The Knights of Rizal (Spanish: Orden de Caballeros de Rizál; Filipino: Mga Maginoo ni Rizal; sometimes abbreviated as KOR) is an order of chivalry of the Philippines, created to honor and uphold the ideals of Philippine national hero José Rizal.[1] Knighthood confers a personal title (Sir) and this status, as well as any professional affiliation to the Order, is protected by law against impersonation or fraud.[1] The insignia of the Knights of Rizal is ranked seventh in the Order of Wear pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Honors Code of the Philippines,[2] and is often worn by members of the Philippine government and diplomatic corps.

Quick Facts Knights of RizalOrden de Caballeros de RizálMga Maginoo ni Rizal, Awarded by The Supreme Council of the Knights of Rizal ...
Knights of Rizal
Orden de Caballeros de Rizál
Mga Maginoo ni Rizal
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Badge of the Knights of Rizal with the name of the Order and the motto circumscribed
Awarded by


The Supreme Council of the Knights of Rizal
TypeOrder of chivalry
Established1911; 114 years ago (1911);
chartered by Congress in 1951; 74 years ago (1951)
CountryPhilippines Philippines
SeatPort Area, Manila
MottoNon Omnis Moriar
EligibilityMen of legal age with good moral character and reputation, irrespective of nationality, race, social status, or religion
Awarded forOutstanding services to the Order or the Philippines, or a demonstrated commitment to the Rizalian ideals of education, service, internationalism, and social justice
StatusCurrently constituted with legislative charter
FounderColonel Antonio C. Torres (1911); President Elpidio Quirino (1951 charter)
Supreme CommanderSir Raymundo A. del Rosario, KGCR
GradesKnight Grand Cross of Rizal (KGCR)
Knight Grand Officer of Rizal (KGOR)
Knight Commander of Rizal (KCR)
Knight Officer of Rizal (KOR)
Knight of Rizal (KR)
Websiteknights-of-rizal.ph
Statistics
Total inductees25,000+ knights in approximately 200 chapters around the world
Precedence
Next (higher)Awards and decorations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Presidential Medal of Merit
Next (lower)Decorations of the Reserves and Auxiliaries of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, and Coast Guard
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Ribbon bar

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Knight (KR) Insignia

The Order was established in 1911 by Colonel Antonio C. Torres, who later served as the first Filipino chief of police of Manila.[3] The Order was granted a legislative charter by President Elpidio Quirino[3] as a non-sectarian, non-partisan, civic, patriotic, and cultural organization under Republic Act 646 on June 14, 1951.[1] Although not a state order, it is the one order of knighthood in the Philippines officially recognized and endorsed by an official act of the national government, and its awards and titles are recognized by the Honors Code of the Philippines as official awards of the Republic.[4]

Since its founding, the Order has grown to more than 25,000 members belonging to 131 active chapters in the Philippines and 61 active chapters around the world.[5] Its international headquarters is located on Bonifacio Drive in Port Area, Manila.

History

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The Order of the Knights of Rizal was first organized out of a group of nine men by Manila Police Chief Colonel Antonio C. Torres on Rizal Day, December 30, 1911, to commemorate the martyrdom of José Rizal against the Spanish Empire. This group of founding members included Sir Martin P. de Veyra (a pensionado who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked for the Philippine Assembly), Sir Jose A. del Barrio (a Bureau of Internal Revenue employee), and Sir Jose S. Galvez (a lawyer, stage actor, and the President of Talca, a dramatic guild).[6]

A year later, on December 30, 1912, a state funeral was held to transfer Rizal's remains from his family's house in Binondo, Manila for a wake in the Ayuntamiento and finally a burial in Luneta. The Knights of Rizal kept vigil during the wake and acted as honor guards during the subsequent burial.[7] Asunción López Bantug, Rizal's sister's granddaughter, recounts how the event took place in her biography of Rizal published in 1982:

