Our History

The history of the Knights of Rizal goes back to December 30, 1911, when Col. Antonio C. Torres organized a group of young men from different walks of life to commemorate, in a suitable manner, the execution and martyrdom of the foremost Malayan and national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Since then, a group of men would gather every 30th of December to honor Dr. Jose P. Rizal. Known as Rizal Day Celebrations, this group would be conspicuously seen on horseback reminiscing about the knights of old known for their chivalry. To provide a continuing entity and to encourage others to join them, these admirers of Dr. Rizal organized and registered under Philippine law the “Orden de Caballeros de Rizal” on November 16, 1916. A private non-stock corporation, the incorporators were Martin de Veyra, Antonio C. Torres, Juan Flamefio, Jose del Barrio, and Jose S. Galvez. In 1951, the Supreme Council of the Order created a Committee on Legislation tasked to file a bill in the Philippine Congress that would 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. Soon enough, a bill seeking to give the Knights of Rizal a legislative charter was docketed as Senate Bill No. 251 sponsored by Senators Enrique Magalona, Lorenzo Sumulong, Esteban Abada, Emiliano Tria Tirona, Camilo Osias, Geronima Pecson, Jose Avelino and Ramon Torres. The measure’s principal sponsor in the Lower House was Congressman Manuel Zosa of Cebu. The explanatory note of the Bill read as follows: “The purpose of the attached bill is to accord to the civic and patriotic organization known as “Orden de Caballeros de Rizal” (Order of the Knights of Rizal) the same kind of official recognition and encouragement as that accorded to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines by Commonwealth Act No. 111, by granting to it a legislative Charter and investing it with the necessary powers to enable it more fully and more effectively to accomplish the laudable purposes for which it was organized. 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 and examples and of the wisdom and necessity of inculcating them in 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 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.” President Elpidio Quirino signed the bill into law on June 14, 19 51, as Republic Act 646