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,
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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