Dear Sir Alcoba,
Sorry for the late response, but I am just back from a 10-day field exercise, spend a quiet week-end with my wife, and had to prepare my LL-, FI- and AA Reports.
Yes, I still write SIR because my rearing tells me to try always to be polite (although I do not always succeed) and as both of us are Knights of Rizal we use the word Sir. You, as well as I, know that a lot of persons became KoR just because of having a calling card with “Sir” before their name. On the doorbell of Sir Lino is even mentioned SIR Lino Wy Paras! He is the only ‘Sir’ in the apartment Bldg. and probably the only individual in Belgium who has it on his doorbell!
Will you please stop calling me a racist?
Do you know that during the few years I stayed in Belgium I founded an organization that collected money for disabled Filipino children? That my sister and I sponsored Filipino students? Just ask H. E ambassador Zaide and Consul-General Sir Peter. They attended one of the Filipino weeks I organized in Eeklo, which resulted in a benefit of 200.000 BEF in the early nineties.
You selectively answered some of my questions, but only because you want to try and show me in a bad light.
Here are my replies to your questions:
1. “Why the sudden interest in knowing the resumes and reasons for the elevation to KGOR of Sir Bhoy Alcoba, Sir Rudy Nollas and Sir Tony Guansing, ? Why, is it because they are Filipino's ?”
Answer:
a. KGOR’s are conferred to this rank (see the manual!)
b. The reason I ask is because other Knights have also asked this question, but received no reply, and we would like to know, so that their exemplary deeds might be emulated by others. The three names, because they were the last Knights who were so conferred in Paris and Brussels. By coincidence I am sure they are all Filipinos from the Brussels Chapter! Are there really secrets about this? YES, if NO ANSWER is given to this question. As I already wrote, you should be flattered that your fellow Knights would wish to know what you, Sir Rudy Nollas and Sir Tony Guansing have accomplished. This could be a good impulse for other Knights to follow your exemplary deeds and may be also have the honour to become a KGOR.
c. Are you aware that there are now 8 KGOR’s in Belgium? This is more than the rest of the other European countries together. Any idea why this might be so?
2. “A Few (sic) European Knights had (sic) also been elevated conferred to the rank of KGOR including yourself, and who recommended you, if I may asked? (sic) You never ask (sic) any questions about their elevation (exaltation)? (sic) question mark?) Is it because they are of the same race like (sic) you ?
Answer:
Actually, I was recommended by Sir Lino. Any problem with this? If you do want to know why I was recommended, ask IHQ. This should be on file. Are you again trying to set Brother against Brother with this last question? It is not your first time to do so. Did you forget that Sir Lino was the first to raise this Racism question at the meeting in Neuenweg in Germany some years ago? Are you again attempting to call me a racist? I hardly think you really want to do that, or have you just been dictated to in the use of that word?
Did you forget that during the second European Assembly in Brussels, your group of drivers (all Filipinos) asked to be paid for their work? (Some Km) All others Knights (Filipinos and Belgians) did not even think of being reimbursed for their small expenses. We paid each of your drivers the 1.000 BEF they asked for. At that moment we were not called Racists!
We Belgian drivers brought Sir Quimbao and his group to Heidelberg/Wilhelmsfeld (about 1000 Km.). Nobody even asked to be reimbursed. Do you still remember that a certain Filipino Knight did not want to pay for the lunch and dinner because he claimed he did not attend? The video film and pictures proved the opposite! He and his wife were sitting at the table! Racism? Come on, Sir Alcoba, please be serious!
3. As a Former Chapter Commander of El Fili Chapter, you have been very biased in giving warning letters to Filipino members of the Chapter and never gave the same warning letters to the other European members of the Chapter, why ? If you are a true knight as some people say you are, why are you so defiant (sic) from the orders of the SC? When you were conferred to KGOR, we acknowledge and congratulated you, why can't you do the same as a TRUE bro. knight?
Answer:
When I became Chapter Commander I sent three letters to all the ‘sleeping, not paying, Members’ The following Belgian Knights, whom I had never seen at our meetings or activities, received the three consecutive letters. I asked IHQ that these members should be dismissed from the Order. This should be on file in Manila. As one of the early members of the El Filibusterismo Chapter, those names should ring a bell. Do you really understand the consequences of your question? The Belgian Knights who also received this letter were:
Daeleman, Christian; Dendeux, Michel; Hiers, Ernest; Kukenheim, Robert; Lafaut, Peter; Vanden, Borre; Verrees, Roger; Stroomer, Marc; De Keyser, Frans; Bostoen, Pascal; Coosemans, Claude; Rammelo, Roland.
