On Saturday, 3 April 2022, a delegation of the Knights of Rizal – Florence Chapter attended the celebrations for the 10th Anniversary of the Modena Chapter and the 3rd Anniversary of the Milan Chapter in Modena, Italy.
The delegation was led by Chapter Commander Sir Arman Cruz, KCR and present from the Florence Chapter were Deputy Chapter Commander Sir Rob Carrillo, KCR, Chapter Archivist Sir Mario Cadauan, Deputy Exchequer Sir Elmer Alvarez, and Sir Francis Santiso, KR. Among the senior European Regional Council representatives present were Immediate Past Regional Commander for Europe Sir Albert Arevalo, KGOR, Special Adviser for Europe Sir Jim Rebong, KGOR as well as the Outgoing Italy Area Commander Sir Emerson Malapitan, KCR, and current Italy Area Commander Sir Carlos Simbillo, KGOR.
The guest of honour, Consul General of the Philippines in Milan Lady Bernadette Therese Fernandez, during her message highlighted an upcoming project which aims to install a bust of Rizal in Milan. The event also saw the attendance of the Modena city government representatives.
As part of the programme, Sir Emerson Malapitan highlighted the beginnings of the Modena Chapter and the Knights of Rizal in Italy. Sir Carlos Simbillo in his message as incoming Area Commander called upon new knights to follow the example of the efforts of the first knights of Rizal in Italy and take the extra time and effort to dedicate to the organisation. Messages of congratulations were also heard from Sir Albert Arevalo and Sir Jim Rebong. The event saw several intermissions from the Kababaihang Rizalista International such as a poem from Lady Lucy de Austria of KRI Modena and a monologue by Lady Siony Manalo of KRI Milan.
The later half of the programme saw the initiation of new members and the exaltation to Knight Commander.
The Florence Chapter congratulates its sister chapters for this new milestone!
