Ferrer noted that San Francisco was also Rizal’s first stop in his 1888 visit to the continental United States, his first and only trip to America.

After staying for three days at the opulent Palace Hotel along San Francisco’s Market Street, Rizal took a ferry to Oakland, then a train to Benicia where the train was ferried to Sacramento.

Consul General Neil Ferrer takes his oath as Knight Commander of Rizal with a third-degree rank before Knights of Rizal Supreme Commander Raymundo Del Rosario. Photo from San Francisco PCG

A plaque marking Rizal’s brief stay in San Francisco was installed on the exterior wall of the Palace Hotel in 1996.

In a special knighthood ceremony held at  Sentro Rizal, Del Rosario elevated Consul General Ferrer to the third-degree rank of Knight Commander of Rizal.

“While this is a pleasant surprise for me, it is with honor and humility that I accept the role and responsibilities (of) a Knight Commander of Rizal with a third-degree rank,” Ferrer said.

“As Consul General, I will continue to promote our national hero’s life and legacy in the ten states under the Consulate’s jurisdiction, in partnership with the Knights of Rizal and the Filipino community.”

Ferrer and Del Rosario discussed ways to spread awareness of the works and teachings of Rizal, especially among the younger generation of Filipinos and Filipino Americans, in areas within the jurisdiction of the consulate.