November and December 2024 

           Pls click on the images to view in full size.

              

           

            

            Please click on this line, or the banner below, for more detailed info about our Commander's Ball.

                

                

           October 2024

                

                   Pls click on the picture to see the video.

September 2024

             The Registration Deadline for the discounted fee will end on September 20, 2024.

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               Click on the banner below and watch his performance in Gilbert, Arizona, in YouTube. 

 

           Arizona Knights of Rizal Launches A Huge Community Project

Sunday, August 25, 2024 is a memorable day to remember. The Arizona Knights of Rizal, commonly known as AZKOR - under the sterling leadership of Sir Frandioben “Jun” Saez, KCR, a former chapter commander, and Sir Romeo “Joey: Balasta, KCR, incumbent chapter commander of AZKOR – spearheaded the Marcelito Pomoy Arizona USA Concert held at the Higley Center for the Performing Arts in Gilbert, Arizona. The concert was produced by Zone 35, LLC – the President and CEO of which is Sir Jun Saez, KCR. He studied Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree at Utica University; studied College of Physical Therapy at De la Sale University – Health Science Campus. The grand performance of Marcelito Pomoy, the internationally renowned artist with the magical dual voice, is currently the hottest Filipino pride in the world stage. The original 250 tickets were sold in two weeks necessitating a change of venue and his recently concluded concert was close to 600 attendees. Many attendees sent congratulations to Sir Dr. Jun Saez, and one of them is Cirilo Medrano, who said, “Congratulations Zone 35…the best concert I had attended…very organized, almost on time, versatile performer Pomoy..lahat nag enjoy (everyone enjoyed) …all positive reviews from friends…sulit and bayad,” (the fee is worth it.) Rizza G. Ditchella, President of Philippine Nurses Association of Arizona (PNAAZ) said, “Just watched Marcelito Pomoy’s show. His voice is really one of a kind! Congratulations and thank you Zone 35 Jun Saez for a great show!!” Another PNAAZ President for 2008-2010, Macbeth Torno also commented, “Good show, good company, Bonga all the way. A magical voice. The Marcelito Pomoy Live performance in Arizona was a big success. Super proud of you Marcelito and wife Joan, stay grounded & humble. Our local talents namely Audrey Aguilar, MaBing Chaves Navarro, Maribeth Pascua did not disappoint us either. Awesome job Zone 35 Productions.” Sir Rudy Sanchez KOR, Deputy Pursuivant has commented, “This is the best concert I have ever attended.” Rhia Luz of Buhay Buhay of America also said, “Well done Dr. Jun Saez. I love how you said - it will be a concert with value, and you truly delivered it! Watching all the performances and Marcelito Pomoy sing, joe and his own sharing of his life story and challenges were the main value in Gold of this concert! You chose the perfect inaugural concert and the vision for the beneficiaries of your concert was even more valuable!” “Marcelito is a good entertainer, very charming fellow and has a very good stage presence – was very friendly with the audience,” Sir Rene Borromeo, a former AZKOR Chancellor has commented. Another attendees, Sir Alex Hernandez, chapter commander of Goodyear Knight of Rizal (GKOR) said, “I like it, there is so much fun. Marcelito tried to relate to everybody with his jokes.” How did this enormous project come into being? It started with a vision. Sir Jun Saez went home to the Philippines to visit his hometown Buhi, Camarines Sur. His father, Benjamin R. Saez, KGCR founded the Buhi Knight of Rizal and became the first chapter commander, and later on the first Area Commander of Camarines Sur. Sir Benjamin Saez translated Dr. Jose Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios into the Buhi dialect, Ultimo Kong Pate-ed. This poem translation was engraved on a marble on one side of Dr. Jose Rizal statue. Due to weather changes, the marble needs to be rehabilitated and renovated and changed to brass inscription just like the Rizal monument in Luneta and in Madrid. Sir Joey Balasta, KCR, incumbent chapter commander of AZKOR, met Sir Jun Saez, KCR in Buhi and took pictures of the Buhi Rizal Park, in its present condition with Sir Jun Saez explaining the replica of the lamparilla where Rizal hide and left the untitled poem, which later on came to be known as Mi Ultimo Adios, and translated to My Last Farewell in English. Then, Sir Joey featured the video presentation in his Joey Balasta Channel USA. The Book of Life says, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil.” The vision of Sir Jun to have a project to beautify the Buhi Rizal Park for better public usage - followed by a determination to raise funds to achieve this noble goal - came the idea of presenting it to the Arizona Knights of Rizal – as one of its objectives to accomplish. In one of AZKOR’S monthly meetings, the members approved the motion to be involved in this particular project, and Sir Dr, James Campbell, KGOR Deputy Regional Commander for Western USA immediately volunteered to be one of the Diamond Sponsors, followed by Sir Judge Tom D. Rodriguez, KGCR, and Lady Fe M. Rodriguez, as one of the Bronze Sponsors. During the intermission, the short visual presentation of the history of the Arizona Knights of Rizal (AZKOR, INC.) that was prepared by Lady Ma. Trinidad “Matic” and Sir Joey Balasta was shown to the audience. From the Knights of Rizal perspective, Sir Jun Saez was inspired to rehabilitate the Ultimo Adios shrine of Dr. Rizal in Buhi Municipal Park due to the legacy of his Knight Grand Cross of Rizal father left behind. This project produced by Zone 35 Productions in cooperation with the Arizona Knights of Rizal is indeed a remarkable success... Sir Judge Tom Rodriguez