On December 29, 1912, the urn containing the remains was borne in solemn procession from the family's house to the Ayuntamiento, that fine Marble Hall that had been a symbol of Spanish sovereignty in the Philippines. In the salon of the Ayuntamiento, the urn was enshrined on a magnificent catafalque surrounded by innumerable floral wreaths, offerings of the nation. Throughout that night, the Knights of Rizal and other patriotic groups as well as the public kept vigil round the catafalque. Next morning, December 30, 1912 -- sixteenth anniversary of the martyrdom -- the urn was borne to the Luneta on an artillery caisson drawn by six horses. Thousands joined the procession and thousands more lined the streets.[7]

Since then, the Order has led commemorations of Rizal's birth anniversary and has played a prominent role during Rizal Day ceremonies commemorating his death anniversary.[8] On the 100th anniversary of the state funeral, the Order joined the President of the Philippines, Sir Benigno Aquino III, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, in leading the country through the reenactment of the 1912 funeral march.[9] The knights wore a replica of their 1912 uniform and marched alongside a motorized caisson.[9] Around 7,000 students, soldiers, policemen, government employees, and descendants of Rizal joined the commemoration.[9]

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December 30, 1912: The catafalque carrying the urn that contains Jose Rizal's remains is marched through Manila to Luneta with the Knights of Rizal as honor guards and the Freemasons of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines marching in step.

In 1916, Col. Torres formally organized the Order as a private non-stock corporation.[1] In 1951, the Supreme Council of the Order created a Committee on Legislation for the purpose of studying the feasibility of filing a bill in the Congress of the Philippines to be enacted into law to enable the Order to secure a legislative charter. Justice Roman Ozaeta was the Chairman of the Committee with Sir Carlos Hilado and Sir Pedro Sabido as members.[10]

The bill seeking to give the Order of the Knights of Rizal a legislative charter was docketed as Senate Bill No. 251. Senators Enrique Magalona, Lorenzo Sumulong, Esteban Abada, Emiliano Tria Tirona, Camilo Osías, Geronima Pécson, José Avelino and Ramon Torres sponsored the bill in the Senate while Congressman Manuel Zola of Cebu was the principal sponsor in the House of Representatives. Attached to the bill was an explanatory note that read:

The bill if enacted into law will also serve as a historical monument to Rizal; it will constitute an official recognition by the Republic of the Philippines of the inestimable value to the nation of his teachings an examples and the wisdom and necessity of inculcating them into the minds and hearts of our people so they may strive to follow and practice them. The authors and proponents of this bill believe that if the purposes thereof are faithfully and effectively carried out, social discipline, civic virtues, and love of justice will be fostered, promoted, and enhanced in this country, and that the Knights of Rizal as a chartered entity is the most convenient instrumentality by which this desirable ends can be attained. Let Rizal's life and martyrdom influence and guide the destiny of the nation. Let this and future generations live the Rizal way.[10]

The bill was passed by Congress on May 15, 1951. It was signed into law by President Elpidio Quirino on June 14, 1951 as Republic Act 646.[10] The new law shortened the English name to "Knights of Rizal" while keeping its original form in Spanish as "Orden de Caballeros de Rizál."[1]

Structure and Governance

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Historical marker at the headquarters of the Order in Manila

As set forth by Philippine Republic Act 646, the general administration and direction of the affairs of the Order is in the hands of a Supreme Council of nine members including the Supreme Commander, Deputy Supreme Commander, Supreme Chancellor, Supreme Pursuivant, Supreme Exchequer, Supreme Archivist, Supreme Auditor, Deputy Supreme Pursuivant and Deputy Supreme Exchequer.[11] The Supreme Council Trustees serve the Supreme Council for two (2) years, with maximum of two (2) re-elections as stated in the Amended By-Laws.

The present Supreme Council of the Order consist of the following knights who were elected on November 26, 2023.

