RCSHK Vice Chairman Nicholas Tam was appointed a Knight Commander of the Orden de Caballeros de Rizal (Order of Rizal) at a ceremony in Manila, Philippines on 17 February 2024.
The Order of Rizal was founded in 1911 to uphold the legacy of Dr Jose Rizal, the Filipino doctor, intellectual, and author who is revered as a national hero in the Philippines and considered the father of Philippines independence who played an influential role in ending Spanish colonial rule. Awards in the Order are made to recognise an individual’s achievements and commitment to the Rizalian values of patriotism, internationalism, civic virtue, and social discipline. Nicholas was awarded the status of Knight Commander for his services to international peace-making through his advocacy for the Commonwealth of Nations.
Henceforth, Nicholas is now entitled under Philippines law to the style and title of Sir Nicholas Tam, KCR.
Also knighted at the same ceremony was President Stjepan Mesic, the former President of Croatia, who led that nation into independence. Other persons to receive the same knighthood include every Philippines President since 1935, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, US Senator John Ensign, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, and the late US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.