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35 Years of the Knights of Rizal in Winnipeg

by Ronald Mervin Sison

KORThis year of 2026 The Knights of Rizal Winnipeg Chapter celebrates its 35th year. The chapter was established in the early 1990’s by a group led by Sir Dr. Roland Guzman, KGOR; Sir Dr. Rey Pagtakhan, KGOR; Sir Les Crisostomo, KGOR; and Sir Dr. Rudy Padua, KCR.

Over the years the KOR Winnipeg Chapter membership has included individuals like Sir Dr. Ed Malabanan, KCR; Sir Dr. Paul Orallo, KCR; Sir Ricaredo Medina, KCR; Dr. Ernie Milambiling, KCR; Sir Dr. Violago, KCR; Sir Dr. Narvas, KCR; MP Kevin Lamoureaux, MP Terry Duguid, MP Jon Gerard, Dr. Conrado Santos, and Councillor Brian Mays among many others. The chapter commanders over the years included, Sir Rev. Neil Parado, KGOR; Sir Dr. Tom Colina, KGOR; Sir Felino de Jesus, KGOR; Sir Mike Pagtakhan, KGOR; Sir Mohamed Alli, KCR; Sir Ray Sator, KCR and currently Sir Ronald Mervin Sison, KCR (designate).

There have been many projects over the decades among them the Youth Recognition Awards (YRA), a tradition started in the late 1990s through Sir Ric Medina with the assistance of current School Trustee Perla Javate who was then a liaison officer for the WSD.

The naming of Dr. Jose Rizal Way, a portion of Keewatin Street in the Northwest of Winnipeg was their first public city project in 2008.

The Dr. Jose Rizal Monument project at the Waterford Green Commons was started in 2020, spearheaded by Sir Felino De Jesus, Sir Dr. Tom Colina, Sir Mike Pagtakhan, Sir Mohamed Alli, with the later assistance of City Councillor Lady Vivian Santos. The official historical marker from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines was unveiled on June 19, 2025, at the monument site.

Dr. Jose Rizal Park on Sewa Crescent was also completed and marker installed in 2025; the park will be officially inaugurated this year.

The Knights were recently honoured at the Manitoba Legislative Building on May 26, 2026, with a program and a member statement delivered by MLA for Notre Dame Malaya Marcelino; and again, on May 28, 2026, at City Hall by Councillor Lady Vivian Santos.