Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, Sirs and Ladies, Brothers and Sisters, etc., etc:
Please bear with me as I try to explain a few things that are of interest to us all.
First of all, let me state that there can be as many ideas on Rizalism, on being a Rizalist or on the concept of a Rizalist organization as there are people who care about anything and everything associated with the man Rizal.
However, as far as IFKOR is concerned, just to put things in proper perspective I am certain we in this group are aware that the International Federation of Knights of Rizal is not just another Rizalist organization with perhaps a new idea on how to advance the cause of Rizalism. Its establishment is in truth and in fact a direct reaction to the failings of the Manila-based Order of the Knights of Rizal.
The reaction is borne of (1) the realization by the founding members of IFKOR that such failings were symptomatic of an organization that did not evolve with the changing times as it should gradually have over the years; (2) the recognition that the mindset of many of those in the Philippines are neither ready nor willing to accept and welcome ideas from other cultures that are otherwise radically different from what is traditionally Filipino and 3) the determination that the only meaningful effort or the only way that will effectuate true and lasting positive change is one that comes from the grassroots level.
In other words, the Federation is in essence a revolutionary movement intended to instigate the replacement of the dysfunctional, archaic, incompetent and irrelevant colonial-type made-only-for-Filipinos-in-the-Philippines corporation with one that is both truly global in scope and universal in outreach. The foundational concept remains the same - that is, the upholding of the traditional intentions of the charter members of the 'Orden de Caballeros de Rizal' in 1911.
While IFKOR was founded only in March 17, 2008 its beginnings can actually be traced back to 2005 when the Scarborough Manifesto was issued. That document paved the way for the establishement of the Knights of Rizal Reform Movement (KRRM). The late Sir Peter Eisele of Germany was himself a staunch member of KRRM. When Sir Peter decided later on that the reform initiative was going nowhere or rather, that the fraternal organization as we know it is hopeless, both he and I exchanged ideas on which route to take: either to completely break away and start a completely different organization or take a different and more radical approach to bring about reformation within the existing brotherhood. The resulting 'La Liga Solidaridad' and 'IFKOR' are hence the expressions of our separate choices. IFKOR has indeed taken a completely new route: that of TRANSFORMATION, in place of reformation.
In March of 2008 when Sir Lino Reyes first excitedly joined the Federation, he agreed with the notion that IFKOR is the right vehicle that will rebuild the dilapidated house in Manila. But because of his misunderstanding of some legal ramifications such as the name "Knights of Rizal" he quickly backtracked and started to suggest that the Federation be changed into something completely different. Which is what some of us are inclined to suggest at this time, albeit for reasons other than those submitted by Sir Lino.
As I explained at length in many previous emails, if we merely wanted to create an organization that has no relation (historically or otherwise) with the Knights of Rizal or the 'Orden de Caballeros de Rizal', we would not have initiated the Federation at all. We could have simply joined 'La Liga', Rizal Society of Ontario, or come up with something else altogether. But that was not the plan and that was not the intention. They still are not.
However, within the Federation there are admittedly a number of issues that are worthy of consideration. For example the use of such titles as 'Sir', 'Lady', 'KOR', 'KCR', 'KGOR' and 'KGCR'. As a progressive organization IFKOR certainly should be open to suggestions, and it is - BUT only as IFKOR and not as another. To decide to make it different is to decide in essence to dissolve the corporation, sadly, just as it is taking its first steps.
Lastly, I should point out that while the purpose of the International Conference on Rizal in September is to determine what are 'Rizalian Principles' and in what practical applications can those principles be used, it is possible that as a result of the coming together of Rizalists in this event, an international association of many Rizalist organizations may by design be established. One that IFKOR can be a part of. That, I think, is the appropriate avenue where the new suggestions can be given due and full recognition.
I hope that I have shed some light on these matters. How I wish we have the luxury of time to exhaust all possibilities but really, with all due respect to everyone, we should concentrate at the moment on the preparations for the Conference. Let us see how things play out at that event or as a consequence of the same. I humbly ask for your patience and understanding. As the saying goes, "the world is not going to end tomorrow", or at least I have no reason to believe it will.
God bless us all!
Yours sincerely in Rizal,
Jun Zerrudo
Please bear with me as I try to explain a few things that are of interest to us all.
