What a way to remember a hero, what a way to end a year.
During the ceremonies for the 111th Martyrdom Commemoration of Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Toronto, Canada on December 30, 2007 the so-called “Executive Officers” of the Canada Region under the temporary leadership of Sir George Poblete (acting Deputy Regional Commander) deliberately did not include Scarborough Chapter in the list of chapters enumerated in the programme. Reason given: “Because Scarborough did not course their annual dues through us and instead remitted the funds directly to the International Headquarters in Manila , that means they do not recognize the legitimacy of our leadership so therefore they do not belong”.
How dumb. If such explanation came from a child for some childish thing it would be forgivable and branded easily as - yes, childish. But it did not. It is a repetition of an unsubstantiated libelous remark made by Sir Jess Cabrias, also an “executive officer”, in a Toronto newspaper article published in 2006 wherein he audaciously bragged that the members of the Scarborough Chapter are no longer Knights because they did not remit their dues through Cabrias and company! A young boy would probably say in reaction to such stupid rationalizations “Come on people, grow up!” Forgive us now, we do realize that stupid rationalizations is oxymoronic.
Earlier in March of the same year former Supreme Commander and presently member of the Council of Elders Sir Rogelio Quiambao was heard stating more than once during the International Assembly in Manila “If they cannot resolve their differences they might as well resign”. If one were to follow that admonition the Knights of Rizal in Canada would have become extinct long before the date of the martyrdom. We wonder which remark is dumber. Why the question?
Think about this. Quiambao as an elder has no executive powers under the By-laws of the brotherhood. But in his enthusiasm to serve he has been directly involved in managing the affairs of the organization as if he were the Supreme Commander or Chairman of the Board. So much so he somehow got himself appointed as “International Coordinator” and that effectively legitimized his meddling activities. The irony, alas, is the fact that instead of coming to Canada to personally see the resolution of the rift among the members here, it seems he would rather fly to different overseas conventions (funded by money coming from chapters like Scarborough) and pontificate about the differences.
In one of these conventions - the New Jersey , USA to be precise - another Regional Commander, the one linked to Quiambao by the name of Sir Lino Paras of Europe is reported to have stated “I don’t know why they are mad at me. As far as I am concerned, I love them”. Not unlike the previous illustration of childish reaction, Paras is feigning the same innocence. He of course knew and knows the conflagration his alleged plagiarism of a book about Rizal and the poem “Huling Paalam” by Andres Bonifacio has caused the organization. He also knows that charges of racism against him are why many Caucasian members were so fumed they decided to leave the organization altogether. So, for him to say, “I don’t know… and as far as I am concerned I love them” is obviously playing dumb. Otherwise it is probably the dumberest of the three.
How much more stupid can it get? No wonder we have become the laughing stock in Filipino communities in various places around the world. We hope this demonstration of apparent lack of wisdom on the part of some “illustrious gentlemen” is not an indication of things to come in 2008. God forbid, we have seen enough.
Happy New Year to all!
Sir Jun Zerrudo, Editor
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