MOKOR
GAZETTE
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE MISSOURI KNIGHTS OF RIZAL
SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI
EDITOR: Juan M. Castro, M.D.
Volume II Number 1
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Stephen O’Black, Kathy Skelton
June 2015
THE MOKOR CHAPTER:
The gazette was not published from January to May. Like last year 2014, when it was established,
it was resumed this year in June 2015. The publications will be reduced to every 2-3 months, this
month in June, next will be September and lastly, December. The period from January to May 2015
was hectic due to making of reports and preparing for the 20th International assembly in Vigan, Ilocos
Sur, Philippines. In spite of the heavy schedule, the chapter was able to make several articles, namely,
“Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Father of the Philippines”, “Two Great Men of History, Washington and Rizal, A
Comparative Study”, “In the Eyes of the Beholder, Live Images of Rizal, A Prelimenary Study” and a
chapter and area report to Sir Francis D. Sison, KGOR, USA regional Commander. With Sir Francis, we
made a great effort to get as many delegates as possible for the Vigan assembly. It turned out to be a
successful drive since he was able to get as many as 140 delegates, the biggest ever from the United
States of America. It was a very successful and enjoyable convention under the leadership of our
Supreme Commander, Sir Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson, KGCR. An article “Philippine Pilgrimage 2015,
The 20th OKOR International Assembly” about this event was written and published.
With Sir Dr. Alex Datuin, KCR, St. Louis Mokor Chapter Commander, we organized a Rizal Day of
June 2015 celebrating the 154th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Rizal with the community involved for the
first time. During this period, the following articles were written, “Fraternal Address, Rizal day June
13, 2015”, “Dr. Jose P. Rizal, The Misconception as a Doctor” and “Mokor Rizal Day June 2015 Event”.
It was a good successful event with full capacity attendance, good guest entertainers and excellent
filipinized buffet cuisine. After a while, we discovered that there were more confirmed guests in a 70
limited capacity facility can handle. We stopped recruiting guests. A good number of community
representatives was evident. Next year the event will include a larger venue and increased
entertainments.
A lot was accomplished with the Mokor Rizal Day Event. One important achievement was a
considerable participation and influence on the Filipino community. There was our entertainment
from volunteer participants. Three new Knights were given life memberships and Knight Commander
of Rizal ranks. The Mokor chapter was elated in having their past commander exalted to Knight Grand
Officer of Rizal, which reflected on the group that hard work for the Order can be rewarding. Two
individuals were granted Mokor Award “Rizaliana Woman of the Year 2015 to Lady Carmen Estacio of
Chicago, President of the USA Regional Ladies for Rizal and Frank Tejada, M.D., a retired Internist,
author and novelist, artist and ball-room dancer in his mid-eighties, the Mokor Award Rizaliana Man
of the Year 2015. This year, we planned on awarding “Outstanding Rizalista” in December
commemorating the martyrdom of our hero. Additional awards will be given to Mokor and
MoRizYou Club members for excellence in different categories. The club stands for Missouri Rizal
Youth.
The chapter monthly were held at the Willows Spring Complex, Chesterfield, MO, courtesy of Sir
Alex Datuin, except for one that was held in the residence of Sir Katzenberger and the other in the
Augusta, MO farm of Sir Steve O’black, about 45 miles from St. Louis. There was fishing in Steve’s
farm. You never see such large sized Missouri perch. All meetings were held regularly on a monthly
basis and the attendees always have a quorum. Ben O’Black was given his certificate of membership
to the Morizyou club . Ben, an active Boy Scout, is the son of Sir Steve.
CENTRAL US AREA COMMAND:
The command was like a hornets’ hive with activities. Besides, preparing reports for the regional
commander and the International Assembly, the compositions of the chapters and their activities
were being evaluated for study. Reports from each chapter were not easy to obtain. No meetings
and lack of interest in attending was discovered. Pride and honor of the Order and its policies were
missing or lacking. There was difficulty in recruiting members. Venue of meeting may not be best for
lack of privacy. Frequent contacts with commanders were being accomplished with discussion on the
solution of these problems. Recently I sent a paper to Sir Francis and OKOR HQ for suggestions during
their deliberation of the by-laws. I have a recent phone conversation with Sir Willie Buhay, KGOR, on
their concern of the attitude of members with lack of pride and interest in the Order. He requested If
I can consider giving a pep talk sometime in August 2015. I accepted the invitation to be scheduled
around the week of August 15 so I can spend time with the Newberry’s Library in Chicago where there
exist original Rizal artifacts and the Philippine Collector’s Forum which is being held around that time
period. I told him I have been preparing for that activity this year which entails the subject of
solidarity and pride of the Order, ideas on awards and promotions, etc. Medal awards from the order
are very important and honorable and are considered Presidential Civilian Awards through the KOR
and are of the 8th level rank. The Texas area under Sir Mel Garraton, KCR, Central US Area Deputy
Commander has been very busy forming already seven chapters and more envisioned to be organized.
