The Knights of Rizal (KOR)-The Hague Chapter welcomed Sir Ferdinand Suba, Knight Grand Cross of Rizal, and Supreme Archivist of the KOR Supreme Council, at a luncheon held on 30 June 2022 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Embassy in The Hague.
The event was presided by KOR-The Hague Chapter Commander Anton Lutter, and forms part of the KOR’s commemoration of the 161st birth anniversary of the Philippines’ National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
Accompanied by Mrs. Carina Suba, Mr. Suba, a practicing lawyer, also made a courtesy call on Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya.
In his welcome remarks during the luncheon meeting, the Ambassador affirmed the firm support of the Philippine Embassy to the KOR’s mission to share and spread the teachings and legacy of Jose Rizal. Noting that the event coincided with the inauguration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as the 17th President of the Philippines, the Ambassador underscored some of the President’s key messages in the inaugural address, particularly the call for unity in order in order to realize soonest a peaceful, safer, and more prosperous country.
Ambassador Malaya also recalled the admonition of Jose Rizal that “It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part of any edifice,” to underscore each citizen’s obligation to contribute to nation-building.
Mr. Gerard Arp, translator of Rizal’s novels “Noli Me Tangere” (Raak Me Niet Aan) and “El Filibusterismo” (De Revolutie: Een Filipijnse Roman) in Dutch, also delivered a presentation on the continuing relevance and timelessness of Rizal’s visions and thoughts on innovation, commerce, industry, environment and science to achieve progress as articulated by the key characters in Rizal’s novels.
Mr. Arp’s paper on “Social Relations in Early History: Jose Rizal and Dutch Connection” is part of the book published by the Embassy entitled, “Philippines-Netherlands Connections @ 70: Reconstructing History and Forging Ahead.” Copies of the book were distributed to the attendees of the event. An e-copy of the book can be downloaded here https://bit.ly/3Ox3XJD.
Also present were Mr. Alexander Onia, Chapter Commander of the Knights of Rizal Rotterdam, former NL Ambassador to PH Saskia De Lang, and some of the Board Members of the Philippines-Netherlands Business Council, namely Mr. Matthijs van der Lely, Atty. Florisa Almodiel-Luteijn and Mr. Frank Meijer.
The Knights of Rizal is a civic and patriotic organization established by Republic Act No. 646 as an instrumentality by which the teachings of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal may be propagated among the Filipino people, and others who may believe in his teachings to the end that they may emulate and follow his examples. Those who wish to join the worthy endeavors of the Knights of Rizal can send emails to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (for The Hague Chapter) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (for Rotterdam Chapter).