  • Supreme Commander: Sir Raymundo A. del Rosario, KGCR (the Board Member representing the 7th District of Cavite in the Cavite Provincial Council);
  • Deputy Supreme Commander: Sir Allan L. Rellon, KGOR (Vice Mayor of Tagum City);
  • Supreme Chancellor: Sir Mark Roy L. Boado, KGOR;
  • Supreme Pursuivant: Sir Joel V. Tuplano, KGOR;
  • Supreme Exchequer: Sir Frisco S. San Juan, Jr, KGOR;
  • Supreme Auditor: Sir Meliton P. Garraton, KGCR;
  • Supreme Archivist and Overseas Representative: Sir Arnold Villafuerte, KGCR;
  • Deputy Supreme Pursuivant: Sir Jose Vicente B. Salazar, KGOR; and
  • Deputy Supreme Exchequer: Sir Rafael Crescencio C. Tan, Jr., KGOR.

Activities

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The Knights of Rizal is an active order with many social, cultural, and charitable projects all around the world.

Knights lead or take an active role in official and diplomatic ceremonies commemorating important dates in José Rizal's life and the Philippine Independence Day. In the Philippines, the Order is a staple at most national events held at Luneta with the President of the Philippines in attendance. In New York City, the Order sponsors and marches as honor guards in the Philippine Independence Day Parade, the world’s largest such celebration outside of Manila.

The Order also focuses on Filipino youth across the world through programs such as the annual National Rizal Youth Leadership Institute Conference and the annual Search for Jose Rizal Model Students of the Philippines (JRMSP) held every December in the Philippines.

Globally, chapters sponsor charitable projects for the betterment of their local or international communities year-round. In 2024, the Fairfield Chapter in Connecticut donated $35,000 (PHP 2,000,000) to build classrooms in two remote barangays in Luzon, Philippines, in keeping with the Order's similar previous work in Visayas and Mindanao to aid communities that do not receive enough government funding.[12] Meanwhile the New York Chapter in New York City have organized several projects in service of the local Filipino communities in Woodside and Elmhurst through children's feeding programs and care package (sanitation kits, thermal blankets) donations. In coordination with the New York State Command, Sir Michael Dadap's Handurawan concert at the Kaufman Music Center donated a portion of its proceeds to help victims of Hurricane Milton in Florida.

Various fundraisers, balls, and galas are held throughout the year by chapters across the world to raise money in support of the Order’s mission and to exhibit Filipino culture and cuisine. These events usually feature Rigodon de Honor dancing, Filipiniana fashion shows, and music by Filipino artists.

Eligibility and Membership

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The Order respects all races, faiths, and social status, and does not take into account one’s nationality or citizenship. Membership does not only convey privilege but requires continuous participation in the work of the Order.

Membership is by invitation only with the endorsement of two active knights and the approval of the Supreme Council. Postulants may be approached by knights of the Order directly or they may petition for membership. A postulant must be a man of legal age who is of impeccable character and has a demonstrated commitment to the values epitomized by Rizal.[13] Postulants who are successfully admitted into the Order may enjoy all the privileges of knights of the Order whether or not they are citizens of the Philippines. All knighthoods are substantive and never simply honorary as they are not only a recognition of past service and charitable deeds but also an expectation of future active work and growth within the Order.

All postulants are privately investigated before any formal proceedings take place. Upon successful vetting, the local chapter files a formal recommendation to the appropriate prefectural tribunal for approval, after which the recommendation goes before the eyes of the Supreme Council who votes on conferring knighthood. In all stages, from the chapter level to the Supreme Council, approval must be reached unanimously otherwise the vote fails and the recommendation is rejected. A similar process occurs for elevations of rank within the Order.

The honor of knighthood and all subsequent promotions and awards are conferred by the local chapter through a diploma signed by the Supreme Commander and Supreme Pursuivant under the authority of the Supreme Council vested in it by Republic Act 646.[1] The postulant is knighted or promoted in a solemn ceremony steeped in tradition that is presided by the highest ranking knights present, typically Area or Regional Commanders, and is presented the diploma along with the appropriate insignia for his rank.

It is tradition that all new rank insignia or decoration presented to the knight being dubbed, promoted or awarded are done with a loved one or a sponsoring senior knight taking an active part in affixing the new insignia or decoration onto the knight’s uniform for the first time, similar to a military pinning ceremony.

Privileges, titles, and precedence

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Stamp released by PHLPost to celebrate the centennial of the Order's initial formation in 1916, featuring a profile of Rizal.