More power to you, Sir Mel. Sirs Francis and Juan plan on visiting Houston in December, 2015.
FUTURE EVENTS:
July 19, 2015, Sunday, 5:30-8:30 PM: The Mokor sponsored garden party at the Castro’s Residence,
# 4 Williamsburg Rd., Creve Coeur, MO 63141 to celebrate the newly named Filipino Freedom
Friendship Fiesta served with a Filipino Cuisine including Lechon, Pancit, wild game meat (boar, elk,
caribou gift of wild game hunter, Sir Joey Castro, CPE, KCR, LM of Boulder, CO), freshly caught
Missouri perch from the private lake of Sir Steve O’Black, KOR, and other specialties prepared by
Ladies for Rizal. Again, this party will be community oriented. On the same day from 2-4 PM, the
Mokor Chapter will hold its monthly meeting in the Castro’s Florida room.
August 15, 2015, Saturday, Rizal Center, Chicago, IL, a fraternal pep talk to the four chapters in the
city, Malaya, Chicago, Bantayog and Dakila. Manuscripts and outlines had been prepared for
sometime in anticipation of future requests by the area and chapter leaders. It would be preferable
to have an open discussion. Subjects such as motivation, solidarity, pride, recruitment, constant
training of leaders, awards, promotion, etc. or any touchy sensitive matters may even be pursued to
promote transparency and awareness of anything of the Order. The manual and by-laws will be
brought in for reference just in case.
October, 2015: Toronto, Canada. This is about the Regional Convention in Canada, but nothing yet
is definite. Up to date, there is still no chapter who stood up to sponsor the event. I heard the
Chairman of the Council of Elders, Sir Lamberto C. Nanquil, Esq., KGCR, paid a visit to the place just
recently. It is rather getting late to prepare to go there, since it is important for one to schedule his
time schedule, appointments and finances.
December 26, 2015, Saturday: Rizal Day to commemorate the martyrdom of Dr. Rizal. It will be
finalized as soon as arrangement with the group and the St. Louis County Library is made.
January 2016: University of Santo Tomas Alumni reunion, Silver Jubilee and Diamond (60 years) for
our medical class of 1956. Attendance is not final pending developments.
September, 2016: New Jersey is the sponsor for this US regional Convention headed by our USA
regional Commander, Sir Francis D. Sison, KGOR. Again no specific details yet since it is still over a
year for it to happen.
PAST EVENTS:
February 18-22, 2015, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines: An article was written and published for this
event. It was the most beautiful and successful event I ever attended. There was plenty of
entertainment, delicious foods and guided tours of old places and churches. The speeches were given
by the Singson family of politicians, from Mayor to Governor. A number of artifacts, old and new
were acquired and brought back to St. Louis, MO, USA. Two other guests, brother Knights enjoyed the
trip with us. They occupied the condo room of Sir Jiuan. Sir Al Katzenberger accompanied them from
St. Louis, but went back home alone after two weeks. Sir Eli Faypon just stayed for the conference
and went home soon after. The trip to Vigan was by air-conditioned charter bus which took no less
than 9.5 hours. Sir Al was brought to see Calamba Shrine and the new Rizal Monument, the tallest in
the world at 22 feet and also Los Banos, the site of General Paciano Rizal Shrine. Sir Al appeared to
tolerate Filipino foods well, including balut eggs (penoy only). We also went to the American
Cemetery to look up the grave of a soldier who belong to the American Legion post.
June 13, 2015, Saturday 5:30 – 11:00 PM: Most of the activities were described in previous
paragraphs. The June 19th, Dr. Rizal’s birth date, was not feasible because of work conflict of many of
the guests and Knights.
NEWSBITS:
Gabe Castro, Morizyou club member, graduated from high school with A grades and will pursue the
field of Foreign Affairs at the University of Maryland, while Mitch, his older brother, finished his
Master’s degree in Research Biochemistry. They are my grandchildren from the eldest son, Jack and
Madeline. Soli, another grandson, also a Morizyou Club member, has just won a trophy for advanced
black belt Tae-Kwen-Do, won an award for deep water scuba diving and excellence in academics. He is
only 10 years old and the son of Sir Mark Scholl, KCR and Lady Gina Castro, Esq., of Palm City FL. They
are also both scuba divers and practitioner of Tae-Kwen-Do sports. Sir Jerry Castro, KCR from
Spokane, WA has a son, Kyler, 10 y.o., a Morizyou member also who has interest in Tae-Kwen-Do and
is excellent in math, while a daughter, Jenna, 8 y.o. likes acting and stage play. The only child of Sir
Joey Castro, KCR, daughter, Meiji, 18 y.o. just finished her stint in Florence, Italy, part of the Art
History program of the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO.
