CJ Hilario Davide Jr. with Knights of Rizal- Hawaii Chapter: A brotherhood get-together

Evening with Retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide, jr,. with the members of the Knights of Rizal

APPROXIMATELY 30 strong members of the Order of Knights of Rizal-Hawaii Chapter including five very young women who are members and officers of the KAPARIZ group has a bright and high potentials to be the leaders for tomorrow as Dr. Jose Rizal once said: “the youth are the hope of the land for a future tomorrow’s leaders” gathered at the popular Filipino-owned restaurant Max of Manila Dillingham Blvd Honolulu, Hawaii on February 6, 2015 to have an informal dinner with the former Philippine Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr.

In attendance at no particular order or rank by self-introduction: Sir Clem Bautista; Sir Arnold Villafuerte; Sir Gerhart Walch; Sir Ben Sanchez; SirJoe Alibudbud; Mrs. Normie Alibudbud; Sir Darwin Arellano; Sir Raymund Liongson; Sir Danny Villaruz; Sir Felipe Tan; Sir Amado Yoro; Sir Frank Condello Sr.; Sir Jun Colmenares; Sir Donnie Juan; Sir Richard Ancog; Sir Florante Pumaras; Madam Nancy Walch; Mrs. Gigi Davide; Frank Condello, Jr. (youth); Sir Alex Vergara (newest member); Dr. Belinda Aquino; Letecia Ancog; Leah Condello.

The youth member and five officers of the KAPARIZ, all females, were inducted by Hon. Davide. And as Sir Raymund Liongson put it in his brief writeup: CJ Davide swears in KAPARIZ officers; Rizalian Youth Council is born. Sir Raymund Liongson is adviser of the group.

‘The youth are the hope of the future.’

This enduring statement from Dr. Jose P. Rizal once more echoed with the formation of a Rizalian youth council dedicated to promote among the young people the ideals, principles and virtues of the 19^th century martyr and hero. Named Kabataang Pangarap ni Rizal (KAPARIZ), the group also endeavors to promote among the Filipino youth the appreciation of their history, heritage, culture and arts. It envisions to provide opportunities for youth leadership training, as well as talent and skills the development.

Retired Chief Justice Hilario Davide, Jr. inducted the officers at a Knights of Rizal dinner in Honolulu. Officers sworn in office are Andrea Mateo, president; Charmelaine Ramento, vice president; Rovy Pajarillo, secretary; Georgianne Nicolai Santiago, treasurer; and Djojeanne Simon, information officer. Abigail Basuel, who was not able to attend the installation ceremonies, is the historian/archivist. The officers, all migrants from the Philippines, are also in the early college program at Waipahu High School.

A Rizalian youth conference and leadership training are among the major endeavors being considered by the group.

KAPARIZ is a youth organization associated with the Order of the Knights of Rizal, with chapters in various schools in the Philippines and other countries.

The informal program was emceed by Dr. Raymund Liongson.  Without notes, Chief Justice Davide praised the organization for having this special gathering and for having an informal and brotherly gathering.

He was a past Supreme Commander of OKoR in the Philippines. Membership is very important in any organization, KoR include that needs illustrious, intelligent and committed members.

He suggested that KoR membership should recruit more as Dr. Rizal’s dream is to pull people together—“You need more members, invite others to join you as an honorary members.”

Mr. Davide said “The Philippines is not only your Motherland, it is your Homeland.”

Mr. Davide praised the members of the Hawaii Legislature in Senate as led by Senate President Donna Mercado Kim (with Batangas root) and Senate Vice President Willie Espero (Ilocos Sur-La-Union root) other senators: Keith Agaran, Donovan Dela Cruz (Tarlac root) Brickwood Galutiera, Lorraine Rodero Inouye (Piddig-La Union root)

The House of Representatives has a vice speaker who is married to a Filipina and as well as five other members: Henry Aquino, Della Bellati, Joy San Buenaventura, Romy Cachola, Ty Cullen.

In terms of empowering a stronger if not a solid Pinoy Political Power aside from the six Senators and about six Representatives at presently serving in the Hawaii State Legislature there should be more understanding among Filipino candidates or aspiring candidates to have better chance in winning seats. Understanding is the key and is necessary, and to prove that it is not “kanya-kanya”, do-my-way style. Running for office should not be a competition but about who has the best chance of winning.

Chief Davide is the 20^th Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court, the highest court of the land. He served as Philippine Ambassador to the United Nation, New York, New York; prior to that appointment, he was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1971; elected as assemblyman for the Interim Batasan Pambansa in 1978; served as COMELEC Chairman as appointed by President Corazon Aquino. He was born in Argao, Cebu.

Mr. Davide said about who Rizal is: A to Z hero of the Philippines, from Agriculture to Zoology.