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 June 2024

   Brianna Quema receiving scholarship grant               Dianne Saez receiving scholarship grant 

 PRESS RELEASE

Arizona Knights of Rizal Grants Scholarship Award to Two Outstanding Students After granting scholarship grant to Rafael Ablao III for eighth consecutive years, who is now undergoing his residency in Internal medicine at Dignity Health, Chandler Regional Medical Center, the Arizona Knights of Rizal (AZKOR, INC.) awarded two scholarship grants to two deserving students, Dianne Saez and Brianna Quema. During the 123rd birth anniversary celebration of the Philippine national hero , Dr. Jose P. Rizal recently held at the Philippine Community Center on June 22, 2024, the Arizona Knights of Rizal (AZKOR, INC.) bestowed upon Dianne Saez and Brianna Quema the scholarship grants for one year but renewable every year depending on the scholarship standing of the student. The Arizona Knights of Rizal is a civic, patriotic, non-partisan, non-profit, charitable organization created by an Act of Philippine Congress, Rep. Act 646 on June 14, 1951 with the purpose of having an organization that will disseminate and spread the ideals, teachings and life of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The scholarship grant is offered each to two (2) deserving undergraduate/graduate Filipino-American students, whose parents are either both Filipino or one of the parents is of Filipino descent. One of the recipients of the scholarship grant is Dianne Saez, who is taking her Master of Science –Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MS-MEPN) at the University of Arizona and is expected to graduate in May 2025. From August 2017 thru May 2021, she took up Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in Physiology, minor in Biochemistry. She was an honor student having received the Dean’s Distinction Award, Asian Pacific American Student Affairs (APASA), Distinguished Student Leader of the Year 2021, APASA Keynote Speaker for Graduating class of 2021, Wildcat Excellence Tuition Scholarship, and Asian American Faculty Staff & Alumni (AAFSA) Scholarship. Miss Saez has an extensive healthcare experience while pursuing her undergraduate and graduate studies. She was a medical assistant and medical scribe at the Family Foot & Ankle Care in Chandler, a medical scribe in Orthopedic Spine Specialty at the Abrazo Spine Institute. She became a medical scribe in orthopedics and sports medicine at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Phoenix for eight months, and then a clinical research assistant in Ophthalmology at the DocTrials Research Center in Scottsdale. Dianne does not only excel in academic performance but has shown remarkable ability to lead. She was the project director of the undergraduate chapter of the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association at the University of Arizona (APAMSA) from May 2019-May 2020, and was the president of APAMSA of the same period of time. She is the membership operations coordinator of the Council of Young Filipino Americans in Medicine from September 2021 to the present. She was a teaching assistant at the University of Arizona, Physiology Department from January 2021 – May 2021. She supported course instructors and evaluated students in introductory physiology course. When she received the scholarship grant from Sir James Campbell, KGOR the Deputy Regional Commander for