Sir Genny G. Herbosa, D.M.D., KCR just gave his daughter, Crystal, away in marriage on June 12,
2015 with reception at the St. Louis Country Club in Ladue. It was a big reception. His two children,
Christopher and Caroline are member of the Morizyou Club.
Sir Steve O’Black, KOR, together with his son, Ben spent some time in Boy Scout camp during our
Rizal Day in June. Ben got his diploma of membership of the Morizyou Club. Food and fishing were
excellent. We appreciate Sir Steve hosting the May monthly meeting with his mother, Lady Lenore.
Sir Les Jenkins was in London late last year and when he came back, he gave an education program
on Rizal’s sojourn in London with photos. Good Work, Sir Les. Lady Armella, his wife, goes back and
forth to Devon, England to look up their rental properties. She is a busy bee.
Sir Conrad and Lady Virgie Abinoja attended the Vigan International Assembly and got awarded
the DSM (Distinguished Service Medal). They enjoyed the “Caratela” horse buggy ride parade. He
gave an educational program about his Vigan trip experience.
Sir Al Katzenberger, KCR was with me in the Vigan adventure. He received the DSM and gave also
his version of experience in the Vigan trip as part of an educational program for the chapter. He just
donated $150.00 for the Jefferson Barracks Cemetery Council in the name of the Knights of Rizal.
Both Sir Steve Erdmann, KOR, Chapter Exechequer, does a good job with financial reports
depositing the money and Roger, in his reports. They are true numismatists. Sir Joel Anderson and
Lady Kathy Skelton are always there to give support and encouragements. They were both at the
June Rizal Day Affair taking a lot of pictures.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS:
Fig. 1: Manila US Cemetery
Fig. 3: Los Banos Shrine
Fig. 6: Makati German Club
Fig. 2: Calamba Rizal Shrine
Fig. 4: Chicago Rizal Bust
Fig. 5: KGOR Exaltation
fig. 7: Courtesy Call
Fig. 8: Sir & Lady Davide, KGCR
Fig. 9: Sir & Lady Esguerra, KGCR
Fig. 10: The Caratela Parade
Fig. 11: Chapter Meeting
Fig. 13: Chapter Meeting
Fig. 12: Rizal Day Group Photo
Fig. 14: Commander’s Despidida
PHOTO DESCRIPTIONS:
Fig. 1: Sirs Al and Juan in the American Military Cemetery in Metro Manila. Sir Al, beside,
attending the OKOR 20th IAC in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, had a mission from the Post 397 American Legion,
Creve Couer, MO to check the grave of Martin K. Lyvers, Marine Corp of the 408 Bomb Sq, 22 Bomb
Gp, who died in the Pacific on Sept. 21, 1944. He was from Missouri and member of the Post.
Fig. 2: A visit to the Calamba Shrine, the house “Bahay Na Bato” meaning house of stone, where Dr.
Rizal was born and grew up. The stone house indicates affluence or a house of means. However,
during our visit in February 2015, the shrine was closed, being repaired from the damages of a recent
typhoon.
Fig. 3: The General Paciano Rizal Shrine in Los Banos, Laguna was visited in February 2015. It
consisted of a Statue of the general, the tomb where he was buried and the house he lived in. Brig.
Gen. Paciano was an officer of the revolutionary army headed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. He escaped
to Cavite in 1896 after release from the prison of Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila. He was arrested,
incarcrated and tortured by the Spanish Authorities to extract damaging information on his brother,
Dr. Jose Rizal, who was also a prisoner held for treason and rebellion.
Fig. 4: A photo of the Rizal Bust at the Rizal Heritage Center in Chicago, IL before it was stolen on
June 16, 2015 at around 1:30 AM following the Black Hawks Hockey Stanley Cup World Championship
celebration and parade. The bust was made of fiberglass, painted bronze and made by master Filipino
sculptor, Anastacio Caedo, purchased by the Fil-American Community in 1977 for $80,000. The photo
was sent by email, courtesy of Sir Rufino Crisostomo, M.D., KGOR, President of the FACC Rizal
Heritage Center.