First of all, let me state that there can be as many ideas on Rizalism, on being a Rizalist or on the concept of a Rizalist organization as there are people who care about anything and everything associated with the man Rizal.
However, as far as IFKOR is concerned, just to put things in proper perspective I am certain we in this group are aware that the International Federation of Knights of Rizal is not just another Rizalist organization with perhaps a new idea on how to advance the cause of Rizalism. Its establishment is in truth and in fact a direct reaction to the failings of the Manila-based Order of the Knights of Rizal.
The reaction is borne of (1) the realization by the founding members of IFKOR that such failings were symptomatic of an organization that did not evolve with the changing times as it should gradually have over the years; (2) the recognition that the mindset of many of those in the Philippines are neither ready nor willing to accept and welcome ideas from other cultures that are otherwise radically different from what is traditionally Filipino and 3) the determination that the only meaningful effort or the only way that will effectuate true and lasting positive change is one that comes from the grassroots level.
In other words, the Federation is in essence a revolutionary movement intended to instigate the replacement of the dysfunctional, archaic, incompetent and irrelevant colonial-type made-only-for-Filipinos-in-the-Philippines corporation with one that is both truly global in scope and universal in outreach. The foundational concept remains the same - that is, the upholding of the traditional intentions of the charter members of the 'Orden de Caballeros de Rizal' in 1911.
While IFKOR was founded only in March 17, 2008 its beginnings can actually be traced back to 2005 when the Scarborough Manifesto was issued. That document paved the way for the establishement of the Knights of Rizal Reform Movement (KRRM). The late Sir Peter Eisele of Germany was himself a staunch member of KRRM. When Sir Peter decided later on that the reform initiative was going nowhere or rather, that the fraternal organization as we know it is hopeless, both he and I exchanged ideas on which route to take: either to completely break away and start a completely different organization or take a different and more radical approach to bring about reformation within the existing brotherhood. The resulting 'La Liga Solidaridad' and 'IFKOR' are hence the expressions of our separate choices. IFKOR has indeed taken a completely new route: that of TRANSFORMATION, in place of reformation.
In March of 2008 when Sir Lino Reyes first excitedly joined the Federation, he agreed with the notion that IFKOR is the right vehicle that will rebuild the dilapidated house in Manila. But because of his misunderstanding of some legal ramifications such as the name "Knights of Rizal" he quickly backtracked and started to suggest that the Federation be changed into something completely different. Which is what some of us are inclined to suggest at this time, albeit for reasons other than those submitted by Sir Lino.
As I explained at length in many previous emails, if we merely wanted to create an organization that has no relation (historically or otherwise) with the Knights of Rizal or the 'Orden de Caballeros de Rizal', we would not have initiated the Federation at all. We could have simply joined 'La Liga', Rizal Society of Ontario, or come up with something else altogether. But that was not the plan and that was not the intention. They still are not.
However, within the Federation there are admittedly a number of issues that are worthy of consideration. For example the use of such titles as 'Sir', 'Lady', 'KOR', 'KCR', 'KGOR' and 'KGCR'. As a progressive organization IFKOR certainly should be open to suggestions, and it is - BUT only as IFKOR and not as another. To decide to make it different is to decide in essence to dissolve the corporation, sadly, just as it is taking its first steps.
Lastly, I should point out that while the purpose of the International Conference on Rizal in September is to determine what are 'Rizalian Principles' and in what practical applications can those principles be used, it is possible that as a result of the coming together of Rizalists in this event, an international association of many Rizalist organizations may by design be established. One that IFKOR can be a part of. That, I think, is the appropriate avenue where the new suggestions can be given due and full recognition.
I hope that I have shed some light on these matters. How I wish we have the luxury of time to exhaust all possibilities but really, with all due respect to everyone, we should concentrate at the moment on the preparations for the Conference. Let us see how things play out at that event or as a consequence of the same. I humbly ask for your patience and understanding. As the saying goes, "the world is not going to end tomorrow", or at least I have no reason to believe it will.
God bless us all!
Yours sincerely in Rizal,
Jun Zerrudo
1 comment:
I want to be a Rizalist, a member if it's possible.
Post a Comment