Are those Filipino names?
With this act I was given the nickname “Dictator!” Just because I did my duty!
What do you think about the letters sent by my predecessor, Chapter Commander, Sir Jaime V. Ledda; dated Brussels, 17 October 2000? He asked his Deputy to send those letters because of his position as Consul at the embassy.
Letter reads as follows:
Dear Sir:
Your long absence in the activities and/or non-payment of dues of the Order of the Knights of Rizal - El Filibusterismo Chapter have prompted me to expressly inquire whether or not you are still interested in your membership.
If you wish to renew your bonds with the Order of the Knights of Rizal - El Filibusterismo Chapter, you are kindly requested to attend the General Assembly meeting on 27 October 2000 at the Philippine Embassy, Avenue Moliere 297, 1050 Brussels and/or to update your membership dues.
If you wish to sever your relationship with the Order, I would appreciate receiving your written reply to this letter expressing such intention not later than 27 October 2000. Otherwise, the Order will be constrained to automatically drop you from the rolls of membership.
Thank you for your kind attention to this matter.
Very truly yours,
For the Chapter Commander:
Marc MINIQUE, K.C.R.
Deputy Commander
This has been sent to Sirs:
Sir Ariel Ang, Av Molière, 297, 1050 Bruxelles
Sir Pascal Bostoen, Kattelinnestraat, 88, 9420 Erpe Mere
Sir Claude Coosemans, rue Rév.Père Pire, 18 Bt 3, 1080Bruxelles
Sir Danny De Keuleneire, Houte, 37, 9860 Balegem
Sir Fernando Lim, rue Rév.Père Pire, 18 Bt 3, 1080 Bruxelles
Sir Denis Maputie, bd Général Jacques, 76, 1050 Bruxelles
Sir Roland Rammeloo, Verougstraetelaan, 11, 9960 Assenede
Sir Cipriano Reyes, Bd Général Henry, 92, 1040 Bruxelles
Sir Alfredo Rivera, Rue du Fort, 49, 1060 Bruxelles
Sir Elvy Rutor, Rue du Fort, 49, 1060 Bruxelles
Sir Johnny Villa, Grimbergsesteenweg, 277,1800 Vilvoorde
Sir Nico Willaert,Lage Kaart, 1, 2930 Braaschaat
What about the following letter of Chapter Commander Ledda dated Brussels, 30 December 1999: ?
Dear Knight,
On behalf of the Chapter Commander, the undersigned would like to express the best wishes of the Order of the Knights of Rizal – El Filibusterismo Chapter – for the new Millennium.
The Order looks forward to your continuing and active support for its projects next year such as the European Conference, tentatively set for June 2000.
In this connection, you are kindly requested to renew your membership dues for the year 2000 by means of the enclosed remittance slip. As of today, the accounts of the Order reflect the following entries concerning your membership dues:
1997 - Paid
1998 - Paid
1999 - Paid
2000 - BEF 1000, / Unpaid
(Contributions above this amount would be HIGHLY appreciated)
To remain as a member in good standing, it is necessary for a Knight to settle his accounts in accordance with the Order’s rules and regulations, an extract of which is attached.
Please also find enclosed a survey form for all members in the roster.
We would be grateful for your attention and hope to receive your reply and membership contributions at your earliest convenience.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Marc Minique, Jaime V. Ledda
Deputy Commander Chapter Commander
These letters were sent to:
Sir Alcoba (1 year unpaid)
SirAmbrosio (2 years unpaid)
Sir Ang Ariel (3 years unpaid)
Sir Arevalo Albert (1 year unpaid)
Sir Barcenas Joseph (4 years unpaid)
Sir Baysic Cresencio (1 year unpaid)
Sir Bostoen Pascal (1 year unpaid)
Sir Cahutoc Allan (2 years unpaid)
Sir Castalone Ruben (1 year unpaid)
Sir Cruz Willy 1 year unpaid)
Sir De Graeve Wim (3 years unpaid)
Sir Hamoy Thaddeus (3 years unpaid)
Sir Hilario Roderick (3 years unpaid)
Sir Martinez Edwin (4 years unpaid)
You see the problem I was confronted with when I became Chapter Commander?