Fig. 5: Exaltation of Sir Juan to KGOR by Sir Eli Faypon, KGCR, during the Rizal Day celebration of
the 154th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose P. Rizal on June 13, 2015 at the MAC-West. In the background
were Lady Armella Jenkins, Sirs Joey and Jerry Castro.
Fig. 6: German Club in Makati. Sir Peter Pluckenbaum, KGOR, Deputy Exchequer of the Supreme
Council, called on Sir Jerry Singson, KGCR, Supreme Commander, while waiting for me at the HQ in the
Port Area offices, to meet at the German Club for lunch. Due to the notorious Manila traffic, it took
me three hours to negotiate a 5 mile distance form Quezon City, where I reside for the duration. Sir
Jerry was waiting in the parking lot when I arrived and proceeded to the club soon after. Sir Peter was
waiting for us and included Sir Choy Arnaldo to complete the foursome. Sir Peter served us their best
German wine and very delicious entre’. Our conversation was wholesome and informative.
Fig. 7: Courtesy call on the Chairman of the Council of Elders, Sir Lamberto Nanquil, Esq., KGCR.
Sirs Juan, Eli Faypon and Al Katzenberger went to visit Sir Nanquil at his office in Cubao, Quezon City.
Our talk was pleasant and likewise informative. Sir Eli has known Sir Lamberto for a long time.
Fig. 8: Sir Hilario Davide, KGCR and his lovely wife, Lady Gigi (nee, Virginia Jimenez Perez), during
the OKOR Ball at the Vigan Convention Center in February 2015. Former Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of the Philippines is a very pleasant and approachable leader who gives intelligent and sound
advices, an asset of the Filipinos, the country and the Knights of Rizal.
Fig. 9: Sir and Lady Virgilio R. Esguerra, KGCR, past Supreme Commander, Council of Elders
member, at the convention Center Gala Ball. We had a nice pleasant talk during the affair.
Fig. 10: The Caratela Parade. The parade made up of over 100 horse drawn buggy was carried out
around the vicinity of the City Convention Center. Sir Juan appeared to be driving the rig and Sir
Virgilio and Lady Elena in the back seat as passengers.
Fig. 11: St. Louis Mokor Chapter monthly meeting held at the residence of Sir Al and Lady Sandra
Katzenberger. On display were his assortments of collection including the artifacts he earned and
acquired about the Knights of Rizal. Thanks Sir Al for hosting the meeting.
Fig. 12: Group photo of the Knights and Ladies during the Rizal Day on June 13, 2015 at the MACWest Facility. This picture was taken after the exaltation of Sir Juan to KGOR, the first in the State of
Missouri. The event was also the first Rizal Day in Missouri with community involvement. Front row,
L-R: Ms. Nilda Latorre, Lady Armella Jenkins, Lady Remy Bibera, Lady Gina Castro, Esq., Lady Alex
Manaois, Lady Carmen Estacio, Lady Aida Castro, M.D., Lady Liza Vasich, Lady Mariet Celis, Sir Jess
Celis, KOR, Sir Eil Faypon, Ph.D., KGCR, Sir Juan Castro, M.D., KGOR, Sir Clem Manaois, KGOR, Sir Alex
Datuin, M.D., KCR, Ms. Grace Liu. Rear row L-R: Sir Joey Castro, CPE, KCR, Sir Jerry Castro, M.D., KCR,
Sir Mark Scholl, KCR, Sir Les Jenkins, KCR, Sir Joel Anderson, KOR, Sir Steve Erdmann, KOR and Sir
Roger Schmidt, KOR.
Fig. 13: The chapter monthly meeting held at the residence of Sir Steve O’Black, KOR in Augusta,
Missouri about 45-50 miles from St. Louis. L-R: Sirs Al Katzenberger and Steve O’Black (Host), Ben (his
son) holding the Morizyou Club diploma, Sir Alex Datuin, Lady Aida Castro, Lady Mariet Celis and Lady
Lenore O’Black, mother of Sir Steve. Thanks a lot, Sir Steve.
Fig. 14: Sir Jerry Singson, KGCR, Supreme Commander, giving a farewell address to commanders
still left in Manila after the conference in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on March 7, 2015 at the fabulous home of
Sir Reghis Romero II, immediate past Supreme Commander and Over-all Chairman of the Conference.
We are very appreciative of the honor bestowed on us by the Supreme Council, particularly Sirs Jerry
and Reghis. The cuisine with the lechon was superb, the feeling of fraternal love was evident and the
entertainment and hospitality was beyond reproach.
JMC 6/29/2015