As the only state-recognized order of chivalry in the Philippines, the honor of membership is held in high regard. It is a crime for any person to misrepresent themselves to be a knight or agent of the Order and anyone found guilty of doing so may be fined or imprisoned for up to six months, or both.[1]

Knights have the right to wear the insignia and vestments of the Order at all appropriate occasions in accordance to the Order's Amended By-Laws and to the Order of Wear of the Philippines. The Order's ranks and insignia are formally recognized by Executive Order No. 236, more commonly known as the Honors Code of the Philippines, making the Order seventh in precedence.[14]

Titles

Knights of all degrees, and their wives, are entitled to specific titles that apply to both spoken and written forms of address.[15]

Knights

Knights of the Order prefix Sir before their names and may use the appropriate post-nominal letters of their rank after their names.[15]

  • Knights Grand Cross use the post-nominals KGCR;
  • Knights Grand Officer, KGOR;
  • Knights Commander, KCR;
  • Knights Officer, KOR; and
  • Knights, KR.

For example, a Juan de la Cruz of the rank Knight Grand Cross may be styled as Sir Juan de la Cruz, KGCR.

The dignity of knighthood is only held for life and cannot be inherited nor passed down. Only the Supreme Council may award a postulant the prefix Sir, officially granted at the investiture ceremony when the solemnizing officer states: “Vested upon the By-Laws of the Order, I dub (name of postulant) – By virtue of the Order (officer taps left shoulder of the postulant with sword). Arise, Sir (name of new knight).

Wives of knights

A wife of a knight prefixes Lady to her first name regardless of whether she uses her own surname or her husband's surname.[15] For example, a Christine Reyes, wife of Sir Juan de la Cruz, may be styled as:

  • Lady Christine Reyes;
  • Lady Christine de la Cruz; or
  • Lady Christine

Note that this differs from Western convention, specifically that of the British system used in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms (e.g. Order of the British Empire) where wives of knights prefix Lady to their surname instead and only if they use their husband's surname.[16]

Degrees and Decorations

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All of the Order's medals and awards are considered awards given by the Republic of the Philippines.[15]

Degrees and Insignia

There are five degrees of knighthood, each with their own post-nominals and insignia.[17]

More information Degrees, 1st ...
Degrees
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Knight
Knight Officer
Knight Commander
Knight Grand Officer
Knight Grand Cross
Insignia
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Regalia of a KR is a ribbon of the Order
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Regalia of a KOR is a ribbon with a golden anahaw rosette
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Regalia of a KCR is a neck ribbon of the Order
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Regalia of a KGOR includes a silver breast star and sash of the Order
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Regalia of a KGCR includes a gold breast star and sash of the Order
Ribbon
Ribbon with a
golden anahaw rosette
Neck ribbon
Silver breast star and sash
Gold breast star with sash
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Other Awards and Decorations

These commendations may be awarded to any knight or person on the merit of their achievements for the Order or the Philippines.

  • Medal of Recognition
  • Distinguished Service Medal
  • Distinguished Service Star
  • Distinguished Service Cross
  • Rizal Pro Patria Award

For Women and Ladies Auxiliary

In addition to the above, these awards are specifically reserved for women who have distinguished themselves within or outside the Order.

  • Teodora Alonzo Award
  • Rizal Women of Malolos Award

Prominent recipients

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Presidents of the Philippines

Most Philippine presidents since the country first declared independence from colonial powers in 1898 have received the honor of knighthood or an award from the Order by virtue of their office and/or services they have given to the Filipino people.