My predecessor, Sir Jaime V. Ledda, sent those letters. Unfortunately Sir Ledda did not push through and ask Manila that those members should be dismissed for not having paid their dues. Just count the Filipino and Belgian names. Is it not normal that my letters were to more Filipino names? Some of these have never paid those arrears, but have been elevated in the Brussels chapter after Sir Lino left El Filibusterismo chapter and chartered his own Brussels chapter in only a couple of days! They should first have paid their unpaid dues to El Filibusterismo, which never happened! (See manual)
4. Why have you resigned/denounced to be the Deputy Regional Commander for Europe ? Is it because you don't want to be under the command of a Filipino Commander ?or (sic) is it because you are angry not to be appointed as the Regional Commander as you believe you will be ?
Answer:
Again a question below the belt. I asked IHQ and the Regional Commander to accept my resignation as Deputy Regional Commander of Europe. The reasons for this decision were clearly explained. The only reply I received was an e-mail of Sir Lino to do this should be done by letter and so I did. (So he does actually receive e-mails!). I wrote the letter and received no response from either Sir Lino or IHQ. One of the reasons for my resignation was the fact that for months after my appointment there was absolutely NO correspondence or contact between Sir Lino and me.
By the way, the meeting in Schonau recommended me as Deputy Regional Commander. So where do you see the problem? I was appointed by Manila as Deputy Regional Commander.
Dear Sir Alcoba, by formulating this question you prove that you haven’t got a grain of common sense and that you do not know what is going on!
I WILL SERVE UNDER ANY PROPERLY APPOINTED DIGNIFIED COMMANDER. I do not have any problem with this.
As of now I will keep on working on my (successful) Rizalian research work.
I did discover:
- An unpublished, unknown letter of Dr. Rizal;
- 27 unpublished letters of Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt;
- The original German book from which Dr. Rizal copied his: “Tinbipung karunungan ng kaibigang mga taga Rhin”
- I have seen the golden pen that the people of Pampanga dedicated to Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt. I have seen the Noli and Fili dedicated by Dr. Rizal to Prof. Ferdinand Blumentritt. Did you?
I was NOT conferred to KGOR for those accomplishments, because I became a KGOR long before I had completed them.
Can you let us know your accomplishments?
By the way, Sir Lino and you have already lived for a long time in Belgium. I, as a Belgian, have not, because I spent most of my life in foreign countries. Isn’t it strange that during the few years I stayed in Belgium I discovered that Suzanne Jacoby’s name is NOT Jacoby but THILL? I carried out research on the other Filipinos in Belgium, Jose Alejandrino; Sedema Jose, Soriano Antonio; Irigoras Sebastian; Evangelista Edilberto; Fortich Vincent; Juan Antonio. Have you, as a Filipino, ever heard of these names?
Isn’t it strange that the Embassy contacted me to find out the correct address of Dr. Jose Rizal? They did not contact you or Sir Lino? Why did the embassy start the wreath lying at the Rizal plaque in Ghent when I performed my research on Rizal? (The ambassador at that time was H.E. Roberto R. Romulo and H.E. Pedrossa)
I caused the retrieval from the state archives of the several articles on Dr. Rizal’s execution.
Do you still remember that you called me a “self pronounced” Rizal researcher. It was not I who declared that I had slept in the same room where Rizal spent his nights in Litomerice. Unfortunately for you, Dr. Rizal and Maximo Viola stayed in a quite different hotel from yours!
I invite any Knight to come to my place in France where I will accommodate them for free and let them make up their own mind.
5. Why did you panicked (sic) when I wrote that letter (dated 07/04/07) and you couldn't believe that a former domestic, driver, etc. could write such a letter? (your e-mail dtd. 07/04/07) or is it because what I said in that letter is true and you're affected by it ?
Sir Alcoba’s e-mail Msg to Sir Brennock on that date was as follows:
TO:
SIR DON BRENNOCK, KCR
AREA COMMANDER FOR U.K. & IRELAND
Further to my email to you dated 06 Aprl 2007, may I add that you can be classified as a hardened racist and hungry for power, prestige and position that you can get by being a member of the prestigious Order of the Knights of Rizal. This is the main reason why you refuse to resign or do not want to resign from the Order. But, do not resign, the Order of the Knights of Rizal will fire you in due time.
