PR-08-2023
The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne hosted the Launching and Oath Taking of the Kababaihang Rizalista, Inc. (KRI), Victoria Chapter, on 12 March 2023 with 17 founding members.
Philippine Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Ma. Hellen De La Vega, who inducted the KRI officers and members, said that the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, recognized the important role of women when he was quoted saying, “Let the maiden be the pride of her country and command respect.” In her welcome remarks, Consul General Salcedo said that the group was inspired by the letter of Rizal to young women of Malolos, Bulacan on 22 February 1889 about “empowering women.”
The Kababaihang Rizalista, Inc. is an organization honoring the memory of Dr. Rizal in order to pave the way for the understanding of his ideals and to exhort Filipinos to follow his examples and teachings. It was founded on 27 September 1958 and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 29 April 1959. With the chartering of the Victoria Chapter it is now the third in Australia following the chartering of the Canberra Chapter in June 2022 and Sydney Chapter in September 2018.
The KRI Victoria Chapter was inducted by Philippine Ambassador Ma. Hellen De La Vega, adviser of KRI Canberra Chapter, which was launched on 24 June 2022. She congratulated and commended the Board of Trustees of KRI Victoria Chapter and its President Lady Imelda Domingo McLean for scheduling its launching and oath taking ceremony during the National Women’s Month.
Lady Imelda McLean, President of KRI Victoria Chapter, gave her passionate inaugural message by narrating how she came to accept the invitation to be a member and later President of the group of women dedicated to advance the teachings of Rizal. “I remember studying about the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal back in the Philippines,” she recalled as she and 16 others had just pledged to perform the noble goals for KRI.
Sir Danilo Peralta, Chairman of the counterpart organization of Knights of Rizal (KOR) International Headquarters, is responsible for the chartering of all KRI Chapters as mandated by the Constitution and By-laws of the KRI. He was authorized by the KRI International President, Lady Bernardita S. Lizardo, to coordinate for the chartering of KRI Victoria Chapter. He also conducts the knighting of any new member of the KOR.
In his speech, Sir Peralta mentioned that Dr. Jose Rizal wrote the famous letter to the women of Malolos supporting the education of women so that they may be enlightened about their rights. He requested the newly inducted KRI members to actively promote and uphold the ideals of nationalism and patriotism.
Ms. Josephine Quintero, great grandniece and fourth generation relative of Dr. Rizal, initiated the establishment of KRI Victoria Chapter. She gave her thanks and appreciation to Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo, for her support and guidance to establish the KRI Victoria Chapter.
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