Western USA, she said, “ I am happy to receive this award because it will help me prepare in my education at the University of Arizona nursing program….I am a volunteer in the Philippine Nurses Association Grand Canyon State in the medical mission last October 2023 held in Ilocos Norte.” And she added,”It has always been my calling to serve the community.” Sir James Campbell who was the past chair of the Scholarship committee was assisted in presenting the award by Sir Rafael Ablao, Jr., KOR exchequer, and Sir Romeo “Joey” Balasta, KCR chapter commander of the Arizona Knights of Rizal. Dianne Is the daughter of Sir Frandioben “Jun” Saez, KCR, and Dangela L. Saez. Sir Jun received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Utica, University, in New York in 2021. He is engage in therapy, staffing business and physical therapy private practice. Dianne’s mother, Dangela works at the Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix. Another recipient of the scholarship award is Brianna Quema, who is taking up an Associate Degree in Science at Glendale Community College. She attended Dream City Christian School in Glendale, AZ. In May 2023, she took up basic life support studies and received CPR certification. She also received Clinical Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) certification/Certified Phlebotomist technician from the West-Mec Medical Assisting Program, Phoenix, Arizona in June 2022. With these certifications, she was provided with necessary clinical and administrative knowledge to become an entry-level medical assistant. She received hands-on training and learned how to properly administer injections, take vital signs, set patients up for EKG, and understand the fundamental of patient documentation. Since October 2022 to May 2023, she was a sales and marketing assistant/phlebotomist at the Movement Interactive Inc, in Phoenix, and from June 2023, she is doing part-time job at the Rising Medical Group in Scottsdale, AZ as a lead medical assistant in the clinic for senior patient ,and gives training to new medical assistants that the company tries on. Brianna is also doing volunteer work as medical assistant since March 2024 at the Crossroad Rehabilitation Center in Mesa. At the awarding ceremony when asked how she felt to be a recipient of the scholarship award, she replied, “I am very honored to receive the scholarship because it shows the Knights of Rizal support towards my education and future.” She is the daughter of Esequiel “Zeke” Quema, a master mechanic and general manager of Christian Brothers Automotive, and Angel Quema, an accountant at the Dream City Christian School. Brianna’s grandfather is Sir Ramon Quema, KOR, a recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal of the Knights of Rizal. Sir Judge Tom Rodriguez         

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May 2024

Left: Dr. Marilou C. Areno receiving the Dr. Jose Rizal Excellence Award in Education

From Sir Raymundo A. Del Rosario, KGCR Supreme Commander of the Knights of  Rizal.

Sir Judge Tom D. Rodriguez, KGCR, USA Regional Commander 2012-2014 reading

the Award  Citation.
 

Right: Dr. Marilou C. Areno receiving the Certificate of Appreciation  of being one of

the speakers at the 1st Ladies/Kababaihang Rizalista Conference from Sir Raymundo A.

Del Rosario, KGCR Supreme Commander of the Knights of Rizal and Sir Arnold

Villafuerte, KGCR, Supreme Archivist and Overseas Representative.