PROOF THAT YOU ARE THROUGH AND THROUGH A RACIST:
1. You said in your email dated 05 September 2006 that you do not want 'to work or be under the command' of Sir Lino Paras, officially appointed as Regional Commander for Europe, or 'to accept' Sir Lino Paras as Regional Commander for Europe.
2. You always find faults in everything what (sic) the Filipino Knights do or say;
3. You always critisize everything what (sic) the Filipino Knights do or say;
4. In your emails and other writings, you have insulted many Filipino Knights by saying that they are INCOMPETENT or UNPROFESSIONAL in doing their works (sic) as officers of the European Council.
Items 1 to 4 are clear evidence that you are practicing racial discrimination against the Filipino people. Because of these, you do not deserve to be a member of the Order of the Knights of Rizal.
5. Sir Alexander Mushake, KGCR, a highly respected member of the Order of the Knights of Rizal for the past twenty years, said in his letter to (Sir) Dennis Barcelona dated March 4, 2007, that "European brother knights (non-Filipino knights) are RACIST and only want more power and not the realization of the IDEALS of Dr. Jose Rizal". You are clearly included as one of the "European brother knights" as a RACIST mentioned by Sir Mushake in his letter.
Your actuations (sic) as enumerated in no. 1 to 4 above are crystal clear evidences that you are a RACIST because your actions are directed against people belonging to another race. By your deeds, you possess or display hatred or intolerance against another race or other races. These are clear signs of RACISM or RACIAL DISCRIMINATION!!!
Your actions manifest that you belong to a superior race, bordering on megalomania, a form of mental illness marked by delusions of grandeur de folie or greatness.
Sir Cesar Alcoba, KCR
Area Commander for Belgium
A true nationalist and a true Filipino
My Msg. to Sir Brennock and Sir Alcoba was as follows:
Dear Sir Don, Happy Easter,
What is Alcoba doing now? This is for sure NOT from his hand! He can not write such English (as domestic worker and driver of an ambassador). Who is behind this? What are they after? To get rid of all the trouble-makers and so gain the absolute power? What about the letter of Sir Mushake?
Regards, Lucien
Sir Alcoba’s answer was:
SURPRISE! SURPRISE! ALL THE SNAKES ARE NOW COMING OUT ONE BY ONE!!! REMEMBER EVEN THE DOMESTIC AND AMBASSADOR DRIVER HAS HIS OWN STORY TO TELL. IF YOU THINK YOU ARE SUPERIOR THAN (sic) OTHERS, YOU MAY BECOME VAIN & BITTER; FOR ALWAYS THERE WILL BE GREATER & LESSER PERSONS THAN YOU ARE. CLEARLY THE RACIST.
YOURS TRULY,
DOMESTIC & AMBASSADOR DRIVER”
Answer:
Do you call me a racist just because I wrote the truth?
Did you have a look in the dictionary to see the definition of ‘racist’?
Why did you write that I panicked, what possible reason could I have to panic?
According to you, all persons asking questions become ‘racists’ !
6. All of the above are crystal-clear signs that you are discriminating (sic) the knowledge and abilities of the Filipino people ? Please do not judge a person by the status he/she are (sic) into.
Answer: There is no discrimination at all.
7. What is your real interest in all this things now? Is it because elections are forthcoming and you are still hoping to be appointed as the New European Regional Commander as you've been dreaming all the while ?
Answer: For your information, (to which you have no right at all) about one year ago I informed the acting Supreme Commander that I do not intend to take up any high position in the Order anymore. I hope this answer is crystal clear. I am not a candidate for Regional Commander! Do not speculate anymore!
Now, my questions to you, to which you did not gave me an answer:
1. What do you have to say about Sir Lino's plagiarism with ‘Born to be a Hero’, and the translation of ‘Ultimo Adios’
2. What do you have to say about the circumstances of Sir Lino’s promotion to KGOR? No such proposal was ever discussed at a Council meeting of his Chapter or its Prefectural Tribunal. His Chapter Commander and the Council of his Chapter were never made aware of any such proposal! However, the proposal was signed by three Council Members and a Filipino priest, who is not a Member of the Order at all.
3. What do you have to say about the fake reports Sir Lino sent to the IHQ ?
Rizalian Yours,
Sir Lucien
Perhaps Sir Barry Bowman might be able to get us answers, because all of these points should be on file in the IHQ.
Sir Lucien Spittael,
KGOR
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