On December 30, 2014, brother knights in Northern Samar observed Rizal Day (a national holiday)
with the unveiling of hstorical marker in Lao-ang, Northern Samar. The said marker presents the deep faith in God and loyalty to the Catholic Faith of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines' National Hero.
The ceremony started with a memorial mass for the 118th death anniversary of Rizal officiated by
Sir Knight and Msgr. Gaspar D. Balerite, Laoang's parish priest. It was followed by a parade
and the ceremonial unveiling of the historical marker at the old Rizal's Statue at the public plaza.
The unveiling was headed by Provincial Deputy SK Licarion G. Lim and SK Felipe Irinco, Grand Knight of Council 3597.
The said historical marker that details the heroism and deep religiosity of the national hero was first
in the Philippines. It was a product of the research conducted by Msgr. Balerite, a well-known
priest, theologian, bible scholar and historian in the diocese.
priest, theologian, bible scholar and historian in the diocese.
In his closing remarks, Msgr. Balerite compared Rizal's life and story of conversion to the lives of the great St. Paul and Augustine, two prominent saints of the Catholic Church.
