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A Filipino community group that promotes patriotism amongst those living in Bahrain and provides an array of charitable activities recently commemorated its 20th anniversary on the island, writes Mai Al-Khatib Camille.
The Knights of Rizal Bahrain is chartered under the Republic Act 646 (Philippine Law) and affiliated with the Philippines Embassy. The 23 members include Filipino professionals working in the kingdom, with nine sitting on the board of trustees.
“Since its inception in 2003, we have continuously been providing humanitarian efforts, youth leadership training programmes as well as health and wellness and sports activities along with community outreach, environmentally-friendly projects and financial augmentation to less fortunate Filipinos and other nationals,” said the group’s head of Prefectural Tribunal, chairman, organising committee and events programme director Sir Ahbet Quinto.
At the end of June, the Knights of Rizal Bahrain staged a gala dinner at the Ramee Grand Hotel and Spa, led by Philippines Ambassador Anne Jalando-on Louis, to highlight the achievements of the non-governmental organisation as well as to celebrate individuals for their humanitarian services.
“The group was initially spearheaded by former Philippines ambassador Eduardo Pablo Maglaya as a nine-man team,” added Sir Ahbet. “It has commanded enormous projects benefitting a wider range of the Filipino population in the kingdom and other expatriates, ranging from helping them continue their education to supporting medical missions and providing repatriation assistance to the underprivileged Filipinos in the kingdom.
“Another highlight of our occasion was presenting the ‘Bayanihan Award for Humanitarian Service 2023’ to individuals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporate institutions who had exemplified themselves in rendering unselfish deeds before and throughout the pandemic.”
This is an initiative by the Knights of Rizal Bahrain Chapter that recognises individuals, NGOs and companies for the outstanding humanitarian work.
The award was inspired by ‘Bayanihan’ which refers to the spirit of communal unity and co-operation, culture and tradition in the Philippines.
“It is a belief that helping others or the community or the nation is what they ought to do,” he added. “The award is a prestigious initiative for awardees to pay homage to their unselfish deeds to the community.
“It is in the interest of the Knights of Rizal Bahrain Chapter to pursue and continuously provide this award bi-annually to recognise and reward the services and efforts of individuals, groups or corporate entities.”
Madhavan Kallath, who provides legal assistance to multinationals on a pro bono basis, received an award in the individual category.
Pinay Ikaw Na (PIN), a Filipino organisation affiliated with the Philippine Embassy that provides assistance to less fortunate Filipinos and other nationals either in the field of employment, medical care, skills training, counselling, and financial augmentation received the non-governmental category award.
Meanwhile, LuLu Hypermarket Bahrain won the corporate entities award for its continuous corporate social responsibility initiatives within the kingdom.
