Current Project 2: Rizal Learning Center in Bohol

Tagbilaran City, the capital of the island province of Bohol, is the recipient of the second current Philippine project of the KOR and LFR Bonn Chapter. The organisation, in cooperation with barangay chairman Odysseus C. Glovasa and other local officials, developed the barangay library of Poblacion 3, one of the 15 barangays comprising the city. 

Rizal Learning Center in Poblacion 3, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

In 2007, when the barangay hall building was upgraded, a Learning Center was added in the basement of the new building. Although construction officially finished in 2008, the Learning Center remained incomplete until 2011.  Chapter Commander Peter Plueckebaum and Adviser Jeni Plueckebaum initiated contact to the Barangay and after presenting the situation of the Learning Center to the oganisation, garnered the strong support of the LFR LOR Bonn Chapter. In the months thereafter, bookshelves, tables, chairs and writing boards were gradually supplied to the Learning Center. 

Current Project 1: The Ormoc Project

The biggest and longest -running project of the Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal Bonn Chapter is the Support for the Educational Programme of a Flood Resettlement Community in Ormoc Philippines or simply, the ORMOC PROJECT. The project is in cooperation with St. Philippine Duchesne's Ormoc Workers Foundation (SPDOWF), through its branch office, the Sacred Heart Children's Educational Center, headed by Sister Iraida E. Sua-An. 

Flashback to 1991, more than 8,000 people in Ormoc City perished from flash floods caused by illegal logging and denuded forests. In response to the pressing needs of the victims of flash floods, the St. Philippine Duchesne’s Ormoc Workers Foundation, Inc. (SPDOWFI) was organized. In addition,  the International Society of the Sacred Heart pulled their resources together to offer help for the rehabilitation of poor victims.

Ormoc City is one of the oldest towns and the pioneer city of Leyte, in southern Philippines.  It is a coastal city and due to its geographical location, Ormoc serves as a catch-basin of the rain water coming from the mountains of the province.

For the past years the SPDOWFI survived through donations from donors and friends of the Sacred Heart.   In 2005, The SPDOWFI was able to provide a resettlement area for 40 families who were not able to avail of the government’s housing program.  These families are now settled within a one hectare compound called Barangay Luna.  Half of the property was allocated for the housing project and the other half has been converted into a herbal organic garden and a learning center for children.

Announcing the "KOR LFR Projects" Series

The library in a school in Ormoc, Philippines

A lot of exciting things are happening in the KOR and LFR right now and we are very excited to share these infos with our friends and readers! 

The KOR LFR has always been engaged in socio-civic activities that support and enliven the ideals of Dr Jose Rizal. We hold our fund-raising activities with the ultimate objective of helping alleviate the lives of our countrymen in the Philippines through our projects.

In the coming weeks and months, this website will be featuring a series of articles revolving around a common theme, beginning with our first Series on "KOR LFR Projects". The "Projects" Series will introduce to our friends and readers the different projects that the KOR and LFR are currently engaged in, or will engage into, in the near future. Every now and then, we will also highlight smaller projects that we did in the past to show the range of activities that our organisation engages in.

Of course, we will also provide information on how you could involve yourself if you want to support the current project. So, keep on visiting the website to learn more!

When it rains, it pours! LFR KOR Participates in Bonn Internationales Begegnungsfest 2011

The LFR and KOR Bonn Chapter at their booth

The Ladies for Rizal and Knights of Rizal Bonn Chapter continued with their long standing tradition of engagement in the Bonner Internationales Begegnungsfest on Saturday, 25 June 2011. Continuous drizzles and rain notwithstanding, the LFR and KOR set up their Food booth and Information Corner and was ready for business shortly before 11am. All throughout the day, traditional Filipino dishes, German cakes and hot/cold drinks were being served by the Ladies and Knights to its patrons. The Information Corner alternately played Filipino/modern music, and videos highlighting the life of the Philippine national hero, Dr Jose Rizal on the occassion of his 150th birth anniversary. The Ladies and Knights took the opportunity to explain about Rizal to visitors who were interested on learning more about him and the association.

KOR LFR Bonn goes to Wilhelmsfeld for Rizal’s 150th Birthday Celebration

Ladies for Rizal Bonn: Lady Aimee, Lady Gloria, Lady Susan, Lady Betty, Lady President Helen and Lady VP Margie

On the occasion of the 150^th birthday of Philippine national hero Dr Jose Rizal on 19 June 2011, the Order of the Knights of Rizal Bonn (KOR) and Kababaihang Rizalista Bonn Chapter (LFR) travelled to Wilhelmsfeld near Heidelberg to actively participate in the anniversary celebrations. 

The day before, the 21-strong group (including 4 children) led by Sir Peter Plückebaum, KGOR, Commander, Bonn Chapter travelled the 250 kilometer stretch between Bonn and Wilhelmsfeld via a convoy of five cars and stayed overnight in a nearby hotel. A tour of the castle and Rizal’s various accommodations in Heidelberg was conducted after arrival to help re-acquaint the KOR LFR Bonn Chapter with the city in which Rizal lived for a few months in 1886. Rizal stayed in Heidelberg to practice Opthalmology after finishing his studies in Paris. It is in Wilhelmsfeld near Heidelberg where Rizal finished his novel entitled “Noli Me Tangere” which first saw publication in Berlin in 1887.

Sir Celso Lacuna of KOR Bonn receives Medal of Honor

Sir Celso Lacuna KGOR, Knights of Rizal Bonn

During the 150th birthday celebrations of Rizal at Wilhelsmfeld Heidelberg on 19 June 2011, our very own Sir Celso Lacuna, KGOR, was presented a medal of honor by the Wilhelmsfeld-Heidelberg Chapter in recognition of his untiring support and active participation in the yearly birthday celebrations of Dr Jose Rizal in Wilhelmsfeld. 

Congratulations Sir Celso from the Ladies and Knights of Rizal Bonn Chapter!

Happy Birthday Pepe and Gloria

The beautiful Lady Gloria Buccat

Today marks the 150th birthday of Jose Rizal (also known by his nickname Pepe), coinciding with the birthday of our very own Lady Gloria Buccat! The occasion was made more special because the birthday girl was in Heidelberg together with the Ladies and Knights of Rizal Bonn to participate in the celebration of Rizal's birthday.

VP Lady Margie's Dinner Meeting

Lady Margie and her husband Sir Teddy

LFR Bonn Chapter's very own Vice President, Lady Margie Lapinid Amarga hosted a dinner to celebrate her birthday on 08 April 2011 during the joint meeting of the LFR KOR Bonn Chapter. Lady Margie belongs to the first batch of Filipino nurses in Germany. Her work has brought her to UK but she has decided to settle down for good in Bonn with her husband, Sir Teddy Amarga.

Happy Birthday Sir Dirk

The 19th of March was reserved for a special date: the celebration of Sir Dirk Hampel's birthday. Happy Birthday Sir Dirk!

Alaaf and Happy Birthday Sir Peter!

Photo coutesy of Lady Gloria Marten

The LFR and KOR Bonn Chapter celebrated the birthday of Chapter Commander Sir Peter Plueckebaum, KGOR, and the Bonn Karneval on 05 March 2011.

The birthday boy Sir Peter Plueckebaum (file pictire)

 The double celebration was a memorable and joyful one because everybody was in the mood to party!
 

Photo courtesy of Lady Gloria Marten