More information Presidential Term, Photo ...
Presidential Term Photo Name Known for Notes
1899-1901
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Sir Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy QSC CCLH PMM KGCR
1935-1944
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Sir Manuel Luis Quezon y Molina GCGH KGCR
1943-1945
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Sir José Paciano Laurel y Garcia CCLH KGCR
1957-1961
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Sir Carlos Polestico Garcia KR
1961-1965
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Diosdado Macapagal photo
Sir Diosdado Pangan Macapagal, Sr. GCrM, KGCR
  • Ninth president of the Philippines
  • Shifted Philippine Independence Day celebrations from July 4 to June 12, the day President Aguinaldo declared independence from the Spanish Empire[24]
  • Convened Maphilindo—a proposed confederation of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines—a realization of José Rizal's dream of bringing together the Malay peoples, seen as artificially divided by colonial frontiers[25]
1965-1986
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Sir Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. CCLH KGCR
1992-1998
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Sir Fidel Valdez Ramos CCLH GCS KGCR
  • 12th president of the Philippines and the only career military officer who has held the office (five-star general[48])
  • During the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, Ramos was hailed as a hero by many Filipinos for his decision to break away from the administration of Marcos, and pledge allegiance and loyalty to the newly established government of President Corazon C. Aquino
  • Credited for revitalizing and renewing international confidence in the Philippine economy during his six years in office
1998-2001
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Sir Joseph Ejercito Estrada KGCR
2001-2010
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Excelentísima Señora[51] Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo DoYC[52]
  • 14th president of the Philippines, and only the second female after President Corazon C. Aquino, after emerging as winner in the controversial 2004 presidential election
  • First female vice president of the Philippines (during the term of President Joseph Estrada)
  • First president to succeed the presidency as the child of a previous president (Diosdado Macapagal)[53]
  • Abolished capital punishment in 2006 after commuting the death sentences of over 1,200 prisoners[54][55]
Conferred the Teodora Alonzo Award by the Order
2010-2016
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Sir Benigno Simeon Aquino III KGCR
2016-2022
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Sir Rodrigo Roa Duterte KGCR SMIJ
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Senator Sir Benigno Aquino Jr. on a PHLPost stamp released in 2000

Members of Philippine Senate and House of Representatives

Cabinet Secretaries, Vice Presidents, and Ministers of the Philippines

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The Honorable Sir Hilario Davide Jr.

Chief Justices of the Philippines

Artists of the Philippines

Philippine Diplomatic Corps

Other Prominent Members

Foreign Recipients of the Order or its awards

More information Country, Photo ...
Country Photo Name Known for Notes
Spain Spain
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HM King Juan Carlos I King of Spain
United States United States of America
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Sir Henry Kissinger Secretary of State of the United States of America
United States United States of America
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Sir Theodore Roosevelt III Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the Philippines Knighted by then-Senate President Sir Manuel L. Quezon at Luneta.[6]
Malaysia Malaysia
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Sir Anwar Ibrahim 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia
Thailand Thailand
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Sir Itthiphol Khunpluem Thai Minister of Culture and Mayor of Pattaya
Australia Australia
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Sir Billy Chan KGOR, GCrSMA, OMCM UN Ambassador for the Global Fair Pay Charter, UNITAR
Canada Canada
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Sir Tobias Enverga Senator for Ontario
France France
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Jean-Marc Ayrault - septembre 2011
Britgitte Ayrault Wife of Prime Minister of France Jean-Marc Ayrault Conferred the Rizal Women of Malolos Award for her charity work with Filipino children
United Kingdom United Kingdom Sir Austin Coates British civil servant and author Wrote “Rizal: Philippine Nationalist and Martyr“ (1968)
United States United States of America
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Sir John Ensign United States Senator of the State of Nevada
Japan Japan
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Sir Daisaku Ikeda President of Soka Gakkai in Japan
Japan Japan Sir Kiyoshi Sumiya Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines
Canada Canada
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Sir Anthony Housefather Member of the Canadian Parliament and Mayor of Côte Saint-Luc
Cambodia Cambodia Sir Heng Sokkung Cambodian Secretary of State of the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation
Belgium Belgium Sir Grégoire Vardakis Belgian Ambassador to the Philippines
Croatia Croatia
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Sir Stjepan Mesić President of Croatia (2000-2010)
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Yugoslavia President of Yugoslavia (1991) [61]
United States United States of America
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Sir Emanuel Jones USA Georgia State Senator, Senate Committee on Economic Development and International Relations
Australia Australia Sir Nicholas George Tam Vice Chairman of the Royal Commonwealth Society Hong Kong Branch[62][63][64]
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References

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