The Philippine Ambassador to Australia, HE Ma Hellen De La Vega, inducted the 17 members of the Kababaihang Rizalista Inc. (KRI) Victoria Chapter on 12 March 2023 held at the Philippine Consulate General Office in Melbourne. Ambassador De La Vega also officially chartered KRI Victoria. In Australia, there are two other Kababaihang Rizalista Chapters. One is in Sydney, the first to be established in 2018 in the Australia-New Zealand-Oceana Region, and the other is in Canberra. The Victoria Chapter, as well as the KRI chapters all over the world, have female officers and members.
HE De La Vega delivered her message, starting with the acknowledgement that her diplomacy allowed her to serve in places such as Madrid, Tokyo and California—places historically visited by Philippine national hero, Dr Jose P Rizal. While no records show whether Rizal visited Australia, HE De La Vega was keen to point out how he is being honoured “for what he represents and for his contribution in advancing self-governance and democracy in Asia”. Rizal’s subversive acts have led to waves of activism, with results still felt today.
HE De La Vega also mentioned that helping and cheering for each other is what women do best. She made a nod to Rizal’s recognition of women’s roles when he wrote, “Let the maiden be the pride of her country and command respect.” She ended her speech by commending KRI Victoria for holding the chartering ceremony on International Women’s Day and congratulating Lady Imelda Domingo McLean and the board of trustees, who were inducted later that day. HE De La Vega recognised their patriotism and service, as reflected in their commitment to KRI. She closed with the call: “Be the representation of the strength and courage that Rizal was known for.”
KRI Victoria board of trustees
The KRI Victoria Chapter members of the board of trustees 2023-2026 are:
- Lady Imelda Domingo McLean, President
- Lady Melba Cabato-Waugh, Vice President
- Lady Bernadette Alonzo Cortes, Secretary
- Lady Maria Lourdes Lorenzo, Assistant Secretary
- Lady Fe Francisco Martin, Treasurer
- Lady Johanna Marie Avenido, Assistant Treasurer
- Lady Alfe Ladao Roder, Auditor
- Lady Nelia San Jose Ramirez, PRO
- Lady Josephine Saban Quintero, Board Member/Adviser
- Lady Mirasol Obar Bottomley, Member
- Lady Estellita Casuga, Member
- Lady Florence Macusi Dato, Member
- Lady Nelda Orodio Estores, Member
- Lady Sherlita Teope Hart, Member
- Lady Felicitas Aguila Jover, Member
- Lady Teresita Pagdanganan Lim, Member
- Lady Maria Cristina, Malvas, Member
PHOTOS: Angelito Valdez Jr.
KRI is the counterpart organisation of the Knights of Rizal (KoR), an Order of Chivalry Incorporated under the Corporation Law of the Philippines. In 1916, patriots championed the civic KoR organisation to inculcate and propagate the teachings and ideals of the Philippine national hero, Dr Jose Rizal. The KRI and KoR have worked together on a number of projects concerning the commemoration and celebration of Rizal Day and other cultural gatherings. KRI has more than 20 chapters all over the world since being founded in September 1958 by Dr Severina Luna Orosa.
In their booklet, the KRI referenced Rizal’s To the Young Women of Malolos where he wrote, “Let Us be Reasonable and open our eyes, especially you women, because you are the first to influence the consciousness of men.” This desire to have women be offered the same opportunities as men became an insight into the freedom of thought and right to education granted to both men and women today. In her speech, Ambassador De La Vega also quoted author-journalist Carmen Guerrero Nakpil saying that this letter “remains the most authoritative feminist essay in Filipino literature”.
In her welcome message, Philippine Consul General Maria Lourdes Salcedo mentioned the amazing collaboration between Filipino organisations in Victoria and KRI to celebrate Rizal Day last year. She also revealed that she was part of the first meeting discussing the formation of KRI Victoria as an Adviser. The meeting was jointly chaired by Lady Jopen Quintero, the great-grandniece of Rizal. She hopes that this charter may be a good platform for more activities, projects and programs aimed at enriching the knowledge and culture within the community.
The Supreme Auditor of the Knights of Rizal, Sir Danilo “Danny” Peralta introduced and charged the board of trustees with the Ambassador leading their oath-taking. Also in attendance were the Consuls Mr Ralph Vincent Abarquez and Mr Jan Sherwin Wenceslao, former Wyndham Deputy Mayor Walter Villagonzalo, broadcast anchors “Kapinoy” Arlan Pineda Fajardo of Pinoy Ako, Pinoy Tayo (PAPT), Fred Jover of Barangay Teleradyo, and The Philippine Times Publisher, Alice Nicolas.
Lady Jopen Quintero gave thanks and appreciation for the formation of KRI Victoria by telling the story behind it. She said that during KRI Sydney’s induction in 2018, The Philippine Times Publisher Alice Nicolas introduced her to Lady Jinky Trijo Marsh (KRI Sydney), who then introduced her to Sir Danny Peralta. During the lockdown of 2020, Lady Jopen invited Sir Danny and Sir Cesar Bartolome to join PAPT in organising the Rizal Day celebration via Zoom.
In 2021, Lady Jopen was invited to be a speaker during Rizal Day, and in 2022, she was invited to assist in unveiling the new Rizal bust in the Philippine Embassy and witness the induction of KRI Canberra members. The next day, she witnessed the knighting of the new KoR members. Lady Jopen said that this experience gave her “a stronger inclination to establish KRI in Victoria” and admitted that since the people were so passionate about the life and work of Dr Rizal, she felt she had to be more passionate as well, especially since she is related to him. She then asked CG Salcedo for help establishing KRI Victoria, and hence, the successful chartering.
The KRI Victoria Chapter will surely add great feminine power and energy to the Filipino community in the state. HE De La Vega said that we should always take pride in our feminist heritage, not only on 8 March (International Women’s Day), and that we must be “relentless in our pursuit of excellence and equality”.
Lady Bernadette Alonzo Cortes was the master of ceremonies.
After the program, the Philippine Consulate invited all attendees to a complimentary lunch at Ginger Olive with a set menu pre-arranged by CG Salcedo herself.
More photos by Angelito Valdez Jr Photography available on Philtimes Facebook Page.