PRESS RELEASE FILIPINA SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOL RECEIVES DR. JOSE RIZAL EXCELLENCE AWARD IN EDUCATION In 1901, The United States sent a group of 600 American teachers to the Philippines to teach the native Filipinos the English language and to create a centralized public school system. They boarded the U.S. Army Transport ship Thomas and came to be called Thomasites. Who would believe that a century later, Filipino teachers would come to the U.S. to teach American children, and eventually a Filipina would become a superintendent of school to the native Americans in Arizona? Dr. Marilou C. Areno, a Doctor of Communication graduate from the University of the Philippines received the Dr. Jose Rizal Excellence Award in Education during the 1st Ladies for Rizal/Kababaihang Rizalista Conference held at the Ahern Hotel & Convention Center on May 24-25, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. She received the award from Sir Raymundo A. Del Rosario, KGCR Supreme Commander of the Knights of Rizal and Sir Dante Ulanday, KGOR Regional Commander for Western USA. The Citation of Dr. Areno’s accomplishments was read by Sir Judge Tom D. Rodriguez, KGCR former USA Regional Commander for the Rizalian year 2012-2014. When Marilou was asked to describe how her work, professional community involvement reflects the precepts and ideals of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, she answered, “As an educator for so many years and as a school leader, my profession is aligned to the precepts and ideals of Dr. Jose Rizal. I am educating the youth and helping teachers who are educating the youth as well. Jose Rizal once said, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.” (The youth is the hope of our future). The key for our youth to become productive citizen is to develop their skills and education.” And she continued, “My love for my country is stronger even I work here in the United States, I continue to support Filipino teachers through my professional development videos and inspiring them to become better teachers and dream big.“ Dr. Areno’s educational qualification is impressive. Aside from her doctorate degree in Communication from the University of the Philippines, she received her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership at Western Governors University in Utah, and her Master of Arts in Psychology at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines. She received a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and a diploma in Special Education from the same university. She started her career in the field of education in 1989 as a pre-school teacher in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa, Philippines. Since then, she experienced teaching all grade levels from elementary, high school and even college from De La Salle University in Dasmarinas, Cavite. She was a school principal in the Philippines at the Learning Child School in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa, Philippines. From 1989 until 2006 before she left Manila to explore the possibilities in the United States, she was able to serve her Filipino students. She is so proud that her students in the Philippines are now successful in their own professions such as doctors, engineers, business entrepreneurs, teachers and others. Being an educator, she was a part of their successes in life .Being a principal of the school, she trained several teachers to become a better teacher and carry-on the noble profession of being a teacher. In 2006, she moved to the United States as a special education teacher in the White Mountain Apache Reservation serving the Native American students. In 2011, she was promoted as a Special Education Director until 2017, when she became a school superintendent in the same school at Dishchiibikoh Community School which is located in Cibecue, Arizona. And being a school superintendent, she was able to help the native American students in their community by establishing among other things, the Career Technical Education (Cosmetology, Automotive, Woodworking, Transition Work Program) in the school to prepare the students for job skills and ready to work after high school; and as a school superintendent, she has been hiring Filipino teachers directly from the Philippines and helping them to have better opportunities in the United States to support their families back in the Philippines. Marilou is a board member of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA in America), and is serving as an assistant pro, and a member of the Constitution and By Laws Revision and Review Committee. She is the president of the UP Alumni Association –Arizona chapter. She established a YouTube Channel called the Teachers Best Friend, the purpose of which is to provide professional development to teachers and to guide teachers who are aspiring to work in the United States the step by step process of application, and she is open for consultation to teachers free of charge. Dr. Areno was one of the motivational speakers at the conference. She spoke on the theme of Women Empowerment. A Lady for Rizal from the Arizona Knights of Rizal chapter, Lady Fe M. Rodriguez, was another speaker who spoke on the conference theme of “Be Like the Brave Women of Malolos.” The Ladies for Rizal is a counterpart organization of the Knights of Rizal. The Philippine Congress passed a law, Republic Act 646 on June 14, 1951 to create the Knights of Rizal to have an organization that will disseminate and spread the teachings, ideals and life of the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The ranks and insignia of the Knights of Rizal are recognized in the Honors Code of the Philippines as official awards of the Republlic and is the Seventh Class Rank in the order of precedence of civilian decorations of the Orders and medals of the Republic of the Philippines. Sir Judge Tom Rodriguez, KGCR

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