Ladies of the Knights of Rizal Bestow Honour on Tova Vickar
The Ladies of the Knights of Rizal bestowed an honour on Jewish community leader Tova Vickar on Saturday Aug 9 at the Carissa Restaurant.
The Knights of Rizal is an international civic association with chapters in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and other countries. The Knights of Rizal is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the National Hero of the Philippines. Dr. Rizal led a non-violent fight for the Philippine Independence from Spain which colonized the Philippines for more than 350 years. His two influential novels,"Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibosterismo", and some major writings, exposed the human violations against his countrymen, sparking a revolution that ultimately led to his execution in 1896 for treason and sedition, and led to the country's independence on June 12, 1898.
By continuing Dr. Rizal's legacy, the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal embody the value of courage, and dedication to social justice.
At the event, Lady Tova Vickar was presented with a traditional "Panuelo", a symbolic shawl worn around the shoulders, as well as a medal of recognition. The honor was conferred by Julie Holland Javier, president, and Lady Minas T. Pagtakhan, vice-president of the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal respectively.
After the honour was conferred on Tova, Larry Vickar, CEO and President of Vickar Automotive Group, and a well known philanthropist spoke about Tova. He jested that that in their household Tova is boss #1 and he is boss #2, “but as she tells me boss #2 doesn’t count.” He also said that he is the head of the household but Tova is the neck and the neck can make the head turn anyway it wants. He stated that Tova had decided he would speak on her behalf.
Larry noted he had “tremendous respect” for everyone present and the good work of the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal. He explained that Tova is a Hebrew name meaning “good” and recalled how he had met Tova when he had offered her a ride home. He thought that she had accepted the ride because of his "good looks" and "intellect" but in fact she had accepted the ride because it was very cold outside. At the time, Tova who could not speak English well was "sewing pockets on jeans” in the needle industry where she met and befriended some Filipino women. Tova had arrived in Winnipeg with "broken English" in 1968 from Israel after having been raised on a kibbutz and serving in the Israeli army. She worked for Hercules Manufacturing which was a company owned by the Freed family.
Larry noted that Dr. Rizal spoke some 22 languages and that Tova also speaks multiple languages- five in fact. “She reminds me that I try to speak one language, ” Larry said in a light hearted way.
Larry also jested that Dr. Rizal was a strong man and Tova has a propensity to be around strong men.” Larry said Tova had several boyfriends. The first was Rod Cantiveros, who founded the Filipino Journal in 1997. Cantiveros , who introduced Tova, thanked Larry and Tova for their commitment to the Filipino community and to helping people. When Larry Vickar led a Jewish Federation mission to Israel, there were eight members of the Filipino community who went on the mission and one of them was Rod Cantiveros. According to Larry, Tova’s second boyfriend is Filipino singer Paul Ong and when Larry was recently in Israel he found out that Tova had gone out with Paul Ong! Larry then noted that Tova's third boyfriend was unfortunately deceased. His name was Elvis Presley.
On a more serious note, Larry pointed out that he and Tova had seven projects that they have funded in Israel, Canada and the Philippines, and “my name isn’t on anything but Tova’s name is on all of them.” He said that Tova, true to her name, never holds a grudge, is a good person and loves everyone and tries to help people.
Bouquets of flowers were presented to Tova by Lady Holland Javier and Lady Minas T. Pagtakhan respectively, and Daisy Villegas, Zumba instructor, with the members of Royal Goldies Zumba.
The Ladies of the Knights of Rizal at the ceremony donated cash to ANCOP (Answer to the Cry of the Poor), through the initiative of Larry and Tova Vickar who presented a cheque to the Ladies of the Knights of Rizal in the amount of $5000.00.
