ALKHOBAR, 23 June 2006 — An embassy has lauded the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) for its continued effort to promote unity among Filipinos in the Eastern Region.
Labor Attaché Delmer Cruz said in his inspirational speech during the 145th birthday celebration of Dr. Jose Rizal that OKOR had been organizing programs that bring together Filipinos through the teachings of the Philippine national hero.
He said that unity is also possible for all Filipino community groups not only in the Eastern Region but throughout the Kingdom.
Underscoring the divisiveness of the groups in this area, Cruz said that there is always a way for a dialogue to resolve misunderstandings among the groups.
“There are always misunderstandings within any organization, even in school, or our group in the POLO-OWWA. But things can be resolved through a dialogue,” he said.
Last month, the Filipino community groups in the region were divided when some community leaders wrote a petition seeking the recall of Cruz for allegedly failing to show leadership and rapport with the community. But other organizations and leaders expressed support for Cruz, saying the allegations were unfounded.
Cruz, in his speech, reminded the community of Rizal’s call for unity and stressd that the common ground for unity is to agree on a point “for the benefit of all and not for the personal interest of a few.”
In observing Rizal’s birthday on June 19, members of the OKOR Eastern Province Chapter, led by its new commander, Zane Thirlwall, came out in a very colorful fashion. Adding glamor to the event were the students of the International Philippine School in Alkhobar (IPSA) and the Philippine School in Dammam PSD), all dressed in gala uniform.
The chapter's other officers are: Elias Bonite, deputy commander; Delfin Lumberio, chancellor; Oscar Paraiso, pursuivant; Jose Velasquez, exchequer; Rolando Tuzara, auditor; Rafaelito Beltran, archivist; Narciso Sadie, deputy pursuivant; Charly Azucena, deputy exchequer; and advisers Alberto Layag, Isagani Manalo, and Richard White.
